Transformation Scene - The Jewish Chronicle

How did you become interested in upcycling?

I’ve always been crafty but also fickle — moving from one crafting trend to another. I had no idea how much I’d love upcycling and what a big impact it would have on my life, because now I’m making a massive leap, and taking voluntary redundancy from my buying job at John Lewis, where I’ve been for 15 years, to make upcycling my full-time job.
Like so many people, the pandemic made me rethink things when I realised I just don’t love doing an office job from home, and traditional retail is getting more and more challenging.
I was a surrogate for a friend last year and the experience really prompted me to stop and think about what makes me happy — being creative and doing thoughtful things for others.

What was the first item you upcycled?

I’d never even picked up a paintbrush until November last year! That first piece was a tiny little side table that I painted black with way too much gold leaf — and I hate it now! I’m a total magpie but getting the balance between blingy and tasteful metallics is a skill I had to learn (and my more conservative followers would probably argue I still haven’t yet learnt!).

Why is upcycling so important?

Sustainability has to be more than just a buzz word. Fast fashion is taking over the retail landscape and promoting furniture as disposable and temporary, and it’s taking its toll on the environment. Just Google ‘furniture landfill’ and you’ll be horrified at the images. We’ve all taken countless items to the dump that were perfectly functional just because we don’t like them aesthetically. It’s only now I see how unnecessary that is.

Tell us more about The Revivalist

I’m quite unusual in the upcycling industry in that I work only to commission. I love working with a client on a piece of furniture, whether it’s been in their family for 60 years, or just picked up from Facebook marketplace (or even IKEA) yesterday. Together with the client I take a piece of furniture that they don’t like, and repair, restore and redesign it so that it’s something they love!
There are so many options to narrow down — the possibilities are endless. Whether it’s wallpaper decoupage, hand-taped geometric designs (chevrons are my absolute favourite), wood panelled details or maybe a bit of gold leaf.
The best place to start is Pinterest to give you some ideas and then reach out through my Instagram page (the.revivalist.x).

What is/are your favourite upcycled piece/s that you have created?

I’ve been lucky enough to be commissioned to work on a few pieces for some fantastic commercial spaces like fashion stylist Stevie B’s consultation space and Blake Ezra’s photography studio, which allowed me to really push the boundaries with my creativity and design beyond the level most people would be comfortable with in their own home. Think black and white stripes, hot pink, and leopard-shaped handles. Real showstoppers and conversation starters!

But I also love doing the more classic, elegant pieces — seeing how you can totally transform a simple IKEA Malm into something super stylish never fails to amaze me. Why settle for boring furniture — I believe everything in your house should make you smile. If it doesn’t, why bother having it?

Describe some of the upcycled items in your own home

I have a few pieces I love. Firstly, my eldest son’s old changing table. He’s now nine and we made the classic new parents’ rookie error of spending a fortune on furniture that we would only need while he was little. I turned it from a plain white changing table to a matt black chest of drawers with statement Dalmatian spot wallpaper applied to the drawer fronts and super-smart knurled bronze handles. I now have it in my laundry room for storing my linens.
The second was a real labour of love — I bought a vintage chest of drawers on eBay and when I got it home it stank of old musty dog, cigarettes and damp. I was devastated as I was hoping to sell it on.
This was my first attempt at a masking tape design and I spent the next four weeks sinking further into a pit of upcycling frustration and failed attempts as I messed up, sanded the whole thing back to bare wood and started again… four times over.
I learned loads (including how to get rid of the smell!) and in the end I couldn’t bear to part with it as I loved the finished result and had put so much time and effort into it — so now it takes pride of place in my hallway.

What has been your biggest upcycling challenge?

The biggest challenge has definitely been everything but the actual upcycling. The logistics, the organisation, and managing the social media side of the business. My followers really love the time-lapse videos I shoot for my Instagram showing the upcycling process. You wouldn’t believe how satisfying a masking tape reveal video is. But I’m still getting used to having so many strangers see my videos — I cringe seeing myself on camera.

Who inspires you?

Inspiration is everywhere! Pinterest is great, but it’s so much more fun to be original, and it gets challenging when clients look to other upcyclers and request a copy or a version of what they’ve done. That’s a big no-no in the upcycling industry and I wouldn’t want to anyway.
Anything can inspire a design — from a pattern I found on a rug, to a colour combo I saw in the ladies’ toilets of a fancy restaurant, to a client’s daughter’s water bottle.

Tell us more about yourself

I’m 37 and I live in Mill Hill. But if you think you see me in Alwoodley in Leeds, it’s because I have an identical twin sister who lives there. I did an art foundation course and a degree in textile design, but I don’t have formal upcycling training.
I met my husband on Israel Tour when we were 16, and we’ve been together since we went on Year Course in 2001 with FZY, which we were both heavily involved with well into our 20s. We have two boys aged six and nine who attend a fantastic Jewish primary school, and we’re all incredibly proud of our Jewish heritage and identity.

Where will you be spending Rosh Hashanah this year and with whom?

Who knows, with the uncertainty that the pandemic brings? Ideally we’d be with about 30 of my husband’s family in Kenton on erev Rosh Hashanah, and with about 20 of my family in Edgware for first-day lunch. I can’t see that happening though.

Honey cake or apple strudel?

My auntie Sallie’s honey cake. It’s insane! It’s the only cake in the world capable of leaking oily, gooey, sticky goodness through three layers of cling film. She normally makes about 30 every year because all her friends and family want one.

Instagram: the.revivalist.x