A Refreshing Change

A Refreshing Change My passion is transforming unloved treasures into something beautiful, suiting today’s lifestyle. I take those pieces and update them to make your new memories.

I enjoy the hunt for long forgotten treasures and giving them a new lease on life. The quality of older pieces of furniture far exceeds that of newly constructed furniture. Refreshing these pieces is a more eco-friendly and economical way of decorating today. We hang onto pieces because of the memories associated with them but the look of these pieces may not bring us joy or fit into the look of our homes that makes us most happy.

While visiting with my Mom I joined her knitting group for some knitting, chatting and a whole lot of laughs. I also lo...
05/24/2026

While visiting with my Mom I joined her knitting group for some knitting, chatting and a whole lot of laughs. I also looked over the knitting books and spotted this one. The author has studied Cowichan sweaters and went on a cross country tour meeting knitters and their sweaters. I really enjoyed reading this book. And my poncho is taking shape. I'm using Noro wool purchased at Wool-Tyme in Ottawa.
This book is even more fascinating given the recent craze for the Mary Maxim sweater seen on Ryan Gosling.

I went to Stitch Happens (a lovely independent fabric shop in Windsor) and quickly added to my stash. The zebra print i...
05/22/2026

I went to Stitch Happens (a lovely independent fabric shop in Windsor) and quickly added to my stash. The zebra print is a woven cotton, the pink a stretch terry and the slate grey floral is a knit. I'm looking forward to sewing these. Are they going to jump the queue?

My interest in upcycling larger pieces of furniture has continued. I recently acquired this cute little 3 drawer dresse...
05/12/2026

My interest in upcycling larger pieces of furniture has continued. I recently acquired this cute little 3 drawer dresser on my local neighbourhood free page. While the original white design was super cute the finish was very yellowed and needed a refresh. I decoupaged this fabulous print onto the drawer fronts and painted the cabinet case in Annie Sloan's Athenian Black. The print is Feathers in the Glow by ReDesign. This one is making a home in my home.

It is 10C out and I just put out my laundry. Ice pellets were not on my bingo card!
05/11/2026

It is 10C out and I just put out my laundry. Ice pellets were not on my bingo card!

I've recently been enjoying working on larger pieces of furniture. I was tasked with refinishing this vintage cedar ch...
05/02/2026

I've recently been enjoying working on larger pieces of furniture. I was tasked with refinishing this vintage cedar chest whose owners got tired of the finish and stripped it but didn't know where to go from there. She is currently in love with all things swan and I found this paper called "Peaceful Swan" by WhimsyKel Designs which I purchased from Lifesrosie on Etsy. The colours on the paper coordinated well with my Annie Sloan Chalk paint. I used Country Grey as the base coat and did a wash of Olive over it on the base of the cedar chest. The paper was not quite wide enough for the top so I painted the edges to continue the style of the paper.

Homemade buns for BBQ burgers tonight!
04/26/2026

Homemade buns for BBQ burgers tonight!

I spotted these door pulls at Homesense the other day and have thought about them since. I may just have to go back for...
04/24/2026

I spotted these door pulls at Homesense the other day and have thought about them since. I may just have to go back for them. if they are still there it was meant to be! Would you use these in your home? I love something a little quirky.

The bloodroot is having its moment right now. It is a wonderful native spring ephemeral whose seeds are moved around an...
04/23/2026

The bloodroot is having its moment right now. It is a wonderful native spring ephemeral whose seeds are moved around and planted by ants.

A squirrel contributed some very pretty crocuses to my garden.
04/17/2026

A squirrel contributed some very pretty crocuses to my garden.

Happy Birthday Dad. We are missing you in our universe.
04/16/2026

Happy Birthday Dad. We are missing you in our universe.

I tried out a new pattern. The Fiona woven top from Sinclair Patterns. It has deep darts on the centre fronts and also...
04/08/2026

I tried out a new pattern. The Fiona woven top from Sinclair Patterns. It has deep darts on the centre fronts and also in the back making it more fitted. I thrifted this African fabric for $4! It was a fun test fabric for this pattern. I can see more tops made with this pattern. I don't care for the sleeve options that came with it so I am going to try to draft my own. Perhaps a tulip sleeve?

Address

4228 Navan Road
Ottawa, ON
K4B 1H9

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when A Refreshing Change posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category