0:00:03 > 0:00:05What are you chucking out today then?
0:00:06 > 0:00:09How do you make money for nothing?
0:00:09 > 0:00:11Don't throw them, don't throw them.
0:00:11 > 0:00:16The answer could be hiding in the 30 million tonnes of household waste
0:00:16 > 0:00:18we throw out every year.
0:00:18 > 0:00:19Thanks so much for letting me have that.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22I think that's absolutely made my day. I love it.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25That's why entrepreneur Sarah Moore wants to get her hands
0:00:25 > 0:00:27on things before they hit the skip.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34I'm a passionate buyer, maker and user of old stuff
0:00:34 > 0:00:37and I've turned that passion into a moneymaking business.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40I make new stuff out of old stuff and I sell it for a profit.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46And with some of the country's elite designers and makers...
0:00:46 > 0:00:49- What do you reckon to that? - It's quite smart, isn't it?
0:00:49 > 0:00:50- Tell me you love it.- I love it.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53..she can transform her finds into desirable...
0:00:53 > 0:00:55Isn't it amazing?
0:00:55 > 0:00:57..valuable...
0:00:57 > 0:00:59It's quite a statement piece.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01..and hopefully saleable items.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05- I'll take you down to the till, that's fantastic.- OK, fantastic.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09If Sarah is successful, then she can hand the profits back to the very
0:01:09 > 0:01:13people who had no idea there was cash to be made from their trash.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16Wow, that's amazing!
0:01:27 > 0:01:29Welcome to Walsall Recycling Centre.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33A nonstop hive of activity.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39Sarah's on a mission to turn trash...into hard cash.
0:01:40 > 0:01:45I love rummaging through the bin bags and the boots and the boxes.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48And making money for nothing - that's just a bonus.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55But before you make a beeline for your local tip, take note -
0:01:55 > 0:01:59Sarah's been given special permission to seek out three items
0:01:59 > 0:02:03that she can rejuvenate, re-purpose and sell on for a profit.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07Although he doesn't know it yet, first to offer up possibilities
0:02:07 > 0:02:11is Alan, arriving with some comfortable seating.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14- Ooh, hi.- Hi.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16You've got some interesting looking things in there.
0:02:16 > 0:02:17What are you throwing out?
0:02:17 > 0:02:20Just stuff from my late mother-in-law's house.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24OK, that sounds like a big job. Are you clearing out lots of stuff?
0:02:24 > 0:02:29Not too much, not too much but just some of the bulky heavy stuff.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32It's a shame in a way but we don't really know where else to take it
0:02:32 > 0:02:34- other than a tip so...- No, you definitely get to that stage.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36I'd love to have a look at it.
0:02:36 > 0:02:37- Is there any chance I can see? - Yes, yes.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46- Wow, it's quite cool, isn't it? - HE CHUCKLES
0:02:46 > 0:02:49- There's a similar designed one that's all leather as well.- Really?
0:02:49 > 0:02:53With these two wingback chairs she could be onto something good here.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56A pair of chairs. How exciting.
0:02:56 > 0:02:57Well done. Wow.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04I have to say, that both those chairs are really interesting
0:03:04 > 0:03:06cos they're old, they're chunky...
0:03:06 > 0:03:07In a way, I am glad they're going to be reused
0:03:07 > 0:03:11cos they just seem too good to throw out but they're just so big
0:03:11 > 0:03:13in a small bungalow, which is where she is.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16If I could take those two chairs and then if I manage to do
0:03:16 > 0:03:19- something with them, could I come and show you what I've done?- Yeah.
0:03:19 > 0:03:20That would be lovely.
0:03:22 > 0:03:23Lovely indeed.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28Sarah has her first find in the bag and has roped the guys
0:03:28 > 0:03:30from the tip in to help.
0:03:30 > 0:03:31Good work, lads.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36But what does Alan think Sarah will get up to with his chairs?
0:03:36 > 0:03:40I don't know. It's... It makes me think, really.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42I presume it's not going to be just recycled as furniture
0:03:42 > 0:03:43but as something else,
0:03:43 > 0:03:46so it will be interesting to see what happens to them.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49I'll just tell you if they're comfortable because that is the key.
0:03:49 > 0:03:50Ah, yeah.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53Actually, that's got IKEA written on the back
0:03:53 > 0:03:55so it's not as old as you think it is.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57Everyone's a comedian.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01Very comfortable but the look they have at the moment is just...
0:04:01 > 0:04:02It's not going to go into everybody's house
0:04:02 > 0:04:06and I want to make them commercial, saleable and expensive.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09And given the style of them, this needs a specialist upholsterer.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11This is going to have to go to somebody who really knows
0:04:11 > 0:04:13what they're doing, who can cope
0:04:13 > 0:04:15with the fact that there's wood and fabric.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17I've got just the person in mind.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24Meet Ray Clarke - upholsterer extraordinaire.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27Ray made a name for himself in the world of fashion design
0:04:27 > 0:04:31before discovering his love of vintage furniture.
0:04:31 > 0:04:37His fresh, modern designs mix practicality, comfort and luxury.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41I never intended to become, like, an upholsterer at the beginning.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44It wasn't the thing I set out to do.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47I suppose you could say upholstery found me.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54With my creative background in fashion design and textile design,
0:04:54 > 0:04:57I was able to use those skills and redirect them
0:04:57 > 0:04:58and now this is all I do.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02I just give birth to chairs, and I love them, yeah.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09But will it be love at first sight when Ray claps eyes on these two?
0:05:16 > 0:05:19That's one find ready to be transformed.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25Now time for Sarah to find a little project for herself.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27Just wondering if I'd like earrings is made out of these.
0:05:27 > 0:05:28What do you think?
