2023-10-02 10:07:00
Test
“The Lion’s Den” Turning old into design: Is The Way Up from DHDL convincing?
Waste glass has probably never looked so beautiful: The Way Up products (like die Vase “Francisca”left) show how attractive upcycling and recycling can be.
© stern
Up- and recycling with a difference: The Way Up products impress with their modern, minimalist design – and are made from recycled glass and waste wood. The founder wants to score points with her concept in “The Lion’s Den”. The stern took a closer look at the products.
When we talk about consumption, one aspect becomes increasingly important: sustainability. Reducing waste, saving resources, energy and CO2 emissions and thus protecting our planet are criteria that we incorporate more heavily into our purchasing decisions. Rightly so. The founder of The Way Up combines sustainability and aesthetics and competes in the founders’ show “The Lions’ Den”. The stern examined the products in advance.
Design and function combined: The Way Up’s products made from recycled glass, like this See Franciscaare eye-catchers with their own personal story
© stern
DHDL: This is The Way Up
Furnishing in style and appreciating nature at the same time: That’s Lisa Mathieu’s approach, which she pursues with her start-up The Way Up. Their products are all made from re- or up-cycled materials: recycling old glass saves new raw materials and energy. Old glass melts at lower temperatures and therefore uses less energy than producing new glass. Resources are also saved because no new raw materials such as sand are required to produce the glass products. Leftovers from the used glass container are melted down, shaped into the desired shape and sprayed with organic paint by hand.
In addition, old wood from parquet, for example from gymnasiums, is given new life and an attractive table is made from it. This is done by preparing the old wood and removing nails and other disruptive factors by hand. However, minor apparent blemishes and signs of time are welcome and create an individual, authentic look.
The Berliner’s portfolio includes around 180 products: around 100 vases in different sizes and shapes, tableware, accessories and tables. “I always had a preference for modern, minimalist interior design, but at the same time I also had a great connection to nature and old materials. In the home and living sector, old materials are usually associated with rustic furniture or patched-up, colorful fabrics. I wanted to change that and felt a need for unique furniture: modern interior design with a traditional, individual story,” explains Mathieu. She also wants to convince the lions from DHDL with this approach.
The first impression
We looked at the products before the show aired. He tested it stern one Vase aus Altglas (“Francisca”) and a recycled glass bowl (“Sofia XL”). At first glance, both products appear very high-quality and modern: they are very stable thanks to the thicker glass and yet do not appear too bulky. Due to their imperfect shape and smaller bubbles, they are real eye-catchers and you can see that they are handcrafted. They in no way seem like “waste products” – on the contrary. There is something luxurious about them, despite the minimalist design. You can’t tell from looking at them that they aren’t completely “new”. There is something authentic, individual, loving about them and you can tell that they are not mass produced, but are unique pieces. In terms of price, they are not higher than comparable competing products. The color of the colored vase appears very natural and high quality. The clear glass bowl is clear and has no blemishes or discoloration. Aesthetic, high-quality and yet simple: this is what makes glass products so special.
Fine details, minimal traces of recycling and a characteristic greenish color despite the transparency: the “Sofia” glass bowl is aesthetic, stable and holds fruit attractively.
© stern
The review
Overall, The Way Up is definitely convincing in terms of optics and approach. The price-performance ratio is fair and reasonable. The products made from recycled glass are stable, really attractive and you buy them with a better conscience than less sustainable alternatives. That should be supported. The design is minimalist and therefore fits into many interior styles. Also the “Greta” table Made from 100-year-old, reclaimed parquet, it is robust and looks great. Investing in stylish, long-lasting design made from discarded items instead of investing in disposable products: This is an approach that we like and that also deserves attention at DHDL.
Sounds good, looks good – but do investors also see it that way? The founder actually got the contract and has even been working with two lions since then: Ralf Dümmel and Janna Ensthaler. On October 2, 2023, Lisa Mathieu can be seen again on “The Lions’ Den” to present her success story.
Note: This article first appeared in April 2023 and has been updated.
You might also be interested in:
This article contains so-called affiliate links. Further information are available here.
#Subjects
#DHDL #Lions #Den #test