3 reasons why we should choose to reuse

Welcome to my first blog post!

Instead of jumping straight in to some shameless self-promotion of my stylish, unique and environmentally-conscious furniture and homeware, I wanted to explain 3 of my main motivations for creating this business.

1

Reusing and repurposing is both fun and cost effective. My husband and I have many pieces of furniture that have followed us from house to house. But what works in one space doesn't always work in another. With some clever reimaginging or painting, we have managed to keep hold of our beloved furniture and made it fit our new space, saving hundreds of pounds. Beside cabinets become side tables. Bureaus become drinks cabinets, and so on. I have extended these skills to Out of the Eaves, where I make old-fashioned or broken furniture fit for purpose again, or perhaps even a different purpose...

2

Old, solid wood furniture is made to last. Yes, it chips, drawers get sticky, hinges come loose. But the bones are good. A good-quality pine chest can be painted , sanded and stripped repeatedly, with minimal deterioration. In fact, it only adds to the character. I appreciate some of the practicalities of sourcing a brand new piece of furniture - you can search a website and find an item that fits your exact measurements in seconds. It arrives flatpacked so you can easily get it up the stairs. I've been there many times. But what happens when the doors come loose or the runners break? Are we fixing it? Will somebody else want it? Probably not. If it's solid wood, however, it can be fixed and used again for many years. Buying brand new can be a false economy. Explore my furniture for examples of high-quality solid wood pieces that will become part of the story of your home.

3

Along the same lines - fast furniture is wrecking the planet. According to Furniture News, 22 million pieces of furniture are sent to landfill each year in the UK (link below). Much of this will be fast furniture, as it isn't built to last and it cannot usually be recycled because it is made from composite materials. It is more important than ever to be responsible consumers and to consider the impact our choices make. Shopping locally, choosing quality over convenience, saving up for the best we can afford...it all helps to reduce consumption and the environmental impact of furnishing our homes. So, while you're here...have a browse!

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