![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ATGE3U2E6JHGVGPEW5XN5N4KII.jpg?smart=true&auth=5ed5715ff4c4d3e47b70ea4cb887df6e368c9c31e42a599181baaa366868916c&width=400&height=225)
An upcycled mirror
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QXH6OSBNSJDFBIOYH67QNOBE5U.jpg?smart=true&auth=34681170ed4f0db0344a051b2dd426bd00b339994b41998de681cd96530f4803&width=400&height=225)
Siddiqa Akhtar, a homemaker from Pakistan, has filled her Furjan home with various recycled and upcycled furniture and decor items. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OQLOMNYP5JCOVOXSFLGVTKAREQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=640f0a4e48d83c619afc9606de1e12d989aa18724687338b17330119a306a921&width=400&height=225)
Her first project was a set of old chairs, which she transformed using a floral fabric
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TGW5WLA25VBEXEFTNX66WARTHQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=2f035bdc3572930446e8f3ed24787c47e32376054c3e3915bfcc54d3a7f7db17&width=400&height=225)
An old scarf was upcycled and framed as a wall hanging
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OTH6RBLVW5A2VGC2ZPP7GYXGXU.jpg?smart=true&auth=3932d2909cb294fbe21097a557ce0c6a58ab98d687eadbb2f8d30c7a2cbb9db1&width=400&height=225)
Other walls are filled with old coasters and the wooden covers of cookies jars
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HGBYJYTX4NCJZBAFPW5V7KXOPM.jpg?smart=true&auth=bd6144d4cdc5eefae766fa816de50958e81f348c73c1397023b64b4db8265386&width=400&height=225)
Recycled dishwashing and water bottles also make it to the walls
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AJHSQT3CNVELRPK6QV4T3HVSSE.jpg?smart=true&auth=bd0b89cbfbc69ae43b4adc061c75ada1c04e4a2fcf60cf3ec0dfcc9c3f76bd51&width=400&height=225)
Siddiqa and her husband Akhtar Alam work on projects together, as a way of bonding
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OCMI6KYKGJC2DF6WSCNOJ7LZ2Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=0de95d42b1d7b0afaaeeef38b3cf658df18d60e73c565414674534bca85d11ee&width=400&height=225)
Alam made a table using scrap wood and leftover tiles
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/O7FXLQZWPJCKBG7NMRSU65HARU.jpg?smart=true&auth=43d568765b95c77a8a76947f65e2bce03f0b26f78f2c93966160b74b002f0868&width=400&height=225)
A decoupage milk powder tin doubles as a flower vase
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/P4ATVQQAGBBZZMPJ3A6YXO4UII.jpg?smart=true&auth=0cc8b43e424dd235c1fc45a904b71e092750ee707181c43259b0945dc0126970&width=400&height=225)
As does a tea kettle the couple were gifted at their wedding
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EWZOXQKMERCEFGOWYM7TDKFF4A.jpg?smart=true&auth=17e57f1f458450a62b5277ab09eabbac74b581ea306e221f5fc4863f4543da74&width=400&height=225)
A wall hanging Akhtar made from buttons
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZP42EIK7NJAQLO35SJHJILH7CU.jpg?smart=true&auth=997fa1d32e761238817cabf17648f52c24239fc85107d70559aa52d2139be84a&width=400&height=225)
An old chopping board got new life as a mosaic artwork
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ATGE3U2E6JHGVGPEW5XN5N4KII.jpg?smart=true&auth=5ed5715ff4c4d3e47b70ea4cb887df6e368c9c31e42a599181baaa366868916c&width=400&height=225)
An upcycled mirror
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QXH6OSBNSJDFBIOYH67QNOBE5U.jpg?smart=true&auth=34681170ed4f0db0344a051b2dd426bd00b339994b41998de681cd96530f4803&width=400&height=225)
Siddiqa Akhtar, a homemaker from Pakistan, has filled her Furjan home with various recycled and upcycled furniture and decor items. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OQLOMNYP5JCOVOXSFLGVTKAREQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=640f0a4e48d83c619afc9606de1e12d989aa18724687338b17330119a306a921&width=400&height=225)
Her first project was a set of old chairs, which she transformed using a floral fabric
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TGW5WLA25VBEXEFTNX66WARTHQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=2f035bdc3572930446e8f3ed24787c47e32376054c3e3915bfcc54d3a7f7db17&width=400&height=225)
An old scarf was upcycled and framed as a wall hanging
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OTH6RBLVW5A2VGC2ZPP7GYXGXU.jpg?smart=true&auth=3932d2909cb294fbe21097a557ce0c6a58ab98d687eadbb2f8d30c7a2cbb9db1&width=400&height=225)
Other walls are filled with old coasters and the wooden covers of cookies jars
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HGBYJYTX4NCJZBAFPW5V7KXOPM.jpg?smart=true&auth=bd6144d4cdc5eefae766fa816de50958e81f348c73c1397023b64b4db8265386&width=400&height=225)
Recycled dishwashing and water bottles also make it to the walls
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AJHSQT3CNVELRPK6QV4T3HVSSE.jpg?smart=true&auth=bd0b89cbfbc69ae43b4adc061c75ada1c04e4a2fcf60cf3ec0dfcc9c3f76bd51&width=400&height=225)
Siddiqa and her husband Akhtar Alam work on projects together, as a way of bonding
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OCMI6KYKGJC2DF6WSCNOJ7LZ2Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=0de95d42b1d7b0afaaeeef38b3cf658df18d60e73c565414674534bca85d11ee&width=400&height=225)
Alam made a table using scrap wood and leftover tiles
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/O7FXLQZWPJCKBG7NMRSU65HARU.jpg?smart=true&auth=43d568765b95c77a8a76947f65e2bce03f0b26f78f2c93966160b74b002f0868&width=400&height=225)
A decoupage milk powder tin doubles as a flower vase
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/P4ATVQQAGBBZZMPJ3A6YXO4UII.jpg?smart=true&auth=0cc8b43e424dd235c1fc45a904b71e092750ee707181c43259b0945dc0126970&width=400&height=225)
As does a tea kettle the couple were gifted at their wedding
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EWZOXQKMERCEFGOWYM7TDKFF4A.jpg?smart=true&auth=17e57f1f458450a62b5277ab09eabbac74b581ea306e221f5fc4863f4543da74&width=400&height=225)
A wall hanging Akhtar made from buttons
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZP42EIK7NJAQLO35SJHJILH7CU.jpg?smart=true&auth=997fa1d32e761238817cabf17648f52c24239fc85107d70559aa52d2139be84a&width=400&height=225)
An old chopping board got new life as a mosaic artwork
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ATGE3U2E6JHGVGPEW5XN5N4KII.jpg?smart=true&auth=5ed5715ff4c4d3e47b70ea4cb887df6e368c9c31e42a599181baaa366868916c&width=400&height=225)
An upcycled mirror
Inside a Dubai home with upcycled furniture and zero waste
‘I don’t throw anything away,’ says Furjan resident Siddiqa Akhtar
Tessy Koshy
28 November, 2023
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