0:05:29 > 0:05:34Hopefully John and his magic carpets will be just the ticket.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37- Have you got somebody rolled up in the middle of there?- No, no.
0:05:37 > 0:05:38Isn't that lovely?
0:05:39 > 0:05:43I really like your carpet. I like the back of it.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45What kind of nick is it in? Is it...
0:05:45 > 0:05:47It's got chunks out of it where it had to be fitted
0:05:47 > 0:05:49around radiators and things like that.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53OK. But it's a lovely old carpet, isn't it? It's...
0:05:54 > 0:05:56It's beautiful.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58I'm going to go have a look at the other one while you're at it.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03- Wow.- You are getting excited, Sarah.
0:06:05 > 0:06:06Go on, then.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08She does love a good find.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11I think that I like that one more than that one.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13I think it's cos I've got a few ideas about
0:06:13 > 0:06:14what I might do with some carpet.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17I think it's just beautiful. I really love this.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20I think I'm going to pop this one back in the recycling.
0:06:20 > 0:06:21I can do an end.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25No, I think you need manpower.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28With some more manpower from the chaps at the tip,
0:06:28 > 0:06:31Sarah nabs one of John's rugs.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37But does he have any idea what she might do with it?
0:06:37 > 0:06:39Not really, no. Not at all.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42I'm with you, John. Help us out, Sarah.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46Well, I am super pleased to have discovered this because I think
0:06:46 > 0:06:49this carpet would have been really valuable when it was made.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53It is obviously really good quality and you can see from the back
0:06:53 > 0:06:54that it's so well-made.
0:06:57 > 0:07:02Sarah is flying high on her magic carpet find.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04But with the day drawing to a close,
0:07:04 > 0:07:07she still needs to bag her final item.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11Right on cue, David and his son Matt
0:07:11 > 0:07:14appear for an evening trip to the tip.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17And they've got a tonne of timber.
0:07:18 > 0:07:23- Hi.- Hello.- What is that and what's it doing here?
0:07:23 > 0:07:26This is a Victorian, solid mahogany wardrobe.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29- That weighs a tonne, no doubt. - It does, yes.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32Have you got all the bits that make it into the wardrobe?
0:07:32 > 0:07:34- Every single bit.- It's amazing. So, why has it ended up here?
0:07:34 > 0:07:36- Is it yours?- Cos we're moving house.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Right. And have you had it a long time? Was it in the family or...
0:07:39 > 0:07:42No, no. Bought it in Stafford 20 years ago, 30 years ago.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44It looks useful.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47- The right size.- You can have it. Do you want it?- I want it.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49HE SNIGGERS
0:07:49 > 0:07:52I'm going to really regret this cos I know it's really heavy.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54I'm going to be moving this around forever.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58- If I get hold of it, it may not end up as a wardrobe.- Great, great.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01- You can do whatever you want. - Really?- Yeah.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03OK. And it's all solid wood, isn't it?
0:08:03 > 0:08:05OK, let's see the rest of it then.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10I believe our Sarah is most excited about this one.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12That's right, that's nice, I like that.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16I've just realised what it's in.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18I was so busy looking at the wardrobe,
0:08:18 > 0:08:20I didn't realise it was in a car!
0:08:20 > 0:08:22Sorry, I was mesmerised.
0:08:22 > 0:08:23And more of the wardrobe
0:08:23 > 0:08:27just keeps appearing out of David's Tardis-like vehicle.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30Let's get it out of your car and into my van
0:08:30 > 0:08:34and I will do my best to make something beautiful out of it.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37Or at least you know a man who will.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40It's a really nice bit of, you know, really nice bit of woodwork.
0:08:40 > 0:08:45And is David happy for Sarah to be radical with his old wardrobe?
0:08:45 > 0:08:47I'd be delighted if she could do something with it.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51There is so much potential here.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54And some of the detail, it's absolutely beautiful.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56I know who to take it to,
0:08:56 > 0:08:58I just don't know what they're going to do with it.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08With over 25 years of experience building furniture,
0:09:08 > 0:09:11if you've got wood, Norman Wilkinson is your man.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14I love the timber, I love the finishing of it,
0:09:14 > 0:09:18I love the product, it's everything that makes me tick.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20Yeah, there is a passion for it because there is no point
0:09:20 > 0:09:23getting up in the morning and not doing something you don't like.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25Coming in and then picking up the wood
0:09:25 > 0:09:28and then turn into something lovely, you know, makes me happy.
0:09:28 > 0:09:33Norman's passion is creating handmade bespoke furniture
0:09:33 > 0:09:35from reclaimed and unwanted materials.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39And also using second-hand materials, it's a great joy.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43The old saying, isn't it? One man's rubbish is another man's...
0:09:44 > 0:09:45Can't think of the saying now!
0:09:47 > 0:09:51Luckily, Norman will have a say of what becomes of the wardrobe
0:09:51 > 0:09:54and with that, Sarah has all she needs.
0:09:54 > 0:09:59I really love the eclectic mixture of items that I've gathered today.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01I've got huge potential to transform them into things
0:10:01 > 0:10:05that are fabulous and make some money for nothing.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08So, Sarah's fab day's work at the
0:10:08 > 0:10:11dump gives us a three-piece treat.
0:10:11 > 0:10:12Ray Clarke will take charge
0:10:12 > 0:10:14of Alan's pair of chairs.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17Norman Wilkinson will wrestle
0:10:17 > 0:10:19with David's rickety wardrobe.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22And Sarah will come up with
0:10:22 > 0:10:24a strategy for John's old carpet.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37These days, the streets of East London team with creative
0:10:37 > 0:10:40businesses and design know-how.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44It's here Ray practises the sport of extreme upholstery.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47And he's one of our top players.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49Oh, Sarah is coming today.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52Um, yeah, I wonder what she's going to bring.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54It's almost like you're in goal and you've got to be prepared
0:10:54 > 0:10:57for a shot from any angle, do you know what I mean?
