Repurposed Remodel Ideas

Repurposed isn't just for furniture   Given the right circumstances a home remodel can be loaded with repurposed features and recycled content from the previous design.  We fortunately live in a time when saving things is pretty cool, stylish, and completely custom and unique.  Trends have aligned in the Earth's favor and we hope this blog gives you some ideas during  your next remodel.  Not only is fashionable but it can also save you some serious money by eliminating cost of new goods.  And of course, using repurposed items during a remodel is great for our planet!

So, how can you incorporate repurposed items into your remodel?  Well obviously a lot depends on on the home you are intending to remodel.  The age, style of home, and general construction will depict how much you can repurpose or will want to repurpose.  One of the most stylish items in a home you can repurpose is definitely wood.   Any solid  wood removed from the home (especially beams) could be repurposed into the new design or even used in repurposed furniture for the home.   The reclaimed wood can also be used for custom built ins, closets, and general shelving. Also, you can look for ways to recycle or repurpose any lighting or glass that you take out of the home.   Finally, the cabinetry and vanities in the home can also be repurposed of refurbished making them more modern with alterations and color changes.

I hope these repurposed ideas help you with your next green friendly remodel!

From Dreary to Dreamy: A Small Kitchen Makeover

Small, dark, galley kitchen…these all sound like dirty words when it comes to most people’s “dream” kitchens. Yet just because you started out with a dark, narrow, or small space, does not mean you need to give up. There are multiple ways in which a kitchen can be taken from drab to green and fabulous! 

Through the use of eco-friendly building materials like bamboo your kitchen can be redesigned to be beautiful, inviting, and non-toxic. Custom, earth friendly bamboo cabinets can be custom built for narrow spaces, creating elongated and clean storage for any kitchen. By extending kitchen cabinets to the ceiling is a design that encourages the observer's eye to travel upward, giving the entire space a larger and airy feel. Complete a cabinet redesign by adding simple, modern hardware to bring any kitchen into the 21st century. Incorporating a custom color pallet in light, inviting colors further aids in giving any kitchen space a more open feel. However, if installing new cabinetry is not an option, simply changing the color from dark wood tones to cool, lighter tones allows the entire space to quickly seem more open, as this will allow the cabinets to receded into the similar cool tones of the walls. By further complimenting a single pallet kitchen with bold accent pieces, such as colorful kitchen island cabinetry, a strategic "pop" of interest can be added to a room used as one of the most general convening areas in any home.

When possible, incorporating solar tubes into a kitchen lighting design can not only save energy but add a sleek, beautiful, and environmentally friendly twist to any room. Solar lighting is a brilliant way to and natural illumination to a room where lighting is not only an accent, but also critical to functionality. Additional recessed lighting or single, large focal point lighting can also be added to compliment any contemporary redesign. 

Finally, adding beautiful, non-toxic, environmentally friendly flooring like bamboo, reclaimed wood, or marmoleum in a lengthwise pattern will complete making the space look and feel larger and more inviting.