Kellerwerk Smart Designs of Reuse

Upcycling which means recycling old things to let them live again with a new design is a hot topic in Vienna nowadays. Kellerwerk owners, Romana Fürst and Sascha Johannik, have dedicated themselves to the prominent subject matter of sustainability. The idea itself was born on a trip through Africa, during which Sascha learned that old does not equal dispensable and new cannot always just be bought. Designing something new based on something old, supposedly useless, is what their hearts are burning for ever since.

Who doesn't love a good patina, the kind that will inevitably appear on a good leather bag. But when patina turns into tatter, one might have to give up reluctantly. Or that old armchair handed on by your grandparents, would you really want that to end up with the bulk waste? It might be worth having the people of Kellerwerk take a look at it and possibly have them make something new of it. Or let them refurbish something old and, with a few twists, make it look contemporary again. This way, you get truly unique pieces according to your very own ideas.

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Almost anything can be reused by this creative team and displayed at their large showroom on Gumpendorfer Straße, with an all new look. During my visit, I discovered lovely notebooks made from recycled leather scraps, vintage armchairs with sanded and oiled wooden armrests, patchwork pillows and so much more. This store offers many an extraordinary gift or even a treat for your own home. Everything is designed in Vienna, handmade or refined.

First hand experiences have taught the two furniture makers how hard it can be to find just the right space to display your own collection, especially during the early stages of your career. That is why, every now and then, they open their doors to young promising talents to offer them a showroom for noteworthy new fashion or exceptional art objects.