The Thing: an old suitcase gets new life as a swanky chair
In the past few years, upcycling has taken a high-end turn, with a spate of designers transforming trash-bound castoffs into splurge-worthy luxury items. One of our favourite indulgences comes from the South African firm REcreate, where designer Katie Thompson has turned an old faux snakeskin suitcase into a covetable throne swathed in button-tufted black velvet and supported by turned-wood legs. The chic, playful piece combines the whimsy of vintage, the sleekness of contemporary design and the quality of great craftsmanship. In the past, repurposing old junk was a practice born of economic necessity and enviro-friendly good will—nice sentiment, ramshackle results. But a luxe repurposed chair with plush upholstery and fine wood detailing? That’s something we can get behind. $942. recreate.za.net
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/shopping/the-thing-recreate-suitcase-chair/&title=The Thing: an old suitcase gets new life as a swanky chair&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/upcycling-chair-intro-624x532.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_194524" align="aligncenter" width="656"] Courtesy of REcreate[/caption]
In the past few years, upcycling has taken a high-end turn, with a spate of designers transforming trash-bound castoffs into splurge-worthy luxury items. One of our favourite indulgences comes from the South African firm REcreate, where designer Katie Thompson has turned an old faux snakeskin suitcase into a covetable throne swathed in button-tufted black velvet and supported by turned-wood legs. The chic, playful piece combines the whimsy of vintage, the sleekness of contemporary design and the quality of great craftsmanship. In the past, repurposing old junk was a practice born of economic necessity and enviro-friendly good will—nice sentiment, ramshackle results. But a luxe repurposed chair with plush upholstery and fine wood detailing? That’s something we can get behind. $942. recreate.za.net){kind=link}
How about, NO?!
Its good when something is kept out a landfill. But $942? for this? Don’t think so. The “fine wood detailing” (you mean the legs) you can buy at Home Depot. I could see this in a second hand junk store for $50 but that’s about all.