Mrs Beryl Munyui (left), a designer at Nigida Interior and Exterior Decor, shows the old tyres that she uses to make furniture. Seats in the office (right) made from tyres. PHOTOS | SALATON NJAU
What you need to know:
This is her #littlething – giving purpose to waste instead of disposing of it to the detriment of the environment.
Recycling at home continues to be an important practice of reducing waste and protecting the environment against pollutants.
Those who have re-purposed discarded motor vehicle tyres would use them in their gardens. But designer Beryl Munyui, 37, chose to offer her clients a new artistic and fascinating use of waste tyres.
From the hardened rubber material, while retaining their original form and shape, the mother of three re-purposes the tyres into fresh eco-friendly home furnishing items.
“I love nature. If I am not working on the tyres, you will find me mimicking nature in other forms using recyclable material. For instance, I also use steel to make “tree branches” for my curtain holders,” says the graduate of medicine and a forex trade trainer.
Green living attitude
In her backyard at Edenville Estate, off Kiambu Road, she recycles tyres for ottomans, balcony and garden seats, and coffee tables on casters as a way of showing her green living attitude. She augments interior design and outdoor home decor with the recyclable, handmade furniture pieces that help protect the environment.
If you are the curious type and would love to try your hand at this craft, Mrs Munyui says you first have to clean the tyres before use.
“I collect the tyres mostly from petrol stations. The small ones go for Sh500 and truck tyres Sh1,000. I then wash them thoroughly and ensure there are no loose hanging wires which could be dangerous. I dry them then apply a black base because it makes it easier to paint other desired colours on them,” she says.
She uses spray paint because of its all-weather nature. A can of spray paint costs Sh350. Depending on the design and type of furniture, glass, wood, sisal, manila, cushions and vintage materials may be used.
The process of creating a seat or coffee table takes two hours maximum. This, she says, involves bolting together two same-sized tyres to give height to the furniture then holes are drilled on the upper part where manila ropes are passed through back and forth.
Mastered the art
A round plexiglas (or a desired shape) turns the tyres into perfect coffee table. Four small wheels are mounted at the bottom for mobility.
“With time, I have mastered the art and I can now use the shortest time possible to finish a design. The tyres’ customary black colour also gives an industrial chic and colourful shades turn it into a fanciful fascination in your living room or outdoor and yard adornments. This brings a creative feel and you can actually do it yourself,” she says.
She adds that bright colours give the furniture a cheery look, while blending with modern furniture designs.
Mrs Munyui has perfected her art which started out as a hobby and she now pays her bills from recycling.
“People come to my home and fall in love with my tyre seats and tables. I make them a seat at Sh10,000 and a coffee table goes for Sh13,000. Acquiring the material and labour may cost up to Sh7,000 but I still get profit instead of tyres lying in garages with no use,” she says.
This is her #littlething – giving purpose to waste instead of disposing of it to the detriment of the environment.
