Decorating
What's Behind Our Crush on Cast-Offs?
Either spruced up or proudly flaunting signs of a former life, everything old is coming around again. We explore the reasons why
Vintage, secondhand, pre-loved, upcycled, repurposed, salvaged, or just plain junk – whatever the name, fossicking through other people’s cast-offs for time-worn treasures is a pleasant pursuit for many. But why do these hunter-gatherers prefer markets, op-shops, auctions and garage sales to clean, well laid-out department stores and boutiques? Let’s unearth the appeal of yesterday’s memorabilia for today’s treasure seekers.
To some, this is just a kerbside pile of junk. To others, it’s a smorgasbord of opportunities that would cause them to screech to a halt and load up the boot of the car. Every rusted chair, cracked pot and dented saucepan in this eclectic heap could live again in the hands of recycling, upcycling, DIY bowerbirds. So what is it that drives them to dally among other people’s discards?
Eco-friendly is the new black
As the planet struggles to cope with what we throw away, we are hopefully developing more respect for its fragility and recognising the value of reuse. It’s easy to replace barely-worn objects with newer, shinier versions and many goods have built-in obsolescence, clogging up landfills after a few years.
Thankfully, Helen Edwards of Recycled Interiors blog believes we are realising the huge impact of our buying habits on the planet. “Buying secondhand or vintage and upcycling items makes for a much happier and healthier planet and home.”
As the planet struggles to cope with what we throw away, we are hopefully developing more respect for its fragility and recognising the value of reuse. It’s easy to replace barely-worn objects with newer, shinier versions and many goods have built-in obsolescence, clogging up landfills after a few years.
Thankfully, Helen Edwards of Recycled Interiors blog believes we are realising the huge impact of our buying habits on the planet. “Buying secondhand or vintage and upcycling items makes for a much happier and healthier planet and home.”
An inherent need to come to the rescue
Whether donating to wildlife funds, buying a rescue pet or liberating beached whales, there’s a feel-good reward in saving needy things from extinction and giving them a better and extended life. That same sense of satisfaction comes from seeing the beauty and potential in a broken-down unloved piece of ‘rubbish’, and taking it home to care for it and give it a purpose. Save a rusted iron bed frame today!
Whether donating to wildlife funds, buying a rescue pet or liberating beached whales, there’s a feel-good reward in saving needy things from extinction and giving them a better and extended life. That same sense of satisfaction comes from seeing the beauty and potential in a broken-down unloved piece of ‘rubbish’, and taking it home to care for it and give it a purpose. Save a rusted iron bed frame today!
Another endangered species is the printed book. Readers are making a valiant counter-charge against e-books, extolling the joys of browsing bookshops and turning real pages as they read. Old books, with torn dust jackets, dog-eared pages and the grime of use, make for a display full of character and their contents often yield surprises, like a loving note, jottings in margins or fascinating glimpses into past ways of life. Rescue a pile of preloved books, if only to entertain your kids with Noddy, Winnie the Pooh or the Bobbsey Twins.
Novel ways to display books
Novel ways to display books
Secondhand feeds the collecting habit
The urge to amass collections of similar items has many explanations; the comfort of possession, the thrill of the hunt, a deprived childhood, the need to demonstrate individuality, nostalgia or just a passion for oddities. Whatever floats the boat of the collector, secondhand outlets are dusty, musty heavens where that holy-grail find may be unearthed. This collector has seen the charm of vintage lunch boxes and old bottles.
Cool collectors from around the world
The urge to amass collections of similar items has many explanations; the comfort of possession, the thrill of the hunt, a deprived childhood, the need to demonstrate individuality, nostalgia or just a passion for oddities. Whatever floats the boat of the collector, secondhand outlets are dusty, musty heavens where that holy-grail find may be unearthed. This collector has seen the charm of vintage lunch boxes and old bottles.
Cool collectors from around the world
Tracey Mandelberg, a fan of ’40s and ’50s vintage style with impressive collecting chops, has some words of caution for would-be collectors. “Once you’ve bought two of something, it’s a collection. You’ve started and you’re in trouble!” But for anyone who really wants to kick off a collection, she advises beginning with things you simply love, from markets, op-shops and auctions. “My grandmother used to take me to this op-shop in Chatswood called the White Elephant,” she says. “That’s where the dysfunction started!”
It’s fun to see how far we’ve come
A look at past machines is a salutary lesson in how fast the world is turning. For some old souls, mechanical devices – where you can actually see the way something works – hold a fascination not felt for electronic objects. Modern silky-smooth ergonomic keyboards get the job done fast and efficiently, but it’s a delight to hear the solid clunk of manual typewriter keys thwacking on a sheet of paper. As Edwards says, “the old ways of doing things remind us of times when there was a slower pace of life.”
