A Wavell Heights couple has been helping residents turn old furniture into gold.
When Lea DeFazio moved from country Victoria to Queensland 14 years ago, she didn’t expect that piles of rubbish would spark a new career path.
Inspired by kerbside collection programs, she saw opportunities where others saw junk.
“I saw these piles of trash as piles of gold, as I didn’t have a job at the time, so I started bringing home a few pieces, and found that with a bit of sanding and a coat of paint, I could sell them for a profit,” Lea said.
“More importantly, rather than heading to the landfill, these items were being ‘loved’ again. So I started flipping furniture.”
Lea’s husband Jamie, skilled in woodwork and repairs, soon joined in. After he was made redundant, the pair transformed the area under their Wavell Heights home into a workshop, restoring furniture and teaching others how to do the same.
Upcycling Workshops and Community Impact
“We started holding classes, teaching small groups how to upcycle furniture, paint correctly, use various tools and upholster various items,” Lea said.
“We see a lot of unnecessary waste. Trees are often cut down for new furniture but by recycling, you can reduce this demand.”
The couple collect discarded vintage timber pieces and other items made from quality materials.
“When clients book into my workshops they get to choose a piece of furniture we have picked up,” Lea said. “We collect pieces that are handcrafted from quality timbers, as a lot of modern furniture is built out of cheaper materials that don’t last.
“During the pandemic, so many people wanted to learn skills while they were spending more time at home, but it also started making people rethink the way they re-use and consume.
“What I have found while teaching in my workshops, is that there is a sense of pride in saving a piece of furniture that was destined to be destroyed and put into landfill.”
LoveLea Furniture Upcycling workshops run every Saturday at their home in Wavell Heights, with specialist classes in lampshade recovering basic upholstery and private functions on offer.
Bookings and details can be found on the LoveLea Designs Facebook page.
LoveLea Designs
- Workshops are held every Saturday, various times and costs
- 16 Highlands Street, Wavell Heights
- +61 413 099 722
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