One person’s trash is another person’s treasure, and that’s never been truer than with this roundup of upcycled junk that’s been skillfully transformed into the surprisingly pleasant and totally livable home furnishings that follow.   

The true cost of throwing out your old or gently used furniture is actually pretty steep – and the environment is paying for it. Fortunately, there are some talented designers who are interested in changing the face of store-bought furniture by taking upcycled junk to a whole different level. Many of these designs are not only stylish, but they’re also sophisticated – resulting in some beautiful pieces that I certainly wouldn’t be ashamed of having in my home.

From reclaimed wood, to repurposed pipe, to revamped antiques, there is sure to be something on this list that catches your eye. Take a peek at these eco-friendly designer pieces, and have fun deciding on where they might look the best in your home.

1. Barnwood State Side Tables 

Represent your hometown with these adorable and industrial modern state-shaped tables with a rustic feel. Sure to compliment a variety of decorating styles, these unique handmade surfaces are constructed from reclaimed Tennessee barn wood. Finished off with hairpin legs and supported by a sturdy iron framework, these little pieces of history are sure to be around for many more years to come.

2. Industrial Pipe Pendant Lamp 

Sculptural and undoubtedly unique, add a cool conversation piece to your home with this pendant light created from upcycled pipe and bright, beautiful globe bulbs. This would look superb hanging in the foyer to greet guests, or choose a smaller custom size and flank these suspended pendants on either side of the bed above each nightstand. In addition to this special piece, the etsy shop from which it comes specializes in other beautiful one-of-a-kind custom industrial lighting with the use of reclaimed materials.

3. Wine Cork Stool 

Get the best of both worlds at both ends! This stool provides a place to park your buns and sip your favorite vino, while also displaying your borderline obsessed totally normal relationship with wine. Another plus is that these seats are composed of 100 percent repurposed and recycled corks – with more than 2,300 used in each piece. Ok, so since the number of corks needed would take, like, a lifetime to save up for as a do-it-yourself project, your liver and I highly suggest purchasing these, rather than trying to throw a few together at home. Besides, these are water and mold resistant and can also double as side tables. What’s not to love?

4. Cubie Ammunition Crates

Handcrafted in and shipped from Europe, these special little storage boxes were formerly ammunition crates. Repainted in three beautiful colors, green, white, and aqua, a Cubie in any hue is sure to look as good as it functions. Aside from new lids made from reclaimed palettes, the crates reuse all of the original materials – screws, hinges, sides, and bottoms. The weathered appearance and natural rope handles would look great when used in a nautical, shabby chic, or other casual decor setting.

5. Film Reel Table

Perfect for the film buff in your life, that multimedia theater room, or the finishing touch in an industrial modern home, this striking film reel table is sure to start conversations with ease. Your guests will love hearing how this side table was made. Created with an original aluminum 35mm film reel from the 1930s sandwiched between two sheets of glass and offset by a base made with salvaged gear parts, this unique piece does an excellent job marrying antique and contemporary details.

6. Speed Aluminum Chair

Create a cozy sitting corner, or gather ‘round the breakfast table and pull up one of the most unique, completely recycled industrial-style chairs. These bold seats are handcrafted by artist Boris Bally, and are made from salvaged traffic signs that he extracts from ten-foot-high, thirty thousand pound scrap piles. Each chair is special because of the variation of materials, the difficulty in locating pieces with just the right amount of weathering, and the technique in which they’re made – he adds details through hand-sawing and filing.

What did you think of these unique pieces? Is it worth the price to purchase something that won’t pollute our landfills? Let us know your thoughts on the EcoSalon Facebook page!

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Image of Chandelier via Urban Chandy

The post Upcycled Junk: 6 Beautiful Home Furnishings You Can Feel Good About appeared first on EcoSalon.

South African designer Katie Thompson is revolutionizing the way we think about junk.

Katie Thompson of REcreate describes her work as a mish-mash of South African craftsmanship and high-end perfectionist eclecticism. We asked Katie what on earth that meant, and spent some time picking out thirteen of our favorite wares. Here’s what she said, and here’s some junk we could happily REload into our living room.

#1. (Above) A well-traveled suitcase gets REcreated as a chair, upholstered in locally designed and manufactured fabric.

What’s happening now in South African design and how are you deviating from it?

I don’t follow trends that much. I [simply] have a love for junk and creating beautiful, functional things. I think I, unknowingly, started REcreate at just the right time. South African design is now definitely [going] down the green road. For my part, I studied interior design and have always loved broken or discarded things. Recycling followed.

#2. Old broken kitchen scales REinvented as clocks.

Where do you find your materials?  

Everywhere! People are constantly throwing things away.

#3. Give a golf club, oar, or paddle a little REnewal on life as a towel rack.

Like outdated sports equipment! You have an eye for vintage rackets. Are they yours?

I’m rather lazy when it comes to sporty activities! I have no interest in athletics other than liking the shapes, textures and colors of discarded sports equipment. I am not sure whether it is typically South African, but we do have a lot of sports equipment [lying around]. I’m currently making a young boy a custom made bedside lamp from an old rugby ball. So there must be something typically South African about [our love of sports]!

#4. An old school racket press is REpurposed to store photos both old and new.

Your junk does not come cheap. Who typically buys your work?

Our work appeals to all genders, nationalities, races, and ages. However, as I am a perfectionist and I want the REcreate brand to represent perfectly finished, repurposed products, not everyone is always able to afford the REcreate quality. We do a lot of custom work, whereby customers can supply their own “junk” to be custom made into something functional.

#5. An Imperial typewriter REfashioned into a working desk lamp.

Are you an environmentalist, or simply an upcycler? 

I am not an environmentalist at all. The terminology even confuses me! REcreate did not even start because of the environment. I only learned what Repurposing was a year after I had started REcreate. I thought we were recycling and didn’t know the difference. Of course, now that I have a clearer understanding of the positive effects of what we are doing, it has snowballed. We reuse everything now before recycling!

#6. A mismatched tea set impaled upon a lamp. What a clever and REvisionary mad-hatter?

#7. A vintage hatbox REcreated as an ottoman stool with storage.

#8. An empty bottle of Irish whiskey REborn as a sobering table lamp.

#9. An old (and mysterious) box is REfilled with natural canvas and transformed into furniture.

#10. An injured chair gets REfitted with Perspex.

#11. A sturdy frame REupholstered with roses.

#12. Herbs REplanted in abandoned tea cups.

#13. Antiseptic REinvestigated as a desk lamp.

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