Goodbye boring!

Artists in the media, from North and South magazine

An Auckland duo have built a furniture upcycling business, transforming ordinary pieces into extraordinary art. From restoration to bespoke creations, creating things they love that are hard to say goodbye to.

In the bustling world of furniture design, where mass-produced items dominate the market, there’s a gem shining through the clutter – Byebyelove, a furniture upcycling company that has carved its niche by turning the commonplace into something bespoke. Founded about six years ago by German entrepreneurs Jeanine and Heike, the business initially focused on furniture restoration but soon evolved into a creative venture that blends craftsmanship with artistic vision.

“We started off by just restoring and repainting pieces,” reminisces Heike. “But over time, we realised the potential to develop our own designs, transforming furniture into pieces of art.” The transition wasn’t without its challenges, particularly when it came to finding the perfect match in terms of dimensions, colour themes, or designs for each piece. However, their passion for their craft fuelled their determination, leading them to pivot towards custom-made creations tailored to the unique preferences and spaces of their clients, whether remaking a sophisticated sideboard or a quirky, cute kids’ dresser.

The pair’s innovative spirit reached new heights in 2022 when they participated in the design of a 3D sculpture inspired by a whale’s tale leading them to create a series of sculptures inspired by the renowned French artist Niki de Saint Phalle’s iconic ‘Nana’ figures. “We’re constantly inspired by different artistic expressions,” says Jeanine. “We’ve used Resene paints right from the beginning, as its a locally made paint and Resene have the only comprehensive range of Eco Choice paints in New Zealand approved since 1996. The quality is just amazing. They add depth and uniqueness to our designs.”

Although both share a German heritage the pair have different personalities and strengths that complement each other perfectly, resulting in well-balanced designs that captivate their clientele. In their workshop, in Torbay, they can tackle the bigger or more complicated furniture and it is easy for the customer to either view or pick up existing pieces, or deliver commission pieces for a revamp.

“We love what we do, and we pour our hearts into every piece,” they affirm. “In fact, we’ve grown so attached to our finished products that parting with them is always bittersweet.”

Now you know why their name makes sense.