Talk about taking my breath away!

Those who try to live green and purchase home items from sustainable sources often find themselves stuck at crossroads between blowing your budget, failing the environment and compromising on design. Trust me, I know all too well!

But here are some ideas to inspire – Upcycling! Because you can still continue to create new everyday items from stuff that you already have!

1. Check out this ingenious drawer made with old luggage bags

Found this picture on this site, which highlights this set up by JAMESPLUMB (ie a combi on the artists’ names James Russell and Hannah Plumb). It was an art installation by day, and a single-room open for accommodation at night during the London Design Festival.

Love the vintage luggage bags! I’m not sure if we can find it in Malaysia though. Perhaps some antique shops in Melaka or Penang?

Photo Credit: cntraveller.com

2. Shelves from old books

These are shelves made using recycled old hardcover books, that although won’t be able to hold very heavy items, but are a gorgeous take on how you can use old books and refashion them for fixtures! Get them here.

Photo Credit: www.blog.designsquish.com

3. Outdoor lounge chairs from old wooden shipping pallets

There are heaps of ideas here on how you can use old wooden shipping pallets to make new furniture, and they look great!  Here’s a picture of how you can fashion outdoor lounge chairs from them. You can also use them to make beds, sofas, or platforms for your garden plants. Just sand them down and apply a fresh coat of lacquer, arm yourself with some nails and hammer… and you’re good to go!

Photo Credit: www.blog.designsquish.com

So I’ll leave you with three ideas for now… More to come in coming days!

Do you have other DIY projects that uses old everyday items? Share your project and pics with us!