Gail Wilson | My Repurposed Life
My Repurposed Life provides inspiration and tutorials for repurposing furniture and other household items. It is run by Gail Wilson, passionate about repurposing and upcycling. The website features a variety of projects, such as dressers, desks, headboards, nightstands, shelves, coatracks, doors, and drawers that have been repurposed into new and functional home decor.
- Gail has spent nearly forty years playing around with DIY projects and over fifteen years encouraging others to pick up their tools and join in here on My Repurposed Life.
- She has collaborated with brands such as The Home Depot, Homeright, Scotch Blue, Gorilla Glue, and many more.
- Her work has been highlighted in Women’s Day, Reloved, Today’s Woman, Healthy Living, Country Sampler (Gardens Edition), Country Sampler-Farmhouse Style, and Flea Market (Home and Living).
Whether you think you can or can’t, you’re right. No one believes this as wholeheartedly as Gail Wilson, a former teacher and Kentucky native, who is obsessed with finding potential in the most unexpected places. Her first love is repurposed furniture. Gail’s approachable style and passion for everything DIY have made her a respected figure in the upcycling community.
As a young mother, Gail always made bean bag tosses and puppet playhouses long before DIY became a household word. And as it did, life moved quickly—she got busy as a preschool teacher and mother, and the tools took a back seat. But in 2009, after losing her job, Gail realized it was time to return to what she loved again. She began repurposing salvaged material, and at the same time, those projects brought new purpose to her life.
Gail Wilson | DIY Maven
Her obsession with the cordless drill, pocket hole Kreg jig, and table saw started with long sessions watching YouTube videos on how (and how not) to use tools. Since then, she’s completed countless inventive projects. From transforming a pillar candle and pot lid into the cutest bird bath in the history of birdbaths to remodeling her daughter’s desk into a custom kitchen island, Gail always looks for castaways to bring back to life. (These days, the kitchen island isn’t full of cooking utensils, but sandpaper, paint stirrers, and paint brushes!)
Gail Wilson’s work at My Repurposed Life is a treasure trove for anyone passionate about giving old items a new lease on life. Her projects range from simple beginner-friendly DIYs to more advanced woodworking creations, all aimed at inspiring creativity and resourcefulness. Some highlights of her work include:
1. Furniture Transformations
- Repurposing Old Furniture: Gail often transforms outdated or broken furniture into something modern and functional. For example, converting a headboard into a bench or turning an old cabinet into a stylish storage solution.
- Painting Techniques: She’s known for her expertise in painting furniture, often using chalk paint or distressing techniques to give pieces a vintage or farmhouse look.
2. Creative Upcycling
- From Trash to Treasure: Gail turns items like old windows, doors, or pallets into decor pieces, like chalkboards, shelves, or wall art.
- Thrift Store Finds: Her blog frequently features budget-friendly projects where she reinvents thrifted items, showing how affordable creativity can be.
3. Tutorials
- Step-by-step guidance: Gail provides detailed tutorials with photos and explanations, making it easy for readers to follow along and try the projects themselves.
- Helpful Resources: Her projects include plans or supply lists to ensure success.
4. Outdoor DIYs
- Her portfolio includes porch decor, garden features, and outdoor furniture repurposing projects.
5. Workshops and Collaboration
- Hands-on experience: Gail has hosted workshops and partnered with brands to showcase DIY tools and products.
- Inclusive approach: She emphasizes making DIY accessible for everyone, encouraging creativity regardless of skill level or age.
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