A number of stores are doing their part to help Houstonians make stylish and sustainable decor choices for their homes. Ranging from eco-friendly custom-made furniture, fashionable vintage pieces or something crafted from reclaimed wood, here are some of the best sources for going green — while also staying on-trend — at home.
Founded by Jeff Kaplan in 2007, New Living has built a strong reputation for providing eco-friendly home goods, ranging from sustainably-built custom furniture to organic mattresses and pillows. Now with two locations, including the original in Rice Village and New Living Bedroom in the Heights, the original location now also includes Made @ New Living, a custom furniture shop where artisans craft pieces using reclaimed woods and non-toxic finishes and stains.
In addition to making custom-built furnishings, the store also offers a number of pre-made pieces, including coffee tables, beds and shelving with a modern yet homey edge.
Located in the west side of the Heights, ReCoop Designs is an artisan-run furniture workshop with a focus on sustainability. All of the shop's works are created from reclaimed materials, salvaged primarily from the Houston area. While ReCoop Designs is centered around creating custom works of sculptural furniture and art, they also offer furniture refinishing and repurposing, as well as woodwork, steelwork, lighting and interior design.
In addition to their custom services, the shop sells their own artisan-designed furniture pieces — which feature a rustic yet modern feel — through their website and in-store.
Au courant consignment store Cuatro, located at the corner of Bissonnet and Greenbriar, features 3,000 square feet of unique vintage and antique finds, offering fantastic alternatives to purchasing something brand new that would mean additional manufacturing and emissions. Inspired by Round Top's eclectic aesthetic, the shop features a mix of French country, Texana, Mid-century modern and industrial pieces, with items ranging from distressed coffee tables and leather armchairs to home accessories like vintage signs and crystal light fixtures.
If you're looking to incorporate reclaimed wood into your home design, whether it's as furniture or as a rustic design element such as a rafter or mantle, Heights establishment The Reclaimed Wood Shop is the place for you. The shop offers made-to-order furniture design, as well as custom services to craft hardwood countertops, sliding barn doors, ceiling beams, shelving, paneling and flooring to incorporate into your living space — all made from one-of-a-kind reclaimed wood pieces.
Home goods retailer West Elm is doing its part to make sustainably-produced furniture and textiles a part of your home by offering items such as furnishings crafted from reclaimed and sustainably harvested wood and certified organic and recycled fabrics. Stylishly designed and reasonably priced, the store's eco-friendly products range from dressers and desks to rugs and bedding. The store also offers a wide variety of products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which means that the wood used to create the furniture came from well-managed, sustainably harvested forests that meet strict environmental standards.
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