Categories: Case Studies

13 new murals RePainted in London

 

The murals were designed in consultation with the various communities they are brightening.

Alice says;

“When living in London I worked as a community engagement officer for the Forest Recycling Project which was part of the national Community RePaint network. They provided people from low-income backgrounds with affordable paint. New household paint is very expensive and there is a loop hole that councils don’t make housing stock available to those most in need if they can’t afford to professionally decorate it. The paint project bypasses this issue allowing properties to be decorated at minimal cost.

Whilst working with Forest Recycling Project I started a mural project that used the saved household paints from going to landfill and repurposed it for street art, while at the same time promoting the Community Repaint scheme. I initiated and fundraised for the mural project as I thought the repaint scheme was wonderful but they had no budget for publicity so not enough people knew about it.

I ran design consultations and we completed over thirteen murals throughout London, painting many myself and working with different artists depending on what the community group wanted. Each one was designed in collaboration with the community who used the mural site. 

I loved this project as we enabled communities to have authorship over their environment together, saving paint from going to landfill while also improving the look and feel of areas of high social deprivation. All round Win!”

We love these murals, and the way they demonstrate just what can be achieved with preloved paint save from waste.

Alice Cunningham is a visual artist with a diverse practice working with a breadth of materials, renowned for her sculptural carvings and work in social engagement. Check out her website: www.alicecunningham.co.uk

Find out more about our East London scheme run by Forest Recycling Project. 

If you are looking for affordable paint locally: Click here to find your local scheme. 

Pencil us in for your next painting project!

BEFORE: The garden lacked colour and personality, the weathered wood was in need of a RePaint!

Denise an artist and volunteer at Streetly Community Library, who designed the pencil fence transformation, got in touch to share the fantastic images and thank us for the paint.

Denise says: “I designed and painted all of the pencil fence and I designed the arrangement of colours for the big fence, it took around 14 days all voluntary, with a lot of rain too! Other volunteers painted the big fence and put the plants in”

Watch the tour here. 

Denise picked up all the preloved paint she needed for her project from Community Repaint Sandwell and Soho, who are based in Birmingham.

Following her visit to our scheme, Denise picked up approximately 50 litres of brightly coloured gloss paint for the pencils, as well as large quantities of paint suitable for painting the large fence panels in bright colours too.

 

Find out more about Community Repaint Sandwell and Soho here.

To find your closest Community RePaint scheme, search using your postcode here.

Tales from Community Repaint Workington.

lady smiling and holding a paint tin on painted black steps
A delighted customer who saved paint going to waste by reusing half a tin of paint for her concrete steps.

Our new scheme, Community RePaint Workington, have opened their doors are are already seeing the paint the are passing on doing wonders for individuals and groups in their local community.

Patch Kendal (pictured right), who runs Community Repaint Workington, shared a few of her recent stories of paint. She says:

“We met Matt who, at the age of 50, had to start all over again.  Matt and his Son were living in a caravan. They eventually found a house but had no furniture. They came to us and we sold them furniture and 20 litres of paint. Matt was over the moon. We saved them a lot of money.

school gets painted blue
Local school gets repainted with leftover blue masonry paint saved from waste by Community Repaint Workington

A teacher from a school contacted us, they wanted to spruce up their children’s activity area.  Tracy called in and picked up 30 litres of paint – masonry, gloss and satin.  She was absolutely delighted and has been a keen advocate of the scheme since then. We saved them nearly a £100.

 

stone shed painted blue
A stone shed repainted in a vibrant blue masonry paint, saved from going to waste.

 

A tenant on the estate had heard about the paint pot and sent a friend to check it out. She wanted to paint her stone shed.  Her friend left with blue masonry paint. She sent a picture of the result, it was amazing. Her friend will be back for more paint to liven up her garden wall.”

There are lots of lovely stories, too many to recount them all!

Are you in Workington and looking to pick up some paint for your project? Why not drop in and see what they have in store. Click here to find out more. 

Click here to search for your nearest scheme? 

Game, Set and Match!

The paintwork is part of a £100,000 transformation of their three tarmac courts that were looking tired and unloved. The club has so far raised £75,000 and major works are soon to begin. Making a Difference Locally paid for the first batch of paint, via Levens Village Shop, which chose Levens Playing Fields as a worthy charity for a small grant.

