We have always read about how important and useful recycling is. The waste materials, if we go by the definition of recycling, can be reused into making something new by consuming lesser “fresh” raw materials and also reduce air pollution (from incineration) and water pollution (from landfilling) by reducing the need for “conventional” methods of waste disposal. But apart from the above, there are many more benefits of recycling, i.e., we tend to become creative in figuring out how can we can recycle a piece of furniture and if it is a big project we can get our partner, friends or even children in helping with the restoring or recycling of the object. After a busy working week it is always therapeutic to get your hands into creating something out of the junk. Last but not the least it adds a certain vintage/artistic feel to the recycled object.
From time to time, we at SOUL encourage our readers to not throw away even a simple thing like a rusted bike part. Try thinking hard and take help of the internet for various ideas on how to recycle the waste products. In our previous articles we have had many contributors who have shared their recycling works like making lights out of a used wine bottle.
It so happened a few months back I noticed two old iron trunks lying in the forgotten storage room in my home which were being used to store old newspapers. How I missed seeing them earlier I have no clue but once I saw them, I got the trunks emptied and straight away went to see my friend who is a painter. I showed her the trunks and explained her how they can make great eclectic pieces of furniture if we paint them in any particular theme. And thus began the whole process of hunting for the pictures for the theme and washing off the dust from the decades old trunks. Since I have been a fan of anything British, I requested her to paint something British (like the union jack flag) on one trunk and something very Indian on the other. After a few weeks I got a call from my friend and went to pick my trunks. I was very happy to see them in their new avatar, looking very vintage and distinct in their new coating and promptly gave them their due prominent space in my casual sitting area.
Another example of Beautify from the JUNK, one of our regular reader, Meenal Upadhyay, a working professional from Mumbai, shared her experience of restoring some about-to-discard items from her home. “We were to throw away a cupboard as it was lying outside the home entrance and not being used. But then I thought why not paint it and decorate it, as I had earlier seen a friend doing the same with an old table. I straightway powered on my tablet and started to browse online through various inspirational design sites and that’s how I got the idea which was a combination of truck art and kitsch style (Trunk and kettle). I then took my paint brushes and sat off working. It took me a day to paint the black background. Once the paint dried off it took me two days to complete the design and one more day to apply the varnish. Once the project was finished I was very satisfied with my hard work. The cupboard seemed as good as new and very unique. Putting in so much hard work and creativity resulted in me being proud of myself and not to mention the pride I feel when anyone compliments my creations. Apart from the cupboard I have also done some ‘ketlis’ (kettles) using the same inspiration and design ideas.”
There is a great sense of satisfaction and happiness in reusing your old stuff, especially restoring them with your own hands. So why not go through your garage or storage and see what old stuff you can lay your hands on. Think hard and take some online help and maybe involve your friends and family if it is a very big project.
SOUL tip: For those who are not very creative or lack the time, there are many charity organizations who will try to give your old furniture a new life with local families in need of some support.
(Recycling definition source-wikipedia)
Beautify from the JUNK – work done by a creative home maker Ms. Vibha Bafna.
