made in the UK

Patience and Gough are a dynamic design duo, reviving found furniture in the stunning surroundings of Cumbria’s Lake District. Their upcycled furniture range was presented at London’s 100% Design exhibition last autumn. After being spotted by one of their buyers,... Read More →

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 London studio in 2007 to create bespoke hand printed wallpapers and hand crafted interior surfaces. Key to... Read More →

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 graduated in 3D design and sustainability with a distinction from Falmouth University. He has since worked on a... Read More →

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 environmental benefits to giving furniture a second chance with exciting fabrics, it can also equate to a style statement that simply... Read More →

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 is the word used to describe a feeling of cosiness, wellbeing and contentment with all the simple things in life: cups of cocoa by the fire,... Read More →

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 artist behind this body of work was Jo Elbourne of Cumulo Design, who works from her studio in Margate on the Kent coast.... Read More →

Possessing an ethereal and enchanting quality, the moment you come across a piece of textile art work by Karen Nicol, you’ll be curious to see more. Karen is a London-based embroidery, mixed media and textile artist, whose creations dance between the disciplines of art,... Read More →

Born and raised in Battersea, Jo Gibbs is a London-based artist who started off her creative career in textiles. It all began with her first Saturday job at Tooting market. Jo worked on a fabric stall with a lady called Lybette who took her around all the wholesalers in Brick... Read More →

As always, there was a stunning array of design and homeware on display at Tent London this year. The only downside is coming away wanting to own everything in sight – they must be doing something right. One of the stands that stood out was Smile Plastics. Not only do their... Read More →

Humblesticks was established in 2013 by husband and wife team Richard Holman and Katy Shooter. Richard is a photographer and creative director of a design agency. Katy is a painter, sculptor and interior designer. Their upcycling adventure was born out of a love of rejuvenating... Read More →

When 27-year-old Mat Dusting graduated from university, he was on the look out for a durable bag that would transport his skiing and snowboarding gear without ripping. Inspired by some of the materials lying around on the family farm, he began experimenting. Fast forward four... Read More →

Stuart Haygarth was one of the first artists we featured on Upcyclist, along with his reconfigured collections of found objects, transformed into stunning chandeliers. A more recent piece from 2014 is Prairie King, which is based on a body of work inspired by the concept of play.... Read More →

Founded in 2013, Kitty Ferreira is the brainchild of Valerie Goode. Whilst working as a Senior Designer in China, her firsthand experience of the terrible air pollution became the catalyst for her new line of clothing. Manufactured in London, the Pomonion range is mad... Read More →

As you can see from our previous posts on Michelle Lowe Holder, we’re a huge fan of this Canadian-born British fashion designer. Her collections are famed for her use of heritage handcrafts, vintage detail, zero waste and upcycling by using ends of line textile and... Read More →

Upcycled furniture by East London designer Yinka Ilori are sculptural pieces inspired by the traditional Nigerian parables he was taught as a child. Using African Ankara fabrics, each piece tells a story. A graduate in furniture and product design from London Metropolitan... Read More →

Graduating from Central Saint Martins last year, Katie Jones is another hot new designer to showcase their work at London Fashion Week’s Estethica SS15. Jones is a knitwear designer who takes a modern approach to traditional crafts. Using a high percentage of British... Read More →

In July, visual artist Alex Noble set up EMG (Everything Must Go) ‘an ethical and creative initiative pioneering inventive sustainability in the higher end of the creative cultural market.’ Cycle 1 was a collaboration with 15 London designers whereby leftover fabric... Read More →

A while ago we featured the work of Nottingham artist Donya Coward who makes work of art from Victorian antique embroideries, fabrics and haberdashery and vintage Nottingham and French laces.  We couldn’t resist sharing these adorable freestanding Jack Russell Terriers.  As... Read More →

Lost Property of London by Katie Bell continues its trademark ‘Rough Luxe’ aesthetic with their SS13 collection.  We love the colours chosen for the Envelope pictured above which is made from vegetable tanned leather and upcycled sailcloth, also available in... Read More →

