0:00:03 > 0:00:06That's not going in there, is it?
0:00:06 > 0:00:10How do you make money for nothing?
0:00:10 > 0:00:11Oh, that's got lovely legs!
0:00:11 > 0:00:16The answer could be hiding in over 20 million tonnes of household waste
0:00:16 > 0:00:18thrown out by us every year.
0:00:18 > 0:00:19- I'm now going to swan off!- OK!
0:00:22 > 0:00:26That's why entrepreneur Sarah Moore wants to get her hands on things
0:00:26 > 0:00:27before they hit the skip.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33I'm a passionate maker, buyer and user of old stuff
0:00:33 > 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.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45And with some of the country's elite designers and makers...
0:00:45 > 0:00:48Let's brainstorm a little bit and see what we can do with it.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50It's absolutely gorgeous.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54..she can transform her finds into desirable...
0:00:54 > 0:00:55I'm speechless.
0:00:55 > 0:00:56..valuable...
0:00:57 > 0:00:59That looks amazing!
0:00:59 > 0:01:02..and, hopefully, saleable items.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06If Sarah is successful,
0:01:06 > 0:01:10then she can hand the profits back to the very people who had no idea
0:01:10 > 0:01:14there was cash to be made from their trash.
0:01:14 > 0:01:15Lovely! Lovely ending!
0:01:28 > 0:01:33Today, Sarah is at Woodhouse Lane recycling centre in Altrincham.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37Here, the good people of Greater Manchester have turned out
0:01:37 > 0:01:39in their droves to dump their junk.
0:01:39 > 0:01:40Look at them all flooding in, here.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43There are 19 skips and no end of potential.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49Sarah's after three things which, if all goes well,
0:01:49 > 0:01:53will be made over and sold on to produce a tidy bit of profit.
0:01:53 > 0:01:54What are you dropping off, then?
0:01:54 > 0:01:57But don't think about trying this yourself.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00Sarah had to get special permission for her mission,
0:02:00 > 0:02:02and she will not fail.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04One way or another, I'm having the rubbish.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10Well, why don't you start by having a look at what Kate has in her boot?
0:02:11 > 0:02:14- Hello, hello.- Hi. - Sorry to bother you in the rain.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17- That's all right. - That looks pretty amazing.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21- Have you had it long?- I've had it quite a while, it was my gran's.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24But I've got nowhere for it and it's quite damaged now.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27This bulrush bench is missing two of its stretchers -
0:02:27 > 0:02:31connecting beams that help support the legs.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33Better not sit on it, then, Sarah.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36It's quite difficult to restore something like that, isn't it?
0:02:36 > 0:02:38It takes up quite a lot of space, as well.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40It's got a really strong look to it.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43I don't know, is it Arts and Crafts, something like that?
0:02:43 > 0:02:45Probably, yes, cos she had a few different pieces.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48Due to the age and the handmade qualities of the bench,
0:02:48 > 0:02:52Sarah believes it to be part of the Arts and Crafts design movement.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56Started in Britain in the 1880s, it advocated a revival
0:02:56 > 0:03:00of traditional handicrafts in the design of domestic furniture.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03It's got some decorative appeal to it.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05- Yeah.- I think there's a lot of wicker and natural wood
0:03:05 > 0:03:06and all this sort of stuff
0:03:06 > 0:03:09and that people are liking to put in their houses at the moment.
0:03:09 > 0:03:10So, if you don't mind,
0:03:10 > 0:03:13could I take it away and try and breathe new life into it?
0:03:13 > 0:03:16Yeah, that would be great, better than it going in a skip.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18Lovely. And I bet it's not too heavy either, is it?
0:03:18 > 0:03:20No, you can manage!
0:03:20 > 0:03:23Brilliant. My perfect criteria - stylish and light!
0:03:23 > 0:03:25- Thank you so much.- You're welcome.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30That's our first item saved from the skip.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34But what does Kate think Sarah will do with her woven wonder?
0:03:34 > 0:03:37I don't know what she might do, but possibly paint it up or something,
0:03:37 > 0:03:39I don't know. I don't really mind,
0:03:39 > 0:03:42as long as it gets a new home and somebody loves it, really.
0:03:47 > 0:03:48I am loving this little bench.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50It's a really sweet piece of furniture.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52Such a shame that it's missing its stretchers.
0:03:52 > 0:03:53I'm so pleased to have found it.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56And I'm sure I know somebody who'll be able to turn this around.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01Without further ado, let's meet the man who will be taking this on.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08Norman Wilkinson, our woodworking wonder.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11Norman creates high-end furniture
0:04:11 > 0:04:13from unloved and undervalued materials,
0:04:13 > 0:04:16although Sarah's finds can be a challenge.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20Oh, the stuff we get from the tip, some of it I'm thinking,
0:04:20 > 0:04:23"What are we doing?" But, you know, it's great fun.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26And also when you turn the weird and wonderful ones into something great,
0:04:26 > 0:04:30and they sell it as well, and if someone's going to love it, I mean,
0:04:30 > 0:04:31that's what it's all about, isn't it?
0:04:31 > 0:04:35Norman brings with him over 25 years of experience
0:04:35 > 0:04:37and he's loved every second.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40I enjoy my work. I think if anyone enjoys their work,
0:04:40 > 0:04:43it comes out in the piece of furniture because, you know,
0:04:43 > 0:04:46you love it and then it hopefully reflects when someone buys it,
0:04:46 > 0:04:50that they can see the love that we've put into it.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53You know, it's a joy to get up and come to work in the mornings.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56Norman is passionate about his craft,
0:04:56 > 0:04:59but I'm not sure how he'll feel about Arts and Crafts.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09That's one item ready to transform.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12Sarah just needs to find two more.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15And it looks like someone has beaten her to it!
0:05:15 > 0:05:18They've recycled those horses into zebras! Look at them!
0:05:20 > 0:05:23Well, if you want to earn your stripes,
0:05:23 > 0:05:26why don't you have a look at what Dan's pulling out of his boot?
0:05:26 > 0:05:29- Hello, hello.- Hi.- You haven't smashed up your sofa, have you?
0:05:29 > 0:05:30I certainly have, yeah.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32I'm trying to make stuff out of old things,
0:05:32 > 0:05:34and people keep breaking them up before they get here.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37- Apologies.- Shall we get it out and have a closer look?
