I knew we were on our way to a Depression Era decorating mentality and now we have arrived. Thank goodness we have artists living at the poverty level to show us the way. As seen in this feature in the New York Times, an artist who makes sculpture from driftwood and his resourceful partner have…
It's hard not to feel that your old house renovation project has gone astray when you find yourself scuttling around inside a rain-soaked Dumpster. And that's exactly where I was a few weeks back, sifting through tons of old plaster, brick and demolition debris after an essential piece of original bathroom plumbing from our 1924…
I guess my friend and co-author Kitty Bartholomew is a visionary. For many years, long before it was eco-hip, she was finding new uses for old things that have served their purpose well and that deserve more than a slow ride to the landfill. Old leather belts are a case in point. Consider how much…
After I wrote about a green home renovation in New Orleans (see it here), I heard from contractor Tom Borland, who had made that home’s beautiful wood countertops. The counters are notable for the warm beauty that came from old, salvaged pine with super-tight grain. It turns out Tom was a SoCal builder who moved…
The ReUse People, a facility where you can buy salvaged and new materials from deconstructed homes and other sources, is holding a grand opening Saturday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The warehouse is at 11017 Sutter Ave., Pacoima, two blocks north of Van Nuys Boulevard near the confluence of the 5, 210…
This wall covering made from tin can tops, as seen in the New York Times, has a certain appeal. But there’s something a little creepy about it, as well. Or is it just me? (Photo: New York Times)
Suze Orman would not be happy with me. If you’ve seen her show, you’ve heard her intone: People first. Then money. Then things. My current lineup is: People first. Then tile. Then everything else. Back at the tile shop, where I picked up my free tiled tabletop in the alley behind the store, I checked…