Over the last few years, many of us have undergone epic transformations as a result of old mate COVID-19. From interstate moves to career shake-ups, we’ve seen it all – and Bridget Watson-Holme is a great example of what you can do when you know it’s time for a change.
Meet Bridget Watson-Holme: full-time upcycler, multi-passionate creative and doggo mama
Originally from the Eastern suburbs, Bridget lives in Melbourne’s western suburbs with her husband James, daughter Ashleigh and two adorable (but crazy) West Highland Terriers named Shortbread and Porridge.
After living an eclectic mix of careers – including being a policewoman, dabbling in acting and most recently, a graphic designer – Bridget’s mojo was nowhere to be found.
So, after being made redundant and doing a bit of freelance design when the pandemic hit, she wanted to dedicate herself to a profession she was truly passionate about. She needed a compelling reason to get up in the morning and was searching for the drive and excited to make a difference. This is when her upcycling business, Holme Made, was born.
Let’s take a journey through Bridget’s life and work to find out what makes her tick.
Bridget Watson-Holme enjoying snuggles with her two Westie dogs.
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Describe your personality in 3 words…
- Bubbly
- Hard working
- Easy-going.
Besides upcycling, what are your hobbies?
I’m pretty much upcycling 7 days a week so I don’t have much time for anything else. But, when I do find some time, I love exploring country towns with my husband James or devouring a bucket of popcorn over a scary movie with my daughter!
What 3 items would you take with you to a deserted island?
My husband and my daughter with my 2 dogs wrapped up as one! Are these classified as items, ha?!
Bridget with husband James and daughter Ashleigh
If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?
Ice skate on Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada – it’s on my bucket list
Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life?
I think it would have to be a mini-series with the amount of stuff I’ve fitted into my life so far. My family says Catherine Zeta Jones could pull it off and honestly I’m flattered by that!
What’s your proudest accomplishment to date?
Becoming Australian Senior Ice Dance Champion, many moons ago.
How long have you been upcycling furniture for? How did it start?
I was a graphic designer working in the corporate industry and when Covid hit, it was time for a change. So in July 2020, James and I decided to take the leap and turn what was an intermittent hobby into a full-time business.
Bridget’s very first restoration project – a 19th century piece from Bridget’s father-in-law that came all the way from his family home in Scotland!
What’s your favourite thing about upcycling?
Reducing our carbon footprint – one dresser at a time. Rescuing pieces from landfill and breathing new life into them is really rewarding.
What does a typical day or work week look like for you?
I’m a morning person so I’m usually out in the workshop pretty early. I’m often working on more than one piece at a time so the day goes really fast. There’s no such thing as a weekend for me – I get so caught up in the creation and progression that I find myself doing this virtually every day.
Describe your décor style in 3 words:
- Mid-Century Modern
- Contemporary
- Eclectic.
Where do you seek your inspiration from?
From all the amazing friends I’ve made on Instagram. They’re all more than happy to share their secrets so I can explore new creative styles. I’m always keeping an eye out for current trends to see if it’s something I might be able to recreate from an old piece.
You describe your upcycled furniture as “better for you – better for our planet.” We share the same passion and ethos for sustainability at Do.Up. Is sustainability always at the forefront when refurbishing furniture? Why is this important to you?
Absolutely! I’m a huge fan of recycling and reusing whatever I can to lessen my environmental impact. Recycling pieces means I can reduce landfill and greenhouse gas emissions, which also helps to conserve our natural resources.
Tell us about your favourite/most memorable project to date?
I think ‘The Shaw’ buffet was a standout for me. It was the first time I’d done anything this big and it was trial and error all the way. I managed to pick it up from a recycle warehouse at a pretty cheap price, but it was rough and in desperate need of some love! Then, it was a matter of trying to recreate the vision I had in my head. I chose to go with a bit of a Hamptons feel and stained both the top and bottom in walnut to complement the gorgeous Do.Up wooden Flower Bud Knobs.
Upcycled buffet featuring Do.Up dresser knobs
Detailed views of the upcycled buffet
For our fellow upcyclers and DIYers, what are your top do’s?
- Make sure you clean, sand and prime
- Use quality materials because gorgeous hardware can take a piece from nice to exceptional!
- Explore new options – if you’re not happy with the direction your piece is taking, don’t be afraid to tweak your original plan
- Number your drawers, doors and fittings so you know exactly what goes where
- Develop a network of fellow upcyclers and ask heaps of questions.
Don’ts?
- Don’t skip the basics
- Don’t worry if it doesn’t sell straight away – there will be someone who comes along that loves it as much as you do
- Don’t underestimate what your labour is worth or the value of your piece.
If you could master any DIY technique fully without having to learn it, what would it be?
Probably woodturning or creating lead light glass.
Our hardware always shines and complements your refurbished pieces of furniture so beautifully Bridget. How do you choose cabinet hardware for a project? What’s your decision-making process?
Initially I try to decide on style and colour for the piece and then I photoshop the hardware onto my ideas. I find this really helps me develop the potential look and feel for the piece. This guides me to decide which style and size of cabinet handles to choose… which isn’t easy with all the beautiful options at Do.Up!
One of our favourite upcycles of yours would have to be “The Watsons”. Can you talk us through this project? What was your brief?
We picked these up locally for a song. They were coated in 1cm thick dark brown varnish which took James forever to strip off and then sand.
Originally, I’d thought of doing them navy blue, but I then got inspiration from a piece of Ivy Avenue’s collection which took it in a whole other direction.
There was definitely blood, sweat and tears over this set, but when I finally got to put the hardware on, I knew it had all been worth it!
The Watsons Collection featuring the Silver Monochrome Leaf Knobs
Before and after images of ‘The Watsons’ dresser set featuring Do.Up cabinet knobs
Which Do.Up products did you use and why did you choose them?
I really wanted the hardware to make a statement, but also compliment the overall coastal theme, so I chose the Silver Monochrome Leaf Knobs. I absolutely adore the contrast of the silver and black against the natural timber finish.
What does 2022 look like for you, Bridget?
Hopefully more upcycling! We’re looking to relocate to a self-sustaining property this year with a massive workshop so we can expand the business and have a menagerie of rescued animals. I love being busy so that should do the trick!
Where can we find out more about you and see more of your work?
Follow along on Instagram or Facebook – that’s until I can make some downtime to finish the website (stay tuned!).
Are you a ‘Do.Upper’? If so, we want to hear from YOU!
If, like Bridget, you’ve discovered a love for upcycling and DIY lately, we’d love to see what you’re up to. Give us a follow at @do.upper and tag us in your amazing creations for your chance to be interviewed and showered with love on our blog!
