Upcycled: Christmas Decorations at Hillsong LA

This year I was able to help lead the Christmas decorations for church at Hillsong LA. Since we are a new church and we set up/break down every Sunday, decorations had to be durable, easy to move and easy to set up. We came up with the idea of using reclaimed wood, lights and mason jars as our theme. Eventually for Christmas eve, we added a green Christmas trees and presents to the stage.

We were given a large amount of reclaimed pallet wood for FREE which helped us so much in regards to the budget. Outside of using Christmas lights, we decided to build two large wooden wreaths, one large wooden Christmas tree and one large "Peace Has Come" sign.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLEP2xTJ8uA)

It took us a few Sundays to decide which way we liked the decorations. The first Sunday we used string lights alongside the stage vertically, and the wreaths in the blank space. Unfortunately, they didn't show up well, so we decided to change it up for the following Sunday.

The next Sunday we decided to wrap the wreaths in Christmas lights, and wrap lights along to banister next to the stage.

We liked this much more and stuck with it for the weeks to follow. 

We also strung Christmas lights along the railing in the balcony, and around the doors at the entrance. 

(Megan and I)

It was such a fun season and I couldn't have done any of it if it wasn't for the countless helpers and support from my community. You guys are the best and I am so grateful to be serving next to all of you! 

Upcycled: DIY Chevron Table

A friend of mine lived in a beautiful loft downtown and wanted a 10ft table at a reasonable price. We threw ideas back and forth and eventually landed on a chevron table with a border and pipe legs, like the image below.

Successful trip to home depot, getting all of the above supplies! 

After assembling the legs, setting the plywood/base, I then attached the reclaimed wood in a chevron pattern. 

Halfway done! 

Done with the base and chevron. 

After attaching the border, here is the final product! 

The owner of the table is a photographer and she took an amazing photo the day she had a dinner party. I just had to share! 

Upcycled: DIY Piano... Or Rather, DIY "Keyboard Shell"

Last year I met a guy named Stephen Limbaugh. Stephen is an amazing pianist and and just came out with his debut EP! Go on over to his webpage http://stephenlimbaugh.com/ and check him out. Don't be swayed by his love of cats ;)

Anyways, we met and collaborated on a project called "The Limbaugh." The design concept was definitely interesting and something that I had never thought of doing before. A puzzle-piece gutted piano. Stephen is a concert pianist and he has a small SUV. The idea was to make a "piano" that encased his keyboard and broke down easily for transport, which meant that it had to fit inside his car. And I had one month to make it. Unfortunately, I have a full-time job, so it meant working every weekend, up until his performance, but it was definitely a rewarding experience.

We started with designs that he really liked. Stephen really preferred the modern piano by Fazioli.

We came up with a design (major thanks in part to Stephen's manager) for a similar concept based off of a craigslist find. We would use hinges and dowels to allow the pieces break apart easily and fold up into his car. 

I found an old Pre-WWI bathtub on Craigslist for $300. 

The idea was to flip it upside-down and use it as a base (see pic below). 

We negotiated and purchased the tub! It took way too many hours to remove the three layers of paint, but it was worth it. The original steel was absolutely beautiful. 

(Halfway done)

Next step, cutting and assembling the wood with dowels. 

Once the dowels were in place, we cut and placed the top. 

In the photo below you can see the guys finishing up the paint removal on the tub and I'm working on the inside placeholders for the keyboard.

After the paint on the tub was removed, we put it all together. It was great seeing the idea come to life! 

Stephen wanted black glossy paint and then the guys decided they liked the idea of gold lettering and a gold base. So, after several hours of paint, here's the final product: 

We later added lettering from Dana Decals, officially naming it "The Limbaugh." 

It took a ton of hours and a few moments of panic, but the finished product was awesome. It breaks down into 8 different pieces, and along with the keyboard, fits perfectly into the back of Stephen's car. 

Below is a picture from Stephen's concert using the piece! 

Upcycled: Singer Side Table with Live Edge Wood

My friend had a class project on the power of negotiating. She had a great idea to practice her theory by going to the Pasadena Rose Bowl Flee Market and purchasing something that caught her eye.

She found an old Singer sewing machine base that lacked a few screws and some love and care. We came up with idea of refurbishing it and using it as a side table. She negotiate the price and then sourced the live-edge wood piece from E&K Vintage Wood in Los Angeles. After acquiring the wood, she fixed up the base and I helped her attach the wood to the base. There is the final result!

It turned out beautiful!