An Interview with Theresa from Unite Two Design

By Evan Hopkins

Recently, I had the pleasure of talking with Theresa Daddona-Traub about her company Unite Two Design and their fantastic farm-centric upcycled products, which they have dubbed “Farmpunk.”

How did you get into upcycling?

Keith and I are both from the Lehigh Valley, and in Bethlehem, PA, there is a store called Home & Planet. Jon at Home & Planet has been selling upcycled products in his store for like fifteen to twenty years. For years, we were inspired by the designers he carried, in particular a furniture designer named Bill Kreider.

In 2010, a drastic change to our life due to the economy made us rethink our whole existence. We relocated to Upstate New York to start Unite Two Design. We knew we were going start a upcycling business, but being surrounded by the farm lands and, unfortunately, the many decaying farm buildings, inspired us to build in the style we now call “Farmpunk.”

How do you create your products?

Farmhouse Side Table

The way we build our products lends itself to the design style we call Farmpunk. We build with what we have reclaimed and not much more than that. In addition to just using the items we have on hand, we only use basic machinery. No high tech tooling for us! So, found material + Basic machinery = Farmpunk style!

What brought you to Hipcycle?

Pipe Cradle Wine Rack

Well, I think Hipcycle came to us, but we sure are glad that they did!

What does the future hold for you and your company?

I wish I could predict the future! I really hope we can maintain a healthy, happy, well fed, occasional good bottle of wine lifestyle! AND that we can continue to run a business that sustains our family. Our youngest daughter is only 8, but she seems very interested! I would be very proud if we could one day have something to pass on to her.

Copper Pipe Necklace

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Hipcycle is very proud to carry UTD's line of amazing Farmpunk Products. What do you think about the Unite Two Design's products? Share your thoughts below!

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Evan Hopkins is one of Hipcycle's fantastic interns, and a general writer of fantastic things. When he isn't encouraging green living through his writing, he enjoys going on adventures, swimming, and being awesome.