An object that hasn’t been featured much here on upcycleDZINE is an accessory. Two examples of upcycle design accessories are one by oooms for the Ffrash project and a second one is the Matka vase by Pepe Heykoop in collaboration with Tiny Miracles foundation. Problem with making a vase-like accessory out of a discarded object is that it has to be 100% watertight. There are not many objects suitable for that. But there are a few. Which? Well one of them is a hose, and I don’t mean a garden hose. No, I mean a fire hose!
Fire hose coupling as interior accessory
A fire hose is becoming one of my favorite upcycle objects. The look and feel of these used objects is just amazing. A few design companies that have been featured here create wonderful upcycle design products made out of fire hoses. One of those companies is a rising star called Oxgut Hose Co., based in Emeryville, CA | United States and founded by LauraLe Wunsch. Their latest addition to a fantastic range of upcycle design products is an interior accessory called ‘Coupling Wall Hanging’.
A small but so unique product for on your wall made out of a coupling and a piece of fire hose. The couplings are made of aluminum, hand-crafted in Oakland, and mounted on reclaimed wood. Oxgut: “Where water once passed to save lives, now it couples delicate flowers, or whatever you choose to put in them. Re-purposed couplings are one-of-kind, beat up characters.”
Oxgut designs and creates handmade indoor and outdoor furniture, accessories and mats using genuine retired fire hoses salvaged from fire departments across the country. Everything is crafted in the U.S. with 100% domestic production. “We pick the most interesting decommissioned fire hose to put into the hands of local designers and artisans, who help give the hose a whole new purpose. They’re always coming up with new ways to integrate this amazing, resilient material into beautiful, handmade pieces.”
The company has three goals that drive them: keep fire hoses out of landfill, incorporate them into authentic product design and give back to our community. Oxgut does this by giving a portion of every sale to helping the kids at the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation. According to Oxgut fire hoses are about saving lives and so is the Foundation that they support.
Photos © Oxgut Hose co.
Oxgut does not only create unique products but, maybe best of all, is also a do-good company. Looking forward to their next product launch. I’ve had a sneak preview and I’m sure you’ll like it. I did!
Design by Oxgut Hose Co.
Since you’re here …
I have a small favor to ask. Thousands are visiting upcycleDZINE for upcycle design inspiration every month. Readers in more than 100 countries around the world are now able to support financially.
upcycleDZINE is a completely independent niche site, is very work-intensive, and offers tons of unique information for free.
To keep upcycleDZINE running, I’m asking you for your support.
Your contribution will allow me to:
– meet the hosting costs
– upgrade to keep track of traffic increases
– add new content, and keep improving the older content
– add new functionalities to this site
– improve how it works and how it looks
– and last but not least, my daily dose of coffee 🙂
Again, all contributions will be reinvested into the aforementioned associated costs of running this blog and will help ensure the ongoing quest for quality upcycle design.
Your kindness and generosity will be greatly appreciated and will give me the motivation to continue.
Every contribution, however big or small, is so valuable for the future of upcycleDZINE.
Support today from as little as $2 – it only takes a minute. Thank you.
