'Sustainable Decor 101'

Thrift Store Finds: Trunks, filing cabinet and suitcases

The first time I ever considered vintage and thrift store finds as part of the growing “sustainable fashion” movement was in talking with friend and colleague Sammy Davis of Sammy Davis Vintage.

Vintage retailer and fashion advocate, Davis combs thrift stores for pieces she might sell at featured vintage sales or use to style for an online fashion tutorial or editorial. For those like Davis, sustainability not only applies to fashion and design made from eco-friendly materials, but from those that are vintage as well.

As far as décor, there are several ways to reintroduce flea market treasures into your home. Try these ideas on for size:

Wall Collection of Mismatched Dishes

Build a collection of mismatched dishes to display on tabletops or hang on the walls. You can transform the plates into mirrors if you’d like to take it one step further.

Aside from storage, old trunks and filing cabinets make for good last minute seating and occasional tables.

Fabric scraps for do-it-yourself projects can be found on the cheap at thrift shops. No need to head to your local fabric store where prices for fabric have doubled over the years. Please note: If you plan to reuse, always give the fabric a good wash.

Redesign Your Own Vintage Chair

Dining room tables and chairs can be stripped of paint, painted in a new color, stained, or re-upholstered. You don’t need to buy a whole dining set if you are just looking to add some personality to an unused corner of your home.

The best artwork is often found at thrift stores or flea markets, where you are sure to find a one-of-kind creation.

Lamps can be easily given a new shade and cleaning for a modern update. If the lamp is broken, try taking it to a hardware store for some help with rewiring.

Shelving units are perfect for reorganizing your home office, linen closet or children’s bedroom. The same rule applies as for dining room tables and chairs: strip paint, repaint, stain, or even add wallpaper.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to sustainable home décor.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of www.re-nest.com; capitolstyle.co.uk; peacelovechandeliers.blogspot.com