Embracing upcycling as a dynamic and eco-conscious interior design strategy involves the artful transformation of discarded or forgotten items into fresh, distinctive furniture, decor, and design elements. This approach champions ingenuity, minimizing waste, and breathing new life into objects that might otherwise languish in landfills.
As upcycled treasures weave seamlessly into interior design, spaces come alive with an unparalleled character, an exclusive piece of the past, and an irresistible allure.
From the alchemical metamorphosis of weathered wood into charming coffee tables to the reimagining of vintage furnishings and ceramics upcycling infuses rooms with a narrative of history and an authenticity that's both tangible and heartfelt. This creative process becomes a playground for imagination, where diverse materials and styles collaborate harmoniously to birth unique creations.
Beyond its aesthetic merits, upcycling serves as a testament to a conscientious way of life and an unwavering commitment to our environment. We all know the mastery of wabi-sabi. The act of breathing new purpose into old objects, whether it's a weathered door reincarnated as a dining table or repurposed windows transmuting into ornamental room dividers, embodies the elegant concept that beauty can emerge from the rebirth of existing materials.
A pinnacle of upcycled design inspiration awaits discovery in the city of love and art itself – Paris.
Our exploration leads us to the enchanting ORA restaurant within the La Caserne Fashion Hub @lacaserneparis – a haven where artisans, visionaries, and creatives converge in the name of sustainability and innovation. Nestled within a renovated fire station, the restaurant unveils its charm through a courtyard entrance adorned with a non-alcoholic bar, boasting delightful infusions from https://www.seedlipdrinks.com and Tulum-inspired boho seating.
Open-air Bar by Seedlip
The La Caserne courtyard
The interiors of ORA eloquently exemplify the upcycling ethos, creatively transformed reclaimed materials that stand tall as captivating new designs. Wooden furnishings coalesce with vibrant displays of fresh produce, while the daily fresh wall adorned with fruits and vegetables takes center stage by creating a vibrant decor.
Inside the restaurant
A fresh wall filled with goodies
Diners are treated to culinary delights prepared right at your eyes in an open communal kitchen, forging an immersive experience within the La Caserne community.
Lunch at ORA
Continuing our odyssey, we venture into SAPID, a gastronomic gem conceived by Michelin-star chef Alain Ducasse.
Here, gastronomy takes center stage, as farm-fresh ingredients are celebrated in a simplified, self-serve manner guided solely by the rhythms of nature. A harmonious symphony of flavors, seasonality, and responsible sourcing unfurls on each plate – an edible testament to ethical dining.
Burrata faite à Paris, mini-concombres, tagète
Lunch at SAPID
But SAPID is not only a temple of taste; it's a shrine of design innovation. Within its walls, relics of bygone eras find renewed purpose: a 19th-century Banque de France bench alongside an exquisite marble table from the Lakanal de Sceaux high school of 1882, lovingly sketched by the talented Eugène de Bonnaud, Grand Prix de Rome. Intriguingly, the walls themselves, adorned with a mesmerizing marble effect, feature Pierre Plume ©️ acoustic panels crafted from repurposed police and gendarme uniforms – an acoustic marvel echoing with history.
Pierre Plume ©️ acoustic wall panels + wall art + lamps
Original watercolor frames, hailing from an 1820 herbarium, grace the walls, while whimsical trompe l'oeil plates, crafted by the now-extinct Marseille earthenware factory Figures & Fils, add a touch of surreal elegance.
A farm chic shelving used as a devider of the space in the restaurant
Illumination comes from lamps that once belong to the industrial landscapes of northern France in the 1950s – robust and airtight, these beacons of light tell stories of their own.
Glass and ceramic used to add more natural textures
In SAPID, the past finds profound expression through an unassuming yet intricate tapestry of history and simplicity, a true testament to the captivating allure of upcycling.
Upcycling could be one of the cores of sustainable strategy in the design of your business. Choosing to reuse raw materials instead of producing them or creatively reusing waste could help your business to save money and position your brand as environmentally conscious and socially responsible besides providing for the artist community who can come up with amazing ideas and produce outstanding meaningful work.
At Earth and Form Design, we are dedicated to exploring more upcycling strategies to innovate and create unique design experiences. Exploring local makers and artists who experiment with recycled materials and are willing to blend old and new.
Addresses of the restaurants:
ORA 12 Rue Philippe de Girard, 75010 Paris, France
SAPID 54 Rue de Paradis, 75010 Paris, France