As sustainable living takes on more momentum across the world there is increasing potential for upcycling to occur on a domestic level.

According to the online sustainable dictionary the term upcycling is the process of converting an industrial material into something of similar or greater value in its second life. It goes on to discuss that aluminum and glass can be upcycled into the same quality as the original product. But it is not just these harder materials which are being upcycled.

A simple Google search will produce a number of websites which offer home projects for upcycling. One American based site goes as far as teaching you to create a wallet or coin purse from your cardboard milk container — taking a simple household item which is deemed as rubbish and making it into something of use and value.

Upholstery has also made a comeback under this notion of upcycling. Millyrose.co.uk is an internet based company which is dedicated to sourcing and reviving vintage furniture. Owner Alison Parmar scours the UK looking for pieces which need a little TLC; “I look for anything that has the potential to be beautiful again. My passion is for those old, battered, but lovely pieces of furniture that might have been forgotten, and to bring them up-to-date with luxurious, contemporary fabrics.”

On a domestic scene, Nelson woman Vickie Davis is operating a similar business. Her store 'Vickies Originals', which opened in 2003 has a focus on upcycling furniture from the 1950’s to 70’s. Vickie aims to promote sustainable living, moving away from being a throw away society. Inspired by Maori and Celtic bold curving lines, her works are all one-off pieces and can either be commissioned or seen to be lovingly restored for individual sale.
 

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