NTS: Wonderful Waste - How UK Designer Turns Waste into Stylish Furniture

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Furniture/Interior/Product Designer Nina Tolstrup founded StudioMama in 2000 with partner Jack Mama, and over the past 20 years they’ve championed repurposing, repairing and upcycling with a playful and accessible approach to design. They’ve explored the potential for small footprint living in their 13m2 Cab office conversion, and the 40sqm London Townhouse, filling both with bursts of colour and upcycled furniture like their Re-Imagined chairs. Nina and Jack have created collections of animal sculpture from timber offcuts, chairs and lamps from pallets and even designed sustainable, transforming kitchen spaces for Ottolenghi.
#upcycling #sustainability #waste
Supported by @ScreenAustralia
Studio Mama - @studiomama
Nina Tolstrup & Jack Mama
Produced by New Mac Video Agency
Directed by: Colin Chee
Producer: Luke Clark
Cinematographer: Simon Davies
Editor: Jessica Ruasol
Edit Assistant: Dayna Fulvio
Music:
Be Water My Friend by Fold
A Moon Walk, Yehezkel Raz
Tilia Americana , Shahar Haziz
Rowan Hudsons Passing Ships, Pianosa
Five to One, Steve Poloni
Hypnosis, Skygaze
Night Patterns, Florian
Sugar, Skipp Whitman
Nice to Bit You, Francesco DAndrea
First Sunrise, Ardie Son
The Last Exile, Nadav Remez
Mon Amour, ANBR

[@raerae734]

I am obsessed with the chairs with the exaggerated pill-shaped cushions; and the wardrobe where the doors unwrap to create a privacy a screen. So lovely and fun and creative! I'm so grateful for creatives like this encouraging their fellow designers to challenge themselves through the use of repurposed materials, we need a greater culture of reuse and repurposing.

[@zongmuas]

I LOVE this series, from both a filmmaking and consumer perspective. The storytelling is simple, but engaging and tells a full-circle story. Seeing how "waste" can be turned into something as unique as these furniture pieces and art pieces really makes me wonder what I can do with my "waste". Truly inspiring. Can't wait for the next episode!

[@Lagaloggie]

I love this new series. It's a dialogue that needs to be jumpstarted - using design to breathe new life into old, discarded material. I'd like to think it's aligned to your name - as no effort to recycle/upcycle is Never Too Small indeed. Bravo!

[@ziraprod6090]

dialogue - haha - how hip of you.

[@kotieboatz6042]

Careful not to jump into hoarding

[@Nalanrd]

I love the idea “recyling” and I admire creative people like her who give a second, a better life to waste. Earth needs more of those people 👏🏻

[@ziraprod6090]

Big fukin deal. People have been doing this for centuries... and more creatively and not getting more than a few dollars out of it.

[@pipfox7834]

@ziraprod6090 there's no need to rain on someone else's parade, is there? Time spent putting up negative comments could be time spent doing something positive in your own life. Enjoy your day

[@nowgrownup]

​@@pipfox7834do shut up they have an opinion and as the uk is freedom of speech they can say what they want who are you to but your nose in and tell someone what type of comments they are allowed to say ..

[@gimmeymayo4999]

wow she’s right when she said their studio is where they play. I can see it through the design, so fresh and playful but still functional. I wanna work with them or do smt like this but more in timeless design . So glad she mentioned that recycled material are way more expensive than most use materials ( i would like to know more ab this! why and the solution ideas.)

[@PH4RX]

Which one of those were functional besides chairs and chairs being turned into… different chairs? The animals were cute, but pallet wood is scruffy (and sometimes still treated with pesticides) so not really usable. The reveal cabinet was wasting storage space. Nice for a gallery, impractical for normal use. The privacy screen wardrobe is a fancy idea but would you really use it on a daily basis?

[@el_micha]

@@wilmaknickersfit I guess selling product designs and designing interiors for clients. Consulting might also be part of it. These animals and pallet chairs are side projects, not primary source of income.

[@jesse7503]

I hope to be having so much fun at this age as these power couple design team! That little workshop/studio is awesome. Love how they addressed that recycled materials are often more costly than, raw new and proven materials. Most folks don’t know that though. The pallet up cycling is nothing new, but I’ve never seen it addressed so thoughtfully as these two have. Very cool and loving this new series on product design

[@el_micha]

Please mind the pallet upcycling projects were on display 2006, almost 20 years ago from now. Even then I'm positive there were other designs being made from discarded pallets. Dutch designers have a brief history with sustainable design. Piet Hein Eek's work is a good start for diving into Dutch design.

[@Fasthebaker]

Absolutely loved this episode of never too small, as a owner of an apparel brand that is personate about recycling and reused materials , and also reducing waste in our society, this was really to great watch because it inspired me to do even better

[@ulas7675]

I'm obsessed with this series! It's such a motivation and inpiration. Please keep doing these! :)

[@2shadyladies]

This is my passion. I am a fabricator in Bermuda where very few persons are DIY people so I get many good finds to re style refurbish

[@Flatability]

I'm always looking at waste in this way. When I'm cycling paste a skip, or a dumpster, I always stop and have a look. I keep some bungee cords on my bike, just in case I find something I can use. Just some input, as a paper based productivity guy, I always cut up scrap paper, junk mail, etc., and use it for writing.

