Re-Love Project 2015

Posted by The Painted Hive | Apr 27, 2015 | Miscellaneous | 34

Do you guys remember this makeover from last year?

Well, I’m super excited to announce I am once again taking part in the Feast Watson Re-Love Project!

For anyone unfamiliar with the campaign, the Re-Love Project is a charitable collaboration between Feast Watson and Salvos Stores. The project follows eight design personalities as they each up-cycle an item of furniture into a unique statement piece. Things culminate in all completed pieces being auctioned for charity via eBay from 8 – 17 July. Awesome!

It’s BIGGER and BETTER than ever this year.

Also, slightly more daunting.

You see, after such a positive response to my make-over last year, I was feeling the pressure. I even considered declining. Of course, that would have been plain stupid and I’m soooo glad I didn’t! On top of that though, the calibre of the designers this year is crazy good. The likes of Mark Tuckey, Tara Dennis, Deb Bibby…just to name a few. Industry icons people – gulp! As flattering as it is being named among such awesomeness, it’s also a tad intimidating for little Kristine Franklin from The Painted Hive. That said, it’s equally exhilarating so I’m gonna focus on that!

For those who don’t know, Feast Watson specialise in premium wood finishes, so the furniture “re-loves” must center around just that; wood. This makes for a refreshing departure from paint, and provides a fun opportunity to get extra creative.

So, here’s my glorious starting point…

A big melamine wardrobe I picked up for just $50 (replete with some of my fave pet hate furniture traits).

What, “melamine”? Didn’t you just say “wood”?

Yeah, but rest assured, I have a plan!

Rather than take on a sympathetic restoration, I want to experiment with a style of furniture I know is prevalent, affordable, and just plain meh, and completely turn it on its head! By doing so, I hope to inspire others to think a bit sideways and maybe even have a go at replicating my project (a complete tutorial will follow).

You with me?

Keep your fingers, and toes, crossed then. Who knows how this thing will end (hopefully not with me in the fetal position)!

Click here to find out more about the project, read up on all the other fab designers involved and see everyone’s ‘before’ shots!

You can also follow each designer’s journey by subscribing to their respective social channels or directly through Feast Watson on Instagram or Pinterest.

UPDATE
You can see my completed piece here.

Ooh, also, I’ve finally just started using my Instagram account. Things are a little lonesome there at the mo’ so please feel free to pop on over and follow along.

34 Comments

Katy on April 27, 2015 at 22 PM

Oh wow. That’s so awesome. Go you. Can’t wait to see what you do with that ugly duckling.
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Treagan on April 27, 2015 at 22 PM

So looking forward to this. Saw you were involved on Instagram and was blown away by the designers this year. You definitely deserve your spot!!!
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Cynthia on April 28, 2015 at 03 AM

I can’t wait to see the end result! I have complete confidence it will be clever and a knock-out! I’m LOUDLY cheering for you!!! :)
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- The Painted Hive on April 28, 2015 at 10 AM
  
  Thanks so much Cynthia.
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Kelly on April 28, 2015 at 07 AM

I cannot wait to see what you come up with. What you managed last year was nothing short of amazing, I have complete faith this year will be even better. Good luck!
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- The Painted Hive on April 28, 2015 at 10 AM
  
  Gee, no pressure ;) Ha, ha.
  I don’t think I can top last year. That was just one of those rare projects that actually turned out better than imagined.
  I’m doing a bit of an experiment this year. Might end up being quite a polarisng piece. Fingers crossed at least one person likes it enough to bring in some decent cashola for the Salvos!
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Kate on April 28, 2015 at 09 AM

Hoiw exciting!!! Can’t wait to see what you do with it! :)
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- The Painted Hive on April 28, 2015 at 10 AM
  
  Thanks Kate :)
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Genie on April 28, 2015 at 10 AM

So intriguing. What are you going to do with that, to me, potential-less piece? I’m sure it will be like nothing we expect. Can’t believe all those big names – go girl!
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Debi on April 28, 2015 at 12 PM

wow …such an ugly duckling …so excited to see this revamp !
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- The Painted Hive on April 28, 2015 at 12 PM
  
  Stay tuned Debi. I’m planning something which could make it awesome. Or, maybe potentially worse! Argh. We’ll see – fingers crossed!
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Sandy on April 28, 2015 at 13 PM

We believe in you Kristine! I personally thought your last years makeover was the best as it was truly unrecognisable by the time you were through with it – amazing!! I’m sooo looking forward to seeing what you will come up with this year, particularly as every man and his dog seems to have an ugly melamine wardrobe that they have no idea how to pretty up. I love that along with your great ideas you have very clear how to explanations and pics. Yay you!
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- The Painted Hive on April 28, 2015 at 13 PM
  