0:05:37 > 0:05:39- Yeah, absolutely, sure. - So how long have you had your sofa?
0:05:39 > 0:05:42Oh, this is about seven or eight years old, this one.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44Just bought a new one, so just had it delivered.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46- And it's leather? Leather, leather? - Yeah, it is, yeah.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49Looks like it's been in the garden. Have you been storing it?
0:05:49 > 0:05:51It's been sat out on the driveway for the last week,
0:05:51 > 0:05:53waiting for me to smash it up and take it to the tip.
0:05:53 > 0:05:54Would you mind if I took your sofa
0:05:54 > 0:05:56and tried to make something out of it?
0:05:56 > 0:05:58- Not at all.- You sure? - You can help yourself.- Thank you.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00Shall we just pop it over there?
0:06:00 > 0:06:02Mmm, a smashed up, mouldy sofa.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05I think this one's better off in the skip!
0:06:05 > 0:06:07Dan, what do you think?
0:06:07 > 0:06:09Yeah, I'm really surprised that Sarah wants the sofa.
0:06:09 > 0:06:10To me it was just a piece of junk.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13But hopefully she'll be able to do something nice with it.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15Not sure what she can make, but good luck to her
0:06:15 > 0:06:17if she wants to have a go at it.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19I think it'll take more than luck.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22Well, you've got to wonder what I'm going to make out of this because
0:06:22 > 0:06:25basically, it's seen better days, hasn't it?
0:06:25 > 0:06:30But it is leather, and it's got a lovely worn, soft look to it.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32I think there's something to be made, here.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34And I know who's going to help me, too.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41Meet Anthony Devine, upholsterer extraordinaire.
0:06:43 > 0:06:48Anthony takes his two decades of design experience and passes it on
0:06:48 > 0:06:51to the younger generation at his school of upholstery.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55His designs are bold, experimental, and never boring.
0:06:57 > 0:07:02If I was to say I had a style, it would probably be erratic.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06There's loads of ideas washing around in my head
0:07:06 > 0:07:09and whichever pops out first is the one, normally, that gets done.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15Anthony's seen it all but there's a few things left on his bucket list.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18I'd love to make a chair for Barack Obama.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21If the Queen came knocking, I'd make her something.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24Well, if you do get the call from Buckingham Palace,
0:07:24 > 0:07:27something tells me you won't be making Her Majesty a sofa
0:07:27 > 0:07:28from this thing.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39That's our second item saved.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43Now Sarah just needs to find something to work on herself
0:07:43 > 0:07:45and we can call it a day.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48I reckon this could be a penguin, what do you think? Look!
0:07:49 > 0:07:51I think she's been out there too long!
0:07:51 > 0:07:55Perhaps Cynthia and Mike can bring Sarah back to reality with what
0:07:55 > 0:07:57they've got in the back of their car.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02That looks very interesting. Hi, there. I'm Sarah.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05- I'm Cynthia.- Cynthia, hello. Who are you?- Mike.- Mike, hello there.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07How do you do? Wow. How long have you had it?
0:08:07 > 0:08:10- Where's it from? - It's my grandmother's.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13- Right.- She had it in her lounge for many years.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17But, of course, the way they are these days,
0:08:17 > 0:08:19it just won't fit in our houses.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21It's got to be 100 years old, hasn't it?
0:08:21 > 0:08:23- It definitely is old. - It's got that sort of...
0:08:23 > 0:08:26- It's got the look. - Probably more than that.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28Yeah. Wow. What a piece! I'd love to see it out.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30What's the best thing to do? If we just try and...
0:08:30 > 0:08:34Considering its age, this Victorian display cabinet
0:08:34 > 0:08:37is in pretty good condition, although it is a whopper.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41Oh, my word! It's a beast!
0:08:41 > 0:08:43I didn't realise it was that high!
0:08:43 > 0:08:45That is huge, isn't it?
0:08:45 > 0:08:46You don't know the half of it, Sarah!
0:08:46 > 0:08:49They've still got another great big bit in the boot.
0:08:49 > 0:08:50Wow!
0:08:52 > 0:08:54Well, you have absolutely made by day.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56I have never seen anything like it.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58I can't thank you enough for letting me have it.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00I hope you can make use of it, cos I'm sure you will.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02Thank you so much. It's amazing.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05Sarah's bagged herself a lovely,
0:09:05 > 0:09:09but rather spooky looking Victorian cabinet.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13Let's hope she can do something to make it a little less imposing.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15But what do Cynthia and Mike think?
0:09:15 > 0:09:17Very interesting as to what she's going to...
0:09:17 > 0:09:20What anybody can do with it, because it's a beautiful piece.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24And it's beyond us to bring it back to how it was originally.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29Considering it's in the, you know, 1880s probably when it was made,
0:09:29 > 0:09:32it makes it 120, 130 years old by now.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34So it's seriously old.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38It's enormous. It's pretty brutal stuff.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40But it's got a charm of its own, hasn't it?
0:09:40 > 0:09:43And there must be something to be done with this that makes you want
0:09:43 > 0:09:45to put it in your sitting room, because at the moment,
0:09:45 > 0:09:48I don't think it's going to find a home.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50And with that, Sarah has her items.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54Norman will get crafty with the bench.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58Anthony will try and do something with that broken sofa.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00And Sarah will try to brighten up the cabinet.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05Well, salvaging today has worked like a charm.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07I just hope my luck doesn't run out
0:10:07 > 0:10:09when it comes to turning things into little money-makers.
0:10:17 > 0:10:18For our first stop,
0:10:18 > 0:10:22we've headed to the village of Hellingly in East Sussex...
0:10:24 > 0:10:26..where our master craftsman, Norman,
0:10:26 > 0:10:29is giving the place a quick tidy.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31Oh, you missed a bit!
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Sarah's brought Norman the Arts and Crafts bench,
0:10:34 > 0:10:37although Arts and Crafts for a master craftsman,
0:10:37 > 0:10:40I'm not sure they all go together.
0:10:40 > 0:10:41Well, Sarah's on her way.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43Sometimes I wish she'd just drive straight past!
0:10:43 > 0:10:45But no, no, not really.
