f a r - bLog

Times are changing and these days we are compelled to rethink the things we buy. No longer are items made of wood or synthetic materials considered to be the status quo as before. Now, it is all about protecting the environment and using reusable materials wherever we can. Let's take a closer look at the eco-friendly home, also known as the "Green" home.

A good way to start off is to look for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or any other appropriate environmentally safe mark on furniture you intend to buy. Buying an item with this mark means that the materials used to make this product have either been recycled or "upcycled". Upcycled refers to products made from materials that would otherwise have been discarded during the manufacturing process. Ideas here include lampshades made from recycled paper, chairs made from left-over cork or wood, containers made from rubber that were used during the manufacturing of shoes.

But we know, that is easier said than done. After all, the difference between shelves made from the finest mahogany or oak and their "Green" counterparts made from recycled plywood is rather immense. So what do you do?

Think about an antique shop for a moment. We know that antiques are highly coveted stuff. They say so many stories and impress so much strength acquired through the years. Owning one is like being privy to history or someone else's past. And most of the time, antiques look classically appealing that owning one is like showing off a battle mark. Consider this and remind yourself that the brand new oak-made chair may look tempting, but another tree has been cut down to make that chair. The moment you buy a re-used product, you open another slot for another of that recycled material to be sold, thus saving another tree from being logged down, plus you're adding a demand for recycled goods. Small things do make a world of difference. That single tree spared from being made into a chair can help save lives from flooding or can serve as shelter and food source for animals. It also supplies us with clean air to breathe.

Let's think for instance that you've now bought a couple of re-used furniture for your home, but some don't exactly look too good with your other stuff, most of which you bought as new before you found about the amazing contribution eco-friendly products do for our environment. How do you solve this problem?

Ever heard of a transitional rug? It's a normal area rug that has the sole purpose of ensuring that all the different items and ideas in a room blend in together smoothly. It will usually contain elements of both or all of the ideas or motifs of your decoration, finished off with a touch of contemporary design to bring everything together. Rugs like these can be used as focal points or just as a practicality to aid in the ambience of the room in question.

But perhaps one of the best things about a transitional area rug is that it can be bought both new and second hand without having to worry about the effect it might have on the environment - this is of course only the case with those made out of wool. Why wool? Quite simply because the sheep it belonged to will have a fine new fleece in no time, which means that the environment wasn't harmed in any way during the making of your transitional rug. Choosing the correct rug will mean that your room will be a seamless work of art where new and old has been used together.