I have moved my blog! Please join me :)

Hi people, just letting you know I have gone across to a self hosted wordpress.org site

so if you want to follow me please go to www.recycledinteriors.org and check it out!

thank you

Helen

xx

Upcycling, what’s it all about?

So what is all the fuss about Upcycling? And what is it all about?

Upcycling Magazine says “Upcycling is taking an item that is no longer needed or wanted and giving it new life as something that is either useful or creative. This seemingly basic concept has sparked an exciting revolution with this generation.”

The term upcycle started to be tossed around back in the mid 90s. Then in 2002, William McDonough and Michael Braungart’s book ‘Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things’ made the idea more mainstream and it became an important part of pop culture. McDonough and Braungart were pioneers in the field of upcycling and were passionate about the fact that we should all try to use things as long as possible, rather than turn them into waste. This has now been developed into the idea that we should try to create new things from those that would otherwise be thrown away, whenever possible.

Polywood Outdoors Australia, Beautiful outdoor furniture from milk bottles!

South Beach

 

Polywood Outdoors

Polywood Outdoors is an outdoor furniture company supplying timeless, classic, outdoor furniture with a difference. Made from revolutionary Polywood Lumber, this environmentally friendly material looks good and lasts, as well as being friendly to the environment.  They will be exhibiting at Design and Decoration in Melbourne in July so I will be able to check their range out in person. It is always best to touch and feel a piece of furniture if you can, to get a sense of how you will feel when you use it so hopefully I can road test it for you!

They describe their products as “durable and comfortable, all-weather furniture” that will never rot whether it is exposed to rain, snow, salt water or sun and claim that Polywood is really environmentally friendly – made from a high percentage of post-consumer materials. Their catch phrase is that “our furniture transforms landfill waste into usable products.” Nice!

Thursday Inspiration, colour love

I adore colour,can not get enough of it – whether it be a mixed up extravaganza, or a subtle sweet white or theatrical black background with pops of colour, I love it all. I am constantly assessing various spots around my house to make sure I am happy with the colour mix and how it all falls together and seeking inspiration from other people’s great ideas. I love nothing more than perusing websites, pinterest, instagram and new and old magazines (often picked up cheap in Op Shops) for ideas.

Here are some beautiful colourful rooms for Thursday viewing pleasure – do you like colour or not?  Feel free to comment, I love to hear people’s thoughts and read them all!  Here’s to a colourful day 🙂

Helen

Pic from Rikki Snyder Photography

Photo from Rikki Snyder Photography

Pic from Riki Snyder Photography

 

Pic from Ideas to Steal

 

Pic from Ideas to Steal

Pic via Pinterest (from About architecture, interior and exterior design on Facebook)

Pops of colour accents – via Graham and Greene UK

Design: Made: Trade

DESIGN: MADE: TRADE will this year be a feature of DECORATION + DESIGN, held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, 18-21 July 2013. For the first time, Design: Made: Trade will be a curated forum, and this year will feature more than 30 of the best art and design studios. Design: Made: Trade has always been a hub for emerging designers and innovative design.

Tufts Porcelain Daisy Range

Design: Made: Trade showcases internationally recognised creative talent across a diverse range of design disciplines, from product design, to graphic design, textiles, lighting and furniture. The forum remains a premier bespoke design event, which provides vital market opportunities for Australian designers.