A big driver behind our "going tiny" was (and remains) a desire to live more sustainably—to consume fewer resources, pollute the planet a little less and support ourselves and our community by honing skills like building and gardening.
Using reclaimed materials fits into this vision. Not only does repurposing what otherwise might be considered "trash" keep things out of the landfill, it reduces the transportation, packaging and energy demands of producing new products. It also saves us money, allowing us to live on a tinier budget.
But beyond all these sustainability benefits, I've found that free finds on Craiglist and Freecycle, wood from burn and trash piles and construction leftovers have made us more creative. As we engage in what I call "serendipitous design," we create things we wouldn't have imagined if we used all new materials.
Here are a few of our finds and the projects they influenced...
BLOCKS FROM A DEMOLISHED WALL...BECAME THE FOUNDATION OF OUR SCREEN HOUSE
Using reclaimed materials fits into this vision. Not only does repurposing what otherwise might be considered "trash" keep things out of the landfill, it reduces the transportation, packaging and energy demands of producing new products. It also saves us money, allowing us to live on a tinier budget.
But beyond all these sustainability benefits, I've found that free finds on Craiglist and Freecycle, wood from burn and trash piles and construction leftovers have made us more creative. As we engage in what I call "serendipitous design," we create things we wouldn't have imagined if we used all new materials.
Here are a few of our finds and the projects they influenced...
BLOCKS FROM A DEMOLISHED WALL...BECAME THE FOUNDATION OF OUR SCREEN HOUSE
SHIPPING PALLETS....DRESSED UP THE FRONT OF OUR FOOD PANTRY.
OTHER PALLETS BECAME OUR MULTI-PURPOSE STOOLS/TABLES/STORAGE UNITS.
A GIVE-AWAY MAGAZINE RACK PLUS A PALLET...TRANSFORMED INTO A PETITE TABLE.
BOARDS FROM A DEMOLISHED BARN...INSPIRED OUR BATHROOM DOOR.
OLD KITCHEN COLANDERS...BECAME THE CEILING PLATES FOR OUR KITCHEN LIGHTS.
A COLLAPSED BUILDING UP THE MOUNTAIN...SUPPLIED OUR LIVING ROOM WALL.
OUR OLD TOO-BIG BUREAU....NOW SERVES AS SINK AND PANTRY IN THE SCREEN HOUSE.
PLUS, MANY MORE PROJECTS INSPIRED BY SECOND-HAND MATERIALS. HERE ARE A FEW:
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