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Live, Love, Celebrate Local - Tampa, Florida and beyond

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decor, diy, featured, trending, home · August 8, 2021

What is Creative Re-use?

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. 

In: decor, diy, featured, trending, home

About Summer

Summer is the founder and Creative Director for Local Revival, Inc. Originally from Charlotte, NC, she made her way to Tampa, Florida, after graduating from UNCW (Wilmington, NC), and living two years in Atlanta, GA. She now resides right outside of Tampa with her husband, Scott, and their two German Shepards, Izzy, and Bear. Have a question for Summer? Email her directly at summer@localrevivallifestyle.com.

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In case you didn't know, today is #givingtuesday! In case you didn't know, today is #givingtuesday! 🧡

At Local Revival, giving back and assisting those in need within our communities is an essential part of our business model. 

And as a board member for Empower Her Network (EHN), I've seen how a non-profit's support network can make a difference in people's lives. 

EHN is the only national program that ends generational cycles of violence, exploitation, and poverty of trafficking survivors by paving a path to economic freedom. 

After being on the board for over three years, I can confidently say - the program works. Why? 

✅ 100% of survivors graduate with stable housing

✅ The average annual wage at the start of the program was $18,015 BELOW the poverty line

✅ The average annual wage after they finish the program is $26,807 ABOVE the poverty line

✅ These results are often only the beginning. Many graduate as they complete a program with a promising career path

✅ 100% of donations go to programming because the NOVO Foundation covers operating expenses

This #givingtuesday, please consider donating to Empower Her Network and give the greatest gift of all: opportunity. 🧡

As a bonus, @the_changereaction has agreed to MATCH all donations up to $25,000! So when you give, your matched contribution allows us to reach our end-of-the-year goal faster - helping more survivors carve their path to fiscal independence! 🎉

Scan the QR code, or visit empowerhernetwork.org/donate for more information or to give to this impactful cause! 

xoxo, Summer
We are SO incredibly grateful for YOU this Thanksg We are SO incredibly grateful for YOU this Thanksgiving! 🦃🍁

Thank you to new friends and old, amazing new clients and previous ones - all the meaningful connections we've been fortunate to develop this year, making our already fun job that much more amazing! ✨

We hope you all have a joyous and safe Thanksgiving holiday! ❤️
Happy Monday, friends! 👏🏼 What are you dete Happy Monday, friends! 👏🏼

What are you determined to get done this week? How do you push through when you’re just not feeling motivated? 🤔

The weather cooking off in Florida a little keeps me motivated to chug along. If I feel like I’ve hit a rut, usually taking a quick walk to clear my head will do the trick 💪🏽

What about you? Comment below ⬇️ 

Here’s to a fantastic week! 👏🏼🎉
What tropical storm? Not even tropical storm Nico What tropical storm?

Not even tropical storm Nicole could keep us from helping the @sustanyfoundation with the 2022 Sustainable Business Awards and Buzz last evening 🎉

We appreciate everyone who attended, and the volunteers who helped us with all the details. 👏🏼

We also want to give a HUGE shout out to our new friends with @lynnscateringoftampa who stepped in to provide the delicious taste of Tampa to feed all the guests, and were able to provide two extra bartenders in a pinch ❤️

Thank you to all the other vendors who donated product or services for this event:

Native Plants: @butterfly_tampa 
Antique Furniture for VIP: @the.col.lec.tive 
Linens: @fancythatlinens 
Beer: @3daughtersbrewing 
Wine: @johnsonbrothersoffl 
Planning/Coordination: @localrevivalinc 

Can’t wait to see all the professional photos and footage from @pricelessstudiodesign (which I know will be SO much better than these 😊)

The @sustanyfoundation does some amazing things to educate and highlight sustainable businesses in Tampa Bay. The proceeds that were raised from this event are used to plant new trees in the area 👏🏼🌲🌴 To learn more about them or to donate or get involved, follow their social media pages or visit their website at Sustany.org. 🌿
At Local Revival, we love events of every size. Fr At Local Revival, we love events of every size. From dinner parties to large bashes, we aren't afraid to take on a client's to-do list so they can relax and fully immerse themselves during their important day. 💪🏽

One of our highlights every year is helping non-profit clients with their annual fundraising galas. ✨

In October, we had the pleasure of designing and coordinating Rock the Dock, a celebration of artists and music that rocks - all while benefitting Chapters Health Foundation's Hospice division. 💃🏻🕺🏻

Held in downtown Tampa on the Riverwalk, it's a stunning backdrop for music, dancing, and raising money to support their mission: to provide choices, education, and guidance for those affected by advancing age or illness. 💕

Colorful bright red and blue linens topped with centerpieces featuring a neon LED light of different musical instruments were the focus within the main event area. While in the pre-event function showcased custom records printed with printed lyrics and lifesized cutouts of famous musicians. 🎼🎤

It was a beautiful evening full of rock n roll while benefitting an incredible cause in Tampa Bay. 💛

Do you know a local non-profit that might need assistance with its gala planning? Tell them to contact us! 📞👏🏼

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