Charity ‘upcycles’ salvaged furniture into bespoke objects of desire

It’s amazing how a little love and lick of paint can breathe new life into an old item of furniture. And one Shepherds Bush charity has specialised in doing just that.

Shepherds Bush Families Project

It’s amazing how a little love and lick of paint can breathe new life into an old item of furniture. And one Shepherds Bush charity has specialised in doing just that.

Tucked up the stairs in the West 12 Shopping Centre, ‘upcycling’ experts Petit Miracles Interiors, take aging or unwanted household items and gives them a revamp.

But not only do they give furniture a second chance, the project also incorporates a social enterprise scheme, offering work experience placements to gain training and employability skills to people who have experienced homelessness, the long term unemployed and also to vulnerable women.

Director, Elisicia Moore, explained: “We want to encourage participants to explore and understand the process of interior design and use this skill as a vehicle to improve their own living environment, to build confidence, to reduce social exclusion and provide opportunities for further training and employment.

“We are passionate about utilising peoples’ creativity and skills to create beautiful, yet affordable pieces for the home. We do this whilst helping vulnerable people to change their material circumstances, increasing their employability, learning traditional skills and boosting their self-esteem. Our workshop and retail space provides a community, where participants feel welcome and valued.”

Furniture comes from a mix of sources, including public donations, items bought at auction and objects which had been recovered after being dumped.

Those items that have been lovingly upcycled by Petit Miracles’ participants are then sold on to the public via the charity’s website or at the shop in West 12.

Items on offer include a mix of antique furniture, from chairs to chests of drawers and tables, all lovingly, creatively and, quite often very brightly, restored.

“You can visit us to discover hidden gems, or talk to us about our bespoke service. We have helped numerous customers bring their outdated pieces into the new century with just a little imagination and creativity,” added Elisicia.

For anyone keen to give their renovating skills a go, Petit Miracles is hosting furniture upcycling workshops this month and throughout the summer. More details on these can be found here.

Petit Miracles Interiors is also seeking an apprentice to help with the day to day running of the shop. For more details, or to apply, click here.

To visit the online shop or learn more about the charity, visit the website.

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