Meet Lane Cove Local Janet Wilks from Restyled By Jan – Giving Unloved Furniture a New Life

You may be aware that Jacky Barker, the founder of In the Cove, is also a co-founder of The Sydney Library of Things and is the setup coordinator for The Lane Cove Toy Library (opening in a few months in Lane Cove).   Whenever ITC is made aware of a business, organisation or person who is involved in saving items from landfill, we like to feature them.  Please meet Janet Wilks (aks Jan) from Restyled by Jan.

Jan is a talented creative who has been upcycling furniture for seven years.  We asked Jan a few questions about upcycling furniture and her life in Lane Cove.

What is Upcycling Furniture?

Upcycling furniture is about the reward of transforming pieces that were unwanted into a treasured piece in someone’s home. I find it gratifying rescuing pieces of furniture from kerb side removal, breathing new life into each piece and seeing the joy in people’s faces when they acquire the upgraded furniture. Colour, glamour, style – I cater for whatever the customer wants.

I’m about turning old, unwanted or vintage furniture into a breezy, unique piece.

It’s not just about making things look good, but also about sustainability as I rescue good pieces of furniture from being discarded and eventually put in landfill. I love getting creative and catering for the style and needs of the home.

I have now added handmade lampshade-making to my skills. They add a personalised touch to home decor. I offer customisation and can assist with fabric selection to help match the customer’s style.

What Made You Try Upcycling Furniture?

My mum’s neighbour was sending a bedroom set to the tip through the council clean-up.

They did try to give it away, but no one saw the possibilities, and no one wanted it. I did my own research and worked out the best way to upcycle by trial and error. I sold the bedroom suite and, from that moment on, was hooked.

How Do You Decide What to Upcycle?

There are a few ways. Some in the Lane Cove community know me, so they offer me their unwanted furniture or tag me in Facebook posts.

Sometimes, I source furniture from community groups or marketplaces. If a piece of furniture captures my attention, I make sure I snap it up quickly. Otherwise, if I notice a piece has been unwanted for a while, I’ll take it to upcycle so it can be loved again.

I also do commission pieces, so I work with the owner to determine their vision for the piece.

How Long Does It Take to Upcycle?

It depends on the size of the furniture. I see some people rush the job and do it all on the same day. That doesn’t happen with me. I prime each piece to ensure paint adhesion, so it takes at least 24 hours to dry. I then paint and varnish, which takes a few more days. I usually give a one-week minimum for people who want their furniture upcycled.

What Are Some of Your Success Stories?

One of my success stories was providing furniture for a customer who saw a piece I had in my inventory and wanted it upcycled for their holiday home up on the Central Coast. They leased out that home, so it was important that the piece suited the feel of that holiday home.  She is a repeat customer, so she now has a few of my pieces in her home/s.

Another example was when I provided a sleek modern design for an Interior designer that required a different approach and colour combination. I cater for what the client wants, but I am happy to offer suggestions and provide visual examples for customers to reference.

If you’ve got some tired furniture that needs a facelift, painting or even stripping it back and whitewashing is an option. It can be turned into something that matches your style.

My furniture is now in homes all over Sydney and as far as the Blue Mountains, Wangi Wangi and Central Coast.

How Can People Connect with You and Purchase Some Upcycled Furniture?

I have a Facebook and Instagram page called RestyledbyJan, where I list my furniture and also sell it on Facebook community groups and the marketplace.

How long have you lived in Lane Cove?

I have lived in Lane Cove for 11 years.

What’s your Favourite Lane Cove Activity?

I like to catch up with friends or family at the restaurants and cafes at the Canopy.

What’s your Favourite Coffee Shop?

I visit Old Quarter Cafe and sometimes get croissants and coffee from Story Cafe on Birdwood Lane.   We are spoilt for Choice in Lane Cove.

Restyled by Jan Contact Details

Instagram:  @restyledbyjan
Facebook: @restyledbyjan