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Upcyclist

Inspiration for conscious + creative interiors

Antonia Edwards

Antonia is the founding editor of Upcyclist. Based in the UK, she is the author of two books: 'Upcyclist: Reclaimed and Remade Furniture, Lighting and Interiors' (Prestel 2015) and 'Renovate Innovate: Reclaimed and Upcycled Homes' (Prestel 2017).
smart-temperature-duvet-cover
Decor

Eco friendly duvets by The Fine Bedding Company | AD

More of us are contemplating the environmental impact of products we buy for the home. But have you given any thought to duvets? Mostly made … Read More ›

Decorating with personal objects for mindful living
Styling

Interview: Joanna Thornhill on interior decor for mindful living

This year, Joanna Thornhill published her fourth home interiors book and the topic couldn’t be more timely. The New Mindful Home* explores interior design through … Read More ›

Linen napkins by VED Cooks
Decor

Interview: Verity de Yong dyes linen napkins with food waste

During lockdown, Verity de Yong set up her homegrown business, VED Cooks – a range of linen napkins, table cloths and placemats made from vegetable … Read More ›

repainted drawers
Furniture

10 of the best paint colours for furniture upcycling projects

I often profile designers and artists who have mastered the craft of transforming furniture or indeed making it from reclaimed materials. Hopefully their work offers … Read More ›

Chateau de Dirac exterior
Home tours

Interview: Isabelle Dubois-Dumée opts for simple natural style in this idyllic French chateau renovation

A quick glance at the images here and you’ll see that stylist and photographer Isabelle Dubois-Dumée has an impeccable eye for interiors. After a successful … Read More ›

White ceramic plant pots
Decor

11 unique handmade ceramic plant pots available on Etsy

You can never have enough plants in the home, but what about the vessels you put them in? A stylish way to present your succulents, … Read More ›

Uk cabins to rent with stunning views
Hip hangouts

12 of the coolest UK cabins to rent this year

Yearning for fresh air, country walks, stargazing and rejuvenation? You’ve come to the right place. With many of us choosing not to book a foreign … Read More ›

Limerence velvet fabric by House of Hackney
Furniture

Interview: Dawn Crabtree on how to hire an upholsterer

A beautiful vintage chair reupholstered in a fresh and modern fabric can be the statement piece that transforms an interior. All the better when the … Read More ›

Furniture

11 eco chic recycled plastic garden furniture designs

If your outside space calls for tables and chairs that are durable, lightweight and easy to maintain, recycled plastic garden furniture seems a practical solution. … Read More ›

Woman as Vessel by ceramic artist Liang Wanying showcased at Collect 2021
Curiosities

6 favourites from collectible craft fair Collect 2021

Like pretty much everything at the moment, the Collect 2021 craft fair – now in its 17th year, has gone digital. We may not be … Read More ›

Reclaimed oak canal gate table by Jan Hendzel
Furniture

13 beautiful reclaimed wood furniture designs by artists and makers

Upcycled furniture is so-called, either because it’s built from waste materials, or because the furniture itself has been repaired and revived. In this post, we … Read More ›

Pendant light made from recycled parts
Artisans

Interview: studio botté transforms Montreal’s discarded objects into lighting

studio botté is a Montreal design studio founded by Philippe Charlebois Gomez, who specialises in upcycled lighting for commercial and residential interiors. It started as … Read More ›

Kovac Family wooden pendant light
Decor

12 beautiful wooden pendant lights for the modern interior

If there was ever a good time to acquire a new home accessory that will brighten the mood, it’s now. So let’s talk about lighting. … Read More ›

soft focus white fairy lights
Styling

9 eco friendly Christmas decor ideas that don’t compromise on sparkle

When David Attenborough was asked about the one thing we can do to help protect the planet, his message was clear – ‘stop waste of … Read More ›

vintage chairs on the street
Furniture

20 of the best furniture repair specialists in London

We see many examples of tables and chairs that have been freshened up with a coat of paint, but in some cases, its worth preserving … Read More ›

