Upcycling - Design Trends Follow U.S. Psyche

UpCycling is a new trend that appeals to 'optimists' who reject waste, value craftsmanship and items with history.  There are actually four 'lifestyle' trends according to Fawn Chang of PPG Pittsburgh Paints.  Based on the compilation of extensive research, PPG analyzed the current U.S. psyche.  According to Chang, we are cautiously stepping out of the recession/depression that we have been experiencing and adding color back into our lives.  We are coming  from a 'recession prison grey' palette so we are retaining a lot of neutrals but with a pleasant addition of color.  

As a 'sustainable' designer I am familiar with the term UpCycling, but this is the first time I am aware of it coming into mainstream lifestyle images, colors and designs. I am intrigued that our acceptance and dedication to recycling (sending materials away to be recycled) is pushing the new trend of UpCycling.  UpCycling as a design concept is basically taking existing items and creating something new from them.  A stereotype of UpCycling that we may be familiar with is art that is made from bottle caps or plastic bags.  UpCycling is more than art, however, these are functional items  that are created from your existing collection of 'stuff.'  UpCycling as a lifestyle trend is all about living simply and wasting nothing. 'It embodies simple living, keeping only what is functional and personal.'

My friend and colleague Vidal Bitton created this wonderful outdoor seating for his new juice bar at Lakeview Yoga and Wellness Center.  Located on the Burke Gilman Trail in Kenmore, this juice bar and seating area is the perfect refuge on a hot sunny day.  

Bitton salvaged old plastic laminate tables, painted the plastic laminate (believe it or not, it looks great) and built wood benches that are permanently attached to the table.  Between the heavy table metal table base and the stained benches, these units are stable, weather resistant and UPCYCLED!   

As far as our renewed desire to include color in our surroundings, I defer to PPG's statement..."Our color choices are more and more about what makes us feel happy." 

And right now, I am very happy! Ciao!

Color your World

  (Before) 

To be honest, I just figured out how to add a picture to my blog!  So, my first picture needed to be in color and about color! Bold beautiful color!  Most people are very hesitant to add strong colors on their walls, and for good reason.  Many people have tried and failed to get the 'right' shade of color on their walls and have debated about the 'accent' wall having the strong color against the remaining white walls.  Will it make the room seem smaller?  What wall should I put the color on? etc.  So, let's cut to the chase and give you some guidance.

1)  It REALLY helps to have before and after pictures to convince yourself and your loved ones that color can be a wonderful thing.

2) Strong colors work really well with other strong colors. (see the picture above)  If you are working with a pure hue, then the supporting colors should also be a pure hue.  If you are working with a greyed down muted color, then the supporting colors should also be greyed down.

3)  Most people make the mistake of choosing one strong color to put on one wall and leaving the rest of the walls white.  NO, no, no.  Contrasting colors such as a red wall against a white wall, are attention getters.  It is not the red color, it is the contrast of the red against the white.  In this example the contrast will jump out at you, making the room seem smaller.  What you want to do is have equally strong colors on the supporting walls (see picture above), or, perhaps the strong color on all the walls.

 

 This 'living room' was 9' x 10', doesn't it look much bigger?

4)  If you have nice architectural features you should show them off by utilizing alternate colors (see the picture at the top).  If you hate the architectural features, hide them by painting everything the same color.

5)  Keep everyone healthy, purchase low to zero VOC paint.  If you are scraping off old paint and your home was built before 1978, please read my blog on lead poisoning.

6)  Finally, save yourself some grief and hire a professional to help you.  Two hours of consultation will save you hours of painting and repainting your rooms.  It will also save you the cost of the gallons of unused paint that will be sitting in your garage for the next 10 years. :)