By Saskia Louise, Founder of By Studio Louise
Where It All Began
In a world overflowing with flat-pack furniture and mass production, it’s easy to forget that objects around us can carry stories. For me, discarded furniture has always held more than broken legs or faded fabrics. It holds potential, memories, and joy waiting to be uncovered. My journey as an upcycler is about seeing beyond the surface, finding beauty where others see waste, and giving forgotten pieces a second life.
Upcycling has been part of me for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I was encouraged to experiment with colour and form. At home, we didn’t talk much about buying new furniture; instead, the question was always what can we transform. I repainted my room countless times, played with textures, and learned to focus on shapes, design, and materials.
Later, I trained in furniture making and design, starting out with new materials, but something was missing.
After diving into upholstery courses, I began to understand furniture from the inside out, including the craftsmanship, the structure, and the potential. Then, when I moved to Amsterdam in my mid-twenties, everything clicked.
Walking through the city, I was shocked by the sheer amount of bulky waste on the streets. So many beautiful items, thrown away simply because they no longer fit a trend. That’s when I started collecting, experimenting, and transforming. What began as curiosity grew into a mission: rescuing discarded furniture and turning it into something joyful and new.
The Power of Colour
If there’s one thing that defines my work, it’s colour. For me, colour is the purest form of creativity and it makes me feel alive. Nature is my biggest inspiration: a tulip with red and pink petals and a green stem is the perfect palette for a chair. A bright blue sky against the yellow sun is all the proof we need that bold colours belong in our everyday lives.
Unfortunately, our culture often labels colour as childish, while adults are expected to retreat into muted tones of grey, white, and black.
My work challenges that narrative. I want every piece I make to celebrate colour, playfulness, and joy because who says our homes should feel serious and subdued?
More Than Just Furniture
When people buy only mass-produced furniture, they miss out on something special: personality. Of course, I also have a few Ikea pieces at home, but they can never replace the character of secondhand finds. Secondhand furniture has lived a life; it carries stories, quality, and history.
Giving such pieces a new chapter is better for the environment, but it also adds soul to a space.
When I discover an old chair or dresser on the street, I don’t take it blindly. I choose pieces that fit my style and vision, the ones that speak to me.
Sometimes I know immediately what it wants to become; other times it sits in my studio until the right inspiration arrives. Either way, the process always feels like a collaboration between the piece and me.
From Trash to Treasure
Upcycling, for me, is both storytelling and activism. We talk a lot about fast fashion, but rarely about fast furniture. Yet, around 80 percent of discarded furniture is still usable.
That’s shocking and motivating. Through my From Trash to Treasure series, I want to raise awareness and show people that what looks like waste can become a treasure. Sometimes all it takes is passing a piece on, rather than throwing it away, to save it from destruction.
Building a Community
One of the most rewarding parts of my work is sharing it online. My Instagram isn’t just a gallery of finished pieces; it’s a space where I share the messy process, the experiments, the failures, and the successes. Upcycling is not old-fashioned; it’s creative, innovative, and fun.
By being open about my journey, I hope to inspire others to start their own. After all, creativity grows in community.
For Beginners
I often get asked where do I start. My advice is simple: begin small. Pick a chair or table that just needs sanding and a fresh coat of paint.
Document how it comes apart with photos so you can reassemble it later. And don’t be afraid to ask for advice at your local hardware store; they’re often happy to guide you. Most importantly, don’t overthink it. Creativity is not about perfection, it’s about trying, failing, and discovering along the way.
Looking Forward
Right now, I draw inspiration from everywhere: nature, travels, other designers, and the everyday colours of Amsterdam. This city has shaped my work deeply. Its cultural mix, its openness, and even the shocking amount of furniture waste on its streets constantly push me to reflect and create.
My dream is that more people start looking differently at the objects around them. That instead of seeing waste, they see potential. That instead of buying new, they consider transformation. Because when we choose to restore, refresh, and reimagine, we don’t just save materials; we create homes filled with meaning, joy, and story.
