5 ways to accessorise your home by upcycling

By Brianna O’Neil

Even in tough economic times, your home and office can still look great and be environmentally friendly with the use of recycled and upcycled materials. Melbourne property styling expert Brianna O’Neil says it’s not difficult to use recycled items to add personality and flair to your home whilst reducing your carbon footprint.

brianna 1 — Wall hanging made from recycled wrapping paper, clock made from industrial letter P (formally Hoyts movie signage), telephone table and typewriter from eBay (secondhand), books from thrift shop, faux fur throw from Kmart.

“When styling a home, it may surprise you to hear that places like eBay and the Salvation Army are one of my first ports of call for artwork and decor,” she said. “Sometimes the most interesting items can be found where you least expect it and don’t cost an arm and a leg. Vintage items are not a new trend and many blogs and websites give ideas on how they can be best used.”

Helen Edwards, author of the Recycled Interiors blog, which focuses on sustainable decorating, says: “I love the way a windowframe, an old door, secondhand chair, a piece of lace or fabric, a lamp, cushion or an upcycled piece of furniture can connect us to human history and reduce our footprint at the same time. The aim is to show you how to make mindful and ethical choices in your interior decorating, without compromising on style.”

Wall hanging made from recycled tissue paper, clock from Temple & Webster, chair bought on eBay and restored Trolley, books and crockery from Savers Thrift Shop Rug from Kmart — Wall hanging made from recycled tissue paper, clock from Temple & Webster, chair bought on eBay and restored, trolley, books and crockery from Savers thrift shop and rug from Kmart

Brianna recommends using the following techniques to give an element of personality to your home via recycled and upcycled items:

Vintage books – Old books are one of my favourite ways to decorate a bedside table or shelving system. Stack them in interesting ways using bookends or use the pages to line drawers or make wall hangings. However, always check the value of the book before pulling it apart.

brianna books — Book from Savers thrift store (props for property styling job), clock from $2 store, letter Q from eBay

Restore furniture – If you are feeling thrifty, search eBay for used furniture. It can be brought back to life by a good restorer and a dash of wow can be added with designer upholstery fabric.

Photos – Too often our photography will never see the outside of a Facebook folder. Why not have some fun printing travel photos on canvas as a series or restore old family images to be framed?

Wall hangings can be made from just about anything – old tea towels can be hung using dowel rods and mirrors can be decorated with mosaics from old tiles.

Recycle fabrics to make cushions and purchase fabrics by the “fat quarter” (a quarter of a standard yard) to stretch over canvas from a discount or two dollar shop.

Recycled lampshade covered in Robert Kaufman fabric from eBay

“One of the best things about upcycling is that it really is a lot of fun and can add a point of difference to your home and office. And it’s a guilt free way to decorate.”

Find more upcyling and recycled décor ideas at Brianna’s website www.styledbyhibernate.com.au

Jen is currently on honeymoon in Tokyo, Venice and the UK, and has opened up the blog to a series of fabulous guest posters to share their interiors-related expertise in her absence. She hopes you’ll enjoy them and look out for the odd honeymoon post from overseas! The new Mrs Francis (who will still be known as Bishop for work purposes) will be back at her desk on 11 November.