[@wmattos]

What a fantastic work and vision! This is all about vision, isn't?! Seeing an eye, a tail, a chair, raw material instead of unwanted waste. Seeing a future where waste can be seen as a source for something new . Congratulations!!!! Please show us more of your work.

[@samiaafra7330]

The beautiful shelving units with yellow trim and the fabricated terrazzo-like backsplash accents in the upcycled kitchen design were stunning.

[@I_am_Lauren]

Play and creativity is such an important part of any job!

[@christill]

These days I find it hard to think of much at all good about my country, but this is definitely one of them. Great people doing awesome things.

[@sophiaisabelle01]

We will always support this channel. They're one of the best.

[@carolhathaway5168]

NTS is absolutely my favorite video series!!! But this episode was mind-blowing. Thank you so much and more please

[@francoisjarzabek1412]

Fantastic, hopefully it will be a serie of very inspiring designer like studio mama

[@a_shafy]

So far this is definitely the best content on this channel

[@MrChristiangraham]

This is just wonderful. Thank you, studiomama

[@cleza2]

I do my art with recycled items as much possible. I live in a home full of peoples discarded furniture that I have rebuilt. I understand the special unique joy in the finished piece that was someone else’s trash. My art studio inside was built from pieces of wood people just threw out on the curbs for trash pick up! Love the video … and no surprise the animals!

[@MeganOtnes]

Two designers sketching with the right hand and the left hand :,) My heart

[@pauz6864]

Loved the animals!! It is a really unique way to watch the live, also the time frame from the objects, they are really creative, it is amazing

[@thareg96]

I find in their rougher works, those not in design intended for someone else, a similarity with Tom Sachs' art. It is fun to play with unfinished looks, exposed materials or construction steps Love this new series ! Objects and furniture can be beautiful even when they are not slick, shiny, smooth, like coming out of a factory !

[@maritzanc]

Such delightful and creative professionals. Love their work.😍😍

[@wildlifegardenssydney7492]

This is such an important, fun, thoughtful series about sustainability…….I love it so much. Loving the playful and thought processes …… lovely sustainable solutions couple here. Every word was a gem in a sea of glass. Beautifully crafted, shot film too.

[@mariejacobs9721]

Brilliant! I am a DIYer, and i reuse what I can. What you do is taking upcycling to the next level. Well done!!

[@SprayArtNYC]

We want more episodes like this ❤️

[@nevertoosmall]

We've got more coming for you!

[@marvinraphaelmonfort8289]

i love that little purple house they made! and those animals are so cute 💜 they are such a cool couple, too!

[@mariabanholzer5960]

Much love from South of France, Marseilles. What a wonderful creative couple you are!!!!!🥰

[@Nancy-tr5fi]

They are so skilled. They are fascinating. Great designs. They both dress in quite unusual fashion. I keep thinking she wears pajamas as day wear. They are delightful.

[@nikosbsas]

They are cuter the 2 of them, they make a beautiful creative couple! Greetings from Tandil Argentina!

[@konjocrochet]

Cree Summer is a straight bad gyal. So happy I watched/listened to this. Large up Freddie forever!

[@tamarasurnina_renovation]

That is absolutely amazing! Such an inspiration!!! Thank you for sharing this!❤❤❤ The more people thinking like this - the more we can all see that we're a community of Earth and we are not alone🙌

[@hotelierid9029]

The chairs and their cabinet with a lot of different box sizes, I loved it.

[@paulafigueiredo7834]

Amazing!! Amazinly beautiful and a demonstration of how far and long we go when we put mind and effort at service of principles! I will surely multiply and share the video and inniciative!!

[@the_dad_library]

really enjoyed this episode, I have an old chair lying in my storage room, can't want to see what I can do with it to give it a new sense on life

[@startpage717]

This is another that I absolutely LOVE and will also follow on Instagram. Just PerrrrrFect!

[@uhpenyen4291]

I am loving this new series!

[@cham9984]

Thanks so much for this series, it’s absolutely hopeful and builds my own passion toward engaging in sustainable practices!

[@veronikagattinger8448]

That was so fun to watch, I love Studio Mama 🙂

[@upsnerch]

This is exactly what I'm doing! I'm glad the idea of waste as a valuable, cheap and abundant resource is popping up everywhere. It's so inspiring to see other's interpretations of materials as well!

[@susanneerker3266]

What available work that is. Gifted people are that, thank you for showing ❤❤❤

[@charlottehall5191]

Love the wardrobe with privacy screens

[@q2_20]

I truly believe we mostly have everything we need already on the planet created by past generations and that finding a innovative ways to reuse, upcycle and reinterpret these items is the new norm and the future will be a service-based economy instead of manufacturing.

[@juanlugofitness]

Super fun to watch. Thanks so much for making.

[@cliffordl.4022]

I love these designers and their creativity. It's inspirational.

