NOVEMBER 2019

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What a fantastic surprise to read that the Cambridge Dictionary awarded their prestigious title of 'Word of the Year 2019' to 'upcycling'. The chosen word resonated most strongly with followers on the Dictionary's Instagram account when it received more likes than any other word shared on 4 July 2019. The number of times upcycling has been looked-up in the Dictionary has risen by 181% since December 2011 when it was first added to the online Dictionary and searches have doubled in 2019 alone.

OCTOBER 2019

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Two of our longest standing Associates were commissioned to produce two pieces for surface designer Kirath Ghundoo's stand at Decorex. Kate Holt of Colour Me KT and Nicky Cash of Done Up North produced a fabulous footstool-coffee table and Art Deco inspired upcycled sideboard. The high-end event was suitably impressed by their products and upcycling has now certainly established itself as part of the London interior design scene.

AUGUST 2019

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Essex Living is a prestigious lifestyle magazine covering this East of England county where Associate Kata Roberts of Studio 27 runs her established upcycling business from her studio near Chelmsford. Kata not only creates her own designs as well as taking client commissions, she also hosts workshops to pass on her skills. Essex Living included  a full-page article about Studio 27, telling Kata's story and showcasing some of here work.

MAY 2019

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Its always news when one of our Associates is recognised for their work so The House of Upcycling was delighted to learn that Lisa White of A Twist of Somerset was awarded the Jacqueline Gold CBE #WOW award on Twitter. The #WOW award was created by entrepreneur Gold in 2016 to celebrate the role of the UK's female entrepreneurs. Lisa has been a professional upcycler for over three years and continues to expand her upcycling business based in Nether Stowey. 

MAY 2019

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Two Associates of The House of Upcycling were invited to take part in the new Grand Designs Live Upcycling Hub: Duncan McKean of Albert & Edward and Lynda  of  Touchwood Vintage. They received a lot of very positive attention from visitors, helping to elevate the status of professional creative reuse. Associate DappR Aviation (Founder David Palmer seen here with Chris Billinghurst of The House of Upcycling at Grand Designs Live in Birmingham last year) had a large stand in the interiors section of the show and the company received praise from Grand Designs guru Kevin McCloud for their unique designs and high standards of workmanship.

MARCH 2019

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Associate Paul Parry of Bad Dog Designs appeared with Sarah Moore on BBC's Money for Nothing. Expert Nixie clockmaker Paul made a pair of old carriage lamps shine again. Paula has appeared on the programme several times and we're sure this won't be the last time Sarah asks him to showcase his talents on the BBC!

FEBRUARY 2019

Associate and creative reuse artist Kirstie Adamson got to chat live on-air with Martyn Williams of BBC Radio Derby about her work as an artist and upcycler. Kirstie produces incredible pictures which look as though they have been painted such is her talent using scraps of paper from magazines. Her subject matter includes landscapes, occasions, moods and of course people.

FEBRUARY 2019

Founder Chris Billinghurst attended the Theo Paphitis #SBS event in Birmingham as a guest and enjoyed an inspirational day with other House of Upcycling Associates including Aerotiques and UNIQ Furniture, A Twist of Somerset (rear left), Bad Dog Designs (front left), Brits Love Vintage (far right) and Affiliate Partner Rascal & Roses (right of founder ChrisB)

OCTOBER 2019

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Blue Patch have acquired a name for being an organisation that not only support sustainable shopping but that are involved in many other projects which are helping to raise awareness of the need to reduce our carbon footprints and work with rather than against the environment. One of their undertakings is an annual award ceremony where this year, House of Upcycling founder ChrisB was delighted to accept the award for Female Business Leader 2019

SEPTEMBER 2019

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Shropshire-based HoU Associate Vanessa Dee of Condover Furniture showcased her unique eco-upcycled furniture at 100% Design, (part of the London Design Festival). Vanessa's contemporary and traditional upcycled pine furniture are all beautifully reinvented with eco-friendly products and often decorated with original UK-manufactured coloured glass pebbles. Condover Furniture was part o Emerging Brands section of the exhibition and received a lot of interest in their high quality products.

JUNE 2019

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Associate Sue Gifford Design appeared in the June edition of one of Ireland's leading magazines for the interiors market: Irish Interiors. Sue is based in Cork, Ireland and is not only a skilled professional upcycler, she is also a highly talented fine artist and recently received a lot of praise for her hand painted chair which appeared on The House of Upcycling stand at the House & Garden event at Olympia.

