'Upcycling' is the act of giving something you'd throw away new life by turning it into something even better than it was before. I like to look at it as a craftier version of recycling. It's a great way to reuse things and give them a new purpose, especially as creative ways to redecorate your home.
The next time you've got the urge to redecorate your home, consider this before heading out to your nearest home furnishings store: Why not make your own home decor from items you may already have lying around?
This article appears in Dec 30, 2009 – Jan 5, 2010.