Upcycling
Max McMurdo: upcycling supremo and Sugru superfan
HE’S TALENTED, CREATIVE AND A SUGRU MOULDABLE GLUE FAN. WHAT’S NOT TO LIKE?
If Sugru loves doers, it kind of makes sense that we’d love a guy like Max McMurdo.
Designer, upcycler, entrepreneur and TV presenter - it’s a wonder he ever made the time to meet up but we managed to exchange a few ideas during Recycling Week (12-18 September UK).
Before cracking open the Sugru Mouldable Glue and starting on a few projects we fired a few questions his way:
Sugru: What have you got coming up that you’re most excited about?
Max: As always there’s lots going on at Reestore, I am particularly excited about the launch of my new book ‘Upcycling’ which is out now. Following the success of Channel 4’s ‘Fill your house for free’ we’ve also been busy answering questions and creating ‘how to’ guides for pieces featured on the show.
Sugru: What’s your dream DIY project?
Max: Following my recent tour of the UK on a converted double decker bus, the level of homelessness was brought to my attention. I am now embarking on a mission to utilise my skills to help tackle this ever growing problem.
Sugru: Apart from Sugru (obvs) what tools could you not live without?
Max: Definitely a cordless drill driver, a good quality tape measure, my dad’s old socket set and of course my trusty apron.
Sugru: Tell us something we don’t know
Max: I have been collecting brand new, unused pencils since I was a child and now have over 300 stored in vintage whiskey tins.
Now go and check out Max’s upcycled teapot turned bird feeder and get inspired by his colourful clockwork project.
A bit about Max
Max officially started his career turning junk into treasure as a child, crafting washing up liquid bottles into spaceships (so far so good). After graduating in Product Design, and a short foray into car design, Max turned his hand to designing and creating a range of upcycled furniture and accessories from objects destined for landfill.
Max’s company reestore won several design awards before he appeared on BBC’s Dragons Den in search of investment. After a successful pitch (following the obligatory midway sweats and tussle with Duncan Bannatyne), he hooked up with Deborah Meaden and Theo Paphitis to help take his unique creations out to a wider public.
Max then turned his hand to TV presenting and has so far strutted his stuff on three series of Channel 4’s summer hit ‘Shed of the Year’ (a firm Sugru favourite) and ‘Gok’s Fill Your House For Free’. A special of ‘George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces’ featured Max selling his house and building a ridiculously fabulous houseboat, resulting in a steady stream of uninvited visitors ever since.
Oh and he’s also written a book about upcycling called...Upcycling. Go get it. And read it. It’s very very good.