0:10:45 > 0:10:46I look forward to seeing her,
0:10:46 > 0:10:49so let's just see what she's going to bring and go from there.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54Well, I just loved this Arts and Crafts bench the moment I saw it.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56But will Norman?
0:10:56 > 0:10:58We're about to find out!
0:10:58 > 0:11:00- Norman?- Hello, you. - How are you?- I'm good.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03Can I put that on there?
0:11:03 > 0:11:04- Isn't it lovely?- Yeah.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08- Are you a fan?- Yeah, it's quite cool, isn't it? Lovely.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10Ah, he likes it.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13- Let's turn it upside down so we can have a look.- OK.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17Ah, right then. We're not going to do anything silly with this, are we?
0:11:17 > 0:11:19I've had two thoughts.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22One is to do something just to use this lovely base,
0:11:22 > 0:11:26maybe drop it into a bench or a storage box or something like that.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28Oh, he's not happy with that!
0:11:28 > 0:11:30OK. Two, restore.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32I think we should have a go at restoration, really.
0:11:32 > 0:11:33With these stretchers missing,
0:11:33 > 0:11:35I just don't know if we can restore it.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38I mean, yeah, it will be a little bit tricky,
0:11:38 > 0:11:40but I'm sure we can manage it.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42I'm so pleased to hear you say that.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44I think that would be just the right thing to do with it.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47But the seat is definitely tricky in places. That bit there is loose.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49Yeah, we're going to have to be very careful with what we do.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51We'll have to stick it down
0:11:51 > 0:11:54and cover them up and then give it a really good wax up and a clean.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57And I think you'll get a really, really lovely looking stool.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01I mean, it'd be sacrilege to make something else out of it.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04- You know?- Well, who knew you were so sensitive, Norman?
0:12:04 > 0:12:05Well, one tries.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08Sensitive Norman wants a simple restoration.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12Lovely. But it'll be a lot of work to make new stretchers.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14Will that come at a price?
0:12:14 > 0:12:16How much is it going to cost?
0:12:16 > 0:12:20- £80 - £100, I reckon that's going to cost.- That price,
0:12:20 > 0:12:24to bring a bit of Arts and Crafts furniture back to life, lovely.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28- Well, who knew, Norman? Nice to see you.- See you soon.- Bye.
0:12:28 > 0:12:33So, it will be simple and straightforward, except it never is!
0:12:33 > 0:12:36It's nice to have a straightforward restoration job.
0:12:36 > 0:12:37It'll be a nice change
0:12:37 > 0:12:39to do something that we should be doing to it.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43Well, who knew Norman liked Arts and Crafts?
0:12:43 > 0:12:46I think he's going to do the best thing for that little bench
0:12:46 > 0:12:48and I can't wait to see it when it's restored.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53It'll be £80 - £100 for Norman to restore the bench.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56But with bits missing and other bits broken,
0:12:56 > 0:12:59it might prove to be a bigger job than he first thought.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09Welcome to Manchester.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12With a population of over half a million,
0:13:12 > 0:13:15it's a veritable cooking pot of creativity.
0:13:15 > 0:13:20But there's one person Sarah loves to get creative with her furniture -
0:13:20 > 0:13:21Anthony Devine.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24Though it'll take some imagination
0:13:24 > 0:13:27to create anything out of that smashed up sofa!
0:13:27 > 0:13:29So, Sarah's on her way.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31I'm pretty excited, I like to always get stuck in
0:13:31 > 0:13:32with the stuff that she's got.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35Yeah, it's going to be a challenge.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37Anthony, you have no idea.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42It might be broken now, it's in a dreadful state,
0:13:42 > 0:13:43but I've brought this old sofa
0:13:43 > 0:13:47all the way to Manchester to see if Anthony can turn it into a winner.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49OK, Anthony, it's over to you.
0:13:52 > 0:13:53What a joy!
0:13:55 > 0:13:56It's... I'm just having a moment.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00Yeah, that's how I felt first time I saw it.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02There's another half, right?
0:14:02 > 0:14:04- No.- I can't believe I'm asking for more of it!
0:14:04 > 0:14:08This is what you've got and it doesn't look great at the moment.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10It's brown, verging on maroon!
0:14:12 > 0:14:14You're going to turn this into something amazing.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17That's why I brought it to you, because you have that imagination.
0:14:17 > 0:14:18Don't you?
0:14:19 > 0:14:20I'm struggling.
0:14:21 > 0:14:22I have no idea.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26Come on, Anthony. There must be something!
0:14:26 > 0:14:28Erm, footstool!
0:14:28 > 0:14:31- Not big enough.- Small child's chair.
0:14:31 > 0:14:32Not commercial enough.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35Dog bed?
0:14:35 > 0:14:36Keep going!
0:14:38 > 0:14:40Some sort of armchair?
0:14:40 > 0:14:42OK, I'd love an armchair.
0:14:42 > 0:14:43Phew!
0:14:43 > 0:14:48But how on earth are you going to create an armchair out of all that?
0:14:48 > 0:14:51It's just showing its true beauty!
0:14:51 > 0:14:53Right. I think, basically,
0:14:53 > 0:14:57we take the leather off and we work out what we've got from there.
0:14:57 > 0:14:58It'll be a chair of some description.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00Failing that, it'll be a footstool.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02Failing that, I'll end up with a scatter cushion!
0:15:02 > 0:15:05If we say 600 quid, we'll see what we come up with.
0:15:05 > 0:15:06I know, I'm being vague.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08I apologise, but to be honest,
0:15:08 > 0:15:11it's going to take a bit of digesting, this one.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13I'm going to leave it with you. It'll be amazing.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15- Nice to see you.- See you later.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19£600 quid for some kind of armchair!
0:15:19 > 0:15:20Good luck with that, Anthony!
0:15:22 > 0:15:25In true Sarah style, she's left it and legged it.
0:15:27 > 0:15:28We've set a budget.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33It's going to be a challenge. It's going to be a tough one, this.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37Well, predictably, Anthony wasn't that keen on that broken up sofa.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39I'm not really certain exactly what I've commissioned,
0:15:39 > 0:15:41but I have high hopes.