0:10:57 > 0:10:59From someone taking the penalty. It's like...
0:10:59 > 0:11:02Yeah, sorry about the football analogy.
0:11:03 > 0:11:08No worries, Ray. Good to know you are poised and ready for kick-off.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11Normally, weight is a benchmark for quality.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14This is definitely heavy but if it's quality, I'm not sure.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16I'm hoping that between the pair of chairs,
0:11:16 > 0:11:20we're going to be able to create something really lovely.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22And Ray is going to take up the challenge.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28- Ray, how are you? How are you doing? - Good to see you.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31- I've got a couple of little... - Oh.- I'm not going to say beauties.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33I've got a couple of little chairs for you.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36Any chance you can give me a hand? This one is really heavy. Hold on.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39Is that all right up there?
0:11:40 > 0:11:43- There she goes.- Lovely.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48So, these two came into the tip as a pair but
0:11:48 > 0:11:50they don't have to stay together.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53I'd much rather work on this one, to be honest, than this one, I think.
0:11:53 > 0:11:58- OK, well...- Simply because this one has got a lot more character.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01The orange chair will be put aside
0:12:01 > 0:12:04so Ray can concentrate on the black one.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09I did wonder about just really making it pack a punch.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11Well, actually, Sarah,
0:12:11 > 0:12:16truth to tell, I've been kind of developing my own fabric.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18- Really? - Or trying to design my own fabric.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20- That's a new thing for you, isn't it?- Yes. Completely.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22What kind of fabric is it?
0:12:22 > 0:12:24The fabric is based on different
0:12:24 > 0:12:27types of New World and Old World monkeys.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29Are you going to be able to nail it in time to get it on here?
0:12:29 > 0:12:30I think so.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33It sounds like, to me, you're going to pour your heart and soul
0:12:33 > 0:12:34into this little chair.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37It will be a work of art.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43Ray is dreaming big but what will his time and materials cost?
0:12:43 > 0:12:48We're looking at around 800-850 mark. Somewhere between there.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50OK. If I can leave you chiselling away at the cost?
0:12:50 > 0:12:53If I leave you around £800, I love the idea of the monkeys.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56It's going to rock, it's going to rock.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58- Go for it, OK?- Yeah, thank you. - Take care!
0:12:58 > 0:13:01Thank you very much. Yes! Yes.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05I think he's pretty happy with this project.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09Well, that chair sounds like it's going to look amazing
0:13:09 > 0:13:12and I don't want to hamper Ray's creativity so I think saying yes
0:13:12 > 0:13:16to a load of monkey business all over is definitely the way to go.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18And I think I'm going to have
0:13:18 > 0:13:21a little chance of making a bit of profit, fingers crossed.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25This is awesome. Oh, sorry, it's very difficult to...
0:13:25 > 0:13:28to contain my emotions, I'm sorry.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30No apology needed.
0:13:32 > 0:13:37Ray has a big budget of around £800 to remake that chair but he's
0:13:37 > 0:13:42never created a new fabric for upholstery before, so Sarah
0:13:42 > 0:13:44is taking a risk on this one.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56The leafy East Sussex village of Hellingly, near Hailsham,
0:13:56 > 0:14:01is home to furniture aficionado Norman and he's full of optimism.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04I think it's going to be great fun just to see what we've got to do
0:14:04 > 0:14:06and let's take it from there
0:14:06 > 0:14:09and see what we can actually achieve with the project.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13Norman has a passion for bringing quality but dated wooden furniture
0:14:13 > 0:14:15back to life.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19Be it teak, beech or pine, Norman's the last chance saviour
0:14:19 > 0:14:23for timber that would otherwise be heading for the tip.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26And it's a good thing too because Sarah is bring him
0:14:26 > 0:14:29that mountain of mahogany wardrobe.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32I have no idea how to put this thing back together.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34It's just like the biggest jigsaw.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36Plenty of it to work with those, isn't there?
0:14:39 > 0:14:42- Norman? Hello.- Hi, Sarah. How are you?- Yeah, really well.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45- How are you doing? - Yeah, nice to see you again.
0:14:48 > 0:14:49Right, let's get this one out.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53Now that's all inside, what's the plan?
0:14:53 > 0:14:56Often I have this massive vision about how something will end up.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00This, there's just so much of it, so much potential,
0:15:00 > 0:15:03it's just a case of finding what would you really want to do with it?
0:15:03 > 0:15:06- I'm thinking maybe a locker. - OK, so you're saying locker.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08So we're talking about leaving it up right like this?
0:15:08 > 0:15:10Leaving it up right as it is.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12If we keep the drawers in because people love drawers
0:15:12 > 0:15:15and they're always so functional, so we leave the drawers in.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18- Shall we stick them in?- Yeah, let's stick them in and see where we go.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20OK, let's have that bit.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24Norman will concentrate on renovating the main body
0:15:24 > 0:15:26of the wardrobe.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30He thinks it could become a much more contemporary storage unit.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34Because it's quite deep, we could slice it back a fraction
0:15:34 > 0:15:35so it gives it the proportion.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39Then we could put in three doors maybe and then keep them
0:15:39 > 0:15:40individual little compartments
0:15:40 > 0:15:45and then put a plinth back on it, make a nice little cornice for it.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48It sounds like it's quite a complicated process.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50Do you think it will chuck up any problems?
