For years, Diana Durkes has been her own interior designer in her home, from mixing custom paint colors with creative use of artist’s acrylics to creating — and recreating — her own unique furniture.  Always a hands-on person, Diana is one of those who finds it impossible to turn off the voice in her head that says, “You know, I bet I could make that.”

After years as the resident fixer-upper and upholsterer at a North Shore antique and lighting shop, she started Fine Diving In Chicago, an upcycling blog with thrifty trash-to-treasure furniture makeovers.  Soon after, she became a monthly columnist for Time Out Chicago Magazine (“Tossed and Found”) showcasing her creative reuse talents, became ChicagoNow’s “Garage Sale Warrior,” and was invited to contribute for Home Workshop, a prominent do-it-yourself design blog.

Since 2008, Diana has been instructing and inspiring “makers” from the US and abroad.  Her finished works have sold in design markets and shops in the local Chicago area, and also through her Etsy shop.  Now, she has taken the next step toward helping people channel their inner Rachel Ashwell with her first book, “Secondhand Shabby.”

Fine Diving In Chicago – Diana’s personal upcycling blog with “before and afters.”

Garage Sale Warrior – Buying and selling in Chicago’s secondhand and vintage markets.

Diana’s posts at HomeWorkshop.com

Diana’s projects for “Tossed and Found” at Time Out Chicago Magazine.

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