0:15:41 > 0:15:42I don't think he's going to give up
0:15:42 > 0:15:44till he's made something really special.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50So, it's a hefty £600 budget.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54That's fine for an armchair, but if all we get is a footstool,
0:15:54 > 0:15:55we could be in real trouble.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08While Anthony hums and haws over that sofa,
0:16:08 > 0:16:11Sarah's headed back home to the West Sussex countryside.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18She's about to start work on the big, old Victorian cabinet.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21And I tell you, this thing really needs brightening up.
0:16:21 > 0:16:22It looks haunted.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28Well, I've had some time to think while I'm dusting
0:16:28 > 0:16:30and I think it's in the wrong place.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32This isn't going to fit into a modern home,
0:16:32 > 0:16:35but it would look fantastic as a display piece in a shop.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39I need to embrace its theatrical design and just really go for it.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41Make it sing.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45To turn this cabinet into a shop front show stopper,
0:16:45 > 0:16:49Sarah is going to remove some of the more decorative elements.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53And I can tell she's feeling a bit guilty about it.
0:16:53 > 0:16:54So, I'm putting it out there right now.
0:16:54 > 0:16:58This might be antique, it might be 100 years old,
0:16:58 > 0:16:59but something has got to go.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03It needs a style update and if I can get some of this cornicing
0:17:03 > 0:17:07and the moulding, just to give it a little bit of a fresher look.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11Victorian designs are now widely viewed
0:17:11 > 0:17:15as having indulged in a grand excess of ornamentation.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17It's quite well made!
0:17:17 > 0:17:22Display cases like this were focal points in houses from this period,
0:17:22 > 0:17:24so were often extravagantly decorated.
0:17:26 > 0:17:27Getting there.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29But this is the 21st century.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33So it's time to make the cornicing a thing of the past.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38Looks better already.
0:17:38 > 0:17:39Still a bit scary!
0:17:42 > 0:17:46But Sarah's got a bright idea that could turn things round.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48Well, I've got my paint and it's looking a bit blue at the moment,
0:17:48 > 0:17:50but there's a very good reason for that.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53I kept on looking at this piece and thinking it reminds me of something
0:17:53 > 0:17:56and then I remembered what it was.
0:17:56 > 0:17:57It's my china.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00This willow pattern is full of the kind of motifs
0:18:00 > 0:18:02that are appearing on here.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06I thought, "Why not turn this into a beautiful chinoiserie inspired
0:18:06 > 0:18:08"piece of eccentric English furniture?"
0:18:09 > 0:18:12It's going to take ages.
0:18:12 > 0:18:17Chinoiserie derives from the French word chinois, meaning Chinese.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20First job, base coat for the whole lot.
0:18:20 > 0:18:25It's the European interpretation of Chinese artistic traditions,
0:18:25 > 0:18:28popularised in the 18th century.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30And chinoiserie was all the rage -
0:18:30 > 0:18:31everybody wanted to have
0:18:31 > 0:18:34that sort of hand painted Chinese look going on.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37One of the things that contributed to its popularity
0:18:37 > 0:18:41was the 18th century vogue for tea drinking.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45The demand for chinoiserie porcelain sky rocketed,
0:18:45 > 0:18:49as the la-di-da wanted something nice to dunk their biscuits in.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53With the base coat applied and time to dry,
0:18:53 > 0:18:56Sarah can begin to make it look like a dinner plate.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01So, the sensible thing to do with this would be to plan it all out,
0:19:01 > 0:19:03maybe in pencil and put all the pattern on,
0:19:03 > 0:19:05exactly where the blue design is going to go.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09I'm just going to freestyle it.
0:19:09 > 0:19:10Of course you are.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12I'll do a tree first. That looks easy.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16The design Sarah is attempting to recreate is known as
0:19:16 > 0:19:19Willow Pattern, the distinctive blue and white chinoiserie pattern,
0:19:19 > 0:19:22used on ceramic, kitchen and house wares.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24This is way more difficult than it looks.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26Really?! Because it looks quite difficult!
0:19:28 > 0:19:29And to cover the whole thing with it,
0:19:29 > 0:19:31I think you'll be here for a while.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37So far, Sarah's spent just £10 on paint.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39She's got a colossal task ahead of her
0:19:39 > 0:19:42and I've got a feeling she's got too much on her plate.
0:19:47 > 0:19:52From West Sussex, we travel east, to East Sussex
0:19:52 > 0:19:55where our big cuddly timber teddy bear, Norman,
0:19:55 > 0:19:59is about to begin the restoration of the old bench.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01So, Norman, what's the plan?
0:20:02 > 0:20:04I'm going to glue that back.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07We'll glue it back and make sure everywhere is all neat and tidy
0:20:07 > 0:20:09and then we've got a couple of stretchers missing.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12So we're going to cut some timber up, shape them, put them in
0:20:12 > 0:20:13and see how we get on.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18Norman starts to make the stretchers.
0:20:18 > 0:20:19I'll cut it to 30 inches
0:20:19 > 0:20:21and then that gives me enough to play with, then.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25He's cutting to size some new oak,
0:20:25 > 0:20:28which will match the existing oak framework.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32The challenge with any restoration is making the new elements
0:20:32 > 0:20:35look similar in appearance to the old ones.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40Norman will have to make this brand-new timber
0:20:40 > 0:20:43look like it's around 60 years old.
0:20:46 > 0:20:47Beautiful!
0:20:47 > 0:20:49Yes, you are, Norman!
0:20:49 > 0:20:52I think I'm going to drill these holes out now.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56Next, Norman will clear out the old wood from the holes in the legs
0:20:56 > 0:20:57with his trusty drill.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59HIGH-PITCHED DRILLING
0:20:59 > 0:21:01Ugh! Does that remind anyone else of the dentist?
0:21:03 > 0:21:04Oh, I can't even look!
0:21:06 > 0:21:09I'll have to have a dig out with a chisel.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12As part of the Arts and Crafts movement,
0:21:12 > 0:21:14this bench would've been handmade.
0:21:14 > 0:21:15That's it. It's coming out.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18Pioneered by artist William Morris,
0:21:18 > 0:21:22the movement was a reaction against machine and factory production,
0:21:22 > 0:21:25instead, advocating traditional methods.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27That's it. Beautiful.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29He's all about the beautiful, this guy!