Fairylights on garden shed
Home tours

Interview: Photographer Anne Schwalbe and her love for a derelict farmhouse

Anne Schwalbe is a Berlin-based photographer with a myriad of creative interests. As well as taking photos for her gardening column in Zeit Magazin, she … Read More ›

Green leaves overlapping
Styling

Interview: Lessons in Biophilic Design from Oliver Heath

As we stay in our houses, to protect our health and that of others, the idea of home as our sanctuary is taking on a … Read More ›

Detail of acrylic epoxy upcycled coffee table
Artisans

Interview: In conversation with furniture upcyclers Patience & Gough

Furniture upcyclers Patience and Gough are a dynamic design duo, reviving found furniture in the stunning surroundings of Cumbria’s Lake District. Their upcycled furniture range … Read More ›

White hand-crocheted hanging plant pot by Heather Orr
Artisans

Interview: Upcycled vintage lampshades and crochet by Heather Orr

After graduating in Constructed Textiles from the Royal College of Art, Folkestone-based textile designer Heather Orr forged a collaboration with fashion designer and fellow RCA graduate Jane … Read More ›

Vintage teak sideboard
Decor

17 best vintage home decor shops on Etsy

Etsy is a goldmine of handmade art and craft from around the globe. Lesser known however are the abundance of Etsy shops selling beautifully curated … Read More ›

Founder of Buy Me Once Tara Button
Decor

Interview: Tara Button founder of Buy Me Once

Tara Button is an author, eco-campaigner and entrepreneur. In 2016, she founded Buy Me Once, a website selling high quality products that are built to … Read More ›

Charlotte Kidger
Artisans

Interview: Charlotte Kidger creates furniture made from recycled industrial waste

Material designer Charlotte Kidger showcased her work at the London Design Festival last year. With plastic named as the Material of the Year, her collection of … Read More ›

paper flower lampshade by sachie muramatsu
Artisans

Interview: Paper flower lamps by Sachie Muramatsu

Sachie Muramatsu lives in the Japanese city of Sakura, located in Chiba Prefecture. After graduating from Kuwasawa Design School, she took an apprenticeship at a … Read More ›

Artwork made from recycled denim jeans by Ian Berry
Artisans

Interview: Ian Berry turns recycled denim jeans into art and installation

At school Ian Berry, now renowned for his works made from recycled denim, was known as the art one, but aged 18, he didn’t turn … Read More ›

Detail-of-Tonge-Mill-renovation
Home tours

Interview: Inside the renovated mill and home of Elvis & Kresse

In 2005, Kresse Wesling and James Henrit launched Elvis & Kresse*. A certified B Corporation, their sustainable luxury line of bags and accessories is made from genuine de-commissioned … Read More ›

Bottletop Regent Street London
Hip hangouts

Interview: Oliver Wayman on Bottletop’s 3D printed interior

Bottletop have been creating their signature handbags made from recycled aluminium ring pulls since 2002. The brand collaborates with artisans in Brazil, Kenya, Nepal and … Read More ›

Wooden-crate-art-installations-by-Tadashi-Kawamata
Curiosities

22 of the best art installations made from repurposed materials

When it comes to creating extraordinary interiors, a lot can be learned from installation art. For artists of every kind, there’s no such thing as … Read More ›

Porcelain and pressed flowers sculpture
Artisans

Interview: Stunning contemporary flower sculptures by Ignacio Canales Aracil

Ignacio Canales Aracil is a Spanish sculptor who makes extraordinary delicate structures from real pressed flowers and plants. The flowers are held together without the … Read More ›

salvaged doors
Furniture

Enviromate: An online marketplace for used building materials

According to data gathered by the Green Building Council, construction, demolition and refurbishment accounts for around 120 million tonnes of waste in the UK each … Read More ›

IKEA recycled plastic kuggis box with lid
Decor

10 IKEA homeware products made of recycled plastic

Any discussion around the eco-friendly values of IKEA is guaranteed to raise eyebrows. Even if they are able to make their manufacturing more sustainable, can … Read More ›

