They rearrange the furniture. Put on their Easter bonnet. This year we’re saying- do it all Green. Practice Conscious Consumption. Not only reduce and recycle, but reuse what you have. It can save you cash, but it's more about making the most of our stuff.
Found Objects
This is an exercise in creative seeing: in nature, at fleamarkets, at second hand shops. The trick is to look at something with a playful eye, and imagine it's myriad uses. We call it the "What else could this be?" game. We like: Tree branches as curtain rods. Cloth napkins and old lace as valances. Interesting old doors that become tables. Sugar pine cones that become candelabras. Vintage cans and jars that become real usable storage collections.
Fresh Coats of Paint
Our freind Rose, writer, single mama, had the most inviting space. She would find interesting old furniture and paint it all white, to a high gloss, then accesorize with fresh flowers and plants and scent and color. Even punching up the walls with a new color, getting rid of scuffs and fingerprints, and adding some complementary color hits through paint can do it. Read about painting the eco-friendly way.
Creative Reuse, or the Art of Home Refining
We like Laurie Ward- Use What You Have decorating. Her blog has simple before and after photos with ways to create visual freshness and harmony- rearranging furniture, repotting plants, using FLOR tiles, whitewashing/using white, packing away stuff to reduce clutter- ALL great ideas. Check her out here: http://redecorate.com/blog/
If you must buy new, buy Green.
That means the fabrics and the manufacturing methods are sustainable. Look for affordable green options at IKEA, and for high-design options among these favored brands and stores.
Furniture: Look for materials that don't off-gas and recycled components, like this piece:
Lighting : We love this rechargeable candle lamp from candela, and these track lights from Mio.
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