0:21:31 > 0:21:34And staying true to the Arts and Crafts vibe,
0:21:34 > 0:21:38Norman's going to whittle the stretchers into shape by hand,
0:21:38 > 0:21:41rather than using a wood-turning lathe.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43Obviously they've done it by eye.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46They haven't had, like, a copying lathe, like they have today,
0:21:46 > 0:21:48chuck a bit of wood in and, er...
0:21:48 > 0:21:52chuck a bit of wood in and it just copies it and they throw it out.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54This was done by a bloke with his eye,
0:21:54 > 0:21:57you know, so really that's just...
0:21:58 > 0:21:59..see what my eye's like.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02I would say beautiful!
0:22:02 > 0:22:07All the legs and stretchers are delicately tapered in at each end.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10Norman's using a plane to gradually shave the wood
0:22:10 > 0:22:13until it reaches the right thickness,
0:22:13 > 0:22:15although this way is taking ages.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18Time to break out the belt sander.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23Oh! Careful, Norman!
0:22:23 > 0:22:27Oh, Norman, do you want to find something to hold it while you sand?
0:22:29 > 0:22:30Yes! That's more like it.
0:22:30 > 0:22:31Right, let's go for it.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35Once Norman is happy with the stretchers,
0:22:35 > 0:22:38it's on to the broken bulrush top.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41Bulrushes are a wetland grass-like plant.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45They're a bit like wicker, or even rattan.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49Bulrushes are strong and flexible, but, over time, get dry and brittle.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53I'm really pleased with it. I think it looks great.
0:22:53 > 0:22:54We're just trying to keep it...
0:22:54 > 0:22:56I know we're using electric bits
0:22:56 > 0:23:00but we're trying to keep in the spirit of it and do it by eye.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02Yeah, really pleased with it. I think it's come along really well.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05I imagine by the time we've coloured that up and done it,
0:23:05 > 0:23:06I think we'll get away with it.
0:23:06 > 0:23:11Norman's done a great job making the stretchers the same size and shape,
0:23:11 > 0:23:14but now comes the hard part.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18If they don't match in colour, they'll stand out like a sore thumb.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22Some days it goes absolutely perfect and other days it doesn't.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25So, you know, when you put it on, rub it back, start again,
0:23:25 > 0:23:28rub it back and hopefully you get to where you can.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31I'm going to start with the orangey, reddy colour first.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34Let's just rock 'n' roll and see what happens.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37This could be a lengthy process.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41Norman will have to let each coat dry before applying more
0:23:41 > 0:23:43to achieve the perfect colour.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45Rather him than me!
0:23:45 > 0:23:47And he's still got the top to fix, too.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56Back we go to Manchester,
0:23:56 > 0:24:00where upholsterer Anthony is still trying to work out how
0:24:00 > 0:24:05to turn this broken sofa into some kind of armchair, was it?
0:24:05 > 0:24:06Although, at the moment,
0:24:06 > 0:24:09it looks like he's about to pick a fight with it.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14I've been having a long, hard think about this one since Sarah's left.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18Trying to find some inspiration amongst this.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21I've got a few ideas starting to bubble away,
0:24:21 > 0:24:23but I've got to know what I'm playing with.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27I've got to get it all stripped off, discard the bits I don't want,
0:24:27 > 0:24:32try and find something we do want and take it from there, really.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37I think you'll be struggling to find anything you do want
0:24:37 > 0:24:40inside that busted up base.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44Still, at least Anthony has lots of usable leather to work with.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46Or does he?
0:24:46 > 0:24:52This sofa appears to be a leather sofa, but it's not entirely leather.
0:24:52 > 0:24:58The sides, and especially the back, is all kind of man-made kind of PVC,
0:24:58 > 0:25:00reconstructed leather.
0:25:00 > 0:25:05Reconstructed or bonded leather is made by shredding leather scraps,
0:25:05 > 0:25:08sticking it back together on to a bit of cloth
0:25:08 > 0:25:11and embossing it with a leather-like texture,
0:25:11 > 0:25:13which is no good to Anthony,
0:25:13 > 0:25:17because it leaves him with half the leather he thought he had.
0:25:17 > 0:25:18Brilliant!
0:25:18 > 0:25:20And how's that base looking?
0:25:20 > 0:25:22It's not getting any better.
0:25:22 > 0:25:23Brilliant!
0:25:24 > 0:25:29So this is the first time ever, in my whole entire career,
0:25:29 > 0:25:33that the one thing I've actually kept from a job is the fabric
0:25:33 > 0:25:35rather than the sofa itself.
0:25:35 > 0:25:39So, yeah, she's brought something from the tip
0:25:39 > 0:25:43that I'm actually going to have to take to the tip myself, so...
0:25:44 > 0:25:47I'm not sure how that one quite worked out, really.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51This just keeps getting worse.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54Normally I'd be chucking them on the floor.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56That's going to be a chair.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58Well, we'll wait and see about that!
0:25:59 > 0:26:03After a quick trip to the skip to discard the sofa base,
0:26:03 > 0:26:07Anthony moves on to preparing the usable leather.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11I'm going to try and keep everything intact, dye it all
0:26:11 > 0:26:15and then work out exactly what I've got, start re-cutting it all up.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17I've never dyed leather before,
0:26:17 > 0:26:18so it's going to be all kinds of interesting.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21We're going to get rid of this brown, horrible stuff
0:26:21 > 0:26:24and try and make it black and beautiful.
0:26:24 > 0:26:25To colour the leather,
0:26:25 > 0:26:29Anthony is using an oil-based dye, which will...
0:26:29 > 0:26:30Oh, are you all right there, Anthony?
0:26:30 > 0:26:32Do you want a hand with that?
0:26:32 > 0:26:34I might have to get a responsible adult to help me with this bit.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40First things first, try and remove the lid.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42Can you tell he's never done this before?
0:26:42 > 0:26:44I probably should be wearing gloves.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47Anthony should absolutely be wearing gloves,
0:26:47 > 0:26:49because that stuff is really powerful.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52I'm starting to feel... Oh!
0:26:52 > 0:26:55Seriously, he'll be scrubbing that off for days!
0:26:57 > 0:26:59I've started to feel quite relaxed about it already.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02If you're planning on dyeing leather at home,
0:27:02 > 0:27:04please do some research beforehand.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06I'm quite impressed, to be honest.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09Or at least read the instructions on the bottle.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12I really hope it comes off your hands.
