See the light to upcycle

It is no surprise that we are passionate about upcycling here at Ruby Rhino and it is our goal to spread the love for this inspiring form of design and craft. It is funny that of giving old items a fresh lease of life or recycling something to give a completely different purpose isn't new - our ancestors have been doing it for centuries - but it is only in recent years that it has started to become recognised as a respected form of design.

In our wasteful society where we are quick to throw things that no longer seem pretty or useful, people seem to be gradually wising up to the upcycling mindset and I only hope many more learn to embrace it.

Whether you purchase an upcycled item or get crafty and have a go yourself – there is something wholeheartedly rewarding about having an item in your home with a previous life.  I like to think about the former owners of our furniture and how each item was woven into their lives: the kind of letters that might have been written at a desk for example, or how a young woman beautified herself for a date at one of our dressing tables – each holds a secret that will never be told.

Aside from the romance of owning a pre-loved piece, I also like the practicality of repurposing items from their former use. A great example is the fantastic upcycled lighting that is emerging onto the market – particularly on Etsy – which provides some great ideas to get creative with at home. Many of these designer-makers are based in the US and I so hope the upcycling wave will wash more onto our shores soon as we definitely need more upcyclers here in the UK.

Please share and follow our moto to reuse, reclaim and recycle!

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Vintage wire baskets, antique wooden planes and tea cups… the options for lighting vessels are totally limitless.

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Old jars, particularly everybody’s favourite, the Ball mason jar, are perfect for creating a contemporary chandelier and sure to have timeless appeal.