Heartwarming, artistic and entertaining, the #LionelStitchie Project jazzes up neighborhoods made crummy-looking due to the discarded furniture lying on otherwise perfectly green lawns. Lionel Ritchie lyrics have been boldly embroidered on their surface to "a voice to unwanted domestic objects," as cleverly put by Beautiful Decay. From mattresses to couches and even the odd pool table, the #LionelStitchie Project doesn't discriminate.
Created by Milwaukee-based fiber artist Molly Evans, the #LionelStitchie Project also makes for an amazing photo series. She says, "These bulky discards were the remains of university graduates moving on to new chapters, of families starting over with fresh styles, and of people letting go of emotional attachments to tired possessions. I identified with this process of reestablishment and sought to call attention to this important narrative in progress all around the city."
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Upcycled Furniture
- The trend of creating unique, eye-catching furniture pieces through embroidery or other forms of embellishment can be applied to discarded furniture, reducing waste and extending the lifecycle of the product.
- Artistic Urban Renewal
- The #LionelStitchie project is an innovative form of urban renewal whereby public art and craftsmanship create a more vibrant and uplifting streetscape.
- Emotional Attachment Marketing
- Using the idea of emotional attachment to tired possessions, marketers can create products and campaigns that tap into people's sentimentality and desire to hold onto things that have served them well.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Home Furnishings Industry
- Upcycling furniture could become a new product category for home furnishings retails, with pieces differentiated by embroidery or other artistically-creative touch.
- Local Art Community
- Artists could work with local communities to hold public art events that involve upcycling furniture, adding to the local art scene and bringing people together.
- Marketing Industry
- Brands can tap into the emotional attachment people have to their possessions and use it in their marketing campaigns to create more impactful and memorable messaging.