Black Tiptoe removable table leg
Styling

10 small house interior design solutions

As more architects explore the potential of tiny homes, finding ways to optimise small interiors is a growing area of interest for designers. Some minimalists … Read More ›

recycled cardboard
Curiosities

The extraordinary world of recycled cardboard art

With more of us shopping online, cardboard packaging is fast becoming one of the most ubiquitous materials we discard on a daily basis. Elevated from … Read More ›

Skin collection chair covered in leather scraps
Furniture

16 of the wildest upcycled chairs made from repurposed materials

When it comes to upcycled chairs, it seems the humble seat can surprise, delight and be made from just about anything. If you’re sitting comfortably, … Read More ›

Portrait of London designer maker Daniel Heath
Artisans

Interview: Handprinted wallpaper and surface design by Daniel Heath

Daniel Heath is an award-winning independent wallpaper, textile and surface designer. After training in silk screen printing at the Royal College of Art, he set up his East … Read More ›

Hip hangouts

Adaptive reuse of an old mill now a stunning mountain retreat

Surrounded by breathtaking mountainous scenery is the Alila Yangshuo, a converted 1960s sugar mill turned luxury resort hotel. Part of the Alila hotel group, the … Read More ›

Collage portrait by Patrick Bremer
Curiosities

5 masters of vintage and recycled paper collage art

With virtually everything become increasingly digitised, more of us are striving for a paperless life. We still however, manage to produce a staggering amount of … Read More ›

Wooden cabin in the mist
Home tours

Eco cabins by Devon based Out of the Valley

Rupert McKelvie‘s education in woodwork began with acquiring traditional boat building skills in the coastal town of Lyme Regis, as well cabinet making. He then … Read More ›

Grant Aston wood and ceramic contemporary sculpture at Collect 2018
Curiosities

10 selected works of contemporary sculpture from Collect 2018

Collect is an annual international contemporary art fair held by the Crafts Council, now its 14th year. It brings together 40 galleries from around the … Read More ›

Garden view from an east london kitchen
Home tours

East London home decorated with greenery and vintage

Ignoring the cold spell currently hitting London, the budding crocuses are proof that we are indeed almost at the end of winter. The prospect of … Read More ›

Fish made from plastic bottles by Veronika Richterová
Curiosities

9 incredible examples of plastic bottle art and installation

The concept of plastic bottle art initially evoked flashbacks of Blue Peter’s Here’s one I made earlier. It’s hard to believe that something as ubiquitous … Read More ›

Bert and May Bolonia tiles styled with vintage accents
Styling

8 stylish vintage bathroom decorating ideas

The bathroom may not be an obvious setting for your flea market finds, but is actually one of the best spaces to experiment with. Even … Read More ›

Jute macrame shopping bag
Decor

10 plastic reducing essentials for zero waste living

The war on plastic may finally be gaining traction after the EU announced an official plastics strategy earlier this month. Their target is to make all … Read More ›

Wall hangings made from upcycled used bicycle parts
Curiosities

Art and design made from used bicycle parts

When used bicycle parts get a second life as something beautiful, the term ‘upcycling’ couldn’t be more apt. Although an advocate of all things eco, I … Read More ›

Shake sideboard by Sebastian Cox for Benchmark
Furniture

10 sustainable furniture brands in the UK and Europe

When it comes to anything we buy – be it socks, bedsheets or coffee, it might seem reassuring to see the term ‘sustainable’ in the … Read More ›

Reworked white glass by artist Amber Cowan
Curiosities

6 glass artists making otherworldly beautiful objects

As well as being a natural, durable and highly recyclable material, little can compete with the magic that glass can offer visually. The art form … Read More ›

Styling

10 ways to create a winter centrepiece with natural branches

When it comes to Scandi design, natural branches and foliage are Christmas decor staples. To create a focal point, a few foraged branches and sprays … Read More ›

Gluck crochet pendant lights by Naomi Paul in situ
Artisans

Interview: Contemporary crocheted pendant lights by Naomi Paul

It’s somewhat ironic that Naomi Paul‘s beautiful lighting brand began with a uni project that involved deliberately making something ‘badly’. Fast forward to today and … Read More ›

