About
Welcome to our About page. Learn about our organisation, how we began, how things are going, where we are headed. And whilst you are here, meet some of our incredible members, the lifeblood of our business.
About The House of Upcycling
"We've travelled a long road since starting life as a Twitter hour in 2014 and what a voyage of discovery and opportunity its been, leading to unprecedented change within the professional upcycling industry. We introduced the term 'professional upcycler' alongside the social media tag and have elevated the standards and status of the craft far beyond its humble beginnings. And so it continues, with the next part of the House of Upcycling story being the most thrilling yet - the butterfly is about to stretch its wings".
Chris Billinghurst, Founder
The House of Upcycling is the UK's leading independent authority for professional upcycling for interiors. We continue to be the only influential presence working across the entire professional upcycling for interiors sector, promoting its value from an aesthetic, economic and environmental viewpoint.
2014
#UpcycledHour launches and becomes the premiere networking hour for professional upcyclers for interiors on Twitter.
2016
#UpcycledHour Live Brighton: the first UK event to showcase and retail professional upcycling for interiors. #UpcycledHour professional membership created.
2017
Second #UpcycledHour Live Brighton.
2018
Stands, demos and talks at Kirstie Allsopp's Handmade Fair, Grand Designs Live Birmingham and London. Founder Chris Billinghurst joins panel of judges at the London Upcycling Show and presents talks about professional upcycling on stage at Grand Designs Live Birmingham together with six member artisans. #UpcycledHour rebrands to become The House of Upcycling.
2019
Stands hosted at the House & Garden Festival Olympia and Grand Designs Live Birmingham; contributing partner to KLC School of Design interiors course. The House of Upcycling becomes the first organisation of its kind to join the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) as an Industry Partner; founder Chris Billinghurst wins the Blue Patch Female Entrepreneur of the Year award.
2020
The House of Upcycling joins Interior Design Declares as one of its first twenty signatories and becomes a product partner of Design Havens for Heroes. Founder Chris Billinghurst contributes to DeMontfort University Upcycling Symposium, writing a chapter for 'State of the Art Upcycling' academic publication, joining the International Upcycling Research Network Advisory Board.
2021
Members regularly appearing in television programmes including BBC's 'Money for Nothing' and 'Saved & Remade'. The House of Upcycling contributes to BIID guide on sustainability for interiors and to Grand Designs Live weekend for Self-Build & Renovation and is mentioned on-stage at Decorex, as the leading source of professional upcycling for interiors.
2022
InSight Upcycler Business Support Programme for professional upcyclers created; the House of Upcycling hosts stands and demos at Design London, Clerkewell Design Week, The Salvaged Home Show, Grand Designs Live Birmingham and London. Founder Chris Billinghurst contributes to The Upcycling Summit as part of The Upcycling Festival, Lyon, France. House of Upcycling membership extended to professional upcyclers in the USA, Canada and the EU (EUSAC) and is again mentioned on-stage during Decorex's design conversation as key contributor to sustainable interior design.
2023
Watch this space ....
Members of The House of Upcycling
Without our members The House of Upcycling would not exist. An incredible arts & crafts movement for the 21st century, our members are creating wonderful pieces of individuality using clever design and advanced craft skills, saving tonnes of furniture and household items, memorabilia and materials from being wasted each year - visit The Director to view their creations. Here are just a few of our talented artisans - click image to be directed to their website.
