In Business, Creating Sustainable Enterprises & Communities

SALVAGED TRENDS

In Business, March-April, 2006, Vol. 28, No. 2, p. 31

ECOSTYLE

Delia Montgomery

SALVAGE companies are finding new ways to market their goods. Such businesses have varied backgrounds and operation structures, but the mutual goal of buyers and sellers are to save the staggering amounts of usable and often precious materials that people are continuously throwing into landfills. Their efforts are showing stylish rewards today.
We're accustomed to learning how much cheaper it is to build with vinyl flooring, synthetic carpet, laminated counter tops, and unnatural materials. Then there's the typical talk from carpenters of how much harder it is to work with old materials. Most builders tell recycling enthusiasts that in the end, the old stuff costs a lot more money than the new.
The Green Building Resource Guide posts a Salvaged Building Materials Exchange on their Internet site. The information is not dated, but they convincingly claim that if you take responsibility for locating salvaged materials and delivering them to your site, you will reduce the cost of construction. But let's face it; installing a window from a trash heap is easier for some than others. These businesses are known to cater to carpenters and craftsmen, not trend-seeking consumers. Or is that standard changing? I find it is in the West Coast region.
Beyond Waste operates a California warehouse in Cotati where they sell, by appointment, materials salvaged from the buildings the company crew has deconstructed. In fact, they are known as an industry leader of deconstruction today. Their business expanded as military bases closed. Every salvage company has their unique history, but deconstruction is what the supply chain is created from. With the supplies comes the business of selling building materials to constructors which has evolved into manufacturing and retail. “Country Prairie” tables are made from their reclaimed lumber in addition to flooring, wainscoting and baseboards.
Ohmega Salvage in Berkeley buys and sells usual and unusual salvaged building materials. Their goal is to save items that are still useful to architects, contractors, and homeowners. Over the last 31 years, the company became known as the leading supplier of restoration materials. Reproductions from ornamental plaster to high tank toilets are complimentary retail additions to their gallery.
In Mendocino, California, Redwood Salvage Sales (dot com) started business with milled lumber and custom-cut pieces. Orders came from architects, wood workers and restoration projects. Today they offer furniture, doors, panels, and windows custom made from eco-salvaged first-growth redwood. Master craftsmen will work directly with you, your architect or agent, to custom design, make and ship directly from their mill to your home.
Many designers and buyers are matching trends with what appears weathered and worn. Decorators believe the look adds character to homes and small businesses. Now that new pieces are made to look old with higher price tags, you know that salvaged is chic. What better way to accomplish this look than to shop salvage?
Consumers on a budget are more convinced to buy reclaimed materials and goods today than they were a few years ago. And shoppers who share their salvage hunt experiences believe they save 10 to 35 percent. Predemolition sales are the new addiction with the experienced early attendees carrying measuring tapes and driving hauling vehicles.
Materials that are difficult to sell, such as short pieces of wood, can be transformed into appealing home furnishings. Craftsmen marketing opportunities range from salvage companies to green retail sites, and to classic department stores as they take advantage of the refurbishing craze.
People are willing to pay more for higher quality and what touches their heart. This holds true for more than reclaimed lumber pieces. Wrought iron gates, chandeliers, and old-fashioned rolling library ladders come from places like demolished libraries in New York City to old hotels in Paris. Like any treasure seeking adventure, the higher the budget, the more elaborate craftsmen can get.
Yes, budget seekers are changing attitudes, but I'm seeing a full menu of price options. Making new from old comes in all forms. Whether new construction from old materials or simply designing with old pieces, this is a style that will surpass a decorating trend.

Delia Montgomery is an environmental design consultant and personal eco shopper for homes, bodies and gardens. Questions or comments are welcome. Visit www.ChicEco.com or e-mail: Info@ChicEco.com.