0:15:50 > 0:15:53I think the only problem we'll have is once we decide where we
0:15:53 > 0:15:57are going to cut it, you know, we have one go and one go only.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59And if we get it wrong, we'll be sticking things
0:15:59 > 0:16:01back on all over the place.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04That doesn't sound completely ideal.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06Measure twice, cut once. Golden rule.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09OK, I can see that you've got a very clear vision about how
0:16:09 > 0:16:13this is going to look and I am happy to say to hand it over to you.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17But what sort of budget will Norman need for this bold venture?
0:16:17 > 0:16:20To get that into how I think it's going to look fantastic,
0:16:20 > 0:16:23I think it's going to cost you 375.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25I think I'm going to make some money on that.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28Yeah, I think you will as well. It's going to look great.
0:16:28 > 0:16:29Absolutely superb. Thank you.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33So, our Norm will get cracking,
0:16:33 > 0:16:36making sure to measure twice before he cuts any corners.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42That massive wardrobe is going to get a massive transformation.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44I love the idea that Norman's come up with
0:16:44 > 0:16:46and he knows this business.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48It's going to be an exciting project.
0:16:48 > 0:16:53And I think, let's get on with it and see how we get on. Fantastic.
0:16:53 > 0:16:58Fantastic, yes. Norman has a budget of £375
0:16:58 > 0:17:02but converting that broken down wardrobe into a modern
0:17:02 > 0:17:07and useful storage unit might challenge even his carpentry skills.
0:17:21 > 0:17:26In the leafy Sussex countryside, Sarah is at home in her farmhouse.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30And you better feel like dancing cos she's thinking of cutting a rug.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32It fits perfectly, doesn't it?
0:17:32 > 0:17:35It's actually quite a nice carpet but I've got plans.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38I thought I might make a set of luggage out of it.
0:17:39 > 0:17:44Sarah could make a carpet bag from it but now she is having a closer
0:17:44 > 0:17:48look at the rug, maybe she has already bagged something unexpected.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50It's got a really fine weave to it.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54I think that it might be some kind of wool or silk mix to it.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58I think it's handmade. I don't think I can cut it up.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01Certainly not without taking it to somebody who really knows what
0:18:01 > 0:18:05they're talking about, cos that's not me!
0:18:05 > 0:18:08Completely change your plans, why don't you? Sheesh!
0:18:09 > 0:18:13So, Sarah is heading for auction house Bellmans in
0:18:13 > 0:18:15Wisborough Green, West Sussex,
0:18:15 > 0:18:21where auctioneer Jonathan Pratt should be able to advise on the rug.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23- Jonathan, lovely to see you. - Hello, Sarah.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26I've got a little something you might be able to help me with.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28Gosh, let's take that off you. Get the other end.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30Uh! Thank you.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34Auction houses can offer valuation services to anyone looking to put
0:18:34 > 0:18:37antique items up for sale.
0:18:37 > 0:18:42With 20 years in the trade, Jonathan is just the man to tell Sarah
0:18:42 > 0:18:45if she's onto something with her bit of old carpet.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47Um... Quite nice.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51It's quite a nice carpet, actually. It's very obviously Persian.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54Looking at the style of it and the colours, it's...
0:18:54 > 0:18:57Well, you want it to be antique at the very best,
0:18:57 > 0:19:00early part of the 20th century. It's getting close to that.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02Stylewise, it looks like it's like West Persia.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06What I need to look for on here is signs of wear and discolouration.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10Jonathan thinks it's a genuine Persian rug.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13What you're saying, this is really bringing it to life for me.
0:19:13 > 0:19:18But what sort of sale estimate would Jonathan put on it at auction?
0:19:18 > 0:19:21I'd reckon potentially between £200-£400.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24- Really?- Potentially, yeah. Certainly...
0:19:24 > 0:19:26Would you like to get off my rug, sir?
0:19:26 > 0:19:29Yeah, that's valuable, Jonathan.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32Can my tip-find rug come here and stand a chance of selling?
0:19:32 > 0:19:34Yeah, absolutely. I really believe it can.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36I'm joining you down the tip, I can tell you!
0:19:36 > 0:19:39It's amazing down there. It's really good, isn't it?
0:19:39 > 0:19:41It is good, Sarah, yes.
0:19:41 > 0:19:46Jonathan will put the Persian beauty in his next appropriate auction.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49- Brilliant, I can't wait. - Thank you. OK, bye.
0:19:49 > 0:19:50I take my hat off to her. What a find.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52She's obviously got a very good eye.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55On the whole, it has great potential.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58With no outlay on materials for this little project,
0:19:58 > 0:20:03Sarah is in with a chance of profit but will that rug that was headed
0:20:03 > 0:20:06for the skip really live up to its potential at auction?
0:20:13 > 0:20:15Back in busy East London,
0:20:15 > 0:20:18Ray is hard at work on the wingbacked armchair.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20In fact, he seems to have ripped it to bits.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26I've basically gone a bit nuts on the chair!
0:20:26 > 0:20:28I've stripped it back down to bare wood
0:20:28 > 0:20:31so I can get it prepared for a new colour, a wood stain.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38Ray needs to remove all of the chair's dated upholstery
0:20:38 > 0:20:43and strip the wooden frame before he can begin to modernise it.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47He's got a big budget of around £800 to do that, but time is money
0:20:47 > 0:20:51and this is a seriously time-consuming job.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57I hate it when they snap off!
0:20:58 > 0:21:03It takes great patience and some determination as well.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06Oh! Snaps off!
0:21:07 > 0:21:10Great patience, yeah.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15Ray's also been hard at work on the real stars of this piece -
0:21:15 > 0:21:17his menagerie of monkeys.
0:21:17 > 0:21:22I've just looked up certain types of monkeys and just illustrated them.