  Thanks Sandy :)
  So glad you agree that generic melamine furniture is everywhere! That’s why I chose this piece. I think tackling a project based on someone else’s makeover is more motivating when you have the same basic starting block.
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Julia - Vintage with Laces on April 28, 2015 at 14 PM

Your last year’s project is my favorite furniture makeover. It was absolutely amazing. I can’t wait to see what you are going to do with the wardrobe. Have fun and I’ll keep my fingers crossed for the challenge.
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- The Painted Hive on April 28, 2015 at 15 PM
  
  Thanks Julia. Not even trying to compete with myself after last year. Way too much pressure there :) Going for something very different (for me).
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Lauren @BlesserHouse on April 28, 2015 at 22 PM

I cannot WAIT to see what you do with that piece! You really are one of my favorite furniture flippers ever. You’re totally at the level of those “industry icons”, Kristine. :) I followed you on Instagram, so hopefully the party is a little less quiet now.
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- The Painted Hive on April 28, 2015 at 22 PM
  
  Thanks Lauren :-)
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Carol on April 29, 2015 at 16 PM

Hi five girlfriend. Fantastic choice. How could anyone not be intrigued.
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- Kristine on April 29, 2015 at 17 PM
  
  Thanks Carol. All will be revealed :-)
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Nikki Stretch on April 29, 2015 at 18 PM

Soooo looking forward to seeing how you will tackle this. There is such an abundance of awful chipped melamine furniture knocking around out there! I think most people tend to give up hope on such items… but often there are great ‘bones’ under the ugly facade.
Hats off to you for going where few of us have gone before… :-)
You’ll knock ’em dead I’m sure!
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- The Painted Hive on April 29, 2015 at 22 PM
  
  Thanks Nikki. I totally agree. Sadly, I think too much furniture like this probably ends up in land-fill for just that reason…it’s really hard to see any potential.
  Hopefully my project helps inspire at least a few people to look beyond those ugly facades.
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Julie on April 29, 2015 at 19 PM

How could we possibly forget last year’s amazing transformation. Looking forward to seeing what you do this year. We have the same cupboard sitting out in the shed so inspire me! :)
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- The Painted Hive on April 29, 2015 at 21 PM
  
  Oh yay. So glad people are relating to the piece I’ve chosen. That was my main motivation for having such a god awful starting point :) Here’s hoping I can help inspire Julie!
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contoh rumah minimalis on May 2, 2015 at 14 PM

it’s very nice, thanks… :)
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christine richardson on May 4, 2015 at 16 PM

I took a photo of your bedside tables from last year and showed every clever “doer-upper” I know. They were all as amazed and inspired as I was. You are so clever! Sooooooo much better than the poor relations that were featured on a popular television house show recently! Good luck with the melamine. I came up totally blank as to what you could do with them! I know they will be incredible!
Christine
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- The Painted Hive on May 4, 2015 at 19 PM
  
  Thanks Christine. Last year’s project was fun and it’s been incredibly rewarding hearing about (and seeing!) how it has inspired others.
  Hopefully I can do it again with this make-over though I’m planning on stepping out of my comfort zone and taking a bit of a risk style-wise. I’m hoping the general idea encourages others to put their own spin on it. Fingers crossed!
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Kaitlyn {freshandvintageliving} on May 11, 2015 at 17 PM

Gorgeous pieces you have created. I cannot wait to see the new piece make over!
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- The Painted Hive on May 11, 2015 at 21 PM
  
  Thanks Kaitlyn. Arghh, I don’t know why I always feel like saying that about this new makeover, though I just do! Doubting myself.
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Patti on June 29, 2015 at 05 AM

I love the character you give to your pieces! Great project ideas.
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- The Painted Hive on June 30, 2015 at 11 AM
  
  Thank you Patti :)
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Drew on July 10, 2015 at 01 AM

I have a desk that looks like the same material so I can’t wait to see what you did with it. It has a lot of potential. Thanks so much for sharing.
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- The Painted Hive on July 10, 2015 at 09 AM
  
  Hey Drew. You can find the finished project here. What do you think?
  :)
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Khristine Doiron on August 27, 2015 at 04 AM

I have somewhat the same wardrobe so I can’t wait to get caught up on your posts to see what you did with it :)
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- The Painted Hive on August 27, 2015 at 08 AM
  
  Did you come across the reveal post yet Khristine? You can find it here: https://thepaintedhive.net/2015/06/re-love-project-before-and-after/
  
  :)
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