The popularity of up-cycling has become a massive world-wide trend, but is the trend adhering to the real meaning of ‘up-cycling’, or are people simply creating and following a trend which is nothing more than buying something that is brand new but looks old?

So first things first, to up-cycle means:
“To reuse (discarded objects or material) in such a way as to create a product of higher quality or value than the original.”

One of the things that we love about this trend is that it can be incorporated on any budget. It’s a solution to consider if you want your home to look beautiful, but without a negative environmental impact. It is also really rewarding to give new life to an item that is outdated, like an old Victorian chair inherited from your grandmother, or a beautiful sturdy sofa that just needs a fresh look and a bit of TLC.

We are often asked by clients to try and work around specific items; items of great monetary, as well as sentimental value to them. These items are generally a cupboard or sofa that was inherited, or is a family piece that must be treasured for next generations. There is potential in any object if looked at through a different angle. The exciting part is to discover it for yourself or with a team of talented designers. Nothing has to be discarded without exploring all of its possibilities first.

It doesn’t have to be a huge transformation. For example, you can very easily take the doors off an old wardrobe and turn it into a new bookshelf. Grandmother’s Victorian chairs can be re upholstered and become a statement piece in your home.

The old chesterfield couch can be upholstered with a modern leather and be a great statement in your home office or the living room. Add a few cushions to finish the look off with a splash of colour or texture.

Even in a commercial or corporate space the same rule applies. You can mix and match a heritage piece; like an antique timber counter combined with a new stone counter portion mixes the old and new together to tell a unique story.

Up-cycled furniture also works well with a few different interior design styles.
One of the best fits is shabby chic, where you are trying to create an elegant worn look. In the shabby chic style, furniture is either reproduced to look old, or has an authentic heritage, which is preserved, but not tidied up (to make it look new). So you could take a chest of drawers and just sand and paint the timber frame a little in light neutral shades, to enhance the distressed look.

Up-cycling also works well with the eclectic look, where you mix and match items from different styles and time periods, like an inherited chest of drawers, a cupboard, table or chairs. If you wanted to make it quirkier, you could re-spray the item in a bright colour instead.

Let us know what you have in mind, and which items are close to your heart. We’ll work with you on a few ideas, and be sure to up-cycle and treasure valuable items in a way that suits your home and your personal style.