Sick of visiting the same old furniture stores? Want something unusual? Then try Upcycle in the City.
Rachel Savage, the founder of Upcycle in the City, works from her home studio to give pieces of furniture a new lease on life. We asked her about upcycling – the act of restoring discarded and unwanted furniture – and found out how she turns the tables on the Abu Dhabi furniture scene.
How did Upcycle in the City begin?
I have been an interior designer for the last 12 years. I worked in Toronto, Singapore and Dubai, specialising in workplace interiors for multinational companies. I gave up my job last year as I couldn’t balance my work and family life. I love spending time with my family but I missed my job and my creative outlet.
We downsized our home this summer and had too much furniture – it’s an occupational hazard – so I upcycled a few pieces and sold them via www.dubizzle.com. Then a few friends mentioned they needed specific pieces, so I started looking around for them. I found a fabulous bar for my sister-in-law’s roof garden and got the bug!
What do you upcycle and where do you get the pieces from?
I mostly upcycle wooden pieces by painting or re-upholstering them, though they need to be solid and have good bones. I know instantly when I have found a gem. My husband and I love trawling through house clearance shops; bartering – it’s a day out for us. We have been known to go into houses in our area that are being cleared and rescue some great pieces, too. It’s part of the fun for us.
Do you find running Upcycle in the City challenging?
Yes, as it’s taken off incredibly quickly. But I am very grateful for that. When it started I had no idea if people would like what I like. I try to get as much done in the mornings as possible. It is chaotic, but I like it like that. I love feeling like I have a purpose again while the children are at school.
My husband is the carpenter; he is a fantastic design technology teacher so he has been teaching me to be more hands on. I am a designer, and I’m great with colour, but he has taught me how to use the sander and other basic tools which has been a challenge. He always amazes me when he can make a new table top from some left over planks.
It’s so exciting to see the pieces transform and even better to see them in other people’s homes knowing they love them as much as I do.
Where do you hope Upcycle in the City will go from here?
I would love to find somewhere to sell our items, a little boutique of unusual pieces. I am currently looking into having a stall at the Corniche market from March. In the long term, I’d like my own space so I can host workshops and things like that. It’s more than just buying a piece of furniture for me. We tailor items to the client’s interior and advise on fabrics to go with the existing space and furnishings so I would love to expand on that. I think there is a gap in the market for approachable home design, it is hard when you first arrive as an expat with very little furniture; it can be overwhelming.
www.upcycleinthecity.com
Need a clear out?
If you need to get rid of furniture and think it’s not up to selling, call 800 Junk, which collects unwanted items, restores them then sells them to workers in labour camps in the northern emirates at discounted rates. They also restore pieces and will ship out any unwanted goods from your home or other location.
www.takemyjunkuae.com (800 5865).
