Upcycling has been a creative outlet for this stay-at-home mum from Perth – and it reduces landfill waste too.
This week in Your upcycling attempts: Triumph or Travesty? we look at Clare Scott of Coloured Concepts.
Clare has been upcycling since 2019 and has praised the craft for its “therapeutic” quality.
“I’ve always had an interest in interiors and home décor,” she told me.
But the Perth-based upcycler wasn’t “inspired” by what she saw in mainstream furniture stores. Her solution? Learn to upcycle.
Clare said: “I wanted something that was a bit more unique, tailored and bespoke.”
With upcycling, Clare says you can transform second-hand furniture into a “really original piece that can be treasured for many more years to come.”
Beasties in the woodwork
This inspirational mum was involved in the Tayside Upcycling & Craft Centre right back at the start.
Clare, Alfie Ianetta and Sarah Peterson, were the minds behind the community interest company.
“I had this idea that perhaps it could be a business.
“We sat around the table and that is how the TUCC shop began.
“It’s a great wee team to be involved with.”
“There have definitely been a few obstacles along the way,” Clare admitted.
One difficulty that Clare came across was particularly grisly.
“There was a woodworm infestation in a piece of furniture at one point,” she said.
All was not lost, however.
Even for furniture that has been gnawed on by the bugs, there is still potential.
Clare said: “There are ways to combat this.
“You can treat the wood, protect it, fill the holes and make it as good as new.”
Dresser required a lot of ‘trial and error’
One of the earliest upcycles that Clare worked on was a stag minstrel dresser for her sister.
Clare admitted that she was a little “gung ho” with the paint brush.
“With this particular piece, I did have to start from scratch – I had to redo the whole thing.
“I didn’t appreciate that there are certain woods that are notorious for bleed-through.”
Wood requires some initial TLC to get the surface ready for painting.
If you don’t do these tasks beforehand, the results you’re left with can be disappointing.
Your outcome is only ever as good as the work you put in to start with.”
Clare Scott, Coloured Concepts
Clare said that can be “cleaning it down thoroughly with sugar soap to remove any dust, debris or cobwebs, or any other nasties.”
“Or maybe it needs a good sand because the veneer has been cracking or splitting so you need to sand that off.”
You also need to use primer on your furniture before painting it.
Clare had to go through many steps to get the look she wanted for the upcycle, but in the end the “trial and error” was worth it.
“Your outcome is only ever as good as the work you put in to start with.
“So eventually I thought – let’s just start from scratch.
“I’ve never had to abandon a project – there’s usually a solution to whatever problem that occurs.”
‘Super proud’ of upcycled antique bureau
Another of Clare’s early upcycles turned out great.
“Not long after supplying the TUCC shop, I got my hands on a gorgeous mahogany bureau,” she said.
“But nobody likes mahogany furniture anymore.”
“So I cleaned it, checked it and primed it. I painted it a lovely black colour.
“And I added this beautiful floral transfer called midnight bloom.
“I was super proud of it.”
A customer from Manchester got in touch requesting the item to be delivered the 300 mile distance.
Although people’s first instinct is to toss out old furniture, Clare insists that these items still have worth.
“Don’t throw it away. Somebody somewhere will make good use of it,” she urges.
“The furniture of old is so beautifully made.
“It’s not flat-packed, it’s not run of the mill.
“The actual bones of the piece of furniture are inherently good.
“The sense of satisfaction you get from upcycling – there’s nothing like it.”
How do I learn to upcycle?
But these skills don’t come instantly.
Clare recommends a range of places where you can get advice and ideas in the first instance.
“There’s an online upcycling furniture community where you can share your experiences.
“This offers a lot of inspiration and insight.”
Clare also recommends The Furniture Bible, what she calls “a weighty tome which tells you everything you need to know about wood.”
“Or,” she laughed, “there’s plain old YouTube.”
Follow along with us this month as we share upcycling triumphs and travesties in Dundee, Perth and Kinross, Fife and Angus every Wednesday in November.
Have you experienced your own triumphs or travesties when upcycling? Get in touch so we can celebrate or commiserate over your creations.
Enjoying our upcycling series? Sign up for The Courier’s Environment & Transport Newsletter.
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