Hello to all of my dear readers! I am back as promised to show you more of my home and how it has been decorated. As you know, here at Sugarpeel, sustainability is at our core and we strive to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Many consider food, clothing, and transportation as main contributors to pollution, but household emissions are oftentimes overlooked. The electric, laundering of clothes, and the refrigerator are serious culprits. However, furniture and decor can also significantly increase your carbon footprint.
In fact, Approximately 42% of global carbon emissions are attributed to the built environment; which includes home interiors and the furnishings according to Architecture 2030 based on data from the 2018 Global Status Report. Architecture 2030 has included some excellent and practical ways to reduce our footprint for a more climate positive built environment here.
These tips do not just apply to infrastructure or on large scale city plans. We can integrate these actions into our homes. So how can we achieve this? By incorporating more eco-friendly furnishings, decor, and furniture into our homes. According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) a generation (products at the end-of-life) of furniture and furnishings in MSW (Municipal Solid Waste) was 12.1 million tons in 2018 (4.1% of total MSW), up from 2.2 million tons in 1960. Wood was the largest material category in furniture, and ferrous metals was the second largest category. Plastics, glass, textiles and other materials were also found in furniture. A staggering 80.1% ended up in a landfill.
Purchasing sustainable furniture alternatives is one actionable way to reduce your household emissions. For me, I love to incorporate vintage and reclaimed furniture into my home. I decided to take my time finding the right pieces to fit each room. Two special brands are worth mentioning.
Me & Phoebe refurbishes vintage finds into the most gorgeous, timeless furniture must-haves. Lisa (Owner and Designer) has an eye for finding diamonds in the rough. She is able to elevate beautiful pieces, adding even more charm and therefore expanding their lifecycle and avoiding landfills. Me & Phoebe can be found at the Clover Market and you do not want to miss the booth. I have purchased many lovely pieces from Me & Phoebe for my home including a dresser, nightstand, mahogany pedestal end table, and the pièce de résistance a solid maple kitchen table.
This striking table needed equally special chairs. My search began and ended in New Hope, PA- known for their vintage and antiques stores. Bucks County Vintage (@buckscountyvintage) is not just a gorgeous store, it is a real treat. A walk through time where you can feast your eyes on decor and furniture from a variety of design periods from Mid-century modern to Rustic, all carefully curated by Owner, Michelle. My chairs were there, just waiting for me. Provincial style woven rush, carved wooden chairs handcrafted in Italy. A perfect match with my kitchen table.
No need to stop at furniture when looking for more sustainable home alternatives. I am heavily inspired by European style. Terracotta tile is widely used throughout Europe, which is one of my favorite design elements to see when traveling. The rustic style is not just visually arresting, but also very practical. Terracotta is easy to clean, highly durable, and timeless. I found THE terracotta tile, Saltillo tile, handmade in Mexico using clay, a naturally occurring material. I worked with the fabulous Rustico Tile to find the perfect Saltillo style for my home. Rustico works with talented and adept artisans in Mexico to create authentic Saltillo tile. I chose 12 x 12 square tiles in the traditional color, which include rich shades of gold and orange, adding warmth and serenity to my home. Read more here on the sustainability of terracotta versus other tiles options on the market. These absolutely stunning tiles were meticulously and perfectly installed by the highly talented and experienced Tile All.
To read more on the other wonderful companies of which I worked to make my home perfect for me, please click here.
