Woman transforms plain house following divorce with items from Facebook Marketplace and eBay – including a £5 TV cabinet
A WOMAN gave her home a makeover, following a divorce, using bargain items from Facebook Marketplace and eBay.
Deborah Stubbington, 40, from Essex, started transforming her two-bed rental in September 2019 on a budget – with amazing results.
The former theatre set designer enlisted the creative skills developed throughout her career and also searched the internet for inspiration.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, the DIY fan – who now works as a photographer, and regularly shares progress pictures of her home on Instagram – said: “I scour Facebook Marketplace several times a day. It is such a great place for picking up bargains.
“I’ve found so many great bits like small pieces of furniture and small decor items too.
“I also love a charity shop and have lots of items from both in my home.”
Deborah has rendered a tired old TV cabinet – that she picked up for just £5 on Facebook Marketplace – unrecognisable after she ‘upcycled’ it with black paint, new handles and rattan doors for just £1.
She also gave an old IKEA dining table a spruce up by gluing on unwanted wooden floor pieces.
The DIY fan likewise brought an unloved Parker Knoll pink armchair, found on eBay, back to life by reupholstering it with white teddy bouclé-style fabric and restoring the original wooden arms and legs.
Most of her furniture is ‘upcycled’ – but she has also picked up bits from chains like B&M and Matalan, which she’ll often tweak.
On her Instagram account, Deborah has demonstrated to amazed social media users how to give household items that have seen better days a mini makeover.
She has recently shown her 20,000 followers how to save a rusty mirror, and give a stool the stylish fleecy treatment.
Deborah frequently receives messages from people telling her they feel “totally inspired”, and praising how “amazing” her handiwork is.
One person commented: “You are the DIY queen, I wouldn’t even have thought to do that!”
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In other home transformation stories, we told you how to decorate your pad according to you star sign.
We also revealed how a bloke gave his home a makeover on a budget with a hairdryer trick.
And a woman has turned her garden into a stunning space.