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See the light to upcycle
November 22, 2011
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!
Vintage wire baskets, antique wooden planes and tea cups… the options for lighting vessels are totally limitless.
Old jars, particularly everybody’s favourite, the Ball mason jar, are perfect for creating a contemporary chandelier and sure to have timeless appeal.
Friday favourites // 8
November 18, 2011
1. I’m considering getting some custom made espresso cups from very talented Sunderland-based potter - Little Wren Pottery.
2 & 3. There’s so much I want to make and bake from the winter issue of Sweet Paul magazine... these delicious rosemary and honey roast pecans and gravlax are high on the list
4. I’ve never really thought of layering rugs before – but what a fantastic idea to add warmth to a space. The bright pattern looks so great against the rough jute - via The Glitter Guide.
5. These wintery candles are such a great stocking filler and under a tenner - a bargain from Bodie and Fou.
6. I need a golden kettle and chunky wood chopping board. Oh and a dusty grey wall. Via nothing whack can stay - here.
7. Glen Proebstel is one super talented stylist – I could spend hours browsing his portfolio. The colours in this arrangement really caught my eye.
8. I’ve fallen for these pretty little cushions, handmade from an antique French Quilt at Sesame and Lilly.
Friday favourites // 5
October 28, 2011
1. We’re off to a Halloween party tomorrow night where the theme is something scary for your initials. I was completely stumped for HR so swapped them around and now going for Rocky Horror, inspired by this print by Alec Goss at Society 6.
2. I hope I don’t bore you with talk of open kitchen shelving and my love for white, but I never get tired of it! Image via Hvitur Lakkris.
3. I’m completely in love with this gold leather tote bag by Claire Vivier at Bodie and Fou. Have you checked out their catalogue yet? Well worth a look for gift ideas… and treats for yourself!
4. I’m making my favourite baked artichoke and spinach dip to take to the party. It's pretty calorific but oh so delicious. Image via A dash of sass.
5. If I’ve got time, I might make toffee apples too. How good do these look from Allyson Baker? Just love the twig idea, so creative.
6. My plan to make curtains from my favourite Liberty prints didn’t work out when I figured out the cost, so I think we’re going for one of Ian Mankin’s lovely organic fabrics instead. This grey ticking is winning at the moment.
7. It’s time for chunky knit jumpers and snuggly socks – I love these cosy hand knitted booties from Toast.
8. I find mixed media absolutely fascinating and was pleased to find a new Etsy artist discovery this week in Bobbi from Salt Lake City, Utah – I think this moose is my favourite.
Friday favourites // 4
October 21, 2011
1 & 4. I’m heading to London this afternoon and will be making a beeline for Liberty to ogle the beautiful fabrics for a new curtain for our lounge. I have no idea what to go for yet, but these are two of my favourites.
2. It’s crucial to think positive when the going gets tough and these are great words to have in your home office or studio. Via Convoy.
3. Evenings this week have mostly involved me snuggled in the chair busy working with a knitted blanket, laptop and tea – autumn has truly arrived. Image via Solid Frog.
5. A vintage deer tapestry? Yes please Frank and Fearless! Kitsch but so cute.
6. I love whimsical art and there’s something rather lovely about this by Etsy seller DKim.
7. Now there’s a great use for jam jars. Cheap, easy, but oh so effective. Found via Pretty Little Fantasy.
8. Rather than fight my cookbook obsession, I’ve decided to embrace it and just start collecting. Next up is the wonderful Home Made by Yvette Van Boven.
Friday favourites // 2
October 7, 2011
- I can’t get enough of exposed stone in kitchens, particularly paired with white and wood – via One Hour.
- I just made these salted caramel popcorn pretzel bars from Shutterbean for our party this weekend and fear our guests won’t see a single one. So. Damn. Good.
- We have friends visiting tomorrow to celebrate Canadian thanksgiving but would you believe there’s no pumpkins around yet? Oh well, I love this canvas from UK Etsy seller Elizabeth Richardson – she’s got super cute pumpkin cushions too.
- I’m terrible at photography so I really loved these five tips for photographing your home from A Beautiful Mess.
- Foodess is my new favourite food blog. I want to make pretty much everything Jenn posts, but first on this list is this rustic potato and caramelized onion pie.
- Doesn’t great packaging design make products so much more fun? Check out a collection of cool designs at Lovely Package.
- I imagine I'd be quite happy in this lovely lounge, cute dog and all - via a Beautiful Soup.
- Last night the blankets came out and I decided we need a new one for collection - perhaps one of these lovely houndstooth wool throws from Indigo and Rose.
Friday favourites // 1
September 30, 2011
1 & 4: I'm absolutely loving all the goodies from the new Cox and Cox collection for fall, especially these black wooden stars and rustic linen table cloths.
2. There’s nothing quite like homemade granola. I'm looking forward to trying this olive oil recipe from My Cozy Kitchen.
3. I really enjoyed listening to Holly Becker and Abigail Ahern talk moodboards at the Anthropologie event last weekend. See details and more pics over on Will’s bright blog.
5. I love a well arranged shelf and am now on the hunt for a red home postcard like this one, found via Convoy.
6. A blackboard horse? Um, why the hell not!
7. How I am only just discovering Ash footwear? These boots will be mine.
8. What a lovely collection of cushions, handmade from vintage fabrics and now in stock at a Pencil Full of Lead.
Art crush // Erica Williams
September 22, 2011
My love for illustrations of curious girls continues and I picked up a print of this lovely lady by US artist Erica Williams yesterday. I came across her work on Society 6 – such a fantastic source for a huge range of affordable art from up and coming talent – and best of all shipping is free! Erica also has an Etsy shop.
Sneak peek // Coming soon...
September 13, 2011
Today I thought I'd share a peek at our brand new product range... vintage book print block mounts. We are busy working away in our workshop and our first collection of 30+ will be available in our Etsy store very soon.
Block mounts are very close to our hearts at Ruby Rhino as our parents used to make and sell them when they lived in Australia with Luke about 30 years ago. We are now reviving the craft with our collection of unique prints from rare and vintage books.
The block mounts are all one-of-a-kinds, making them beautiful unique gifts or treats for your own walls. The prints are professionally mounted and sealed on painted wooden blocks that are ready to hang. The first collection is a range of beautifully drawn maps and illustrations, and alpine photos, saved from an exquisite old atlas. The one pictured was a gift to our friends who got engaged on the Great Wall of China.
We're can't wait to share the collection with you and best of all, we will be shipping internationally so we can share the Ruby Rhino love worldwide. Stay tuned!
Art crush // Inga
August 30, 2011
Stay Gold Mary Rose
August 18, 2011
One of my favourite discoveries at Vintage Fest was fellow upcycler and Etsy seller, Abigail MaryRose Clark. Abigail repurposes vintage tea cups into unique bracelets, and no two beauties are the same. Abigail sells through her Etsy shop, as well as through Anthropologie and many other boutiques throughout the UK, US and Canada.
Photo source: Ruby Rhino
