One person’s trash is another person’s treasure, and that’s never been truer than with this roundup of upcycled junk that’s been skillfully transformed into the surprisingly pleasant and totally livable home furnishings that follow.
The true cost of throwing out your old or gently used furniture is actually pretty steep – and the environment is paying for it. Fortunately, there are some talented designers who are interested in changing the face of store-bought furniture by taking upcycled junk to a whole different level. Many of these designs are not only stylish, but they’re also sophisticated – resulting in some beautiful pieces that I certainly wouldn’t be ashamed of having in my home.
From reclaimed wood, to repurposed pipe, to revamped antiques, there is sure to be something on this list that catches your eye. Take a peek at these eco-friendly designer pieces, and have fun deciding on where they might look the best in your home.
Represent your hometown with these adorable and industrial modern state-shaped tables with a rustic feel. Sure to compliment a variety of decorating styles, these unique handmade surfaces are constructed from reclaimed Tennessee barn wood. Finished off with hairpin legs and supported by a sturdy iron framework, these little pieces of history are sure to be around for many more years to come.
2. Industrial Pipe Pendant Lamp
Sculptural and undoubtedly unique, add a cool conversation piece to your home with this pendant light created from upcycled pipe and bright, beautiful globe bulbs. This would look superb hanging in the foyer to greet guests, or choose a smaller custom size and flank these suspended pendants on either side of the bed above each nightstand. In addition to this special piece, the etsy shop from which it comes specializes in other beautiful one-of-a-kind custom industrial lighting with the use of reclaimed materials.
Get the best of both worlds at both ends! This stool provides a place to park your buns and sip your favorite vino, while also displaying your borderline obsessed totally normal relationship with wine. Another plus is that these seats are composed of 100 percent repurposed and recycled corks – with more than 2,300 used in each piece. Ok, so since the number of corks needed would take, like, a lifetime to save up for as a do-it-yourself project, your liver and I highly suggest purchasing these, rather than trying to throw a few together at home. Besides, these are water and mold resistant and can also double as side tables. What’s not to love?
Handcrafted in and shipped from Europe, these special little storage boxes were formerly ammunition crates. Repainted in three beautiful colors, green, white, and aqua, a Cubie in any hue is sure to look as good as it functions. Aside from new lids made from reclaimed palettes, the crates reuse all of the original materials – screws, hinges, sides, and bottoms. The weathered appearance and natural rope handles would look great when used in a nautical, shabby chic, or other casual decor setting.
Perfect for the film buff in your life, that multimedia theater room, or the finishing touch in an industrial modern home, this striking film reel table is sure to start conversations with ease. Your guests will love hearing how this side table was made. Created with an original aluminum 35mm film reel from the 1930s sandwiched between two sheets of glass and offset by a base made with salvaged gear parts, this unique piece does an excellent job marrying antique and contemporary details.
Create a cozy sitting corner, or gather ‘round the breakfast table and pull up one of the most unique, completely recycled industrial-style chairs. These bold seats are handcrafted by artist Boris Bally, and are made from salvaged traffic signs that he extracts from ten-foot-high, thirty thousand pound scrap piles. Each chair is special because of the variation of materials, the difficulty in locating pieces with just the right amount of weathering, and the technique in which they’re made – he adds details through hand-sawing and filing.
What did you think of these unique pieces? Is it worth the price to purchase something that won’t pollute our landfills? Let us know your thoughts on the EcoSalon Facebook page!
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Image of Chandelier via Urban Chandy