At Local Revival, we’re all about helping to create a home’s “brand” as uniquely and inexpensively as possible. Equally, we’re on a mission to help people see that the words custom, unique, and quality don’t always mean expensive. You just have to have a little imagination and know where to look.
AND if you feel like those aren’t your strong points, we can help.
We like to think of up-cycling as “creative re-use” – using our imaginations to transform so-called waste into something extraordinary, to see the treasure in the trash, to reclaim cast-offs as coveted pieces. All while saving a little corner of the planet.
That’s great and all, but why is this important to us? Let me explain…
Upcycling and recycling create a big impact with a small budget.
Who doesn’t like to save money? Emerging from the pandemic of 2020, we’re all still struggling. It’s become popular, even chic, to look for discounts, coupons, and creative ways to cut household expenses, enjoy the finer things in life, and live “cheaply.” Just think about Pinterest. With 478-million+ users, home decor and DIY and crafts have topped food and drink for first and second place in the top 10 Pinterest Categories in 2021!
Upcycling and recycling create elements that are truly unique and personal.
Brick and mortar stores like HomeGoods, Target, and Marshalls pride themselves on “unique” merchandise at discounted prices. And while we love a good Target or HomeGoods find like the next person, it’s highly probable that their items are mass-produced and sold across the country. Meaning you’ll likely end up seeing the same beautiful blue vase you purchased for your living room in your neighbor’s living room as well. Creative re-use can give your home an authentic personality.
Upcycling and recycling create home decor that’s one-of-a-kind in any interior setting.
With yard sales, thrift stores, and flea markets a dime a dozen, there’s no reason why home decor can’t be of good quality and affordable with a bit of creative re-use. Big box stores strive for convenience instead of quality. Where do these products actually come from? Likely their furniture is made overseas with cheaper materials (like MDF, an “engineered wood product”!) to keep production and shipping costs down.
If it’s not an option to purchase custom-built, high-quality, locally made furniture, why not look to vintage pieces with similar qualities for a fraction of the price? Homeowners constantly get rid of these items because they don’t have the room or know their value. We’ve purchased furniture at yard sales for $5 only to see exact replicas being sold on eBay or in vintage stores for hundreds of dollars!
Upcycling and recycling start with the “good bones” of products that were built to last.
There’s a lot to be said for buying locally these days. Not only does it boost the local economy, but according to Time magazine, it is also a way to alert the community to gaps in local production. Suppose consumers are turning to Walmart or another big box store for a particular product. In that case, it could signal an opportunity for someone local to make it and make it better. And while buying local is sometimes associated with higher costs, it doesn’t have to be if shop owners stay informed and work to keep their prices competitive.
Upcycling and recycling keep the community strong.
Money spent locally stays local. As we mentioned in a previous post, on average, $48 of every $100 spent at a small business stays local. Compared to $14 of $100 at a big box store or national retailer. Community vendors typically prefer to spend money with other local businesses than multinational corporations who house services like accounting and marketing internally. Additionally, local businesses are committed to “giving back” to their communities through charitable donations and/or volunteering. Take a look at the list of sponsors of your child’s soccer team, your favorite theater group, or an area animal shelter to see the impact of giving from local businesses. For many charities, groups, and programs, local business contributions are essential to survival.
When we work on creative re-use projects at Local Revival, we keep these things in mind. We aim to reduce waste and think outside of the big box to find functional, beautiful, and intentional items.
We seek opportunities to support small businesses in our community by purchasing base products, supplies, or accessories that we can use during the creative re-use process. In return, we look for ways to support and grow our local community with the revenue that we generate from our sales.
So be sure to “like” us on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram and Pinterest to see what items we’re working on. If you have a creative re-use project that you’re proud of, we’d love to see it! Comment below, or send us a message through our social media channels.
