Repurpose. Recycle. Reuse.

One of the most challenging things about moving to a new country is not knowing where to buy things. And by “things” I mean a whole range of items — from speciality food items and outdoor chairs to double-sided tape and anchor bolts. Things like Rice Krispies or tehina that are sold at home in every corner store are suddenly a rarity. It turns out that not many people here in Portugal eat cottage cheese and no one has ever even heard of 5% cheese. But for me, the most difficult search by far has been for furniture.

Here in the Western Algarve, several high-end furniture shops with gorgeous, high-quality pieces do exist, but if you’re on a low budget they are not an option. IKEA often comes to mind as budget-friendly, but it’s a terrible choice for the planet and it’s actually not cheap. In fact, if you consider that IKEA furniture is largely manufactured in China with low-quality materials (chipboard and industrial plastic) and you have to assemble it yourself, it’s actually shockingly expensive.

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So what are the options if you need to keep a close eye on the wallet? Finding thrift stores, charity shops and second-hand stores that sell previously loved items. You can find high-quality, practically new pieces for bargain-basement prices. Some of these stores even forfeit all profits and donate everything they make.

Nandi’s Charity Shop donates everything to assist animals and raise awareness. Madrugada, a locally-run Portuguese charity shop assists those in need of palliative care and people who suffer from life-limiting illnesses. One of the absolute best secondhand stores I found (rated for quality versus cost) is the Kit & Caboodle Store in Almancil. Run by Algarve Removals, this upscale store gets loads of unwanted, high-quality furniture. They have a few ‘upcycled’ items created in the store and plan to offer courses in upcycling soon.

The best option for finding specific items on a budget may be Facebook’s Marketplace. You can set your parameters to the nearby area and find out what treasures are up for sale on a daily basis. Just be forewarned, it’s addictive!

Buying from local individuals who sell their own upcycled work is also a great choice. Aljezurian Daniela Pereira started painting furniture for fun during the second lockdown. She had so much fun with it and got such good responses from clients that the 23-year-old has now started her own Instagram shop called Dani’s Crafts for You. She also takes orders for custom work. “With just a few touches, we can upcycle and turn it into something beautiful and updated,” she explains. “If we all do this, we can help save the forest.” Bonus: buying local helps support a circular economy.

If you’re really ambitious, you can try your own hand at ‘shabby chic’ upcycling with chalk paint, new knobs and a layer of wax. As far as budget goes, it will cost you the least and it may not be as hard as you think!

Daniela’s tips for Upcycling

1 – Just do it

Painting is a whole world filled with endless possibilities. Get in touch with your creativity and enjoy whatever happens. Choose good wood (oak, mahogany and walnut, for example). Learn how to restore wood and spend the time necessary to get it ready.

2 – Check the details

Sometimes old wood has bugs, so be sure to check for holes. Where there is a hole, there is a woodworm. If you see any, treat it before you bring it inside.

3 – Buy a truck

Ok, not really. But plan your transport ahead and make sure you have space available and an extra pair of hands to help lift heavy items.

4 – Materials

Clean the piece with a damp rag to make sure it is absolutely dust-free before you start. Use chalk paint. It has a chalky texture that’s easier to use than acrylic. Choose the right varnish or wax to seal your chalk paint.

5 – Use your imagination

All you really need is some paint and one brush. Have fun and choose good music 🙂

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