0:21:22 > 0:21:27His signature fabric will be printed up from his monkey sketches.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30Because of the types of monkeys I've chosen as well, it'll give me an
0:21:30 > 0:21:35opportunity to maybe explore colour in quite a vast range.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39So you've got the gold of the tamarin here,
0:21:39 > 0:21:42then you go on to the red howler.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45And then there's a black howler as well.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48So, hopefully, this will be more of a surprise for Sarah
0:21:48 > 0:21:49when she gets to see this
0:21:49 > 0:21:51cos I really didn't have a chance to show her.
0:21:52 > 0:21:57His final designs will be sent to a fabric printing company to be
0:21:57 > 0:21:59transferred onto a velvety fabric.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05Obviously, I want the print process to go quite well to capture
0:22:05 > 0:22:09all the definition, but I'm also asking a tall order
0:22:09 > 0:22:13because asking for the illustrations to go into a pile fabric
0:22:13 > 0:22:17as opposed to just a plain, flat fabric so there may be
0:22:17 > 0:22:21some compromise I might have to make at some point, but we'll see.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24It's getting me all lumpy in the throat as well at the moment,
0:22:24 > 0:22:25I'm that excited.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30Ray is passionate about his monkey designs
0:22:30 > 0:22:33but he still has a lot of work to do on that chair.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36Once his labour costs are factored in,
0:22:36 > 0:22:39can he really manage to deliver it on Sarah's budget?
0:22:50 > 0:22:53Back in Hellingly in the East Sussex countryside,
0:22:53 > 0:22:57Norman is about to tackle the enormous mahogany wardrobe
0:22:57 > 0:23:01and he's keenly aware that Sarah's left him a challenging job.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06Like, in Victorian times, they could spend a year making
0:23:06 > 0:23:08a piece of furniture and it wouldn't matter.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11But, you know, like with us, we have got a certain limit
0:23:11 > 0:23:14and we have to work to it so we're a bit more under pressure.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17You know, that's modern day for you - pressure, pressure, pressure.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22To keep his labour costs within Sarah's budget,
0:23:22 > 0:23:25Norman needs to work fast but carefully.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29I think as long as we think about what we're doing, we should be OK.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31You know, one of those ones!
0:23:31 > 0:23:34It's like we always say - measure twice, cut once.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38I've heard that somewhere before, Norman.
0:23:38 > 0:23:43He plans to cut the bulky wardrobe down to more manageable proportions.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46First of all, he's removing the back panel.
0:23:49 > 0:23:50The screws do not want to come out.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53Or at least, he's trying.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55I think I might have to get a hacksaw on here.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00Bingo. That's that one.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02Oh, dear.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07The mahogany wardrobe is made from a tropical hardwood - a popular
0:24:07 > 0:24:12material used for quality furniture back when this was made,
0:24:12 > 0:24:14which was quite a while ago.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17This is the problem sometimes of using reclaimed
0:24:17 > 0:24:21and you can't get the screws out so we have to make the decision on,
0:24:21 > 0:24:25if we can't save it then we might just put a new back on it.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29Yeah, that one's snapped as well so...just this one now.
0:24:32 > 0:24:33Uh!
0:24:33 > 0:24:36But with a little bit of elbow grease...
0:24:38 > 0:24:43That's all right, we haven't snapped the joints so we are in business.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45..the back comes off relatively cleanly.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48Excellent. Very good news.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50The dilemma now is that it's too wide.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53I've got to decide on how much we're actually going to cut off it.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55And that is a tricky question.
0:24:55 > 0:24:56Nearly.
0:24:58 > 0:24:59I mean, there's only
0:24:59 > 0:25:00a half inch in it, an inch.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04That can be quite critical.
0:25:05 > 0:25:06Know what I mean?
0:25:06 > 0:25:10I've no idea what you are referring to, Norman.
0:25:10 > 0:25:11I'm going to take 4.5 inches off.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14That decision made,
0:25:14 > 0:25:18it's nearly time to fire up Norman's circular table saw.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22That should make short work of cutting the wardrobe down to size,
0:25:22 > 0:25:25but he's only got one chance to get it right.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27I've just got to make sure when I cut it,
0:25:27 > 0:25:29I don't wobble off the line and things like that.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32- Let's not talk about it. - HE LAUGHS
0:25:32 > 0:25:34Good luck, Norman.
0:25:36 > 0:25:37I can hardly watch.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45They could have done with being slightly higher.
0:25:45 > 0:25:46I'm going to do it again.
0:25:47 > 0:25:52What was the golden rule, Norman? Measure once, cut twice, was it?
0:25:56 > 0:25:59This mahogany monster looks like it has a long way to go
0:25:59 > 0:26:02before Sarah has anything worth selling.
0:26:14 > 0:26:19In Wisborough Green, West Sussex, it's sale day at the auction house.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23And Sarah's Persian rug is about to go under the hammer.
0:26:24 > 0:26:29Now its fate is in the hands of today's auctioneer, Simon Garner.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33We have, I think, between 30, 40 rugs for sale every month.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36It will sell, I'm confident.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40Sarah thought she might have spotted a quality weave
0:26:40 > 0:26:43but will any of the buyers at the sale want to snap it up?
0:26:43 > 0:26:49Lot 970A is this Kashan carpet. Early 20th century one...
0:26:52 > 0:26:56When Sarah met John, he was about to unload a roll of unwanted rug.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58It's got chunks out of it where it had to be
0:26:58 > 0:27:01- fitted around radiators and things like that.- OK.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03Sarah loved it but did John
0:27:03 > 0:27:06have ideas on what fate might await his rug?
0:27:06 > 0:27:09Not really, no. Not at all.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11Well, he will soon find out
0:27:11 > 0:27:14because the rug has now been successfully sold at auction.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22Sarah is on her way to see John and fill him in on what became of it.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28- Hello, Sarah! - John, lovely to see you again.