[@lizcollyns4082]

I'd buy one of those quirky pallet wood animals

[@accordionbabe]

Brilliant features! Love this series.

[@DokterKattenbakvulling]

Top notch episode!

[@kolitiokada9825]

Hey Studio Mama! Love your designs created with overlooked & discarded items! Bravo!!!

[@marijabu]

I utterly love all of this.

[@rlboeira]

I really love the sensibility and the serenity you transmit with your work. Thanks you for sharing this ideal. Congratulations for the vídeo and mainly for your inspiring work.

[@maurawhelan3530]

Very interesting. I constantly see pallets cast aside and think what a waste…thank you

[@beouter]

So inspiring ! I Love this series.

[@buttercuplove4030]

as a design product student , i am truly inspired❤️ thank you thank you !!! pls keep doing this series

[@chilli_bean_23]

Fantastic, so creative and inspiring. Well done Studio Mama and series producers.👏👏👏

[@cathyphegley7848]

We need the will to make these radical changes…..AMEN!💕🙏

[@choosehope8729]

They are artists that create functional art❤

[@theresamoffatt501]

As always!..beautiful and insightful. kudos🙌

[@marijaparlov2101]

You are lovely people, you could acctually save this planet

[@sandfang]

that’s wonderful, and in interaction with those materials, having to use what’s there, creativity flows!

[@gustavoaimar8927]

Hermoso e inspirador capítulo!! 🤩🙌

[@sunjin_tim]

How inspiring. ❤

[@catnation6321]

I speak the very same words. Literally. I wish I could channel it too, in a global scale.

[@neva.2764]

That test kitchen!! 😍😍

[@shrinivas.a]

Totally inspired ! such a relevant conversation to be had between todays designers and the consumers alike.

[@klgherkin]

Wonderful! And am I understanding right that these two probably started the craze of pallet furniture? I loved seeing how they interacted with each other too, with so much love and tenderness.

[@DavidandPaula]

Incredibly inspiring 👏

[@joellaycock2735]

What a fun and inspiring episode 🏆

[@giorgiaveneziano4054]

Stunning people!!

[@ediesheridan7732]

Excellent! I like your work and ideas so I'm on board.

[@RHYTHMgirlMo]

YES!!! Excellent!

[@patwhite9286]

Can’t wait for more.

[@merjanaarellano953]

Hello..since i watch ur videos..i love all ur designs coz u used the things that they thrown away and i inspired very much all ye works..

[@winromeo]

So inspiring!

[@TheSushmaHomeSellingTeam]

Stylish furniture like that can leave a lasting impression on guests and visitors specially when they how how you created it. 😉💯.

[@brucecpaine4597]

I am so inspired - there is so much to think about and do - a way forward, thank you

[@grafxgrl8030]

Like waste is not negative, 30 is not late.

[@enriquer.aguilar8491]

Thank you for inspiring me !

[@magdamendes869]

Thank you for this 😊

[@paulinagc6986]

This is so inspiring

[@ashlynch8181]

I love this series and it really inspired me to get working on building my own workshop. I picked up some broken garden chairs and now I'm repairing them :) It mentions a 6 episode series but there are only 3 episodes that showcase designers. Are there more to come? Can't wait!!

[@nevertoosmall]

There are more to come :-)

[@fernandotabora]

love the video! thank you

[@lindadinhobl1179]

lovely!

[@saulyance]

INSPIRING!!! ❤

[@3r4nd0]

Since I watch this episode I cannot stop thinking about it, I do exactly what they do but the difference is that they managed to turn it into a business, I have created endless things from things I found in the streets and usually I have to give it to my friends or I keep the best ones, I would love to go to their workshop and just have a look around and maybe create something with them, that would be pretty cool, I wonder what they would think about the things I have made

[@FullmoonGB]

👏 Great I love what you do !!! So funny because i do also ... Great I can watch someone that has almost the same.. Love it keep on doing it !!! 👍💯

[@efamado]

Cool!!

[@artvek]

thanks!

[@annepoitrineau5650]

So inspirational, thank you.

[@fernandotrevinocastro1018]

I am the memed friend that always keep all the broken chairs and stuff my friends throw away, to me the true waste is thrashing a perfectly good set of chair legs just because the backrest broke. This made me feel seen, i need a workshop

[@vyvienvp3413]

Wonderful you! X:)

[@agatarek_pl]

Love it❤

[@butchvictor6509]

WOW!!!

[@alexwebster9403]

She needs to teaach a class! I would love how to learn how to this!

[@ilgaredazila4481]

I love the idea

[@spotterofgold]

Hm. They strongly resemble--physically, as well as philosophically--Ray and Charles Eames, Thanks for a great video, NTS!

[@iliapetrovic3582]

In these days where you see so many horrible things, isn’t it lovely to see people making good sustainable design, helping others rather than for pure profit as in the pallet chairs that are now being made in Mexican slums and the designers having fun while doing it.

[@melikeceliktas237]

I fall in love❣

[@chetleonard169]

lovely work. the gal loved her attention yes? Good.