My memories of high school are not what you’d call nostalgic. In fact, you couldn’t bribe me with eco-gifts and organic treats to return and relive the nonsense of it all. Despite the oodles of teen angst, I did manage to graduate with a strong B average while spending most of my time playing sports or hanging out at my locker.

Which brings me to today’s cool, clever décor object of desire. The Basket Locker is made of four found and refurbished locker baskets, colorfully painted and placed in a …

Tags: creative reuse , decor , furniture , reclaimed , refurbished , storage

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When I was a child, I religiously watched every episode ever made of “I Dream of Jeannie”. Every time she lounged on piles of plush pillows inside her bottle, I remember vowing to, one day, furnish a room that was sofa-free. Although I’ve long since outgrown this plan, I still like the idea of non-traditional seating arrangements.

The innovative giant bean bags available at Waste are the adult equivalent of this childhood dream. Made from recycled car upholstery, these …

Tags: decor , green , home , reclaimed , recycled

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We try to showcase a range of furniture genres here at EcoSalon, offering an eco-shopping option as well as eye candy galore for all. And I’m usually pretty adept at pegging a style when I see one.

The best way I know to describe the raw, natural and hand-crafted aesthetic of Moe Design Studio, is raw, natural and hand-crafted. Or, I could call it country with a modern twist; rural with a city edge.

Most important, it’s reclaimed.

Andrew Moe opened Moe Design Studio in New York in 2003, after …

Tags: decor , furniture , natural , reclaimed , reforestation , salvaged wood , wood

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Poor little plates, unwanted, unloved and discarded. That is, until Daddy Warbucks, or rather Christopher Jagmin gets hold of them. Then the magic happens.

Jagmin finds his “orphans” at estate and garage sales and flea markets. Any shape, size or pattern will do. A complete “makeover” follows that involves cleaning, polishing and the application of a 24K gold decal. Then to the kiln for firing.

Intended as art objects rather than place settings for your next party (with older, found ceramic plates there’s no way to know how they were made), …

Tags: art , decor , plates , reclaimed , recycled

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Are you ready for the next verse in my ode to EcoEtsy? This week, I found handmade décor for your walls, tabletops and shelves you’ll love.

I’m a big fan of rustic furniture, but it’s much more difficult to find decorative accents with the same raw appeal. The Eco-Friendly frame in Tuscan yellow (shown above) is finished with VOC-free shellac to retain the natural appearance of the (sustainable) wood.

Looking for a truly

…

Tags: decor , Etsy , green , reclaimed , recycled , sustainable

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It’s great to hear women’s entrepreneurial success stories.

Katherine Sturgis fits into one of her own.

After working for several years in corporate fashion, buying and merchandising mass-market items, Sturgis came to a conclusion: big business simply wasn’t for her. Instead, she opted to follow her passion and be more creative in the confines of her own home.

Utilizing “Disparate elements and materials to create pieces that are playful, elegant and above all, wearable,” Sturgis says, she creates chunky sterling silver chains entwined with silk thread, strands of vintage rhinestones, and strings …

Tags: artisan , designer , found object , jewelry , Katherine Sturgis , reclaimed , vintage

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When it comes time for a green refresh, you can fill rooms with vintage and sustainable furniture, embellish tabletops with recycled décor and spice up your walls with a couple coats of milk paint. But how can you reduce waste as you revamp your living space? All it takes is a little imagination to solve these common redecorating dilemmas:

A fresh finish isn’t enough to save your dresser. The wood is warped and it …

Tags: craft , decor , decorating , DIY , reclaimed , recycle , upcycle

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Known and adored for his kinetic modern sculptures, paintings and avant-garde mobiles, Alexander Calder was also an eco jewelry maker long before anyone knew what that meant.

During his lifetime, the American artist produced some 1,800 pieces of brass, silver, and gold body ornaments, using wire he twisted into wearable art. Like the stunning flower necklace below, these were often embellished with found objects such as beach glass, wood cuttings, ceramic shards and pieces of mirror.

About 90 of his inventive designs are on exhibit at the “Metropolitan Musuem …

Tags: art , artisan , artist , Calder , craft , designer , jewelry , reclaimed

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A desire to see wood striations seems ingrained in our modern sensibilities, from the art of Rex Ray to the sleek carved furniture gliding into showrooms and onto green websites. The most skilled craftsmen have always been keen on sharing their process which often involves revealing the beauty of nature in their work. It’s a growing trend in green design, in which the materials are either reclaimed from old buildings or harvested from certified sources not endangered.

Here are a few examples of the proud wearing of the grain:

Hudson’s …

Tags: art , craft , design , furniture , green , reclaimed , trend , wood

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