0:27:13 > 0:27:14And your face.
0:27:15 > 0:27:19Confident the other panels will turn out just as well as the first,
0:27:19 > 0:27:22Anthony moves on to the armchair frame.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26Hold the phone. That doesn't look like any armchair I've ever seen.
0:27:28 > 0:27:34So, we've been prototyping a new footstool here and basically,
0:27:34 > 0:27:36I think we're going to use this.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38So now you're making a footstool.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41Do you think Sarah will be happy with that?
0:27:41 > 0:27:44If somebody drops off a leather sofa and you're chucking away the frame
0:27:44 > 0:27:47and you're only keeping a couple of square foot of leather,
0:27:47 > 0:27:48what do you expect?
0:27:48 > 0:27:51So, yeah, she's definitely in for a shock on this one.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55On your own head be it, Anthony!
0:27:55 > 0:27:57I can't wait to see Sarah's face.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07And talking of Sarah, it's time to head back to Sussex,
0:28:07 > 0:28:10to see how she's got on with her chinoiserie -
0:28:10 > 0:28:13you know, those Chinese designs.
0:28:14 > 0:28:15And she's nearly done.
0:28:18 > 0:28:19Well, it's definitely getting there.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22I've got some lovely wallpaper panels, here, just to go on
0:28:22 > 0:28:25the sides and into the alcoves just to make it really pack a punch.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29Well, let's find out if all your hard work has paid off.
0:28:29 > 0:28:30Lovely.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35Before, the Victorian cabinet was dark,
0:28:35 > 0:28:38foreboding and frankly frightening but now...
0:28:41 > 0:28:44..it's light, bright and simply stunning.
0:28:47 > 0:28:52Sarah has painstakingly hand painted the intricate willow pattern which
0:28:52 > 0:28:56has created a beautiful Chinese inspired design.
0:28:58 > 0:29:03The bold patterns of the wallpaper contrast with the delicate and
0:29:03 > 0:29:05elegant arrangement on the surface.
0:29:05 > 0:29:09The whole look has turned from eerie to exquisite.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19Well, I know it's a really out there design, but then again
0:29:19 > 0:29:22it was quite an unusual piece of furniture to start with.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25It might end up in a shop, but you never know,
0:29:25 > 0:29:27somebody might even give it house room.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30Well, let's find out, shall we?
0:29:36 > 0:29:38That looks very interesting.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41When Sarah met Cynthia and Mike at the tip,
0:29:41 > 0:29:45she couldn't miss their massive family heirloom.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48It's my grandmother's, she had it in her lounge for many years.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52Sarah was bowled over by the size of it.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55- Oh, my word!- It's a beast.
0:29:55 > 0:29:57I didn't realise it was that high.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00And Cynthia and Mike were happy to let it go.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02Very interested in to what she's going to...
0:30:02 > 0:30:05What anybody can do with it, because it's a beautiful piece.
0:30:08 > 0:30:12Well, with a plate full of inspiration, Sarah worked her magic.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19And it wasn't long before she found a buyer.
0:30:19 > 0:30:22The new cabinet was shipped off to an upcycled furniture shop
0:30:22 > 0:30:27in Alton in Hampshire and owner Jackie is over the moon.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32This Victorian hall cabinet is absolutely beautiful.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35The detail Sarah has done is just lovely.
0:30:35 > 0:30:41I do believe my customers will really want to purchase this.
0:30:41 > 0:30:45Sarah's off to see Cynthia and Mike in their new home in Portishead
0:30:45 > 0:30:49in Bristol to show them her handiwork and hand over the profit.
0:30:50 > 0:30:54- Well, hello.- Lovely to see you, Mike.- Lovely to see you again.
0:30:54 > 0:30:56- Hello, Cynthia.- Hello, Sarah.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59I was so surprised the day you turned up at the recycling centre
0:30:59 > 0:31:00with your furniture.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03I mean, you just don't see things like that any more, do you?
0:31:03 > 0:31:06And it'd been in your family for ages, hadn't it?
0:31:06 > 0:31:08It has, since, well, 1910 or so.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10Did you think, "I wonder what will happen to it?"
0:31:10 > 0:31:15- We did.- Yes.- But on the other hand, we knew that it was very difficult
0:31:15 > 0:31:19to go into modern houses so you, being who you are, would probably
0:31:19 > 0:31:22modify it in such a way that it would become very modern.
0:31:22 > 0:31:26- Let me show you some pictures of how it ended up.- Oh, excellent.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29- That's unbelievable.- I can't believe it.
0:31:29 > 0:31:30I actually thought I would have a go
0:31:30 > 0:31:32at putting some willow pattern designs.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35- You've done that yourself?- Yes. What do you think?- Beautiful.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38That is unbelievable, it looks absolutely marvellous.
0:31:38 > 0:31:39That's very kind of you to say.
0:31:39 > 0:31:43I did want it to sell and I did want it to be something that was useful
0:31:43 > 0:31:46because it should be a good piece of furniture for storage.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48It has been bought and I've got profit for you.
0:31:48 > 0:31:55- I have got £220 for you. - Wow. I can't believe it.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57- I can't believe that. - That's unbelievable.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01I'm very nosy, I always like to ask, what might you do with £220?
0:32:01 > 0:32:03We've talked about this and what we decided,
0:32:03 > 0:32:05we're going to get a picture round about this area.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09First of all, it will remind us of this area but also to remind us of
0:32:09 > 0:32:11the history of why we got that picture.
0:32:11 > 0:32:13I'm so pleased, that is such a great idea,
0:32:13 > 0:32:15I hope you find a lovely picture.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18I certainly had fun painting all over your furniture,
0:32:18 > 0:32:21so it's the right thing to do, isn't it? It is.
0:32:21 > 0:32:23- Thank you very much. - Lovely to catch up
0:32:23 > 0:32:25and so pleased you're settled in your new home.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27- Thank you very much indeed.- Great to see you.- Nice to see you.
0:32:27 > 0:32:28- Bye-bye.- Bye-bye.
0:32:32 > 0:32:36Sarah spent just £10 on paint and wallpaper,
0:32:36 > 0:32:40she sold it for an incredible £230,
0:32:40 > 0:32:46giving Mike and Cynthia £220 to spend on a lovely new picture.
