There’s a maverick glint in the eye of Paul McNeil.

With a background in managing multi-million pound IT projects and a CV that includes the likes of Thomson Reuters, Reach Plc and Reed Business Information, he’s a contractor with a pedigree.

Talk to him about that and there’s a clear love of delivery and the satisfaction of taking projects from inception to completion.

But the glint isn’t caused by that.

It comes from a decision to indulge his other passion.

Together with partner Claire Barnett (and key input from nine-year-old daughter Milly) he’s created Junk Art Design.

The recently launched family business sources, re-imagines, recycles and creates a wide range of interiors products from furniture and lighting to art, toys and luggage.

So why take time out of contracting in London and Canary Wharf to set up a firm like this?

“For years and years I’ve been interested in cool stuff,” said Paul, 54.

“I’m a shopaholic, I’ve been to markets all over the world in Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona and New York.

“I’ve always loved buying stuff – I’ve got an attic-full that won’t fit in the house.

“I have also always had a passion for making stuff.

“A contract finished and I thought: ‘I’ve got a bit of money in the bank that will keep me going for a little while so I’m going to give making and selling stuff a go’.”

That process started with going through a wealth of potential stock accumulated over many years at the family home in Southend, as well as preparing it as the base for the business.

“I built myself a 300sq ft workshop out of reclaimed scaffold boards complete with recycled sash windows and skylights,” said Paul.

Credit: Matt Grayson

“Then I started making stuff – doing up old theatre lamps, for example.

“I met a polisher up in Scotland who takes things and transforms them.

“The finish looks like chrome even though it’s bare metal and they look better than new.

“Re-wired, I put them on stands that I find and do up.

“I take things that somebody would have chucked in the bin and turn them into something desirable for a loft apartment.

“There’s a real recycling element to it.

“We make things into something beautiful that can be loved.

“Some of the stuff I make fits in a retro environment or as a talking point in an uber modern flat.

“It’s not cheap, but it’s very stylish and very well put together.

“Some of this stuff has lasted 100 years and it will last another 100.”

Credit: Matt Grayson

Original pieces are also available and can be commissioned, including a range of furniture made from scaffold poles, boards and reclaimed wood.

And the business also sells work to put on the wall.

“I’ve always been into street art,” said Paul.

“People like Pure Evil and Fanakapan and – basically the group of artists Banksy made famous.

“I’ve collected a load of stuff but they’re not much good sitting rolled up in the attic.”

Having swapped the commute into London from Essex for a short trot down the garden, Paul and Claire have also taken on a storage facility 500m from their front door for finished products awaiting shipping.

“It’s an old garage with an amazing exposed brick wall,” said Paul.

“It acts as the studio for promotional pictures for the website and has this mezzanine area for storage.

“If people want to come and view pieces we’re happy to have them.”

Anyone visiting won’t be left in much doubt about his enthusiasm.

Credit: Matt Grayson

For Paul, it’s a way of life.

“I just love the vibe of a market,” he said.

“Some people like diamonds, others fine wines.

“It might be a rainy, horrible day, but I’ll go down to Chiswick Market on a Sunday, drudge around and find a gem hidden in somebody’s car boot.

“Or in Amsterdam, I’ll get the free boat over to IJ-Hallen Market, which is in this fantastic industrial area that’s just beginning to be revitalised.

“It’s got great graffiti on the walls, interestingly dressed people.

“There’s everything you could possibly imagine. Old vintage board games right through to old cars being sold there. It’s just really cool stuff.

“When I’m buying I’m asking whether something has an intrinsic beauty or the potential to have some artistic or functional beauty?

“Secondly, there has to be value that I can add to it, so Junk Art Design is where people can find stuff they can’t elsewhere.

“For example, I was at Battlesbridge antiques market and I bought this crazy, rusty, heavy duty tripod that goes up and down in the middle. It had a crappy light on it so that went in the bin.

“Then I was at Dunton car boot sale the same week where I bought a big, square Strand theatre light – equally rusty and it fitted perfectly on the stand.

“The light was sent to my polisher and is now amazing – shiny like a mirror.”

Credit: Matt Grayson

That spirit of combination runs through much of Paul’s business as he hopes to grow through collaboration with interior designers and set dressers.

“At Junk Art Design, you can find stuff that will just be different,” he said.

“A light that’s a piece of art, a talking point.

“You might walk into an otherwise unremarkable apartment, see it and want it.”

Go to junkartdesign.co.uk, follow @junkartdesign on Instagram or email paul@junkartdesign.co.uk for more information.

LINK to the actual article