Upcycling is the process of transforming seemingly low value items into something new. Today's upcyclists are creating stunning furniture, lighting and art objects that combine values of superb craftsmanship and design with ideas of how "waste" can be both inspiring and informing. While the environmental and financial benefits of upcycling are readily acknowledged here, these designers and makers show how the practice can result in pieces that are as aesthetically exciting as anything created using only raw materials. Based on the author's popular website, upcyclist.co.uk, this book extends far beyond the site's contents. Featuring hundreds of creations from an international collection of today's most exciting designers, the book is organised by material, with chapters dedicated to wood, metal, glass and ceramics, textiles, plastic, paper and mixed media. Reclaimed tree branches and barn doors are transformed into exquisite pieces of furniture; bicycle chains into chandeliers; t-shirts into rugs; saris into upholstery. Filled with an enormous range of materials and objects, this unique book will inspire any designer or design-conscious consumer to incorporate upcycling into their creative practice or interior design projects. AUTHOR: Antonia Edwards holds a master's degree in Interior Design. Since 2011 she has been blogging about beautiful reuse on her site, Upcyclist, which was nominated for the London Observer Ethical Awards and has been enthusiastically reviewed by the London Telegraph and the Irish Times. She lives in London. 275 colour illustrations
