[AUTOSAVED] Enviromentally And Fiscally Responsable Decorating

Envirmental consciousness is on the rise. Extravegance and abundance is out and simplicity is in. We are all looking for ways to reduce- reuse and recycle.

With ever changing styles in fashion and decor it can be a challage to be up to date without a continual turn over in our belongings. There is also a lot of truth to the saying “They just don’t make things like they used to.” One of the latest trends has made the Re-use princiiple an easy one to adopt. The Retro Revival.

Fashions and furnishings from the 70’s are the hot! This doesn’t mean we need to head for the nearest furniture store to buy over priced and poorly constructed particle board knock offs. There are some great peices to be found at your local flea markets, thrift shops, and antique markets. I have recently aquired some great tables, dressers, head boards, dining room suites, consoles… I furnished a large farm house for less than $1000.

For me, the trill of the hunt is enough to keep me poking our local antique markets. I love a bargain! Who doesn’t. I feel a sence a triumpf when I happen upon a solid wood coffee table with great lines at Good Will for $2. This year on the last day of a near by antique market I even made off with a large two tierd maple corner console table that was marked “Free- take me away”. It had originally been marked at $350. That is my best bargain to date.

Watch for peices that still have a good finish on them and save the cost of professional restoration. I discovered a product called Howards Finish Restorer. Basically a tinted oil you wipe on and let sit before wiping off the excess. It Brings up the ritchness of the colour and moisturizes the wood. i buy it at the antique market. It comes in several stain colours for a very close match. You can find simmilar products at the hardware store. If you aquire several peices and want to tie them together for a unified look, you can paint them all the same. All it takes is a scuff sanding, the right primer and the right paint colour. There are many low voc and eco friendly paints on the market. For a professional finish rent a paint sprayer.

For very little investment you now have well crafted furniture in the latest decor trend. You have saved money and trees. What a wonderful feeling!

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