Take a (Front Row) Seat with the Ultimate Upcycle Challenge

Reduce, reuse, upcycle! This year’s Calgary Home + Design Show welcomes back the Ultimate Upcycle Challenge: Take A Seat. This creative project promotes sustainable design while raising awareness and much-needed funds for Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta and its affiliated ReStores. Ten local tastemakers were tasked with sourcing and upcycling one furniture item from ReStore Calgary into a seat, with each piece to be exhibited and auctioned at the upcoming show, September 17-20, 2015 at the BMO Centre. 

Marie-Claire Williams turned a weather chair into a bright, cheerful bench.

Take a Seat participants include:

• Jamie Mauracher, Host/Reporter, CTV Calgary
• Jenny Howe, Host, The Homestretch, CBC Calgary
• Marie-Claire Williams, Owner, Marie-Claire Williams Design
• Joanne Dafoe, Owner, Dafoe Design
• Brooklyn Berry, Designer, Brooklyn Berry Designs
• Melissa Wagner, Designer, Interiors to Inspire
• Shonna Wells, Artist, Shonna Wells Art
• Samantha Nickerson, Blogger, Peek Thru Our Window
• Misha White, Owner, Amborella Floral Studio
• Wanda Weston, Interior Designer at WW Design Studio

Left: Joanne Dafoe transformed this unconventional bench into a rustic beauty full of character.
Right: Brooklyn Berry added whimsical texture and comfort to this basic chair frame.

Each participant chose their item(s) directly from ReStore Calgary, then completed the makeover using only a randomly assigned mystery box of Rust-Oleum Consumer Brand Canada products and a $50 design budget.

Interested in upcycling? Get first-hand inspiration both at the exhibit and at the Trail Appliances Main Stage, where Rust-Oleum spokesperson and DIY expert, Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault will appear on Saturday, September 19 at 3:30pm and Sunday, September 20 at 2pm.

The Calgary Home + Design Show takes over the BMO Centre September 17-20, 2015. Don't have tickets yet? Get 2-for-1 when you connect with us on Facebook. Click here to take advantage of this exclusive offer.