Why I started ADAMSMADE

Why I left the corporate world to start my sustainable upcycling business

For 20 years, I sat at a desk in a corporate office, following the motions of a life that looked successful on the outside but felt draining on the inside. My job paid the bills, but it didn’t bring me joy. Each day felt the same –­­­ emails, meetings, deadlines – but deep down, I knew my soul was craving something more.­

I have always been drawn to working with my hands – crafting, building, and creating something meaningful out of raw materials. From a young age, I found peace in carpentry and craftsmanship, in the quiet satisfaction of transforming wood into something beautiful and useful. As my daughters grew up, I would make them handcrafted toys, trinket boxes and tat. They tell me their favourite toy was a large handcrafted wooden puppet show. I attached layers of satin to the walls so they could peak the puppets out from the side. As they got older my crafts aged with them. I painted blossom trees on their bedroom walls, made them essential oil diffusers out of tablespoons, meditation stools and miniature zen gardens. Though I allowed my passion small freedoms through gifts for my children, for so long I remained on the conventional path, prioritising stability over dreams.

At some point I woke up one day and found that my daughters had grown-up, they moved away and to start their own lives. I had more space to take risks, to take a leap of faith. I left my office job behind and followed my passions into the world of sustainable furniture upcycling, woodworking, and handmade craftsmanship and I have never looked back.

The art of transformation: more than just upcycling

Upcycling isn’t just about restoring old furniture or repurposing discarded materials. To me, it’s an act of renewal, mindfulness, and sustainability. In many ways, it mirrors my own journey – taking something that no longer belongs where it is and giving it new life, new meaning.

ADAMSMADE isn’t just about saving furniture from landfill; it’s about seeing the potential in things others overlook. Whether it’s an old wooden table, a forgotten jewellery box, or a meditation stool waiting for its next chapter, I believe that every piece has a story – just like we do.

In Buddhist culture, there’s a deep respect for impermanence. The idea that everything changes, and that transformation is a natural part of life. The philosophy of wabi-sabi, which embraces the beauty of imperfections, resonates deeply with my craft. Every scratch, dent, and grain in the wood tells a story, and rather than hiding these “flaws,” I celebrate them.

Much like in life, it’s in these imperfections that we find true beauty.

Sustainability as a spiritual practice

In today’s fast-paced world, we are encouraged to constantly consume – buy new, throw away the old, and repeat. But this mindset doesn’t just harm the environment; it disconnects us from mindful living.

Sustainability, for me, is an extension of my spirituality. It’s about respecting the materials we use, being mindful of waste, and appreciating the resources we already have. Every upcycled piece I create is a reminder that we don’t always need something new –sometimes, we just need to see things differently.

Through ADAMSMADE, I hope to inspire others to adopt a more intentional, conscious way of living. One where we cherish what we have, honour the past, and create a future that is both sustainable and meaningful.

Now, instead of feeling drained from work, I wake up excited to create. Whether I’m restoring an antique cabinet, handcrafting a jewellery box, or building a meditation stool from reclaimed wood, I feel connected – to my craft, to nature, and to something much greater than myself.

Join me on this journey

This blog is a space where I’ll share my experiences, upcycling tips, and insights on sustainable living. Whether you’re looking for DIY inspiration, eco-friendly home décor ideas, or just a reminder that it’s never too late to change paths, I hope you’ll find something here that resonates with you.

Thank you for being here, and for supporting a business built on passion, creativity, and a deep respect for the world around us.

Written by Paul Adams