Reclaimed & Recycled

Beautiful living room with reclaimed wood floors

I'm not really the "outdoorsy" type - I don't spend my free time camping or kayaking (though both sound fun!), but you could call me a bit of a "tree-hugger." In fact, I spent a lot of my childhood sitting in the maple tree in our front yard. I have a sincere respect for the beauty found in nature, and I believe in protecting our environment and using recycled and reclaimed materials whenever possible. 

This past spring, my husband, Daniel, planted our first garden (and grew it organically), and I was so proud when he built planters recycled from wood that he had used on a renovation project, instead of purchasing new pots. He also made a great storage box with a hinged lid to conceal the hose. It took extra time, but he saved money and saved perfectly good wood from being thrown in the dump. 

When renovating attic space into what is now his office, Daniel spent hours refurbishing an old barn door, using non-toxic strippers. Now, the sliding closet door adds a great amount of character to the space. 

Going "green" is not a good idea purely for the sake of being gentle on our natural world, it is also a great way to enrich and add texture to a room's decor.  Below are some fabulous pieces from one of my favorite sites, VivaTerra.com, which have been given a second chance.

Recycled glass vases

Vintage fir armoire 

I absolutely love the shape of the headboard on their Gustavian bed.

Nature's Beauty...On the Inside

There is something about fall that awakens in me a deeper appreciation for nature than during the other seasons. Perhaps that is because winter is coming soon, and we don't have much time left to comfortably spend with it. Or, maybe it's the captivating colors and seasonal traditions like apple picking and pumpkin carving. Whatever the reason, I enjoy being surrounded by the earthiness of autumn and like to bring some inside with me. 

I have always had an obsession with organic elements - wood and stone, things that grow and are green - especially when brought indoors and paired with less than rustic elements. Furniture, accessories, lighting...they are all more interesting when fashioned after elements in nature. When you look through a  magazine, you will find that each photo of a home or room have something in common - something organic that draws you into the room - a vase of flowers, a bowl of fruit, or a great wooden table. Below are amazing examples of organic-inspired designs that I find go a bit farther.

Ironies Tallinn Buffet

Adriana Shumaris Organic Teak Bench

Aqua Lighting Creation
aquagallery.com

In this living room, it is the organic elements that make it a welcoming space.