Tag Archives: Upcycled

Fall into Autumn – Etsy Treasury

Autumn is well and truly here in the UK now. I want to wrap up warm and go for country walks, ending in bonfire parties and later drinking mulled wine in front of a toasty fire. I want to dress in tweed, wear scarves and pick harvest fruit.

I’ve curated a little Etsy treasury featuring some of the fabrics, textures and colours that remind me of this mellow season. What do you like about Autumn?

Fall into Autumn - Vintage & Upcycled Treasures by hiddenblossom on Etsy

Fall into Autumn – Vintage & Upcycled Treasures by hiddenblossom on Etsy

Here are some more of the Etsy Treasuries I’ve curated.

Etsy Focus – Atomic Attic – Revisited

Around this time last year, when I was first starting out with this blog I featured an Etsy shop in my weekly Etsy Focus post called Atomic Attic. You can see the post here. At the time this shop mostly featured these amazing pet beds created out of vintage suitcases and I just fell in love with their totally quirky style! Whilst looking for a shop to feature this week I looked back over my old posts and decided to pay a few another visit to see what they’re up to now. Well I’m pleased to say that Atomic Attic have expanded vastly in the last year and are now stocking all kinds of exciting upcycled items. I thought it was worth revisiting them, since they’re no longer just about pet beds. Let’s take a look around ….

Upcycled Reclaimed Barn Wood Coat Rack

Upcycled Reclaimed Barn Wood Coat Rack

I really like this interesting coat rack and storage unit – great for displaying little trinkets as well as hanging up your jackets! It’s made from a variety of salvaged items including a 1950s Kenmore stove back.

Atomic Attic are based in the USA – in Siletz, Oregon (the Pacific Northwest) and is a husband and wife team of Miles and Aimee. They say of their store:

“Vintage items have a honesty that we’re drawn to. Unique character traits that the “new” don’t seem to have. Learned through the years or instilled on conception? I don’t know, but I wonder. Not to mention, the quality of craftsmanship which these days seems to be non-existent. We take pride in everything we do, and expect nothing less from anyone or anything. Just seems like the bar was a bit higher back then.

Miles got the opportunity to tear down a 100 year old barn locally. He’s turned the rustic, worn wood into modern pieces of furniture and home decor.”

Upcycled Rotary Phone Birdhouse

Upcycled Rotary Phone Birdhouse

I love this one-of-a-kind upcycled birdhouse made from a vintage Stromberg-Carlson rotary phone.  The inside is hollowed out, just the metal shell remains.

Gift Certificates for Atomic Attic on Etsy

Gift Certificates for Atomic Attic on Etsy

If you’re buying for someone else but can’t quite decide what to purchase Atomic Attic helpfully offer gift certificates.

Upcycled Apple Computer Pet Bed

Upcycled Apple Computer Pet Bed

I couldn’t leave Atomic Attic behind without featuring another one of their unique pet bed designs. This time they’ve cleverly upcycled an iMac Apple Computer, kitting it out with plaid bedding. This kitty looks pretty pleased with it!

For those of you who love a bit of Facebook, Atomic Attic have their own page here. Sadly it seems Atomic Attic only currently ship within the US, so I hope this post is of interest to my friends across the pond! Scrap that! – I’ve just spoken to Atomic Attic who tell me they ship internationally – hooray!

Pop back next week when I’ll have another Etsy Focus post for you.

 

Portfolio – This week on Mydeco

I’m guest blogging over on the mydeco blog again today – featuring more vintage and upcycled inspirations for your home. This week I’m taking a look at the work of Lucy Turner who transforms mid-century furniture with the use of bright patterned Formica®. I came across her work a few weekends ago at the Upcycled exhibition I blogged about here.

Check out the full post on mydeco.

Sea Jade Sideboard by Lucy Turner

Sea Jade Sideboard by Lucy Turner

Melody Rose Upcycled Vintage

Good day all. I’ve another fabulous artist to introduce. I recently came across the wonderful work of Melanie Roseveare and absolutely had to share it with you. Melanie is a Canadian-born designer and lives in West London where she creates her range of upcycled vintage ceramics – Melody Rose.

Modern Surrealist Upcycled Porcelain Tableware

Modern Surrealist Upcycled Porcelain Tableware

Melanie takes pretty pieces of antique bone china and breathes new life into them by adding new and vintage images then re-firing the china in her kiln. Once forgotten ceramics are transformed into new hip tableware.

Rock N Roll Upcycled Porcelain Tableware

Rock N Roll Upcycled Porcelain Tableware

I got in touch with Melanie to find out more about her work and inspirations…

* Melanie I love your work and use of reclaimed materials. When did your love of vintage and antique ceramics begin?

“My dad was a mildly eccentric collector and liked to collect pieces such as Toby jugs and mad majolica plates.  I used to love to play with them when I was really young so I think that’s probably where it all started.”

* And is your home filled with lots of vintage finds now?

“Yes, it is. My favourite piece of furniture is huge old wooden post office ‘pigeon hole’ unit which takes up one whole wall in our living room. It’s filled with ceramics, books, music and wine.”

Urban Nature Upcycled Porcelain Tableware

Urban Nature Upcycled Porcelain Tableware

 * So what inspired you to combine vintage images with antique ceramics?

“I like the juxtaposition of the images I use against the original piece.  I like to draw attention to the beauty of the original pieces, sometimes transforming and changing the context. I love the way something can be completely transformed with just a small intervention.”

Rock N Roll Upcycled Porcelain Tableware - Pin Up

Rock N Roll Upcycled Porcelain Tableware – Pin Up

* The images you use on your ceramics are fun and quirky – where do you find them and what makes you choose them?

“I wanted this collection to be fun, tongue in cheek.  I like images that make people smile and laugh or stop in their tracks.  I’m constantly looking at new ideas and I often have friends and family giving me books and images to choose from.  Deciding on having three themes: Rock and Roll, Urban Nature and Modern SurRealist  in the collection helped me stay focused so the images fall within themes.”

Modern Surrealist Upcycled Porcelain Tableware - ButterfliesModern Surrealist Upcycled Porcelain Tableware – Butterflies

* Where would you like to take Melody Rose next? Do you have new designs in the pipeline?

“I am constantly working on new designs and I’m planning on adding to my current collection with new designs this spring.  I’m also working on a limited edition series which will be out this summer.”

That sounds exciting! Lastly Melanie , (just for fun) if you could be anything other than a designer what do you see yourself doing?

“I love my work and it certainly doesn’t feel like a job at all.  The only thing that could budge me would need to involve food…”

Thanks Melanie!

I hope you like Melanie’s work as much as i do! To see the full collection hop on over to Melody Rose.