Going Green with Your Decor

Seems going green has hit the mainstream.  Since the release of Al Gore’s documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth,” many celebrities have joined his fight to avert an environmental crisis.  With spokespersons Kevin Wall (concert producer), Pharrell Williams (musician) and Cameron Diaz (actress), “Save Our Selves (SOS) - The Campaign for a Climate in Crisis” initiative organized Live Earth - a concert for the cause.  The July 7th concert, promoted by MSN, had global reach, spanning all seven continents and featuring over 100 musical acts.

A focus on being Earth conscious has come to the media forefront, and green is the new buzz word.  The home building industry is using more green building products and techniques, and many homeowners are requesting eco-friendly designs, low-VOC paints and reclaimed flooring in their renovation projects.  Reusing old products instead of creating new ones saves resources and energy, recovers quality raw materials that may be harder to find, like bricks and exotic or endangered wood, and reduces what ultimately ends up in our landfills.  So in the spirit of going green, consider this…before you head out to buy the latest, must-have home accessory or accent, hit the local salvage yard, thrift store or neighborhood garage sale and rescue someone’s castoff treasure instead! 

Reclaimed Style - Salvaged Goods as Green Decor

Granted, shopping for green decor may take a bit more time and effort than buying a new item off the shelf.  But you can train your eye to spot those diamonds in the rough.  Start with browsing the latest homewares catalogs like CB2 and Pottery Barn.  (To save paper, view their products online).  Visit your bookstore and flip through the pages of House Beautiful, Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, Coastal Living or a favorite design magazine that reflects your style.  Pay close attention to the combinations of colors, forms and textures designers use to pull together their showcased rooms.  Take notes on what vintage items and elements are “in.”  Then put on some comfortable shoes, grab a tape measure and a wad of small bills and go exploring. 

Keep an open mind.  As you begin your search, examine the “bones” of a piece.  If it has a modern or interesting form, consider how it would look if you modified the color or texture.  Be creative and think about how you might give a well-made item a new purpose.  Think outside the box!  Buying second-hand is both eco-friendly and fiscally-savvy.  You might just find a piece of high-end decor that you otherwise couldn’t afford.  Instead of snatching up trendy, mass-produced goods, aim to create your own, one-of-a-kind look.  Call it “Reclaimed Style.”

Here are some suggestions to get those creative juices flowing:

• A bag of old buttons sewn on an old decorative pillow makes a unique accent
• A metal colander + light kit = mod hanging pendant fixture
• An old brass chandelier + can of spray paint in a bold color becomes a hip, new light fixture
• Spray an old ginger jar lamp with a coat of “hammered metal” spray paint
• Old flannel shirts can be cut, sewn and stuffed to make throw pillows for a leather sofa or cabin retreat bedroom
• Vintage napkins or handkerchiefs can be sewn onto decorative bed pillows for a romantic style bedroom
• A torn leather coat becomes upholstery fabric to recover a bar stool or ottoman. 
• A ladder + scraps of wood cut to fit slats = bookcase or display unit  OR
• 1/2 ladder leaned against a wall = magazine or towel rack
• A gilded or ornate frame around an ugly or damaged print  - remove art and layer just the frames on a mantel or hang them in a grouping on a wall.
• Ugly canvas paintings can be painted over with gesso and repainted. Or stretch and staple on graphic fabric to create your own art panels.
• Interesting paneled door + legs = coffee table
• (3) old hollow core doors + hinges, batting, fabric = custom screen
• Weathered window + eye hooks and chain = hanging room divider
• Large pot or garden urn + glass round = coffee table
• Birdbath + glass round = cafe dining table
• Garden gates or trellises - repurpose as head boards
• Old store signs, architectural elements, house numbers - wall art
• Combine two found elements - candlestick + plate = footed serving dish or cake plate.   Locate a candlestick and a plate of the same material (cut glass, china, silver).  Adhere the two together with a bonding element.
• Scrap of lumber + salvaged crystal door knobs = one-of-a-kind towel bar

If you aren’t crafty or creative, consider supporting artists who use salvaged goods to create beautiful new works.  Check with your local art gallery, or hit the Etsy web site and search the keyword “salvaged.”  For more green decor ideas, visit the O’Neill Sisters and read about the style they’ve coined Funky Shui.  (The featured photo of the bird bath table above is one of their designs).

Anybody out there a salvage junkie?  Please feel free to post some of your ideas on repurposing second-hand decor.  What are some of your favorite haunts?

Happy hunting.  Green it forward!

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