Upcycling and restyling furniture to its former glory and beyond
UNIQ Furniture, an award winning business that takes surplus school, office and industrial furniture; repairing, refurbishing and upcycling it for a new domestic life.
In the forthcoming November 2020 edition (published online early) we’re in conversation with Andrew Smith for our regular business feature in County Lifestyle and Leisure Magazine. Andrew is the man behind UNIQ Furniture based in Pershore. He’s the winner of Dragon’s Den Theo Paphitis’ Small Business Sunday #SBS award in 2018, Wychavon’s Intelligently Green Awards in 2016 and enjoys the accolade of being followed on Instagram by Zoe Ball, George Clarke, Gail Porter and Alys Fowler (Gardener and journalist).
Here’s what Andrew had to say:
My alarm goes off and…
As of January 2018, I started going for a morning walk to clear my head and start the day in a positive and healthy way. I usually spend fifty minutes to an hour walking around the wetlands in Pershore. Combined with joining Pershore Tennis Centre, my aim being to get fitter, healthier and mindful too!
How did you start doing what you’re doing?
I was made redundant from teaching Design & Technology from The Chase, Malvern in 2014. I looked at all of my options and as I’d always fancied starting my own business I decided to throw myself into upcycling! I knew could get hold of surplus furniture from schools and business, saving it from landfill, giving it a new life and selling it to the public for their homes. Early on in the life of my business, I was fortunate to be invited to exhibit my work at The Great Home Hack at Fulham Palace, London. The show, hosted by ‘celebrity Upcycler’ Max McMurdo, really opened up a number of opportunities for me!
My alarm goes off and…
As of January 2018, I started going for a morning walk to clear my head and start the day in a positive and healthy way. I usually spend fifty minutes to an hour walking around the wetlands in Pershore. Combined with joining Pershore Tennis Centre, my aim being to get fitter, healthier and mindful too!
How did you start doing what you’redoing?
I was made redundant from teaching Design & Technology from The Chase, Malvern in 2014. I looked at all of my options and as I’d always fancied starting my own business I decided to throw myself into upcycling! I knew could get hold of surplus furniture from schools and business, saving it from landfill, giving it a new life and selling it to the public for their homes. Early on in the life of my business, I was fortunate to be invited to exhibit my work at The Great Home Hack at Fulham Palace, London. The show, hosted by ‘celebrity Upcycler’ Max McMurdo, really opened up a number of opportunities for me!
My typical day…
My day could start with preparing a chair; I’m currently working on a customers’ grandfather’s chair who passed away last year and is therefore of great sentimental value to them. It started with thick brown gloss paint and has now been reformed into a modern piece of furniture that can be cherished forever.
I could be working on a large commission or an individual upcycle from the large stock of donor items in my workshop, delivering finished products to customers, collecting salvaged furniture or even attending an auction.
My work is diverse and nationwide, although has included local creations such as Wychavon’s Intelligently Green Awards from reclaimed materials. I was lucky enough to be the joint winner of the small business category award in 2016 as well as making my award! They’re a great initiative to showcase local environmentally conscious individuals and businesses.
What are your highlights?
In 2018 I was the winner of Dragon’s Den Theo Paphitis’ Small Business Sunday #SBS Award which gave me a great platform to highlight upcycling across the UK as well as joining a growing exclusive network of winners.
As well as winning Wychavon’s Intelligently Green Awards in 2016 I was also involved with Grand Designs live, delivering workshops to demonstrate and involve the public in creating a product from reclaimed materials at the show.
I’ve been lucky to be involved with various TV shows and filming with budding directors as a ‘guinea pig’ for BBC’s Director’s course run out of BBC Wood Norton, near Evesham. I’ve appeared on The French Collection with Mark Franks (where enthusiasts head to France, buy items at French markets, bring them back to UK and upcycle them to sell in a UK city). Finally, I popped up on Gok Wan’s Fill your house for free, showcasing my work to inspire viewers!
Who or what has been your biggest influence?
As a designer/engineer/maker, I have long been an admirer of Leonardo Da Vinci! A while ago, I visited Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery to see some of the old masters work in the flesh as part of the UK tour of the Royal Collection. Seeing his drawings from the 15th century, inches away was incredible! He was so amazingly talented in so many different genres and so ahead of his time in his thinking, you can’t fail to be inspired by him! The main influence in my life would be my Dad, who taught me to try anything, having led by example all through his life.
What’s your biggest bugbear?
Lack of time…
Although this is partly my own doing, as I’m a procrastinator and not always well organised and focussed. I’m particularly bad at prioritising and pretty easily distracted!
What do you want to be when you grow up?!
An architect! In school I thought I wasn’t clever enough – but later discovered that I was! I left school at 16 and did a toolmaking apprenticeship with Austin Rover, then realised it wasn’t for me so went into education via an HND in Mechanical and Production Engineering. From that, I undertook a teaching course and I taught Design & Technology for over 28 years in various schools across the UK!
Where can you mostly be found after work?
At home with my family, playing tennis at Pershore Tennis Centre or playing snooker at the social club in Pershore.
Best piece of advice?
Not directly advice, more a philosophy shared by Mr Rod Stewart in the lyrics of The Killing of Georgie, which reads as follows…
Georgie once said to me and I quote, He said…
“Never wait or hesitate
Get in kid, before it’s too late
You may never get another chance
‘Cause youths a mask but it don’t last
Live it long and live it fast”
Georgie was a friend of mine…
If you’re interested in saving a piece of furniture from landfill, here are my top ten tips:
- Start with a quality item from the 40s/50/60s, preferably made from solid wood.
- Try sourcing something cheaply from a local auction or charity shop.
- If you are looking for something specific, search sites like EBay or Facebook marketplace for bargains.
- Prepare the item very thoroughly by using paint/varnish stripper, sanding etc.
- AVOID chalk paint! (my personal pet hate!)
- Use a stain block paint (such as Zinsser Cover Stain) as an undercoat over previously varnished wood.
- Use a small roller for large areas and paint brushes for details. (Use quality brands! You get what you pay for with paint and brushes)
- BE CREATIVE! Push yourself to try new things. YouTube has instructional videos for EVERYTHING!
- Limitless inspiration for projects can be found online, but specifically take a look at Pinterest and Instagram, then do your own thing!
- If you need advice, drop me an email: andrew@uniqfurniture.com or call me on 07704 590688.
How do people find out about you?
More details and examples of my work can be found at www.uniqfurniture.com , on Facebook and Twitter by searching for UNIQ Furniture and on my Instagram Page @uniqfurnitureuk. My products can also be found on ETSY and you can meet me and buy my Vintage and Retro furniture at events, including The Vintage Home Show in Coventry and occasional appearances at Malvern Flea Market.
As seen in County Lifestyle & Leisure Magazine.