What is Selleys Suburban Gold?

Selleys Suburban Gold is a series about upcycling — a movement, as Selleys puts it, to upcycle Australia's old into gold. Each episode takes a preloved item that was destined for landfill and transforms it, with tips along the way on how to find second hand furniture worth rescuing. The series is presented by DIY enthusiast Adam Dovile.

The case Selleys makes for it is straightforward: upcycling is a way to get creative and have fun, it helps keep unwanted goods out of landfill, and it can be friendly on your wallet too.

The episodes

Each episode has a matching written guide with the full method and product details:

• Pooch Palace — Adam transforms a disused, broken-down kennel into a charming pooch palace. Using Selleys products, a little vinyl and some paint, a kennel destined for landfill is given a new lease of life. Guide: how to transform a kennel into a pooch palace.
• Mid Century Chair — repairing a mid-century chair, and how easily a tired chair becomes a modern-looking, comfy and safe piece. Guide: how to restore a mid-century chair.
• Mirror — how easy and fun it is to zhoosh up a plain mirror with a little know-how and some artistic flair. Guide: how to refresh a mirror.
• Coffee Table — restoring an old coffee table into a modern centrepiece by patching small dents and chips and attaching a decorative modern vinyl that will withstand water and heat. Guide: how to restore a coffee table.
• Bedside Table — revamping a lifeless bedside table: how to properly clean and sand it, attach new handles, and make sure the drawers complement your bedroom interior. Guide: how to restore a bedside table.
• Tallboy — an outdated piece does not have to stay that way. Adam shows how to clean up a tallboy effectively, update the handles, make the drawer interiors functional, and cover it with a stylish paper. Guide: how to restore a tallboy.

The written guides sit together in the upcycling section, which also covers upcycling a timber bench.

Finding Suburban Gold

There is DIY gold everywhere, Selleys says — you just have to know where to look. The page points to four kinds of source:

• Items already in your own home
• Charity stores
• Online marketplaces
• Council hard rubbish collections

One caution attaches to that last one, and it comes straight from the page: before you pick up hard rubbish off the street, check each council's rules and regulations, as each one has a different approach.

Recycling and upcycling centres

Many local councils run transfer stations or resource recovery centres where preloved goods saved from landfill are sold at low prices. There are also community and independent upcycling organisations, many of which hold workshops and community days to help guide a project — and these centres often support and give back to their local communities.

The page carries a directory of these centres organised by state, covering Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania, with addresses and opening hours for each. Hours vary by site and many close on particular public holidays, so check the current details for a centre before making the trip.

Share what you make

Selleys invites people to show their before and after shots of an upcycled item, tagging @SelleysANZ and #SelleysSuburbanGold for a chance to win. Terms and conditions apply — see competitions and giveaways terms and conditions for the current terms before entering.

Common questions about Selleys Suburban Gold

What is Suburban Gold?

A Selleys upcycling series in which preloved items destined for landfill are transformed, with tips on finding second hand furniture.

Who presents it?

Presenter and DIY enthusiast Adam Dovile.

How many episodes are there?

Six are listed: a dog kennel, a mid-century chair, a mirror, a coffee table, a bedside table and a tallboy.

Are there written instructions as well?

Yes — each episode has a step-by-step guide in the upcycling section with the full method and the products used.

Where can I find things to upcycle?

In your own home, at charity stores, on online marketplaces, at council hard rubbish collections, and at council transfer stations, resource recovery centres and community upcycling organisations.

Can I take things from hard rubbish on the street?

Check your council's rules first — each council has a different approach.

How do I enter the competition?

Share before and after shots of your upcycling item tagging @SelleysANZ and #SelleysSuburbanGold. Terms and conditions apply.

Where is the directory of recycling shops?

On the Suburban Gold page itself, organised by state across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania.