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Upcyclist

Inspiration for conscious + creative interiors

Tag: recycled materials

Creative homes + interiors

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 ›

Reclaimed oak canal gate table by Jan Hendzel
Furniture makers + restorers

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 ›

White hand-crocheted hanging plant pot by Heather Orr
Handmade decor

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 ›

Charlotte Kidger
Handmade decor

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 ›

Artwork made from recycled denim jeans by Ian Berry
Curiosities

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
Creative homes + interiors

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 ›

salvaged doors
Creative homes + interiors

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
Creative homes + interiors

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 ›

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
Curiosities

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
Handmade decor

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 ›

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 ›

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 ›

Wall hangings made from upcycled used bicycle parts
Handmade decor

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
Creative homes + interiors

10 eco friendly furniture brands in the UK and Europe

When it comes to furniture, the term ‘eco friendly’ can be confusing. With any product, it’s hard to quantify exactly much how one manufacturing process … 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 ›

Kasuri rug made from recycled textiles
Handmade 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 ›

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 ›

Lights made from repurposed crystal bowls
Handmade decor

15 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 ›

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 ›

alfresco area at eco bed and breakfast
Hip hangouts

Reconnect with nature at an eco bed and breakfast in Parma, Italy

Scheduling your holiday plans for the summer? You might want to consider this tranquil eco bed and breakfast, an idyllic retreat in northern Italy. Il Richiamo del … Read More ›

Detail of lace etching on slate tiles
Handmade decor

Interview: Artist Jo Gibbs transforms found objects with pattern

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 … Read More ›

Renovate Innovate book by Antonia Edwards
Creative homes + interiors

Renovate Innovate: Reclaimed and Upcycled Homes book

New homes and interiors book There are many reasons to be joyful about finally entering March 2017. Snowdrops and daffodils are now gracing our London … Read More ›

Manoteca book cover
Creative homes + interiors

Manoteca book features fantastic furniture by Elisa Cavani

I first came across the work of Elisa Cavani, whilst doing research for my book Upcyclist. Hailing from Bologna, Italy, Elisa makes whimsical lighting, desks … Read More ›

paper lighting by crea-re
Handmade decor

12 stunning examples of eco chic paper lighting

Lighting is probably the most fun element of home design. Sure, you have to get through the tedious part of working out where all your … Read More ›

modern lakeside holiday cabin
Creative homes + interiors

Garage renovation turned beautiful cabin on Vashon Island

The creators behind this impressive garage renovation are Graypants, a design collective led by Seth Grizzle and Jonathan Junker, who work from their studios in … Read More ›

Vakst Copenhagen interior filled with greenery
Hip hangouts

Beautiful botanical interior design at Väkst Copenhagen

When I came across the botanical interior design at Väkst, overflowing with lush green plants, I looked over at my wilting coriander and thought – it’s … Read More ›

wooden stool made from recycled plastic bottle joinery
Furniture makers + restorers

New life for recycled plastic bottles as furniture joinery

Making something useful with discarded plastic drinking bottles is one thing. Reusing them to make something useful AND aesthetically gratifying, is a whole other (much more … Read More ›

Debris Chair made from ocean plastic textile by Carmen Machado
Handmade decor

Chairs made from an innovative ocean plastic textile by Carmen Machado

Cockpit Arts is a London-based business incubator for craftspeople at the start of their careers. At this year’s London Design Fair, they presented the Debris … Read More ›

Recycled plastic panels made from plastic bottles by Smile Plastics
Creative homes + interiors

Recycled plastic panels by Smile Plastics

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 … Read More ›

Mama Campo interior
Hip hangouts

Cool and eclectic upcycled restaurant interior design in Madrid

Recently, I had the pleasure of connecting with Manolo Yllera, a Madrid-based interior designer and photographer whose beautiful studio loft home features in my upcoming … Read More ›

Concrete lamps by Bentu
Creative homes + interiors

Concrete lamps made with recycled construction waste by Bentu

Far from shabby chic, Bentu Design proves that ‘recycled’ is not all about worn patinas and rough edges. These concrete lamps are beautifully clean cut … Read More ›

Ilaria-Bianchi
Handmade decor

Interview: Artist Ilaria Bianchi

Ilaria Bianchi is a furniture and product designer from Pisa, Italy. She studied Industrial Design in Turin, and after winning a scholarship moved to Stockholm … Read More ›

Hotel Hotel Reclaimed Wood Interior installation by March-Studio
Hip hangouts

Hotel Hotel’s reclaimed timber interior by March Studio

Melbourne designers March Studio transformed the foyer interior of Hotel Hotel in Canberra, using thousands of planks of salvaged wood. The planks are fixed around the … Read More ›

Chairs recovered with vintage paintings by artist Leslie Oschmann
Handmade decor

Interview: Leslie Oschmann reimagines found objects sourced from markets

Founder of Swarm, Leslie Oschmann specialises in making homeware and accessories from found objects. Seeking out vintage treasures from Dutch markets, French homes or Belgian antique … Read More ›

Paper-Moon-Factory-Paper-Mache
Handmade decor

Paper mache lamp shades by Paper Moon Factory

These beautiful paper mache lamp shades are by Paper Moon Factory* and are perfect for making your home feel cosy this winter. The lamps are … Read More ›

Ariele-Alasko
Handmade decor

Beautiful work made from reclaimed wood by Ariele Alasko

Ariele Alasko is a full-time woodworker living in Brooklyn, New York. Originally from California, Alasko started building furniture for her own apartment, shortly after she … Read More ›

