Home decorating is the ultimate hobby of consumerism. How much of this stuff do we really need? But as humans, we’re always wanting, always reaching for what’s new. It keeps us moving forward, doesn’t it?
To meet our wants in a way that’s friendlier to the planet, our options for repurposing and reusing are growing. In honor of Earth Day 2012, here are unique and classy ways to rethink how we’re using things, from my Pinterest board, Repurpose Reuse Recycle Reclaim RETHINK …
A table reborn as a kitchen island, from BHG.com:

A headboard re-used as a garden gate from All Things Lovely:

From Country Living, old bowls become pendant shades (you could do this with garden pots too which usually already have a hole in the middle, very convenient!):

From Julie Landreth Design & Photography, architectural elements refashioned into a console table:

Sometimes we might dress like our homes. After all, if we like the style and colors of our home, why not wear similar clothes? And sometimes your clothes can become your home! See this before/after DIY sweater pillow tutorial at Brassy Apple:

You can set your refashioned sweaters-as-pillows on a recycled Army tent canvas re-used as upholstery, such as this sectional from Environment Furniture:

This could be in your living room in a home made of shipping containers:

How about modern furniture crafted of wood from the lanes of old bowling alleys? Such as this table from Stranger Furniture, shown at Inhabitat:

Oh, there are so many more ideas where these came from at the Repurpose Reuse Recycle Reclaim RETHINK Pinterest Board – more than 260 ideas! Next time you need furniture or a home accessory, take another look at things. How could they find a renewed life?
And, coming tomorrow another post in honor of Earth Day, but with something far more colorful and India-inspired …
Sincerely,







