Trends come and go but one that will stick and needs to stick is sustainability. It looks good! It feels good!
With limited resources and a growing population the world is now seeing and feeling that sustainable living is a must. It always should have been.
TO BE OR NOT TO BE?
But it’s so easy to be and to buy unsustainable! In the (ironic) Amazon world of shopping it’s so easy to buy throw away items, from fast fashion to bulk furniture. But at what cost do we make these savings? Environmental , social and economical. When we buy mass produce cheap item‘s from the likes of the big players we’re normally buying into cheap man made material that can’t be recycled and end up in landfill. To keep the materials at a ‘good price’ to the consumer, there’s normally a community or industry that takes the hit to keep up with this competitive pricing. Companies like the already mentioned, have a large share of the ‘pot’ that stays in their ‘pot’! Doesn’t get pumped back into the economy or even in taxes.
We’re not saying it‘s all bad to shop like this.. It’s convenient, it’s quick, it’s cheap.. But at what cost? Just a little question to ask and to be a little mindful when making a purchase.
But the tables are turning
More and more industries are making positive steps to produce products in a more eco friendly manner. These are the companies we’ll be looking to share with you in our curated range (coming soon) at www.Oreandlumber.co.uk
A great place to shop sustainable and avoid the mass produced/ mass waste items, is Etsy. All items should be, and most are! Handmade from small, like minded business’. Anything from the weird to the wonderful can be found on Etsy. Cute glass bottled jars, a personalised picture, art, jewellery, sustainable clothing and of course furniture and homeware. We always try out new items on Etsy and take inspiration from other makers. https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/OreAndLumber
Other ways to shop sustainable?
2nd hand stores , markets, reclaim yards, charity shops and more…
There’s nothing better than sourcing out wood from reclaim yards. Learning it’s history and turning it into a beautiful table or kitchen island . Like this joist wood purchased from our local salvage yard which they acquired from a victorian era building.
After a little TLC (or a lot of It) these old chunks of wood that may of been discarded, burnt or forgotten can be turned into beautiful pieces of furniture.
We’re also looking in these place for pieces that may need a little freshen up... a lick of paint , varnish, wax , modification or whatever it may need. To then find a new home.
What could be more sustainable than that?
Love the table made from the joists 😍