MAY 2019

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Over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, four of our Associates took their upcycling skills and upcycled products to The Weald & Downland The Good Life event. Mark Austin of MJA Wood and Jo Edge of Reclaimed & Reloved inspired visitors with their demonstrations, Tracey Horan delighted with her upcycled mannequins and Helen's upcycled retro furniture items were a big success.

APRIL 2019

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Founder Associate Elli Rutson of Sprigasaurus was featured in the April edition of Cornwall Life, talking about her business and where she derives her inspiration from. Ellis is passionate about creative reuse and works hard to reinvent textiles in innovative ways and create functional items with vintage fabrics which would otherwise have been sent to the incinerator.

MARCH 2019

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After last year's on-stage success at Grand Designs Live in London and Birmingham, the House of Upcycling was delighted to learn that we had inspired a dedicated upcycling hub at this year's London event. The Hub will include two of our Associates: Albert & Edward and Touchwood Vintage as well as four other professional upcyclers.

FEBRUARY 2019

The first Upcycle Your business workshop was hosted by founder Chris Billinghurst at Smith's of Smithfield, with speakers expert vlogger-blogger Mr Carrington, brand icon Miss Pink of Quirk & Rescue and professional interior designer Michele Haynes of Haynes Interiors.

JANUARY 2019

Associate Rob Fawcett of Raw Home met celebrity designer Linda Barker at Emmaus Hull. Rob volunteered his time and skills to help the charity to refit their new store and met Linda when she opened the new emporium. Rob will continue to work with Emmaus, teaching the companions upcycling skills and hosting public workshops.

OCTOBER 2019

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The House of Upcycling had a spectacular five days at Grand Designs Live at Birmingham's NEC. Not only were many of the pieces sold to a host of visitors who were inspired by the professional upcycling showcased on the stand, commissions were taken and projects for 2020 discussed. We met our Affiliate Partner Used Kitchen Exchange's ambassador Linda Barker as well as having a fleeting chat with Mr McCloud himself. And of course, our Associates had a lot of fun so we are already looking at Grand Designs Live London 2020!

JUNE 2019

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Affiliate Partner Verity Colman of Rascal & Roses made her inaugural appearance on television in the new series 'Interior Design Masters'. Together with Ju de Paula, who took part in Upcycled Hour Live Brighton in 2016, they entertained and created some wonderful interiors. Catch the series on BBC iPlayer and Netflix.

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JUNE 2019

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The House of Upcycling designed a unique stand in the style of a contemporary living-dining room and curated items by Associates DappR Aviation (Suffolk), Brits Love Vintage (Kent), Lollipop Interiors (S.London), alijoedesigns (N.London),  Dolly Fixtures (E.Sussex), Glasshouse Girl (N.London), Scavenger Design Brighton, MJA Wood (E.Sussex) and Sue Gifford Design (Ireland). The stand was one of the busiest at the show, many items were sold and much praise was received from interior designers who visited.

MAY 2019

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Associate Lynn Davy was approached last year to create a collection of vintage spoons with WWI inspired words stamped upon them, to be sold at the Imperial War Museums in London, Manchester and Duxford and The Churchill War Rooms. Now on sale to the public in the Museums' shops, click here to visit Lynn's Facebook page to read more. They are not available online at the moment but will be soon! 

APRIL 2019

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Last year one of our founder Associates Debbie Carne of alijoedesigns, hosted a one-woman show at the Exhibitionist Hotel in Kensington and so its wonderful that she is continuing down the artcycling route with an appearance at the renown Roy's Art Fair at The Bargehouse, OXO Tower Wharf on the South Bank. 

MARCH 2019

The House of Upcycling took part in Chelsea Design School KLC's Supplier Connect event, talking with their staff and interior design students about premium upcycling and sustainable design. Associates Debbie Carne of alijoedesigns (left) and Jacqueline Ambrose of Hashtag Vintage (right) ably assisted House of Upcycling founder Chris Billinghurst (centre) throughout the busy evening

FEBRUARY 2019

Associate Rob Rawcett of Raw Home not only chatted on-air about his Hull-based business, the UK's contemporary upcycling scene as well as his work with charity Emmaus and upcycling in general but also took part in a live upcycling challenge for BBC Radio Humberside. 

JANUARY 2019

Associate Jackie Davies of Two Jays Antiques featured in an article commenting on the change in how Millennials are furnishing their homes with upcycled and vintage items. Jacquie is no stranger to the media, she has appeared many times on television as her emporium is a rather special place where premium upcycled furniture sits along side beautiful antiques.