Launched only in the last few weeks, Galapagos Designs is a new online store selling fabulous vintage furniture.  Their collection from the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s has been fabulously revamped for a 21st century audience, all handmade in the UK. The brand upholds three... Read More →

A fabulous new upcycling studio has just launched in south east Wales.  Humblesticks revive mid-twentieth-century furniture, lighting, mirrors and accessories.  The G Plan 1950’s chest of drawers pictured above has been given a zesty makeover with their signature lead grey,... Read More →

These superb pendant lights are made from recycled wooden pallets by East Sussex based company Factory Twenty One.  There are five different shade colours and six different elastic colours to choose from.  Purchase on Etsy here! Images via Etsy zp8497586rq Read More →

Stroll along Brighton seafront and you will come across a stretch of studios under the Kings Road Arches selling local arts and crafts.  Love Lucy sells the work of Lucy Higham who upcycles old furniture with exciting modern fabrics. Her pieces are designed to be the focal point... Read More →

‘Without breakers there are no makers’ is the doctrine of mosiac artist Cleo Mussi.  Her fascinating work is born out of a ‘maverick approach to making’, exploring a variety of themes through the medium of reclaimed broken ceramics.  The chosen ceramic... Read More →

Camden Passage in Angel offers a string of beautiful independent boutiques, all of which are certainly worth a look should you find yourself in the vicinity.  SMUG is a concept boutique with a lovely collection of products on offer, notably these fabulous toys made from vintage... Read More →

On a recent sunny Sunday I found myself at Marcos & Trump on Columbia Road, Hoxton where I came across some gorgeous jewellery pieces by JHBeulah. Throughout her university studies Jemima Beulah worked with some prestigious tailors and witnessed a substantial amount of waste... Read More →

This latest collection from Michelle Lowe-Holder for spring/summer 2013 is our favourite so far, and the Elizabethan styling for it is perfect. The beautifully crafted collection is aptly named ‘Elizabeth’ and draws on English heritage and Tudor detailing, “It... Read More →

Esther Coombs gives a new lease of life to unwanted household items by drawing illustrations on to discarded ceramics, tea towels, cushions and old postcards.  Traditional floral teapots are brought up to date with illustrations of modern day tower blocks.  Cake stands are... Read More →

Plastic Seconds is a playful range of limited edition jewellery that’ll get you noticed.   Designed by Maria Papadimitriou, all the materials used are found objects such as biro lids, lego and plastic bottle tops that cannot be recycled.  Check out more of her amazing work... Read More →

The Christopher Ræburn label was launched in 2008 and became known for garments made from re-appropriated military fabrics, proudly ‘Remade in England’.   For AW12 the new Scorch/Freeze collection includes hero garments made from re-appropriated fireproof fireman’s trousers... Read More →

Hendzel + Hunt is a design studio  in South London specialising in the manufacture and design of bespoke cabinets and furniture.  This month they have been selected as one of Kevin McCloud’s Green Heroes at Grand Designs Live. Their MADE IN PECKHAM range (Kirkwood chair above) is... Read More →

The materials used in this fabulous range of bags by Julia Crew includes pre-consumer waste such as end-of-line upholstery fabrics and off-cuts as well as post-consumer waste such as second hand leather jackets and belts.  Each unique piece is handmade and with a different... Read More →

At this year’s TENT London there was plenty of exciting upcycled art and design on offer. First up, Melanie Roseveare of Melody Rose who upcycles long forgotten ceramics by applying brilliant new designs to cups, saucers and plates before re-firing them in the kiln at over... Read More →

Many thanks to Decode for organising a fantastic media tour of the Shoreditch Design Triangle which forms part of this month’s London Design Festival.  Most inspiring was the studio of Rupert Blanchard who salvages timber and other materials from wherever he can to create... Read More →

On a recent mosy around Liberty I came across Lost Property of London by British designer Katy Bell.  These super stylish bags are made from 100% recycled South American fair trade coffee sacks, vintage leather jackets and remnant printed florals. Images via Lost Property of London Read More →