A look at past machines is a salutary lesson in how fast the world is turning. For some old souls, mechanical devices – where you can actually see the way something works – hold a fascination not felt for electronic objects. Modern silky-smooth ergonomic keyboards get the job done fast and efficiently, but it’s a delight to hear the solid clunk of manual typewriter keys thwacking on a sheet of paper. As Edwards says, “the old ways of doing things remind us of times when there was a slower pace of life.”
Photography has been changed dramatically by modern technology. Today’s amateur snapper does very little except point and shoot. Who can remember the delayed gratification of clicking away on a manual camera and picking up developed prints a week later? The history of cameras is a fertile field for photography buffs, and vintage cameras are a reminder of the days of grainy black-and-white, smelly darkrooms and stunning images from early 20th century photographers like Max Dupain, whose career started with a Box Brownie in 1924.
It brings out our crafty creative side
Instead of automatically labelling articles as rubbish, looking at them with a view to their possible functional or decorative use is an enjoyable challenge for creative minds. Who would have thought a couple of dozen rusted tin lids would make a funky junky wreath to decorate a door?
Instead of automatically labelling articles as rubbish, looking at them with a view to their possible functional or decorative use is an enjoyable challenge for creative minds. Who would have thought a couple of dozen rusted tin lids would make a funky junky wreath to decorate a door?
The challenge of finding an off-the-wall use for seemingly obsolete objects is a large part of the fun of buying old. Leisa Clark of Quirky Comforts, which specialises in vintage upcycling, says she can always see other uses for people’s cast-offs: “I can turn an old gramophone horn or an old dairy milk strainer into a unique pendant light, or use an old rusty bed frame as a planter,” she says. Another example can be seen in this Madrid studio, where a decrepit bath serves as storage.
Sometimes old furniture finds are still structurally sound, but only in need of resurfacing, and a little imagination. Clark says she just loves bringing unique items back to life, “to live another hundred years.” It’s a thrill enjoyed by many dump dilettantes, to see the lines of a once-lovely cabinet, table or chair emerge from a sadly neglected discard.
Why DIY is good for your soul
Why DIY is good for your soul
Your house won’t look like everyone else’s
The desire for personal expression is a driving force in the popularity of old items. Edwards says, “People are getting tired of the same old same old and like to create unique homes that speak of their personalities, rather than something that looks like the pages of a magazine.” Check out this recycled sofa – its ‘good bones’ have been repainted, recovered and given quirky personal touches; it’s a one-of-a-kind gem.
The desire for personal expression is a driving force in the popularity of old items. Edwards says, “People are getting tired of the same old same old and like to create unique homes that speak of their personalities, rather than something that looks like the pages of a magazine.” Check out this recycled sofa – its ‘good bones’ have been repainted, recovered and given quirky personal touches; it’s a one-of-a-kind gem.
Mass-produced furniture, chain stores and distribution networks that ensure global availability of almost anything tend to help create cookie-cutter homes. Have you ever walked into a friend’s house only to recognise ‘your’ chairs, fabric or lights? You can rest assured no-one else will have a selection of vintage lightshades like these.
Memories are made of this
Even though nostalgia ain’t what it used to be, articles that remind us of people, places and events are comforting to have around, triggering memories and nourishing our sense of connection to past experiences.
Among my favourite things is a hand-sewn tablecloth made by my grandmother. Every meticulous stitch speaks of a long-gone seamstress making something beautiful for her home. It gives me unfailing pleasure to adorn my table with it as she would have done.
Even though nostalgia ain’t what it used to be, articles that remind us of people, places and events are comforting to have around, triggering memories and nourishing our sense of connection to past experiences.
Among my favourite things is a hand-sewn tablecloth made by my grandmother. Every meticulous stitch speaks of a long-gone seamstress making something beautiful for her home. It gives me unfailing pleasure to adorn my table with it as she would have done.
Secondhand is budget-wise
Buying a home today often leaves little in the kitty for decorating. Instead of cheap new furniture that won’t last, secondhand items can be better value – older items tend to be better constructed and have loads more character. Edwards advises that you should be realistic about how skilled you are in rejuvenating old items and the cost involved. Hunt for bargains – they’re out there waiting!
TELL US
Are you an old soul with a love of upcycled vintage wares? Share your foraging and recycling stories in the Comments section
MORE
Make Do and Mend: Enjoy the Savings of the Simple Life
Book Review: ‘Fashionably Worn’ by Leigh-Ann Pow
Weekend Project: 9 Household Items Begging to Be Upcycled
Buying a home today often leaves little in the kitty for decorating. Instead of cheap new furniture that won’t last, secondhand items can be better value – older items tend to be better constructed and have loads more character. Edwards advises that you should be realistic about how skilled you are in rejuvenating old items and the cost involved. Hunt for bargains – they’re out there waiting!
TELL US
Are you an old soul with a love of upcycled vintage wares? Share your foraging and recycling stories in the Comments section
MORE
Make Do and Mend: Enjoy the Savings of the Simple Life
Book Review: ‘Fashionably Worn’ by Leigh-Ann Pow
Weekend Project: 9 Household Items Begging to Be Upcycled