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Re-purpose the Furniture You Own

September 30, 2008 in Decor, Furniture & Appliances by Jennifer | No comments

Today we’re talking about sustainable furniture. One great way to own sustainable decor, with very little cost, is to re-purpose the furniture you already own. A close second choice is to remake furniture you find at a thrift store, garage sale, or antique store.

Some ideas for the furniture you already have:

1. Add new hardware: A new shelf knob or handle can remake an entire piece. Try something natural, like the Viola Knob from the Carol Beach Pressed Flower Knobs Collection or the recycled glass Drawer Pulls from the Aurora Accents Drawer Pulls Collection (available in six colors; Amethyst, Apricot, AquaBlue, ClassicClear, Cobalt, and Emerald). Both are available at Nature’s Hardware.

2. Refinish with healthy paints and non-toxic varnish: Don’t forget to sand your piece down first.

3. Use stencils: You can go one step beyond painting and stencil cool designs on a shelf or wall mirror. In fact, if you’re really creative, I’d go freehand.

4. Use covers: You can re-top a table with recycled glass tiles or cover that old couch with some new organic fabric.

To learn more read Reasonable Redecorating: Reuse, Refinish, and Repurpose.

Still to come: Places you can score sustainable furniture.

Sustainable Furniture Guidelines

September 30, 2008 in Decor, Furniture & Appliances by Jennifer | 2 comments

Incorporating green options into your home includes many aspects – building, energy systems, landscaping, interior decor, and even furniture. If you’re going to build or remodel green, why fill your home with toxic furniture?

Home decor is just as important as what’s on the outside of your house. Following are some tips that can make choosing sustainable furniture a little easier:

Look for the right wood: Make sure to buy furniture made from fast growing woods like bamboo or mango, or look for wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). FSC is a worldwide healthy wood standard.

Re-make what you already have: Maybe you don’t need new furniture. You could refinish your current furniture and make it bright and new. Fresh non-toxic finish or paint, plus some cool new hardware (like shelf knobs made from natural items) can cast a new light on old pieces.

Recycled and reclaimed pieces: Another option is to choose thrift store, antique shop, or garage sale furniture. You can re-purpose a piece, although sometimes it’s perfect as is. You can also look for shops that specialize in reclaimed and recycled woods or full pieces.

Go organic: When it comes to recovering an old couch, or even buying new chairs, look for fabrics that are organic or even vintage (re-used).

Look for healthy finishes: You can have healthy, sustainable wood furniture, but if it’s slathered in toxic sealing chemicals, it sort of cancels out the good. Make sure your furniture is finished in eco-friendly paints and varnishes.

Forget leather: The upside of leather is that it lasts and lasts. Long lasting is a smart eco-trait. However, the downside of leather is of course you have to skin an animal to get it. Also, leather production is costly and an energy drain – you have to have pastures for cows, factories for production, and forests are cleared for grazing. Leather is not a good eco choice.

Buy local when possible: It’s not always easy to buy everything local, but if you can, it’s better for the earth. Shipping is a large energy drain and doesn’t foster community.

Later we’ll look at some sustainable furniture options – and some ideas for re-purposing what you already own.

[Reclaimed Wood Table with Stainless Channel Tray shown above available at Acacia]

10 Tips for Greening Your Living Room

August 5, 2008 in Alternative Energy, Furniture & Appliances, Green Cleaning, Green Your Home by Jennifer | No comments

green living roomThis week I thought it might be cool to go room by room and offer some tips that are both easy and will make your rooms greener and healthier.

Let’s kick it off with a high traffic area – the living room:

  1. If you have a fireplace or woodstove, make sure that you close the damper when you don’t have a fire going. You can save a lot on your energy use and electric bill by containing the air or heat you keep inside your house.
  2. Buy furniture made from sustainable woods or recycled materials.
  3. Try to buy soft furniture and fixtures, like sofas, carpet, chairs, and blankets in organics or natural, renewable fabrics and materials.
  4. You can also go for alternative non-carpet flooring choices.
  5. Turn off the television at least two nights a week (more if you can). It’s summer so you can head out for an evening game of Frisbee with the family, or simply have a family game or quiet-time night.
  6. Unplug equipment when not in use. Your stereo does not need to be plugged in 24/7 and it drains electricity.
  7. Choose the best air conditioner for your space.
  8. Buy plants that actually help to improve air quality – your whole family will feel better.
  9. Use LED lighting to light small reading areas, and use long lasting eco-friendly light bulbs in other lighting accessories. Once in a while try lighting organic soy candles instead of turning on the lights.
  10. Clean and dust your living room without the use of toxic chemicals.