0:32:50 > 0:32:55That's our first item transformed and sent off to a new home.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58Sarah's back again in East Sussex
0:32:58 > 0:33:02to see how Norman got on restoring the old bench.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04Ah, he's got a smile on his face.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08I think we've done exactly what she wants,
0:33:08 > 0:33:11so I think we are going to have, hopefully, a ten out of ten here.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17Well, I'm back to pick up my battered but beautiful bench
0:33:17 > 0:33:20and I'm hoping for a very sympathetic restoration.
0:33:22 > 0:33:24Before Norman got his hands on it,
0:33:24 > 0:33:27it seemed there was no way back for the bench.
0:33:30 > 0:33:34But now he's restored our faith in furniture.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37Norman's new handcrafted stretchers
0:33:37 > 0:33:41blend in perfectly with the existing dark brown oak.
0:33:41 > 0:33:45The bulrush top has been expertly repaired and waxed
0:33:45 > 0:33:48to give a smooth and shiny sheen.
0:33:48 > 0:33:52Norman has sanded and refinished the frame making it look as good
0:33:52 > 0:33:56as new. This is a real masterclass on restoration,
0:33:56 > 0:33:58with the emphasis on class.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04- Norm?- Hiya.- Hello.- How are you?
0:34:05 > 0:34:08Oh, Norman, you saved it.
0:34:08 > 0:34:09Where was the broken bit?
0:34:09 > 0:34:11- Oh, I see.- You see, yeah.
0:34:11 > 0:34:12- Those two.- Yeah.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16I can only tell because I'm looking. Nice to see you.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18- And you.- Great job, isn't it?
0:34:18 > 0:34:19We've made the new stretchers.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21- They're great.- Two new stretchers.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24Cleaned it up. We've then waxed it, got it nice and shiny,
0:34:24 > 0:34:26and then we've polished this as well.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29So it just makes it look like a nice, tidy job.
0:34:29 > 0:34:34Beautiful job. Lovely, sympathetic, good looking restoration.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37We had a bit of a wishy-washy budget, 80 to £100.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41- Wishy-washy?- You normally give me a bang on figure but I think there was
0:34:41 > 0:34:44- 80-100 on this.- OK. Well, why don't we just go in the centre at £90.
0:34:44 > 0:34:4690 quid sounds like a good deal.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48Fantastic, as long as you're happy.
0:34:48 > 0:34:49Definitely happy, this is a gem.
0:34:49 > 0:34:51- Thank you.- Thank you very much.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53- Have a good day.- And you.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56You've done it again, Norman. Ten out of ten.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00Well, Norman has done a great job. That is just what I'd hoped for.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03It was tired, it was old, it had pieces missing.
0:35:03 > 0:35:08Now, it's a beautiful, complete, and I think really expensive bench.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10Well then, let's flog it.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18- Hi.- Sorry to bother you in the rain.
0:35:18 > 0:35:22When Sarah met Kate at the tip, the bulrush bench caught her eye.
0:35:22 > 0:35:26I've had it quite a while, it was my gran's but I've got nowhere for it.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28Sarah recognised the style.
0:35:28 > 0:35:30- Is it Arts and Crafts, something like that?- Probably, yes.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32She's had a few different pieces.
0:35:32 > 0:35:34So, she took it away and Kate was just happy
0:35:34 > 0:35:36it wasn't ending up in the skip.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39I don't really mind, as long as it gets a new home
0:35:39 > 0:35:41and somebody loves it, really.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46Well, Kate, Norman loved it and that love shines through
0:35:46 > 0:35:48in his beautiful restoration.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52And now, someone else loves it.
0:35:52 > 0:35:56Antique furniture specialists Puritan Values in London
0:35:56 > 0:35:58bought it for their shop.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01And owner Tony is absolutely chuffed with it.
0:36:01 > 0:36:03What's really nice about it,
0:36:03 > 0:36:05it's the restoration to the front stretcher,
0:36:05 > 0:36:08which, I wonder if you know which one it was?
0:36:08 > 0:36:09It's such a good job.
0:36:13 > 0:36:17Unfortunately, Kate isn't able to meet up with me again but I have got
0:36:17 > 0:36:19a fantastic 35 quid here to send on to her,
0:36:19 > 0:36:21for her beautifully restored bench.
0:36:23 > 0:36:27Norman charged £90 for the restoration.
0:36:27 > 0:36:33It was sold on for £125, meaning Sarah has £35 to send to Kate.
0:36:35 > 0:36:36Marvellous.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44That's two of our items now selling on for a profit.
0:36:45 > 0:36:50Sarah's back in Manchester and, my goodness, is she in for a surprise.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55Anthony promised her some kind of armchair,
0:36:55 > 0:36:59but instead it'll be some kind of footstool... I think.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02There was a £600 budget attached to this.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05So, how are you feeling, Anthony?
0:37:05 > 0:37:08I'm a teeny-weeny bit nervous today, because she's here,
0:37:08 > 0:37:10probably thinking she's picking up a chair
0:37:10 > 0:37:14cos that's what we discussed but personally, I love it.
0:37:14 > 0:37:16Get ready for fireworks.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20Well, I've come back to find out what Anthony has done
0:37:20 > 0:37:22with my beaten up, battered old leather sofa.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24He's got a big budget to spend on it.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27Let's go find out what he's done.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29I, for one, can't wait.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32This sofa has been taken to the tip,
0:37:32 > 0:37:35saved and then taken back to the tip.
0:37:35 > 0:37:41But now, it's a smart, stylish and massive footstool.
0:37:41 > 0:37:45The frame is a one of a kind design created by Anthony and his team
0:37:45 > 0:37:48at his school of upholstery.
0:37:48 > 0:37:52It's a footstool but big enough to seat a couple of people too.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55So it's a kind of sofa, as well.
0:37:55 > 0:38:01Scandinavian-inspired atomic legs complement the sleek, curved base
0:38:01 > 0:38:05with the newly dyed leather turning out very nice.
0:38:05 > 0:38:06It's a lovely looking thing.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09But will it impress the boss?
0:38:12 > 0:38:13Anthony?