0:27:28 > 0:27:29Yes, nice to see you again.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31- Are you well?- Yeah, very well, thank you. You?- Yes, very well.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34I said when I met you at the tip that I'd really like
0:27:34 > 0:27:36to keep in touch with any progress on your rug.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38So I had scissors poised ready
0:27:38 > 0:27:40to cut it up to make it into carpet bags
0:27:40 > 0:27:42and there was this little voice inside me saying,
0:27:42 > 0:27:44"I'm not sure that I should do that,"
0:27:44 > 0:27:48because I'm not a rug expert but I do have a friend who is.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50And so I bundled up your rug
0:27:50 > 0:27:54and I took it to the local auction house and let Jonathan,
0:27:54 > 0:27:57who runs the auction house, have a look at it for me.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59- So he put it into auction for us. - Oh, right.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01I would never have expected that.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04So it did sell and I've got the profit here.
0:28:04 > 0:28:10I have got £381.60 for you.
0:28:10 > 0:28:14I would've never imagined that! That's amazing.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17Is that a bit of a surprise then?
0:28:17 > 0:28:22A massive surprise. I'm amazed it's this much money.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24That's amazing. Thank you very much.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26I don't think I'm going to throw anything away again!
0:28:26 > 0:28:28What are you going to do with that sort of money?
0:28:28 > 0:28:32A friend of mine's wife has been very poorly.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35She's only in her 30s and she got quite a nasty illness.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38She's now in a wheelchair and they've just put a stairlift
0:28:38 > 0:28:42into her house so I'm going to give it to them.
0:28:42 > 0:28:46That will be absolutely fantastic. You know, I couldn't be happier.
0:28:46 > 0:28:47I'm so pleased we stopped that
0:28:47 > 0:28:50little rug going into the skip that day.
0:28:50 > 0:28:52This will make, I hope, a difference.
0:28:52 > 0:28:56- Sarah, that's absolutely brilliant. - I'm really pleased.
0:28:56 > 0:29:00- That's a lovely outcome. Thank you ever so much.- Thank you.- Bye-bye.
0:29:00 > 0:29:01Bye-bye. Bye.
0:29:01 > 0:29:08What a result. The Persian rug sold at auction for £480.
0:29:08 > 0:29:13After auction costs totalling £98.40 were deducted,
0:29:13 > 0:29:20Sarah was able to hand over an amazing £381.60 to John.
0:29:28 > 0:29:30Back in East London, Ray has finished
0:29:30 > 0:29:34his makeover of the hotly anticipated armchair.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37He is waiting for Sarah...anxiously.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40I'm proper nervous!
0:29:40 > 0:29:43I just hope that she really likes it, yeah.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45Oh, no, what have I done?!
0:29:45 > 0:29:48You've done up an armchair, Ray, don't worry.
0:29:51 > 0:29:55Although Sarah is also on tenterhooks.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58I've come to see Ray and to find out how the armchair has turned out
0:29:58 > 0:29:59that I left him.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01And this is one of the projects that has really been on my mind
0:30:01 > 0:30:05because Ray is inventing a whole new fabric to go on the chair
0:30:05 > 0:30:07and doing all of the upholstery
0:30:07 > 0:30:10so this just one of those things that could go either way.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15Either way, the transformation is now complete.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18When Sarah dropped off the chair, it was solid
0:30:18 > 0:30:20but badly needed bringing up-to-date.
0:30:31 > 0:30:36But now Ray has worked his magic. It's utterly transformed.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41Ray's hand illustrated menagerie of monkeys are rendered
0:30:41 > 0:30:45on a luxurious moleskin velvet,
0:30:45 > 0:30:48which he's positioned to show off the stylish simians
0:30:48 > 0:30:50to their best effect.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55The chair has been entirely reupholstered with quality
0:30:55 > 0:30:57finishings and the original wood
0:30:57 > 0:31:00has been stained in a cool contrasting grey.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05Ray took a big creative risk
0:31:05 > 0:31:10on designing his own unique monkey fabric and it's paid off splendidly.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12Well done, Ray.
0:31:14 > 0:31:16But what will Sarah make of it?
0:31:16 > 0:31:19- Hi!- Hi. Ooh!
0:31:19 > 0:31:22- You're not nervous, are you? - Just a little bit, yeah.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25- Let me see. - I'll pull it off. One, two, three.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27Ta-da!
0:31:27 > 0:31:32I absolutely adore it. You've done so well there. It's so cool!
0:31:34 > 0:31:37She likes it! The woman from Del Monte says yes.
0:31:39 > 0:31:41She does indeed.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44- Which is your favourite monkey? - I do like the black howler.- Yeah.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46And I love the golden tamarin. Oh, come round here.
0:31:46 > 0:31:50- I want to take you round the back. - I'm going on tour.
0:31:50 > 0:31:53- So, who's he? A howler? - Yeah, it's a black howler.
0:31:53 > 0:31:54And that's a red howler.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56That chair is a triumph.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00What's so odd is I can't even relate to the chair that I brought to you.
0:32:00 > 0:32:02- No.- Because of what you've done to it.
0:32:02 > 0:32:04It's like you're showing me something
0:32:04 > 0:32:05that I've never seen before.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07With the very highest praise,
0:32:07 > 0:32:11Sarah is delighted with Ray's monkey chair.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14It meant so much to me to try to do this, so thank you
0:32:14 > 0:32:17for giving me the opportunity to do this.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19Honestly, thank you.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22I'm properly made up, I really am.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26It's smiles all round for the painstakingly finished chair.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28On that note, Sarah has got a question
0:32:28 > 0:32:33but she doesn't want to pry-mate. You see?
0:32:33 > 0:32:35Has it gone over budget?