Levens Playing fields ordered 75 litres of ReColour paint to transform their courts from dingy grey to fabulous green! This ReColour masonry paint, was a bespoke colour created for Levens Playing field within 2 days on them placing the order! This batch was made by Community RePaint Wirral, who give ‘waste’ paint new life, ensuring that it doesn’t end up in landfill, but transforming walls instead.

Their first painting day attracted over 30 volunteers who had the first coat done in record time. Club member Alice is delighted with ReColour paint; ‘We’re so pleased to be part of such a great project.’ and she has already put in the second order for further transformations at the club.

If you have a community space, school or sports club that could do with a refresh, ReColour means that your renovations won’t cost the earth. Find out more and place an order here

Alice Charity ‘ReColour’ their building

The team at Alice Charity have just completed their renovation of some of their building to freshen it up for the families who rely on they support services.

Alice Charity chose a calming Pale Pewter along side a feature wall of Brave Blue from our ReColour range, completely re manufactured out of paint that was once destined to go to waste.

 

Support Services Manager Sarah said “the paint was brill and a massive help. Thank you so much for your support!”

Community RePaint Wirral, gave the ‘waste’ paint new life, ensuring that it didn’t end up in landfill, but could transform walls and lives instead.

If you have a community space that could do with a refresh, ReColour means that your renovations won’t cost the earth. Find out more and place an order here.

From Earthquakes to RePaint

Smiling lady next to up-cycled dresser in teal.

Jane with one of her Upcycled dressers, painted with ReColour chalk paint. Photo credit: Jackie Tucker Photography.

How did you get into painting?

I first started painting as a child. I was even invited by my High School to paint a mural on the entrance hall. In my first home, I gave the boring internal doors an Art Nouveau twist. Then, following divorce, ran away to live in Italy and stayed seven years. I loved it there; paintings on the ceilings, the beautiful frescos, the colours. Sadly, my house there (formerly a castle) fell down in an earthquake so I returned to England with nothing but my kids and a few suitcases of clothes. Painting was to take up every spare moment I had, ever since!

Lady cleaning mirror of upcycled dresser.

Jane with one of her Upcycled dressers, painted with ReColour chalk paint. Photo credit: Jackie Tucker Photography.

What does life look like now?

I decided to rent a workshop space where I could go at weekends. It’s on a farm and when the sun shines it’s a tranquil place to sit in the doorway waiting for paint to dry with the birds singing and no internet, I love it.

I set up my business, Jane Wilde Designs with a website and even printed t-shirts!  I upcycle furniture destined for landfill and bring it back to life. Every single piece is unique, and each has its own quirks. I believe this only adds to their character.

a dresser with a painted boat on it.

A bespoke work of art on a upcycled dresser. Photo credit: Jackie Tucker Photography.

We know you’re an avid user of our ReColour Paint, tell us more!

I first saw an article online about ReColour paint when researching sustainable products. I loved Recolour product so much I became a stockist, and then painted my living room with it, upcycled a dining table and chairs I bought from a charity shop…and I’m painting more and more pieces to sell.

bedside tables upcycled. with a book and a lamp on them.

Two upcycled bedside tables, painted with ReColour paint. Photo credit: Jane with one of her Upcycled dressers, painted with ReColour chalk paint. Photo credit: Jackie Tucker Photography.

Jane, thank you for sharing your experience of using our ReColour paint, and please continue to create your amazing bespoke works of art! To see more of Jane’s work visit her website: www.janewildedesigns.co.uk where you can also put in an order for ReColour chalk paint!

Find out more about ReColour

Find your local Community RePaint scheme.

RePainted mural ‘brings me joy everyday!’

When thinking about reuse, Charlotte said she thought ‘immediately about the kitchen reusable cups and food waste” but it wasn’t until she bought her first home that she realised it could be more that that.

“Once we moved in to our first house, I began to upcycle solid furniture that I found in charity shops instead of buying MDF Ikea flat-packs, I could choose pieces built to last.”

“We inherited lots of leftover paint with the house and I came across Community RePaint, a means of passing on leftover paint and also where I could buy it. I couldn’t believe the choice when I visited our local branch and we have used them to create amazing spaces in our home.”

 

“Everyone asks about the mural which my son (@classicmurals) painted using preloved paint, it’s a beautiful feature that proves what you can do with what other people might take to the tip.”

