About Watermelon And Picket Fences’ Upcycled Salvage Interiors

Watermelon And Picket Fences was created to to help contemporary Christian families thrive, and Upcycled Salvage Interiors is where discarded items become repurposed into things of beauty and usefulness.

Why Watermelon?

Many people named watermelon first when I asked them to think of a fun, childhood food. Because of this, watermelon, for the sake of this website/blog, represents those things that are the bright spots in our lives; things that are wholesome, enjoyable, simple, sometimes a bit messy, and tend to create happy memories.

So, for us, watermelon symbolizes fun!

Why Picket Fences?

Fences represent protection, boundaries, rules, and guidelines. Of all the kinds of fences in the world, picket fences seem welcoming and homey, rather than foreboding. Picket Fences have been around for generations, making them seem almost like an old, faithful friend. Their faithfulness transcends the latest trends in fencing styles.

Because of this, for us, picket fences symbolize safe, friendly guidance.

Watermelon Fun Within Safe Picket Fences!

~ Julie Mitchell

The website business name Watermelon & Picket Fences represents the balance needed so your Christian family can thrive in today’s world!

What About the Name Upcycled Salvage Interiors?

Read on to learn the vision for this end of my website business

What is Upcycled all about?

When I use the word Upcycled, I think of something (anything) that has been transformed from a previous state or condition into something of greater beauty or usefulness. Below are similar words I could have used, hoping this list of synonyms gives you a clearer idea of what I intend to express for what I do:

• Refurbished
• Reconditioned
• Refinished
• Enhanced
• Converted
• Repurposed
• Reclaimed
• Renovated
• Transformed

I assume you get the idea. 😉

What is Meant by Salvage?

The word Salvage possesses layers of meaning. It can be used as a negative word, denoting that the item referred to is, or was, junk, refuse, or of no use. Significantly, for this business, though, the word Salvage depicts that an item has been:

• Recovered
• Regained
• Restored
• Reclaimed
• Redeemed
• Retrieved

From that list, you can see that Salvage is a term showing that something, or someone, has been delivered, ransomed, or gotten back. Based on these definitions, when an upcycled salvage item is listed for sale on this site, you can be confident of several things:

• The item was at some point considered no longer of any value, likely to end up in a landfill, junk yard, or other kind of rubbish pile.
• The furniture or other item being refurbished by this business has been seen as something with the potential for better things than that!
• Time and care have been taken to refinish, restore, or transform the item into something of value.
• The intended final result is to produce something that will enhance the interior comfort and beauty of your home, while providing you with a treasure to be passed on as a family heirloom.

About Upcycled Salvage Interiors

This part of my business was born from a simple gift: several small pieces of cast-away vintage furniture and an invitation to refinish them. My friend was happy to give them to me, freeing her home of unwanted clutter, knowing I would enjoy giving new life to these small furnishings.

Consequently, as I looked at each piece, thinking over the steps I could take with each one to produce the most beautiful finished product, my creative imagination went beyond the items themselves. In fact, I began to envision that this business could be the foundation of something truly transforming. I knew from experience that upcycling furniture could be more than a creative outlet. Because there seems, to me, to be a connection, or correlation, between the process of a piece getting cleaned, repaired, painted, and carefully given new life, and the person doing the restorative work. In fact, this inspired me to believe this could be the foundation of a meaningful business rooted in faith, beauty, and second chances. But, more about second chances later.

At the heart of this work is the process of upcycling small cast-away furnishings and objects, refinishing vintage furniture, and hand-painted folk art. Each furniture item is thoughtfully restored. Once the “bones” and general exterior are restored, the item can then be beautified with tole-painted florals, swirl designs, outdoor scenes, gilded accents, and other hand-painted details. No two pieces are ever the same. Every finished item reflects patience, craftsmanship, and the belief that “What is worn, overlooked, or forgotten, can be made beautiful”.

This belief extends beyond furniture.

What is worn, overlooked, or forgotten can be made beautiful.

~ Julie Mitchell

A Mission of Restoration and Second Chances

Just as old furniture can be renewed, so can lives. Especially lives that have been surrendered to God in sincere, humble repentance. With that thought in mind, this business exists not only to create one-of-a-kind, hand-painted furniture and decor, but also to serve as a platform for second-chance employment for women. Especially employment for formerly incarcerated women seeking to improve their lifestyle. In the spirit of compassion, this business can provide these women with meaningful, dignified work. Working as part of the process of creative restoration, for all involved, offers a safe space for learning, healing, and purpose; one careful brushstroke at a time.

This is a faith-based, woman-owned, small business, guided by the Christian values of redemption, restoration, and fresh hope.

Faith, Family, and Creative Living

The website includes a blog created to encourage contemporary Christian family home life. It is written for moms and family members who desire a Christ-centered home. A home where working, playing, worshipping, praying, and creating together are part of everyday life.

Here you’ll find reflections and inspiration on:

• Living creatively within a Christian family home
• Raising children in faith while embracing organization, routine, beauty, and craftsmanship
• Slowing down while choosing intentional, meaningful activities, interactions, and comforts for family living
• Using creativity, work, and recreation as forms of worship to our God, the greatest creator who inspires our devotion and efforts

This is a space where faith and creativity meet, where making a home is about more than décor. Making a real home is about love, presence, and purpose.

A Work in Progress, A Story Still Being Written

Each piece of refurbished furniture tells a story of transformation. Each blog post reflects a journey of faith, family, and creative work. Nothing here is mass-produced. Nothing is rushed. Everything is done with care, prayer, and intention.

Whether you’re here to explore hand-painted vintage furniture, follow the restoration process, read encouragement for Christian family living, or simply enjoy seeing something old made new, you are warmly welcome.