0:32:35 > 0:32:40I'm feeling now that my original costs were probably
0:32:40 > 0:32:41a little bit low.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44It took longer than I thought, so therefore labourwise
0:32:44 > 0:32:47it would have been a bit more expensive.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51The amount of work that's gone into the chair has pushed
0:32:51 > 0:32:53Ray's labour costs up,
0:32:53 > 0:33:00meaning he's gone around £150 over budget at a total cost of £950.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02However, Sarah is still confident.
0:33:04 > 0:33:08I will try so hard to sell this at very high-end
0:33:08 > 0:33:11so that we turn a really good profit over on this.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13- If you would, that would mean a lot. - Great job.
0:33:13 > 0:33:17Lovely finish and I think you should be very proud of that.
0:33:17 > 0:33:18- Well done.- Thank you.
0:33:21 > 0:33:22She likes it.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27Ah! These monkeys, you're so tricky, I'm telling you.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32Those tricky monkeys are a triumph.
0:33:32 > 0:33:36Ray took a chance on a creative idea that really paid off
0:33:36 > 0:33:39but it came with a high cost to Sarah's budget.
0:33:47 > 0:33:52Back in Walsall Recycling Centre, Sarah found Alan about to off-load
0:33:52 > 0:33:54two armchairs.
0:33:54 > 0:33:56A pair of chairs, how exciting.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59Alan was happy for Sarah to nab them.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03In a way, I'm glad they're going to be reused cos they just
0:34:03 > 0:34:05seem too good to throw out.
0:34:05 > 0:34:09So, Sarah spirited them straight to Ray in East London...
0:34:09 > 0:34:11Lovely.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14..who immediately took a shine to one chair in particular.
0:34:16 > 0:34:20Now Sarah is on her way back to Walsall to update Alan
0:34:20 > 0:34:22on what became of his armchair.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28- Hello.- Hi there, Alan. How are you doing?- I'm very well, thanks. You?
0:34:28 > 0:34:30Very nice to see you again.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34- I said I would be in touch with news about your chairs.- Yes.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36I took it to an upholsterer called Ray Clarke
0:34:36 > 0:34:39so I've got some pictures of what he did to it.
0:34:40 > 0:34:41Gosh.
0:34:41 > 0:34:45- Wow.- Is that recognisable? - It's tremendous, isn't it?
0:34:45 > 0:34:47It has been transformed.
0:34:47 > 0:34:51He has redesigned it, he has given it a whole new lease of life.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53These are the pictures of it in his studio.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56I've never seen anything like that before. That's unbelievable.
0:34:56 > 0:34:57It's unbelievable.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00You just think, what are we all throwing away, really?
0:35:00 > 0:35:02- Yes, well... - It's got that potential.
0:35:02 > 0:35:07It has got huge potential and it is out there now waiting to be sold
0:35:07 > 0:35:10and I've got high hopes that it's going to generate some profit
0:35:10 > 0:35:12- for you, and I'll keep in touch... - Wonderful.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15..and be knocking on your door with the money in the future.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17- Thank you ever so much. - Pleasure, pleasure.
0:35:18 > 0:35:22Well, I think that Alan was really impressed with all Ray's hard work
0:35:22 > 0:35:24because that chair really is a unique piece and I'm sure it's
0:35:24 > 0:35:26going to sell well and I'm going to
0:35:26 > 0:35:28be sending cash back to Alan very soon.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34Ray's materials and painstaking labour on the chair
0:35:34 > 0:35:37came in at just under £1,000.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39This niche item has yet to sell
0:35:39 > 0:35:44so it's currently a potential loss of that £950.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58In the quiet East Sussex village of Hellingly,
0:35:58 > 0:36:01Norman is waiting patiently for the arrival of Sarah
0:36:01 > 0:36:03with a piece he's rather proud of.
0:36:03 > 0:36:05It's a really versatile piece.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08The beauty of it is, it's the size that it can go anywhere
0:36:08 > 0:36:11and the amount of storage you can get into it is ideal.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13You could use it for anything, basically.
0:36:13 > 0:36:15I mean, the beauty of it is it's got doors on it,
0:36:15 > 0:36:18you can put your junk in it, hide it away, like we all do.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21Speak for yourself, Norman. But, yes, you are correct.
0:36:22 > 0:36:27Let's hope Sarah is as happy with the result as you are.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30Well, I left Norman with a whopping great wardrobe
0:36:30 > 0:36:34and I hope that he'll be able to transform it into something that is
0:36:34 > 0:36:38much more saleable and commercial that will fit into anybody's house.
0:36:40 > 0:36:44When Sarah dropped it off, this was a broken down lump of lumbar
0:36:44 > 0:36:46destined for the furniture graveyard.
0:36:55 > 0:36:59But now Norman has worked his magic, the wardrobe is reborn.
0:37:03 > 0:37:07Its cool distressed finish and slimmed down proportions make it
0:37:07 > 0:37:12a practical and stylish storage cupboard fit for the modern home.
0:37:12 > 0:37:17The cornicing details add interest and the contemporary paint job
0:37:17 > 0:37:21brings this Victorian beast bang up-to-date.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23- Hi.- Oh, I thought I'd shut the door.
0:37:23 > 0:37:24I thought I locked it.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29But what will Sarah make of the finished storage unit?
0:37:29 > 0:37:32Ooh, it's tall. It's really quite cool.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35I know that cool is not something I normally associate with you.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37With me. No, no.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40- I think you've done really well there.- Yeah, I think it works well.
0:37:40 > 0:37:41Proportionately it works.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43Really nice to have kept the drawer handles.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46Because you have converted a big piece of furniture
0:37:46 > 0:37:49into something much more commercial, haven't you?