The mural a striking depiction of flowers and skulls is painted on Charlotte’s Living room wall “it brings me joy everyday” she says.

See more of Charlotte’s colourful creations on Instagram (@wallsofcolourandcollectibles)

Click here to find your local Community Repaint scheme!

Why I am a ReColour Stockist and advocate!

Since 2020, Lulu has been using ReColour chalk paint from our remanufacturing centre in Wirral for her projects and upcyling commissions and she’s not looked back! “I am so glad I found it Rebecca and her paints!” “It’s my go to paint, and having used a fair few more popular brands, that are sometimes twice as expensive, I always settle on ReColour” “It helps the planet. There is a lovely range of beautiful colours.”

So Lulu, what where your first impressions of using our ReColour chalk paint? 

“It goes on like a dream, it really does.” “These paints make my job as a painter so much easier!! You know the warm and fuzzy feeling you get when you spread butter on bread and it’s EXACTLY the right consistency so it goes own without making the bread crumble ? That is how I feel when I use ReColour paints. They go on like a dream. They cover just right. Sure I’ll do another coat, but the satisfaction I feel from that first coat is just amazing.”

“When I opened my shop, it made sense to stock this paint as I am a big fan! And an advocate.”

So, now you’re a stockist, why should other people consider buying ReColour chalk paint? 

“Well it is remanufactured for a start. Waste paint is converted to an eco friendly low VOC child friendly chalk paint.
* I support a small business when I buy from them. The exceptional service, personal attention, advice and just a general interest in what I am painting is unmatched. Rebecca is a great person to buy from. And I’m very happy to be a small part of her journey. And even happier she is a bigger part of mine.
* Value for money!!! A 750ml tin is £10. You heard! £10. Bigger more known brands can be about £25, or more for the same quantity. So even if you weren’t too sure about trying a newer not that well known brand, you are not breaking your bank!!!! And I promise you, once you try it, you will be addicted!”

Where can people find you?

“If you have any questions about this paint, or have an upcycle project you’ve not got round to and need advice, or want to see my furniture that has been painted in ReColour paints to see how they look and feel before you buy, pop into my shop at The Barras on Kent Street (type Lulu Makes Things in Google Maps and it will bring you to my shop!). I’m open every Sat-Sun 10.30am to 4pm”

You can see Lulu’s amazing creations on Instagram: lulu_makes_things.

Lulu, we’re delighted that you discovered ReColour paint, and that you are so keen to share the love with your community! Thanks for being a stockist and a ReColour Advocate! 

If you interested in stocking our ReColour paint (chalk or emulsion), get in touch! 

The Rugby Lions get a RePaint!

volunteer paints white fence at rugby club

The Rugby Lions were formed in 1873 and they currently play in The National League 3. Along with England and Rugby School they are one of the only teams permitted to wear an all-white strip.

volunteers smiling as they paint fence posts white

They chose all white ReColour paint, remanufactured from leftover paint, to freshen up their club, with the club members getting involved with the painting too.

Mark Thomas, from the Lions said “The paint arrived on time and in great order. We made a good start last weekend with a tidy up day and got started on the painting”

The team were delighted with the ReColour paint, “We will continue to buy paints off yourselves, we a lot of masonry and internals to paint!”

With a new Eco hub, just set up by the club, the links between the Rugby Lions and Community Repaint will continue

The Rugby Lions purchased 60 litres of Brilliant White Garden paint from our Wirral remanufacturing centre. The used the paint to refresh the fences around the grounds as well as upcycling old tyres into planters!

With more painting projects in the pipeline, we’re looking forward to seeing more orders of affordable and sustainable paint from the Lions in the near future!

Go Lions!

If you’re looking for paint for your home or community project, we can help! Click here to find out more. 

Yellow Submarine

Dad of two Dean (@diy_with_daddy on Instgram) has gone all out  transforming his kids’ bedroom into a unique and stylish space full of personality.

Dean visited his local Community RePaint scheme, Recipro on the Wirral and picked up all the paint he needed for this remarkable metamorphosis for less that £30.00.

As Dean has demonstrated simple accents like hand painted wall art, stickers and painted shelving can infuse a room with character and charm and we love it!

If you are looking to transform a space on a budget, find your nearest scheme here.