Getting Better With Age

Buying furniture the green way

Several years ago when we were new to the area we visited an antique show. That was, and is, very out of character for us but it’s there that I fell in love with old wood. Not antiques, necessarily, but the weathered, old timber that had spent a hard working lifetime as a barn door or a plank on a floor. We went home that day empty handed. But the thought of what that wood had “seen” captured my imagination, and I couldn’t forget about the layers of colors and scars that made up the unique surface of each piece.

Reclaimed wood - which is wood that was something else before it was turned into your kitchen table – is still one of my favorite things. The imperfections and patina that age brings is something that you typically can’t find in most new furniture.

Everything old is new again
Reclaimed wood, while beautiful, can be a bit more expensive. Wood can be sourced from old barns, old boats or old flooring, but the process to reclaim it and remake it is labor intensive. Our kitchen table is reclaimed from wood flooring used in an old factory in Wisconsin. I love it, knots, water stains and all. As an added benefit, it doesn’t show the new wear and tear of my family as readily as a piece made with new wood might.

Responsibly Harvested Wood
Not all wood is created equal when it comes to the impact its harvest has on the environment. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) guarantees that the wood used in a product came from a “certified well-managed forest” (source: Forest Stewardship Council).

Beyond Wood
The availability of “green” furniture doesn’t stop at wood. End tables made of recycled aluminum, indoor-outdoor rugs made from recycled plastic bottles and recycled glassware are just a sampling of the cool, functional furnishings you’ll find out there.

Where to find it
Local places
These local stores carry old or sustainably harvested wood. I’m sure there are many more – if you know of one let me know and I’ll share it with our readers.

The Inspired Home
This store has two locations, Pineville and Historic South End. Not all the items offered are from reclaimed wood – check with the store on the source of the wood for any particular piece you’re interested in. Details about the store, locations and their products are on their website.

Barn Wood Classics
I haven’t visited this gallery yet, but it’s definitely on my “to do” list. They specialize in furniture made from reclaimed antique barn boards and beams. Store location and hours can be found on their website.

Ordering it
There are plenty of places online that advertise environmentally friendly furniture. One spot you might try is the Eco-Mall. We have not ordered through any of these vendors – although any inquiries that we’ve sent with product questions, etc. have been answered promptly. We have ordered, however, from Viva-Terra, and we’ve typically been very happy with the results. Their products are sourced from a variety of places, so the quality isn’t always as certain. Customer Service has been friendly, although not always good at follow up. Overall though, we’ve been satisfied with our dealings with them and we like their selection.

Taking it Outdoors
Check National Wildlife Federation’s Garden Furniture Scorecard if you are thinking about making any outdoor furniture purchases this summer.


Resources and Digging Deeper
· “Garden Furniture Scorecard.” National Wildlife Federation. 2007. http://www.nwf.org/nwfwebadmin/binaryVault/Garden_Furniture_Scorecard_2007.pdf.
· Forest Stewardship Council. < http://www.fsc.org/en/>.
· “Forests”. World Wildlife Fund. 4 April 2008. < http://www.worldwildlife.org/forests/>.

One More Time…
Revisiting Past Topics

I noticed recently that Target stores are also selling reusable bags near the checkout area for about $1.49 each. I’ve asked them if they plan to have any “bring your own bag” type of incentive programs similar to those run by grocery stores, but according to the Customer Service Department no program is currently planned! -kip-