In canon he was able to transmute wine into small snakes, but he definitely needed to be close by to make it happen. So technically he could turn something inanimate into something living but it is limited and the item does have to be small and within reaching distance of himself. So he wouldn't be able to transmute something the size of a car or grown adult even, but he could transmute smaller items and articles of clothing.

Does that make sense? I'm sorry if I am rambling, it's been a long day.