Upcycling Is The Secret To Surprising Chic*

Everyone that has a fascination with interior design, styling or just the prettier things in life will remember the moment this obsession began. For me, it was the first time I saw Breakfast At Tiffany’s, curled up in the most cliched teenage bedroom ever imaginable, my arms wrapped around a pink furry cushion as I clocked eyes on one of the chicest sofas ever invented; a sofa loaded with charm and style and luxury; a sofa made from an old bathtub. It was perfect. Not just for the film or the character Holly Golightly, who was going from small-town girl to big city wow, but for my own eyes-yanked-open experiences.

But upcycling has become more than just a bit of fun.

In today’s consumer-driven world where landfills are overflowing, the oceans are filling with bits people have tossed away and people are forever searching for something unique and wow, upcycling is needed more than ever. Thankfully, there are plenty of innovative companies out there who have committed themselves to transforming everyday objects into statement pieces designed to make jaws fall to the floor. They are turning trash into treasure. They are recreating the way we see things.

So, without further ado, here are some of the most impressive upcycled furniture we’ve stumbled across:

The Claw-Foot Bathtub
We can’t mention the Breakfast At Tiffany’s tub and not delve into it a little more because, let’s be honest, they look utterly ravishing. That statement piece that no one will forget, stop staring at or stop talking about every time you see them. Now, if you want to create this sofa yourself, then we admire your grit, creativity and love of the cause. However, there are companies out there, like Reduxx Tubs that have taken the vintage cast iron bathtub sofa idea straight from Ms Golightly’s apartment and creating their own versions, and they look incredible. Cheerful, colourful, luxurious, wow and, fingers crossed, amazingly relaxing too. Almost as much as a nice long bubble bath. This is the perfect addition to every room. At the end of your bed, in a corner of the kitchen, beneath the window in the living room or even in the entranceway to your home.

Skateboard Chic
Most people wouldn’t consider the underground rebellion of skaters to possess anything chic enough to make an interior design list, but you’d be wrong. All those cute skater-boys you bit your bottom lip over back in the day, when the punk and thrash-metal movements of the 80s were nibbling away at your attention have the perfect thing for upcycling – their skateboards. And since most of these guys have “grown up”, it makes way more sense to get some extra use out of them rather than just pop them in the trash. That’s what brands like Deckbench have gone and done. The guys and gals here have dedicated themselves to transforming old skateboard decks into unbelievable stylish pieces that are both functional and eco-friendly and look so cool. If you have teenage kids who are forever doubting your sense of style, this is how to prove them wrong.

Railway Sleepers
Nothing has the ability to add a pinch of rustic glam to your home more than a bunch of railway sleepers. They have everything you need to make something a little bit wow, from that gorgeous wood look to the sheer size of them, meaning all you need is some creativity, a big car and time to pop by George Hill Timber. We’ve seen designers use them as interior cladding to create the most unforgettable feature walls and we’ve seen DIYers turn their railway sleepers into inspiring console tables. And that’s just the tip of the pine tree. Bed frames, shelves, benches and chairs, fireplaces and even staircases. We’ve seen railway sleepers transform spaces in ways your eyes can’t quite believe at first, adding a gorgeous dollop of farmhouse chic to the most contemporary of homes. With a railway sleeper, you have an endless chance to do something special.

Bamboo Poles
If there are two trends that designers forever worship, singing their praise from whatever penthouse they can, it’s the importance of great lighting and bringing the great outdoors in, which is why you should check out the ways in which Bamboolight are creatively turning discarded bamboo shoots into incredible lights. What they have done is reclaimed discarded bamboo by hollowing out the tubes, adding cables and wiring and given birth to some of the most stylish and eco-friendly lamps every envisaged. It’s that modern touch you will not stop smiling about. Hang them from your ceilings, line your walls or just pop them in a giant pot – whatever you decide, this defining feature will give your home the most amazing and natural touch.