0:37:49 > 0:37:51Yeah, I mean, we've used... Obviously, we made the doors
0:37:51 > 0:37:55out of all the old timber that was left round here, the plinths.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57We changed the cornice because we didn't want to keep the same
0:37:57 > 0:38:01cornice on because it just didn't work so we put a new one on.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06So apart from that, we used everything that we can, everything.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11Norman has clearly put a huge amount of effort into transforming
0:38:11 > 0:38:15this piece and he's given Sarah a fighting chance of making a sale.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20- You're such a safe pair of hands for me to bring things to...- Really?
0:38:20 > 0:38:23You get it done on time, you nail it, you make it look commercial.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25- And it's saleable.- It is. - The storage is great.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27I'm really pleased with it.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29It's a really good-looking piece and I think you've got a lot
0:38:29 > 0:38:34of storage per square inch, given the floor space you are taking up.
0:38:34 > 0:38:37So I reckon I'll position this as something that is
0:38:37 > 0:38:40a universally great kitchen cupboard.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43- This is good kitchen storage, isn't it?- Superb.
0:38:43 > 0:38:44- It's got a lovely strong look.- Yeah.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47I think hopefully you're going to have another winner on your hands.
0:38:47 > 0:38:51- I think I've definitely got a winner there.- You happy?
0:38:51 > 0:38:54Safe Hands Norman, that's what I'm going to call you from now on
0:38:54 > 0:38:55cos you just get it right.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57Let go, please let go.
0:38:57 > 0:38:58Thank you.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01No, no, Safe Hands Norman, thank you.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05Well, I'm pleasantly surprised about what Norman has managed to create
0:39:05 > 0:39:07out of that huge piece of furniture.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10I've now got something saleable and good-looking on my hands
0:39:10 > 0:39:13and I should be able to make a profit out of that.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23When Sarah spotted David and his son Matt,
0:39:23 > 0:39:26they were hauling a terrific amount of timber.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29This is a Victorian solid mahogany wardrobe.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32They wasted no time in coming to an agreement.
0:39:33 > 0:39:35- Do you want it?- I want it.
0:39:35 > 0:39:39And David wished Sarah well in her endeavours.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42I'd be delighted if she could do something with it.
0:39:42 > 0:39:46Now that great hunk of hardwood has a whole new home.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50The Old Cinema,
0:39:50 > 0:39:53a vintage and retro furniture dealer in West London,
0:39:53 > 0:39:58snapped up the revitalised storage unit as stock to sell in their shop.
0:40:01 > 0:40:05So now Sarah is aiming to update David on what became
0:40:05 > 0:40:07of his wodge of old wardrobe.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10She is heading for his office in central Birmingham.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16- David, hi there, how are you doing? - Hi. How are you?
0:40:16 > 0:40:18Very well. Nice to see you.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20I know that when we met briefly at the tip I said I'd like to keep
0:40:20 > 0:40:24in touch to see if we'd managed to do anything with your wardrobe.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26I was really pleased to be there on the day that you were
0:40:26 > 0:40:30dropping that off because it was obviously a lovely old wardrobe.
0:40:30 > 0:40:32So we took it to a guy called Norman
0:40:32 > 0:40:35who uses wood like that all the time.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38So we decided that the best thing for it would be to go back to being
0:40:38 > 0:40:40some sort of storage.
0:40:40 > 0:40:42I've actually got some pictures to show you what he did with it.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44So that's how it ended up.
0:40:44 > 0:40:48That's the drawers, yes. Oh, very good. Yes. That looks great.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50That looks really useful, really good.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54It did sell to a London shop and I have the profit to give to you.
0:40:54 > 0:40:55Jolly good. Profit.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57- I've got £100 for you. - Thanks very much.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00And that's probably about what it cost us 30 years ago
0:41:00 > 0:41:02when we bought it.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05Marvellous.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09David has had three decades of use out of the wardrobe
0:41:09 > 0:41:12and now he has got his cashback too.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15But what will you do with this dividend?
0:41:15 > 0:41:17Would it be a good idea if I gave it to someone like
0:41:17 > 0:41:20Forestry Stewardship Council or something like that
0:41:20 > 0:41:22who look after sustainable wood?
0:41:22 > 0:41:24Maybe they'll plant lots of new
0:41:24 > 0:41:27mahogany and teak trees with the money.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29I think that's a lovely idea.
0:41:29 > 0:41:33I was very conscious that I was putting it in the tip
0:41:33 > 0:41:35and there was a better place for it so you've done well.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37I really appreciate your time today
0:41:37 > 0:41:39and for letting me have your wardrobe.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41- Thanks very much. - Absolute pleasure.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43- Lovely to see you. Thank you ever so much.- Thanks.- Bye-bye.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48Well, that's all worked out beautifully.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50Norman delivered on the storage
0:41:50 > 0:41:54and David is going to give that money so new trees can be planted.
0:41:54 > 0:41:59Norman's materials and labour came in on budget at £375.
0:42:01 > 0:42:07Sarah sold the new storage unit for a neat £475,
0:42:07 > 0:42:12leaving a nice profit of £100 exactly to hand over to David.
0:42:18 > 0:42:22Sarah successfully saved three items from oblivion.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26The Persian rug was a fabulous tip find
0:42:26 > 0:42:28that sold for a fortune at auction.
0:42:31 > 0:42:35The wingbacked armchair got a marvellous modern monkey makeover.
0:42:37 > 0:42:43And the Victorian mahogany wardrobe was revitalised as a practical unit
0:42:43 > 0:42:44for storing your stuff.
0:42:45 > 0:42:49So while Norman produced a stunning transformation of that wardrobe,
0:42:49 > 0:42:52and Ray's innovative design on that armchair really paid off,
0:42:52 > 0:42:56I have to say, I think the find of the day was definitely that rug.
0:42:56 > 0:43:00It just goes to show, you really can make money for nothing.