FEATURE E Don’t chuck it out trend it up
It’s the latest recession-busting craze – but Claire Janes has been ‘upcycling’ for years. Here is her personal guide to making old furniture funky and tired clothes trendy
As someone who has been pulling items out of skips for the past 20 years (with permission of course) the trend for Upcycling, the latest buzz word in interiors, comes as something of a relief. No longer will I be subjected to peculiar looks from passers-by as I stagger home with half a fireplace and the front legs from a sideboard. My children, now old enough to cross the road and disown me, will realise mum is trendy after all.
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In these environmentally aware times, ethical interiors and fashion are a massive trend amongst designers. Rather than throw unwanted clothing away, or taking that old orange pine chest of drawers to the tip, do it up and recycle it, hence the word – Upcycle.
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This beautiful Island of ours is bursting with artistic and creative talent re-designing clothing, and painting and wallpapering furniture (yes you heard that right). Just look at the rise in popularity of charity shops. Gone is that familiar musty odour of old wet dog and digestives that greeted you as soon as you walked in: these days you are met with colour co-ordinated displays and a Glade plug-in amongst the designer shoes and handbags. These shops don’t even look like charity shops any more: take a look at Twice as Nice on the corner of Lugley St in Newport to see what I mean.
Gone is that musty odour of old wet dog and digestives that greeted you as soon as you walked in: these days you are met with colour co-ordinated displays
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Just changing the buttons on a jacket can transform something you thought you’d never wear again. This was superbly demonstrated by Karen Lobb from Learn to Sew at the recent IOW Pearl Frock Exchange evening. This now annual event was a huge success and raised £367 for the Earl Mountbatten Hospice appeal. Karen showed how to turn a scarf into a top and an unappealing skirt into a sundress. The audience were enthralled, some carrying away as many as fifteen items. “That’s my summer wardrobe sorted,” one frock exchanger was heard to say.
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If you’re not handy in the sewing machine department you can have old clothing transformed for you: so much more economical than buying new. Ask around and find a good local tailor? Cushions made from old French flour sacks can be found at Bayliss & Booth in Newport as well as a gorgeous selection of drawer knobs and handles to smarten up that old cupboard.
But, I hear you cry, how do I do it? Have no fear, numerous courses have sprung up for Spring. The Isle of Wight College offers a good selection from simple DIY to re-upholstery. Also, never underestimate the knowledge from behind the counter at your local decorators shop. Brewers, on the industrial estate at Newport, is endlessly helpful. If it’s a can of ‘Elephant’s Breath’ you’re after (yes they do stock Farrow & Ball paint) or you don’t know which varnish, glue or primer to use, the people at Brewers are happy to advise.
Visit Chic Antique in Ryde’s Union Street to see a beautifully painted selection of restored antique furniture. Bring this article and get a 10% discount, too. The Little Painted Furniture Company, the upstairs to Ventnor Bathroom Centre, has items in beautiful shades of cream, green and that Kelly Hoppen favourite, taupe. Or attend a course: Susan Payne offers one-to-one tuition for her furniture painting workshops (07846 919903).
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www.styleofwight.co.uk
Wallpapered furniture is becoming increasingly popular as it gives you the chance to create a piece which is truly unique. For a real wow factor, don’t just paper the wall, paper an item of furniture to match and blend it into the wall.
bryonyporter.co.uk is a truly inspirational website for this type of effect.
Advertising Call (01983) 861 007 C
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