Delve into the world of pre-loved furniture and upcycling projects with Sara Whatley, plus industry expert tips and advice from The Salvage Sister
Everybody loves a bargain or even better, a freebie. Shopping second hand or finding treasures for free can be a thrill, especially when you find something unexpected but perfect or conversely, just the thing you were looking for in the first place.
When it comes to our homes, finding pre-loved furniture that we can refresh and love again is not only good for the bank balance, it encourages sustainable living which is good for the environment too. Not to mention the huge sense of satisfaction that restoring or simply cleaning a piece of furniture can bring. There is an art to second hand furniture though; get it wrong and your home could look a bit of a jumble – a mismatch of colours and styles. Unless that’s the look you are going for, of course!
If you are on the hunt for upcycling projects, think about the form of the piece over the fabric or finish, as these can be changed. Check for serious damage that cannot be repaired or would be very costly to repair and have a vision before you shop – this will help to keep you on track. Also, it’s important to use your imagination; dark wood can be transformed by chalk paint, and you can bring the bounce back to a sagging chair by having it reupholstered or doing it yourself.
Upcycling also takes the form of making something new out of various other found objects. This can be a really exciting challenge and tap into your creative skills. Simple things can be achieved fairly easily with a bit of imagination to transform old household objects such as mirrors, kitchen utensils and vintage or industrial pieces from reclamation or flea markets.
Another good tip is to make sure you have the time and energy, skills and tools to take on a project. Alternatively, budget in doing some of the work yourself, and taking it to a professional for the trickier parts.
I spoke to Charis Williams, aka The Salvage Sister, who designs and fabricates industrial and quirky art, furniture and homewares from salvaged wood, metal and unrecyclable plastic. I started by asking Charis what inspires her: “Beautiful old parts of machinery, with their quality materials, solid design, embossing, rivets and big bolts. I love industrial style and gorgeous reclaimed woods,” she said. “I also love the beach, the forest and nature. When I have an idea, I have to make it happen.”
Charis went on to explain that sometimes a piece of salvage is “begging to be a lamp or a table base”, but often she is commissioned “to create furniture and homewares from random salvaged items - which is more challenging.
“Recently I was asked by sustainable heating company ‘Aira’ to create furniture from boilers. Not the beautiful copper tank, oh no. The white box in your kitchen cupboard! I didn’t know what to expect in there – other than pipework and a motor of some kind,” she said. “I love the challenge of creating beauty and function in an item that is not meant for it; saving materials from landfill and being creative. It’s win, win, win!”
Over the years Charis has upped her skill set as the upcycling bug took hold. She started with sanding and painting small pieces of furniture, then built up to take on more challenging pieces and build her confidence. “Now I weld, forge, woodwork and upcycle anything I can imagine!” she said. And of course, safety always comes first: “Always wear the appropriate PPE, and ‘Don’t stick your finger in the sharp bit!’ – that’s our motto!”
CHARIS’S TOP FIVE TIPS
1 Keep an eye out! I have found great furniture at roadsides, skips and refuse centres
2 Go for solid wood items, not chipboard or melamine
3 Sanding is key! No literally, you create a ‘key’ in the wood by sanding. You can also remove stubborn paint, varnish, scratches etc. Start corse to remove imperfections and work your way up the numbers for a smooth and easy to seal surface
4 Go wild! This is your chance to unleash your personality on an item
5 Most importantly have fun. And wear a face mask, goggles and ear defenders in a ventilated area for all that dusty work
You can find more of Charis' work at: www.salvagesister.co.uk
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