Kasuri rug made from recycled textiles
Decor

10 designers making unique furniture and decor from recycled textiles

The rate at which we produce and throw away clothes is leading to inconceivable amounts of textile waste. You might imagine that any clothes the … Read More ›

Grey floral sofa by london studio Urban Upholstery
Furniture

17 furniture upholstery specialists in London

Stripes, velvet or digital print? Reupholstery of a tired old chair, stool or sofa could make some big changes to your interior. Whilst there are … Read More ›

High ceilings and black painted window frames
Styling

10 simple home decoration ideas that will tempt you to paint it black

Will you be facing your fear of the dark, this Halloween…? To some, the idea of painting a room black is somewhat horrifying, but if you … Read More ›

Decor

10 of the best British made wool blankets for a hygge inspired home

Once you discover the Danish art of hygge, you might even look forward to the onset of winter. Although it has no direct translation, hygge … Read More ›

Newspaper cut recycled art by Myriam Dion
Curiosities

13 extraordinary works of recycled art made from unwanted materials

Found objects and materials have long been the medium of choice for famous artists and makers since the 20th-century – Picasso’s Bull’s Head (1942) and … Read More ›

Chair upcycled with woven fabric
Artisans

Interview: Jo Elbourne transforms furniture with contemporary textile weaving

One of my favourites from London Design Fair was a collection of furniture that immediately stood apart for its elegant and distinctive graphic aesthetic. The … Read More ›

Mandala cabinet by Migaloo made from cork
Furniture

New designs made from cork at London Design Festival

London Design Festival highlighted a number of designers and makers who are breaking new ground with mindfully sourced materials and more sustainable production. One of … Read More ›

Peach Baby by Earthborn eco paints
Styling

Autumn colour inspiration from 5 eco-friendly paint brands

With such an overwhelming amount of options available, choosing paint colours is enough to bring on a headache, even before you’ve been exposed to any … Read More ›

upcycled lighting made from repurposed crystal bowls
Decor

16 upcycled lighting designs made from repurposed objects

Lighting in the 21st-century can be made from all kinds of repurposed ephemera – and not just glass mason jars. From spectacles to drinking vessels, … Read More ›

Living room seating in a modern rustic interior
Home tours

Modern rustic interior design at The Estate Trentham

If you’re fortunate enough to visit or reside in Melbourne, Australia, The Estate Trentham, should get straight on your radar. The three bedroom house, surrounded … Read More ›

Paper art made from maps by Matthew Cusick
Curiosities

5 paper artists who make incredible artworks from old maps

Remember the days before Google maps? The paper variety may now be stashed away in the depths of the attic, but could be given new … Read More ›

Portrait of Yukiko Nagai sitting on mosaic embellished bench
Artisans

Interview: Yukiko Nagai revives furniture with intricate mosaic art

Yukiko Nagai relocated from Japan to Italy, to study the traditional art of mosaic at Ravenna Art Academy. After briefly returning to Tokyo, she decided … Read More ›

Holiday cabins on the Portuguese coast
Hip hangouts

Cabanas no Rio idyllic cabins for rent on the Portuguese coast

My latest obsession is watching YouTubers reveal their journey towards a simpler, greener and more streamlined lifestyle (currently Use Less and The Girl Gone Green). … Read More ›

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Upcyclist shares interior decor ideas that celebrate restoration, repair and reuse. Meet homeowners, designers and makers that sensitively renovate rooms, restyle vintage finds, restore furniture and repurpose materials. Read more >

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  • Decor
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  • Home tours
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Books

Renovate Innovate book by Antonia Edwards
Renovate Innovate: Reclaimed + Upcycled Homes (Prestel Publishing 2017)
Upcyclist Reclaimed and Remade Furniture Lighting and Interiors book
Upcyclist: Reclaimed and Remade Furniture, Lighting + Interiors (Prestel Publishing 2015)
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