Meet Elvis & Kresse. They love upcycling. So much so, that they’ve built an entire business around reclaiming and regenerating old materials and turning them into something new. The main focus of the Elvis & Kresse collection is reclaimed fire hoses. The pair salvage and restore old hoses from the country’s many fire brigades, and create unique and durable accessories with them.

We caught up with Kresse to find out more about her business, and where her passion for upcycling began. “When I first moved to London in 2004 I went to all of the usual haunts, The National Gallery, St Paul’s Cathedral, The Tower, The Tate… but I also went snooping around the recycling centers and waste transfer stations. I have always had a passion for waste. I first met the London Fire Brigade in 2005 and instantly fell in love with their old hoses. There is a brilliant team that works on maintaining and repairing damaged hoses but there are some which are too far gone, and these were going to landfill.

On that first day I took a reel home and started planning. I wanted to create a business which could save the hose and other wastes, and create products which made the most of the stunning raw material. We now collect hose waste across the country and 50% of the profits from this line go to the Fire Fighters Charity. 7 years later and we are running a large workshop in Dorset, we have rescued over 170 tonnes of waste and collect 12 different types on a regular basis.”

The duo’s penchant for regenerating old materials has now spread into their home life, too. “We also bought a wreck of a flat in 2010 and renovated it using waste and second hand pieces. Our kitchen counters are made from an old marble fire surround and granite off-cuts.”

“Our beds are both made from wood waste and we have a stunning built in wardrobe made from doors salvaged at the local tip.”

“The furniture, the curtains, the light fixtures… we made it all ourselves from some of our favorite wastes. The results at home were good enough to warrant a feature in House & Garden Magazine, and we hope to help others embrace upcycling to renovate their own homes.”

View the full Elvis & Kresse collection here.

We’re sure many of you will be aware of The Big Egg Hunt, in association with Fabergé, that’s been happening in and around London during the past few weeks. The high-profile event has been organised to raise funds for two charities – Action for Children and Elephant family. Over 200 uniquely crafted eggs, created by leading artists, designers, architects and jewellers, have been hidden across the capital this Easter. The eggs will go on to be exhibited at “The Grand Eggstravaganza” in The Covent Garden Piazza, from 3-9 April, and sold to the highest bidders.

We have been following the progress of the egg hunt, not only because it’s supporting such brilliant causes, but also because one of our lovely sellers, designer Joanne Holbrook, has designed one of the infamous eggs! She says: ”I am so thrilled to be taking part in such an exciting event for two worthy charities. There have been a lot of late nights and help from friends and family but I am chuffed to bits that my design was chosen and that it will go towards raising some much needed funds for the two charities.”

She also talked us through the process involved in creating her unique egg…

“The fiberglass egg arrived unprimed – luckily for me my brother restores vintage and classic cars for a living, so he primed and sprayed it for me.”

“I templated all of the elements in paper first to make sure everything was sized correctly and then had to send all the images I had created to a local sign company who printed vinyl stickers of each element of the alphabet.”

“Then early one Sunday morning, armed with a tin of leftover Christmas biscuits and copious cups of tea, myself and my brother set about covering the egg.”

“My brother then took the egg away and lacquered the surface to seal the vinyl and protect the egg from getting scratched.”

“It took a lot of work, but we were so excited to get the finished result and my children loved it!”

The egg has been placed in a secret location in London, where it will remain until the campaign comes to a close this weekend. If anyone has spotted it, do let us know!

Joanne has also created a print that replicates the design of her London-inspired egg. We just love all the little characters – this would make a lovely addition to a child’s nursery or playroom…

Massive congratulations to Joanne for being selected to be involved in such a prestigious event – we’re really proud!

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