The Redeemed Story…
Hello!, my name is Maria Gascoigne and I want to welcome you to Redeemed Recycled Interiors. Redeemed is a product of the COVID-19 lockdown. As my regular job of running our on-farm B&B came to an end, I decided to create a space where I could share my passion of recycled and upcycled homewares with the world. What started in a purpose built barn on the farm and fairly promptly expanded to two consequetive retail spaces in Cambridge has now done a full circle and is back on the farm at beautiful Rotoorangi, Cambridge. It now however has had to find a new space on the farm as the former purpose built one in my absence was taken over by my husband for his craft beer brewery. So we have just completed a barn restoration in keeping with Redeems philosophy of Renew-Restore-Relove. A handmade concrete block 80 year old barn which will become along with the main homestead the centre for RRI’s popup shops, events, workshops and the online shop hub.
My Passion.
I am passionate about using things which others have finished with and repurposing them into unique and loved-again interiors. The passion for upcycling also makes for a happier planet, as we are salvaging and repurposing resources - giving them a new lease on life.
As well as being a cost-effective option, I love to encourage others to get creative, as I know creativity can be extremely satisfying and therapeutic - which is great for the mind and soul.
I also love to inspire people to consider buying secondhand or sustainably made, by way of showing ways that it can look inviting, layered and interesting.
My Style.
I love colour, texture and patterns mixed with a good dose of vintage. Being raised on a farm and living in old but characterful farmhouses birthed in me a love for rustic farmhouse and country quaint decor. I have always loved the distressed, shabby look, and character and pieces that tell a story are what I ultimately look for to bring warmth and personality into a space.
For me it is not about shiny and new, or picture perfect rooms, but about creating cosy and inviting places to spend and share with family and friends.
The Redeemed Barns
The Redeemed Barn no. 1 - purpose built for the new venture in 2020. Keeping in spirit with Redeemed, wherever possible the barn was built with materials salvaged from our family farm. The roof beams were once the dividing wall in our silage pit and the interior walls are clad with corrugated iron from an old barn. The windows and doors were sourced from a local villa that was being demolished.
The Redeemed Barn no. 2 - Rescued from toppling over and gapping holes in the roof this homemade barn in which every concrete block was handmade in a mold and constructed in 1948 now lives another day by way of major stabilisation works, new roof and an interior makeover.
Philosophy:
I pride myself where possible to have a ‘secondhand home’. I try to restore, renew, repurpose and recycle homewares. Often a lick of paint, and some creative thinking can transform the tied or out of date item. Also more often vintage or older items have already stood the test of time so are well made and robust.
Second to buying preloved is alternatively sourcing items which have been made new but made out recycled materials. This encompasses researching also the background of the process to include ethically and sustainably sourced.
I also love to collaborate with other creative people that share the renew-restore-relove philosophy and want to support them by featuring and sharing their products.
Not all items are preloved though. I am a rustic farmhouse nut so there are some new items thrown into the mix that I have found near impossible to source secondhand, so big apologies if this upsets anyone but recycling and sustainability is more sustainable to uphold if in fact there is a little flexibility and freedom without the feeling of it needing to be all or nothing.
Hence the 5 Redeemed Collections are: Redeemed Restyled, Redeemed Re-loved, Redeemed Recycled, Redeemed New & Friends of Redeemed.
Also added to the online shop and popups will be Redeemed Events. Almost as passionate as I am about Recycling and Farmhouse style is the awareness that mental well being should not be taken for granted and from time to time we need to be mindful of making it a priority. Being kind to self and to others is often a conscious act, so doing fun things where we can gather, learn, chat, be creative, be real, is something I want to build into the Redeemed schedule moving forward.
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My Faith
Redeemed is also an expression of my faith. God has given me such joy and pleasure in being creative. My desire to turn trash to treasure has been such a blessing to me and I am deeply grateful for this.
The very process of working with broken pieces to bring new life sings of my own relationship with Jesus – for I was lost but now I am found. Although He has always loved me and saw my beauty, in my time of need He breathed His spirit into me gifting me with a new heart, life and purpose - and consequently I have been Redeemed!