Upcycling: Combining creativity and frugality
At Kelling Designs, some of our favourite projects have involved the reuse of existing furniture, particularly if discovered in a state of near disrepair in an outhouse or attic. We love to see what’s possible with antique or vintage furniture that has been in the house for decades already, working with craftspeople like carpenters and upholsterers to give each piece a new lease of life. Not only does this make each project unique, but it also has environmental benefits. Upcycling’s benefits are endless, from environmental sustainability to budget-friendly design impact.
Working with what you’ve already got or shopping second-hand is eco-friendly for several reasons. Reducing waste is the number one reason to check out your local auction house, vintage shop or charity shop. So much furniture ends up in UK landfill, so by shopping second-hand or keeping and elevating your current furniture, you’re helping to extend each piece’s lifespan, contributing to a more circular economy.
When it comes to energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, shopping second-hand trumps buying ‘new’ every time. It reduces our consumption of natural resources and the water used in the production process. Extra points if you shop locally to help reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation.
At its core, sustainability in design is about creating spaces that won’t go out of style, and that will last, aesthetically as well as functionally, as long as possible. Creating a sustainable home must involve the integration of durable materials that can withstand high usage for many years, reducing the need for regular replacements
For one project, we looked to repurpose what was initially a rather standard long oak table, turning it into a completely unique sofa table that adds boundless personality and style to this living room. We sent it to the joiner to cut down and then our specialist painter hand-painted this vibrant design and waxed the surface to preserve the colour and detail.
Repurposed oak table - painted beautifully and waxed to give it a new lease of life
This beautiful chair is another example of upcycling success. We noticed this chair in the early stages of the design project looking rather fragile with a saggy seat. While we were weighing up what to do with it, the arm fell off! We instructed our trusty restorer who took the whole chair apart and rebuilt it. Our practised upholsterer then carefully reupholstered it, preserving the old tapestry fabric and nailing it back into the frame.
One of our favourite stories is when we walked into a bedroom in a client’s home, only to discover an unusual, 12-foot-high four-poster bed. It was a strange marriage of parts; the pelmets had been taken from the windows and attached to the top frame and sections had been added to the four posts to make it even higher in the room. The result was quite gaudy. However, the core base had retained its classical elegance and so were keen to restore it to a more authentic version. The posts were reduced back down to their original proportions and the canopy was reupholstered into a luxurious starburst.
