Upcycling is always a special process for me, but transforming a piece for my granddaughter’s 13th birthday took it to another level. She loves to watch me work and is a huge fan of upcycling, so I wanted to create something unique and personal—a bedside table that would bring both art and history into her space.
The Story Behind “Daisy”
This particular piece began life in the 50s/60s and was passed down from grandmother to granddaughter to son and eventually, after many years, found itself in my workshop. This piece was originally covered in thick white paint (…oh and then Blue), which all had to be painstakingly stripped; but what can you expect from a piece that has seen years of service? Once the canvas was bare I could see the knocks and dents and missing trim, but that history only added to its charm. The original owner was called Daisy, which inspired me to name the piece in her honour.
Bringing Monet to Life
Once the prep and repairs were complete and it had been given an undercoat, I decided to wrap it in Monet’s Water Lilies—a nod to my granddaughter’s love for calming, nature-inspired designs. The decoupage covered the entire table, including the legs, giving it a seamless, artistic feel. Once this was done I could see it wasn’t quite right, it just didn’t seem complete. I decided to continue the Monet design around the drawer edges and to the internal surface of the body of the unit (really, me trying to mimic one of the Masters is extremely nerve wracking!). I then hand-painted custom green accents around the edges of the drawers to complement the print, inspired by Monet’s signature brushstrokes.
For the finishing touches I mixed a custom green picking up on one of the tones in the painting and added clear glass knobs to let the artwork take centre stage without distraction.
The end result was a balance of functionality and elegance, perfect for her bedroom.
A Piece with Heart
Daisy isn’t just an upcycled piece—it’s a meaningful blend of history, art, and love. When my granddaughter saw the piece she just said WOW it’s beautiful, which made every hour of work worthwhile. Daisy now has a new story to tell, one that brings together generations, creativity, and a personal touch.