Sustainable Solutions
Planning a remodel, or just looking to refresh your space? We’ve rounded up a few sustainable remodeling and decor options to make that next home project a little greener.
PAPER TRAILS
If you’re looking for sustainable alternatives in home decoration, consider putting down the paintbrush and picking up some glue – wallpaper offers an environmentally friendly way to cover your space.
“There’s recycled paper, cork, mica, grasscloths – they’re natural materials,” says Jodi Lurie, the owner of Talking Walls, a wallpaper studio in Milwaukee (talkingwallscreative.com). “When we source our vendors, we’re looking for companies that have sustainably productions methods.”
Natural wallpapers, which also include paper weave, bamboo and wood veneer options, have less of a carbon footprint than their synthetic alternatives, and can be longer-lasting than a coat of paint. At the same time, you don’t have to sacrifice style. “Sustainably sourced paper has a beautiful texture,” Lurie says. “Many of my clients especially love grasscloth and cork because of their texture – they don’t look flat.”
REHOMING
Any remodel leaves a lot in its wake – old appliances, piping, cabinetry, paneling, etc. But in recent years, some designers have focused on finding new uses for all that old stuff instead of letting it go to waste. Kate Smith of k.smith x (ksmithx. com) recently completed a major renovation of a 7,000-square foot 1940s home in Door County, in which 80% of the cabinets were “rehomed.” (Those that weren’t had been water damaged or were otherwise broken.) “It’s a great feeling to not just see all of that carted off in a dumpster, but know that’s it being reused,” Smith says.
Smith has built strong relationships with vendors she trusts who can reuse appliances and miscellaneous materials from her design projects, and even when something doesn’t quite fit any of her vendor’s needs, she can find a way to find it a new home, even using Facebook Marketplace to keep useful items in circulation.
THE AMISH ANGLE
The craftsmanship of Amish artisans is on full display in their durable, handmade furniture – and it offers a sustainable alternative to big-box store furnishings. The Amish use real wood grown in America, avoiding the high carbon footprint of international shipping. Plus, their pieces are handmade, avoiding the fuel cost of the machinery used to put together other furniture. And of course, the high quality and durability means that the furniture won’t need to be replaced for many years. BILTRITE Furniture – Leather – Mattresses (biltritefurniture.com) in Greenfield offers Metro Milwaukee’s largest selection of Amish-made furniture, including wood-frame sofas, glider rocks, benches, cedar chests, armoires and much more. The team sources Amish goods from craftsmen in Ohio, traveling throughout the year to find the best quality items.
