Hi!
I’m Kayleigh, otherwise known as the DIY Mum, and I’m passionate about giving people the confidence to create their own furniture for less. From saving furniture from landfill to transforming well-loved flatpack into a luxury piece - it’s absolutely amazing what a little bit of paint can do.
I began my DIY journey in the middle of lockdown in the UK, to be honest I needed a bit of escapism. I’ve always been creative and practical and loved DIY, so this ended up being an easy decision. I got started and once I had the bug, there was just no stopping me.
Starting out with DIY as a creative hobby I’ve learned everything on the job and made plenty of mistakes along the way (I’ve got the splinters to prove it!).
I can’t believe how much I’ve been able to do in just five years and I’m so excited to share techniques, hacks, and ideas to give your home a luxury look that doesn’t cost the earth. Creative DIY is something absolutely everyone can do - all you need is the right tools, a lick of Frenchic paint and a creative, can-do attitude.
Master the art of DIY
3 Quick and Easy Tips for Painting Furniture
Transforming flat-pack furniture with paint is a brilliant way to add personality to your home. Follow Kayleigh's tips.
I've Got a KALLAX Unit I Want to Upcycle, but Where Do I Start?
How to transform the humble KALLAX unit into a showstopper piece of furniture, that’s practical and stylish.
Kayleigh talks us through her Frenchic story, how she got started and her tips for first-time upcyclers.
My favourite project
Upcycling this old IKEA KALLAX unit into a mini wardrobe for my son for under £100 has to be my favourite project. After giving the unit, a good old clean with Frenchic sugar soap, and a light sanding with a 240-grit sandpaper (don’t forget to wipe with a damp cloth to get rid of any excess dust), I was ready to go. I chose the soothing shade of Funky Dora from the Lazy range, so no need for priming.
Taking out two shelves with my multi-tool gave space for hanging clothes and I added MDF on the back, using glue and a nail gun, then sealed up the edges using caulk. For the hardware, I bought a barn door kit from Amazon which I attached to the KALLAX. I made the actual barn door out of MDF and painted it in Funky Dora, using screws as runners to slide the door across. I absolutely love the result!
My favourite project
Upcycling this old IKEA KALLAX unit into a mini wardrobe for my son for under £100 has to be my favourite project. After giving the unit, a good old clean with Frenchic sugar soap, and a light sanding with a 240-grit sandpaper (don’t forget to wipe with a damp cloth to get rid of any excess dust), I was ready to go. I chose the soothing shade of Funky Dora from the Lazy range, so no need for priming.
Taking out two shelves with my multi-tool gave space for hanging clothes and I added MDF on the back, using glue and a nail gun, then sealed up the edges using caulk. For the hardware, I bought a barn door kit from Amazon which I attached to the KALLAX. I made the actual barn door out of MDF and painted it in Funky Dora, using screws as runners to slide the door across. I absolutely love the result!
My go-to palette
When it comes to flipping furniture and giving well-loved wardrobes, desks, and tables a makeover, there are some Frenchic shades that I return to time and time again. Elegant, contemporary, and warm, these colours will give any piece a luxury look.
Ask me anything
Got a question about your next upcycling project? Keen to dive into DIY but not sure quite where to start? That’s where I come in. From advice on handling tools to picking the perfect shade for your flatpack furniture flip - I’m here to help.
Ask me anything
Got a question about your next upcycling project? Keen to dive into DIY but not sure quite where to start? That’s where I come in. From advice on handling tools to picking the perfect shade for your flatpack furniture flip - I’m here to help.
