On the Home Front: Military Chic

Sustainable design inspired by an unsustainable war.

EcoSalon writer Stephanie Rogers outlined the myriad public works a month of war funding could pay for, including wind energy, high-speed rail, Superfund cleanup and an end to hunger in the United States. Earlier this week, the New York Times released a poll with CBS News that found 69 percent of Americans think the U.S. should not be involved in the war in Afghanistan. Sixty-eight percent think it’s going badly; 35 percent say “very badly.”

As a nation, we have been at some kind of war for over a decade. It shouldn’t be surprising, then, that we see so much upcycled and repurposed military paraphernalia on the home front. But is the army aesthetic fatigued, or will it forever remain militantly chic?

A handmade jump seat made from sustainable solid mango wood top swivels.

A reproduction of a 1949 mappemonde found in a French antique shop. It shows borders as they were then, with the Middle East and Germany “at major transition points in their histories.”

This industrial double pendant operates on a die-cast pulley system, a metaphorical play on the industrial war machine.

We’ve featured the Recycled Army Canvas Bean Bag before. The hand-stitched topography is made from the reclaimed canvas of old Army tents and tarps, keeping this durable material out of landfills.

This replica of a vintage American factory bin is a natural accent for a military inspired abode.

The Safia from Environment Furniture is a big, modern sofa upholstered in vintage canvas from Army tents.

A lamp created from military-grade grenades, destined to become your space’s conversation sparker.

K. Emily Bond

K. Emily Bond is the Shelter Editor at EcoSalon and currently resides in southern Spain, reporting on trends in art, design, sustainable living and lifestyle.