U pcycling second-hand furniture and accessories isn’t a new idea. But the charitable spin put on the process by Resene and Sarah Herring makes it different. As part of Resene’s work in the community, it asks Sarah to choose an item from a Salvation Army Family Store and add value by refurbishing it. She then returns the item to the store for sale. The initiative is called Upcycling for Good. Sarah also documents the process with step-by-step photographs and instructions, which are featured on the habitat by Resene website (www.habitatbyresene.com/tips). She has upcycled all manner of things, from furniture and jars to magazine racks and suitcases. It’s a skill she honed when creating a DIY column syndicated to various national newspapers, some of which were sponsored by Resene. When the column wrapped up, this new opportunity came along. Says Resene marketing manager Karen Warman: “We have been working with the Salvation Army for a number of years on various programmes, including Hunger for Colour where we encourage customers to bring in a can of food in exchange for a Resene testpot. With the trend to upcycling, we got discussing the Salvation Army stores and what a great resource they are for furniture, accessories and other items that just need a fresh lick of paint or wood stain to make them as good as new. Often people get stuck for ideas, so we thought why not do up some items to provide some easy project ideas, then return the upcycled item for the Salvation Army store to sell.” The Salvation Army Family Store in Botany Downs, Auckland, is Sarah’s hunting ground. “I try to choose something unique. I never have a grand plan, but know Resene Colorwood Bark Resene Sea Green Resene ASAP Resene Palm Green Resene Rascal Resene Copperhead Resene Solid Gold Resene Dawn Chorus cycle of life Giving old items a new life, and helping raise money for charity, is all in a day’s work for Sarah Herring. Far left: One of Sarah’s most memorable projects was this desk which she stripped back and decorated in an elegant chevron pattern, using Resene Alabaster and Resene Colorwood Bark wood stain. Left: Simple crates with a fun pattern using Resene Sea Green, Resene ASAP, Resene Palm Green and Resene Hopbush. Above right: An Art Deco motif revitalises an old tray with the help of metallic paints Resene Copperhead and Resene Solid Gold as well as Resene Dawn Chorus and Resene Rascal. Resene Hopbush Resene Alabaster 68 bright ideas before