0:38:14 > 0:38:15Hello.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19OK, Sarah, before you say anything,
0:38:19 > 0:38:23remember that that sofa was in pretty bad nick.
0:38:23 > 0:38:28And Anthony has turned out a really nice footstool.
0:38:29 > 0:38:34It's cool and calm and really flipping excellent.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38Thank goodness for that.
0:38:38 > 0:38:39I absolutely love it.
0:38:40 > 0:38:45The more we cut into the sofa and the more leather we didn't have,
0:38:45 > 0:38:48we were thinking, "Right, we're going to have to downscale,
0:38:48 > 0:38:51- "downscale, downscale." Here it is.- I love it.
0:38:51 > 0:38:55It's got a pure, mid century excellent look to it.
0:38:55 > 0:38:56It's excellent all right,
0:38:56 > 0:39:00but there's still the little matter of the big budget.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02Go on, then, tell me about the budget,
0:39:02 > 0:39:03I'm not paying 600 quid for it.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05No, you're not. The good news is, 240 quid -
0:39:05 > 0:39:07you've got yourself a bargain.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11You surprise me every time.
0:39:11 > 0:39:16That's better. £240 for the first of its kind,
0:39:16 > 0:39:20a footstool seat thing or whatever it actually is.
0:39:20 > 0:39:22It's a footstool but also,
0:39:22 > 0:39:24you could fit a couple of people on, so it's a sofa as well.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26- What are we going to call it?- Stofa?
0:39:27 > 0:39:29- Hashtag stofa.- Hashtag stofa.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32The first. Great job. Come on!
0:39:32 > 0:39:35Ugh! Why is everything at hashtag these days?
0:39:35 > 0:39:40I was a little bit nervous because I really wanted to do her proud and
0:39:40 > 0:39:44I have to say, she is overwhelmed with it which makes me feel good.
0:39:44 > 0:39:45So, job's a good'un.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48Well, if I was writing headlines,
0:39:48 > 0:39:50I'd be saying, "Skip Find Sofa
0:39:50 > 0:39:53"Inspires Iconic Design Hashtag Stofa."
0:40:02 > 0:40:04You haven't smashed up your sofa, have you?
0:40:04 > 0:40:07- I certainly have.- When Sarah saw Dan pulling the old sofa
0:40:07 > 0:40:10out the back of his car, she just had to have it.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12Just bought a new one so just had it delivered.
0:40:12 > 0:40:14The sofa wasn't in the best nick.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17It's been sat out on the driveway for the last week,
0:40:17 > 0:40:19waiting for me to smash it up and take it to the tip.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21But that didn't stop Sarah.
0:40:21 > 0:40:23Not sure what she can make but good luck to her
0:40:23 > 0:40:25if she wants to have a go at it.
0:40:25 > 0:40:27And what a journey it's been on -
0:40:27 > 0:40:31from sofa, to armchair, to fabulous footstool.
0:40:34 > 0:40:39Sarah sold the first of its kind stofa to Roost Interiors in Glasgow,
0:40:39 > 0:40:43and co-owner Greg is pretty impressed with Anthony's handiwork.
0:40:43 > 0:40:47There's a lot of customers coming in and looking for bespoke items and
0:40:47 > 0:40:49I think this will be right up their street.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54Sarah's travelled to Altrincham to catch up with Dan,
0:40:54 > 0:40:58show him what happened to his sofa and hand over the profit.
0:41:01 > 0:41:03- Hello. How are you doing? - Very good, thank you. How are you?
0:41:03 > 0:41:05Very well, nice to see you again.
0:41:05 > 0:41:07- And you.- So this is where your sofa ended up?
0:41:07 > 0:41:09You said it had been outside your house.
0:41:09 > 0:41:10I laid it on the drive, here, yeah.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13- It was there for about five or six days.- And smashed it up.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15Cut it up with a saw so I could fit it into the boot of the car.
0:41:15 > 0:41:18So were you a bit surprised when you got to the tip and somebody said,
0:41:18 > 0:41:21- "Can I have your sofa?" - Yeah, because it was junk.
0:41:21 > 0:41:23Even the charity shop didn't want it, so, yeah.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26I thought even in its bashed up state, it had some good leather
0:41:26 > 0:41:28on it and it must be fit for something.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30So I took it to a great mate of mine, Anthony,
0:41:30 > 0:41:33who is a fantastic upholsterer, who actually works in Manchester.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36I've got some pictures here to show you what he did with it.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38So this might be how you remember it.
0:41:38 > 0:41:40Yeah, very much so.
0:41:40 > 0:41:41- Now looks like that.- Wow.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45Crikey. I'm shocked, I really am shocked.
0:41:45 > 0:41:49- That's lovely.- He's christened this the stofa -, half stool, half sofa.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51It's really nice. I'm really impressed with the stofa.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53There aren't any other ones out there.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55- I've never seen anything... - I like it. It's unique.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58It is unique. It's been bought by a shop in Glasgow.
0:41:58 > 0:41:59OK, excellent.
0:41:59 > 0:42:05So I have got £25 here made up from your beaten up broken sofa.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07That's brilliant, thank you.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10Every penny counts so I will put this to a good use.
0:42:10 > 0:42:11Any idea what that might be?
0:42:11 > 0:42:16Well, we have a new baby so everything's very expensive.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19Yeah. So possibly just something towards the baby.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21Brilliant, thank you so much for letting us have your sofa.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24Thank you. I really appreciate it. Glad it's gone to a good use.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27It has gone to a good use. There are going to be stofas everywhere.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30- Lovely to catch up.- Bye-bye. - See you. Bye-bye now.
0:42:32 > 0:42:37The total cost for Anthony's hard work was £240.
0:42:37 > 0:42:44Sarah sold it for £265, giving Dan 25 quid to spend on his new arrival.
0:42:44 > 0:42:46Hashtag lovely.
0:42:48 > 0:42:52Sarah salvaged three items that were destined for the dump.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55With some skill...
0:42:58 > 0:43:00..and a lot of imagination...
0:43:01 > 0:43:03..they can all live again.
0:43:05 > 0:43:06I would say that's a great result.
0:43:06 > 0:43:09We saved three things that were definitely destined to be skipped,
0:43:09 > 0:43:11we had some fantastic transformations,
0:43:11 > 0:43:13and we made some money for nothing.