Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Seo proves that one person's junk is another person's chic with 100 imaginative ideas for reusing, well, junk: silk flowers, old buttons and wine corks, old paint stirrers. Upcycling fashions disposable odds and ends into a new life of high-style repurpose. Who knew you could do something other than fill a drawer with Chinese takeout chopsticks (make a trivet); hotel key cards (use them in a breakfast-in-bed tray); and jar lids (glue them onto a metal grate table in a distinctive new surface)? Seo's directions for projects for decorating, entertaining, giving, are super-simple; one chapter contains kid-friendly projects. You don't need an elaborate set of tools either, though a glue gun and cordless drill are essential items. Not everything here will be to everyone's taste (a necktie wreath?), but that is the point; Seo comes up with funky, fun, and very distinctive items. Being eco-smart doesn't mean being dowdy. (Aug.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Review by Library Journal Review
Interior designer-turned-television personality Seo's first collection of craft projects focuses on upcycling, which he defines as "a higher form of recycling." Not surprisingly, the emphasis is on home decor, with a few children's toys thrown in for good measure. Though none of the projects is difficult, the directions are vague, and there are no photographs of the steps to create the pieces (photos show the finished objects). And do we really need directions for applying glitter to thrift-store paintings? Still, upcycling remains trendy, and Seo's appearances on popular daytime television shows may drive demand. (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Interior designer Seo (Simply Green Giving, 2006, etc.) produces an idea book on how to grant junk a second life using his crafty "MacGyver-meets-HGTV" skills.The author has long been fascinated by trash. In junior high, he filled his school's display cases with garbage he'd collected around the building in an effort to draw attention to the longevity and abundance of human-generated waste. Seo now makes his living "upcycling"i.e., turning one person's garbage into another's eco-friendly functional itemand he opens with some helpful advice on what tools are most essential for accomplishing this task. He then offers nearly 100 upcycling ideas, arranging them into sections for decorating, entertaining, gifting, kid-friendly and nature-oriented projects. For each, the author provides a list of supplies and simply stated directions. A few of the more adventurous projects will require some time and effort to gather the materials needed, such as the Wine-Cork Bath Mat and the Carpet-Sample Patchwork Rug. Most others call for items that readers likely already have, such as the Soda-Can Sequined Tote Bag or the Bathroom-Towel Picnic Blanket. There is enough variety in taste, functionality and skill level for most everyone to find a project to attempt. What is lacking, however, is a dedicated section expounding Seo's philosophy and methodology in project design; such information would have been useful in inspiring newcomers to discover their own upcycling opportunities.A solid resource for the eco-conscious, as well as the crafty.]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