Herrwolke Telebeute
Handmade decor

Lamps made from upcycled cardboard by Herrwolke

Telebeute Lichtobjekte is a beautiful 50cm telescope shaped wall lamp made from upcycled cardboard. The light is designed by Michael Konstantin Wolke of Berlin atelier Herrwolke and … Read More ›

SerpentSea mats made-from-upcycled-ropes
Handmade decor

Accessories made from recycled marine rope by SerpentSea

Serpent Sea was founded by New Yorker Sophie Aschauer in 2011. After a sailing trip to Nantucket, she began to make colourful mats out of … Read More ›

Detail of chandelier made from PET bottles
Curiosities

Upcycled plastic bottle creations by Veronika Richterová

Veronika Richterová is a Czech artist and aficionado when it comes to upcycled plastic bottles. Using heat and various methods of technological processing, she has … Read More ›

Feature wall crafted from reclaimed timber at New Hotel Athens
Hip hangouts

New Hotel Athens by Campana Brothers

Brazilian designers Fernando and Humberto Campana are renowned for  their reuse and re-appropriation to make furniture and interiors. Since launching in 1983 they have built … Read More ›

nudie-jeans-camper-detail
Creative homes + interiors

Homeware made from upcycled jeans by Nudie

Swedish company Nudie Jeans have upcycled 2700 pairs of old, worn out jeans into limited edition rugs and camper seats. The In-and-Out Seam Camper Seat … Read More ›

Amish Barn Star
Handmade decor

Amish Metal Barn Star

These beautiful metal barn stars are made by Amish communities in America using traditional methods.  Believed to bring good luck, they are made from reclaimed … Read More ›

Creative homes + interiors

Inspiration for upcycling wooden pallets

1001pallets.com is a brilliant resource entirely dedicated to creative projects that reuse, repurpose and upcycle wooden pallets. The site allows you submit your own personal … Read More ›

Handmade decor

Wood pallet lamps by Factory Twenty One

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 … Read More ›

repaired buckets
Handmade decor

Repaired buckets by Cordula Kehrer

According to the children’s song, There’s a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, the solution is to mend it with a straw, dear Henry. This … Read More ›

Creative homes + interiors

House made from shipping containers and wooden pallets

Manifesto House is by Chilean architects Infiniski, a home made from premade materials that allow for quick, cost effective and sustainable construction.  It’s made from … Read More ›

Creative homes + interiors

Stars made from upcycled soda cans

We’re loving these Christmas ornaments made of upcycled soda cans by Etsy member Lizard Skins – a great way to introduce some colour to your home this … Read More ›

Handmade decor

RX Made products made from Chicago’s waste

The ReBuilding Exchange is a nonprofit social enterprise in Chicago dedicated to creating a market for reclaimed building materials. They have launched a Kickstarter project … Read More ›

house covered in bottle caps
Curiosities

Thousands of bottle caps decorate a house in Eastern Russia

Olga Kostina is a resourceful Russian pensioner from the village of Kamarchaga in the Siberian Taiga.  Using 30,000 bottle caps, she has adorned her home … Read More ›

Handmade decor

Reclaimed fabric toy characters by Katkaland

Katkaland is the playground of Katka Hubacek from Quebec, Canada. These wonderful handmade creatures are influenced by a childhood spent drawing princesses, dressing her doll … Read More ›

Handmade decor

New Zealand wool blankets made into cushions by Seam

Seam by Sue McMillan is a lovely collection of upcycled pure New Zealand wool blankets.  These cushions and wheatbags have hand sewn vinyl and blanket … Read More ›

Cloud lightbulb installation
Curiosities

Cloud art installation made from lightbulbs

CLOUD is a large-scale interactive art installation by Caitlind Brown for Nuit Blanche Calgary. The project was made using more than 5000 illuminated and burnt … Read More ›

Creative homes + interiors

Kitchen island covered in lego by Munchausen

Danish design duo Simon Pillard and Philippe Rossetti (aka Munchausen) have covered a wooden kitchen island with 20,000 Lego pieces in their Paris apartment.  “We … Read More ›

Creative homes + interiors

Thailand art studio built from reclaimed boat wood

A massive thank you to my good friend and talented illustrator Sophie Crichton for introducing me to Pui Ngowsiri. Sophie is currently living in Phuket, … Read More ›

Handmade decor

Homeware made from upcycled wine bottles by Lucirmás

We’re very excited to discover Lucirmás a Spanish company which makes beautiful homewares out of upcycled wine bottles, all handmade in Barcelona, Spain. Their mission … Read More ›

Handmade decor

Chandeliers made from kitchen items by Madeleine Boulesteix

Inspired by the post-war thrift from her parents generation, Madeleine Boulesteix makes opulent chandeliers out of humble kitchen items.  Jelly moulds, teacups and spoons are … Read More ›

Handmade decor

Beautiful light made from cookbook pages

Love this lamp by Hutch Studio.  It comprises 33 lampshade houses made from vintage 1950s cookbook pages. Image via Hutch Studio

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Upcyclist is an interiors blogzine for the conscious design enthusiast. We champion decor that’s recycled, repurposed and crafted from low impact materials.  Read more >

Categories

  • Creative homes + interiors
  • Curiosities
  • Furniture makers + restorers
  • Handmade decor
  • Hip hangouts

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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