RECREATE

Recreate with Katie Thompson

I recently met up with Katie Thompson, owner and founder of the Recreate store.  Katie’s infusion of Creativity, South African craftsmanship and complete originality are the ingredients for South Africa’s finest interior design recycle store  

Would you consider yourself a artist, designer or both? 
Both  

How was Recreate established?

I knew I would always one day work for myself. I studied Interior Design and the thought of going on my own doing purely Interior Design really did not inspire me! 

I had worked for approx 7 years in the design industry and the opportunity came up to exhibit at Decorex at the Sanlam Dream Rooms ‘Young Designers’ stand.

Three months later, in February 2009, I had resigned and started a business! I had 3 months before Decorex to think of a name, website, make products and design my stand!

Where does your inspiration come from?

From the junk people throw away, discarded items picked up on the tip and customers old sentimental treasures!

What goes into making a piece? For example your suitcase pieces?

Starting with a piece of junk (ie a broken suitcase)

I do a concept, which in turn is developed into a working design.

It is then worked on by 5 different craftsmen to ensure each individual element is complete: The steel frame is made to fit the case, a carpenter builds a timber carcass, timber legs are tuned at just the right height to ensure a comfortable seat height, the suitcase is then upholstered in a fabric chosen specifically to complement the suitcase!

Do you feel more designers are working towards being “green”? Yes, but I think it is/has become more a way of life than something we need to work towards.

Would you say Recreate is eco friendly? Yes, absolutely J

What is your trademark style?

Recreate pieces do not fall under 1 specific trademark style. The Suitcase Chairs in linen could be shabby chic. The ottoman tubs in heavy linen are a bit more chic than shabby! The Milk Bottle Lamps are just plain quirky. The Petrol Tin Lamps have an industrial feel and The Hoover lamps are rather Retro!

What has happened for you and Recreate over the last year?

Where to begin? We have only been going since Feb 2009 and already we have exhibited at Decorex CPT, Decorex JHB, Homemakers Expo, Design Indaba, will exhibit at Kamersvol Geskenke in Oct 2010, found fabulous stockists in JHB, PE, Franshoek and CT, started exporting worldwide and have just opened our very own studio in Salt River!!!!

Any A-List buyers?

Anyone that buys from us and owns a Recreate piece is surely A-list!!?!

What is a typical day in the life of Katie?

Wake up at 6:00

Snooze till 6:30

Get to studio by 7:30 if I’m lucky

Check emails

Sort through my never-ending supply of junk!

Meet with clients, phone clients, chat to customers, charm customers!

Meet with suppliers, order product parts, deliver and collect products

Clean junk

Phone mom, answer call from mom, ph mom, ph mom, ph mom again!!

Photograph completed products

Update website

Admin, admin, admin and more admin!!

What advice can you give other aspiring designers?

Don’t hesitate, just do it! But start with a (business) plan and stick to it!

More on Katie to come in the oct/nov issue of LOVECO. For more info on her store visit www.recreate.za.net.

 scale recreated into a timeless clock