by Liz Bauwens and Alexandra Campbell
In an age when we can buy the same bookcase in Sweden, Singapore, and San Francisco, adding individuality to our surroundings is increasingly important. It creates a sense of place, a feel of home.
Upcycling sums up today’s approach to interiors. It means re-using or re-styling things in an innovative and contemporary way, transforming an older piece of furniture from junk to fabulous. The same idea can even be applied to mass-market modern furniture—through “hacking,” you can give it a brand new use or an entirely different look. Both upcycling and hacking are about re-purposing, taking an inexpensive item and re-working it into something special and unique. It’s not just about making the most of your budget, although upcycling and hacks will save you money. It’s about having a home that reflects your style and individuality. Sometimes it’s just a question of looking at “that old thing” in a different way, such as hanging an empty picture frame on the wall, using a piece of outdoor furniture inside, adding different doors to chain-store fittings, or combining traditional and modern in quirky, individualistic ways.