Upcycling

Ever thought about transforming that rusty old item in the garage into something awesome to impress your dinner guests, or fancied refurbishing the random old dining chair in the shed but don't have the tools or knowhow?

In Upcycling Max McMurdo teaches you how to discover inner design genius, where to find great scrap items and techniques and tips on how to transform them into great designs that will last longer and look better than any of that high street chipboard nonsense.

Upcycling adds value to an item through clever design to make it more desirable financially, aesthetically and emotionally. Max shows simple design ideas throughout the book that will inspire you to roll up your sleeves and have a go. Step away from the chipboard and venture out of your comfort zone and into a glorious world of doodles, sanding, waxing, stunning colours and the satisfaction of telling people you made that!

You don't have to own the latest expensive tools or have any previous experience. If you're an experienced wood worker then maybe you will be interested in paint finishing techniques or upholstery? Some of the projects involve only a few simple steps and can be completed within an hour, whereas others may take the best part of a weekend and combine several different materials, techniques and tools. Whichever project you choose the most important thing is to try and have fun and remember design is all about experimenting, learning and not always getting it right!