Upcycling: Create Beautiful Things with the Stuff You Already Have

by Danny Seo

Overview

Renowned environmental lifestyle expert and Today Show regular Danny Seo shares 100 of his most inspiring projects for creative transformation. Have neglected items around your house? They can be the source for exciting craft possibilities! Turn your old leather belts into a cool doormat (or even a briefcase!); worn-out paperbacks into gorgeous bud vases; tennis balls into a quaint country swing; chopsticks into a handsome trivet, and many more.

With full-color photos throughout to guide and inspire, Danny shows that it's easy to be crafty, and fun to be budget- and eco-conscious.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780762441792
Publisher:	Running Press Book Publishers
Publication date:	08/23/2011
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	642,844
Product dimensions:	9.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Danny Seo has been dubbed the “crafty MacGyver,” and has become the national face of eco-chic. He's a contributor to NBC's Today Show and many other national programs including Access Hollywood and Regis and Kelly. He also pens the syndicated column “Do Just One Thing” in newspapers nationwide. His line of organic bath and beauty products, Wholearth by Danny Seo, launched on Shop NBC this year, and he partnered with Simmons to create the “Simmons Natural Care Mattress by Danny Seo,” which is sold at JC Penney, Crate & Barrel, Bed Bath & Beyond, and many other venues. Danny is also the national spokesperson and partner with TJMaxx and designer of GreenHouse by Danny Seo. Danny lives in Bucks County, PA. Visit him at dannyseo.com.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb
"We love Danny Seo. Don't ask us why—it would take too long! Just take our word and read his book!"

Kirkus, 8/1/11
“Interior designer Seo produces an idea book on how to grant junk a second life using his crafty “MacGyver-meets-HGTV” skills… A solid resource for the eco-conscious, as well as the crafty.” 

Every Day with Rachael Ray
"My mom has a special way of beautifying our home. So DOES Danny Seo...."

Publishers Weeky,  8/29/11
“Seo proves that one person's junk is another person's chic with 100 imaginative ideas for reusing, well, junk: silk flowers, old buttons and wine corks, old paint stirrers. Upcycling fashions disposable odds and ends into a new life of high-style repurpose. Who knew you could do something other than fill a drawer with Chinese takeout chopsticks (make a trivet); hotel key cards (use them in a breakfast-in-bed tray); and jar lids (glue them onto a metal grate table in a distinctive new surface)? Seo's directions for projects for decorating, entertaining, giving, are super-simple; one chapter contains kid-friendly projects. You don't need an elaborate set of tools either, though a glue gun and cordless drill are essential items. Not everything here will be to everyone's taste (a necktie wreath?), but that is the point; Seo comes up with funky, fun, and very distinctive items. Being eco-smart doesn't mean being dowdy.”

Editorial Reviews

Seo proves that one person's junk is another person's chic with 100 imaginative ideas for reusing, well, junk: silk flowers, old buttons and wine corks, old paint stirrers. Upcycling fashions disposable odds and ends into a new life of high-style repurpose. Who knew you could do something other than fill a drawer with Chinese takeout chopsticks (make a trivet); hotel key cards (use them in a breakfast-in-bed tray); and jar lids (glue them onto a metal grate table in a distinctive new surface)? Seo's directions for projects for decorating, entertaining, giving, are super-simple; one chapter contains kid-friendly projects. You don't need an elaborate set of tools either, though a glue gun and cordless drill are essential items. Not everything here will be to everyone's taste (a necktie wreath?), but that is the point; Seo comes up with funky, fun, and very distinctive items. Being eco-smart doesn't mean being dowdy. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb
"We love Danny Seo. Don't ask us why—it would take too long! Just take our word and read his book!"

Kirkus, 8/1/11
“Interior designer Seo produces an idea book on how to grant junk a second life using his crafty “MacGyver-meets-HGTV” skills… A solid resource for the eco-conscious, as well as the crafty.” 

Every Day with Rachael Ray
"My mom has a special way of beautifying our home. So DOES Danny Seo...."

From the Publisher

Interior designer-turned-television personality Seo's first collection of craft projects focuses on upcycling, which he defines as "a higher form of recycling." Not surprisingly, the emphasis is on home decor, with a few children's toys thrown in for good measure. Though none of the projects is difficult, the directions are vague, and there are no photographs of the steps to create the pieces (photos show the finished objects). And do we really need directions for applying glitter to thrift-store paintings? Still, upcycling remains trendy, and Seo's appearances on popular daytime television shows may drive demand.

Library Journal