BLACK+DECKER's Inspiration Search names DIY guru

B+D DIY Inspiration Search winner Stephen Pickus' air filter lamps

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He claimed the title with innovative 'Fire and Ice' upcycled chandeliers made from recycled glass, wire, fishing gut, and metal rounds, and his lamps made from recycled air and oil filters repurposed from scrap.

"I was inspired a lot by the concept of the search, it's not a project meant for professionals, anyone could enter the competition. I love projects where I can get my hands dirty and the BLACK+DECKER DIY Inspiration Search was a very good platform for that", says Pikus.

Thinking outside the box

Pikus was raised north of Johannesburg where he was exposed to construction as his father was a building contractor, and this is where his love to work with his hands began. He recently moved back to Johannesburg from Tzaneen where he stayed for 10 years raising funds for an NPO using his DIY expertise. "We had very little budget and everything we had to do, we had to think outside the box, which meant recycling and repurposing whatever we found," says Pikus.

Pikus had booked a stand at Grand Designs Live for this company Green Light District which brightens up homes with innovative décor while caring for the environment and honouring the heritage of the raw materials. Green Light District chandeliers are made entirely from recycled glass he generally collects from the field, such as an abandoned beach hotel in Xai Xai (Mozambique) that is 70 years old, each piece of glass has a story. His lamps are made from up-cycled air filters from mining trucks and smaller vehicles. The ceiling cup for the lights is made from a used car oil filter. These oil filters carry a large amount of black poison that poses a threat to the environment when neglected.

"Whatever project design I have, I am sure to always have my cordless drill, I can get away with anything as I love designing stuff for my home," says Pikus. In addition to the BLACK+DECKER prizes, Pikus also received various Stanley tools and storage solutions.

Runners-up

The other semi-finalists also competing for the grand prize, were Marnus Hattingh, who made an impressive ottoman and won a BLACK+DECKER 10.8V Oscillating Multi Tool; husband and wife team, Devlin and Adele Klusener, who made a children's rocking sheep and won a BLACK+DECKER Steam-mop with Autoselect technology, and Naumaan Mahomed, who made a hand bag cabinet and won a BLACK+DECKER Jigsaw.

"We were delighted and impressed by the high standard of entries and surprised by the level of interest and innovation. We hope that our winners will enjoy their prizes and will continue to use BLACK+DECKER products for years to come," says Mayan Desai, trade marketing manager for Stanley Black & Decker.