Rising Vibrations
While I was designing in New York City I used almost exclusively new goods. It did not cross my mind to consider “used” furnishings and my clients were typically not into antiques. When I moved to the Hudson Valley and had to embrace a more frugal lifestyle thus I started to look into budget friendly alternatives to obtain goods and discovered that second-hand shops provided quality clothes, household items, accessories and furniture at a fraction of what new products cost. I started to visit auction houses and was amazed and fascinated at this new way of obtaining one-of-kind vintage and antique furnishings, accessories, artwork, lighting and floor coverings at an incredible value. So it is true that restrictions can stimulate creativity, as new ways have to be found. I now have no desire anymore to design with exclusively new furnishings; it seems too predictable, outdated and unexciting to me. Finds from auctions and thrift stores tell a story, they are often hand made and have acquired a beautiful patina through aging which adds depth and a soul to interiors. Machine made mass production goods lack that dimension and when exclusively used often make interiors feel hollow and uninspiring.
Recycling in interior design thus makes sense on different levels: It is better for our planet to reuse existing goods and softer on the wallet. Furthermore second-hand store’s proceeds often support social organizations. It is a win/win formula! We get more authentic and soulful interiors at a fraction of the cost and help preserve our planet while supporting others in need at the same time, what could be better?
While I was designing in New York City I used almost exclusively new goods. It did not cross my mind to consider “used” furnishings and my clients were typically not into antiques. When I moved to the Hudson Valley and had to embrace a more frugal lifestyle thus I started to look into budget friendly alternatives to obtain goods and discovered that second-hand shops provided quality clothes, household items, accessories and furniture at a fraction of what new products cost. I started to visit auction houses and was amazed and fascinated at this new way of obtaining one-of-kind vintage and antique furnishings, accessories, artwork, lighting and floor coverings at an incredible value. So it is true that restrictions can stimulate creativity, as new ways have to be found. I now have no desire anymore to design with exclusively new furnishings; it seems too predictable, outdated and unexciting to me. Finds from auctions and thrift stores tell a story, they are often hand made and have acquired a beautiful patina through aging which adds depth and a soul to interiors. Machine made mass production goods lack that dimension and when exclusively used often make interiors feel hollow and uninspiring.
Recycling in interior design thus makes sense on different levels: It is better for our planet to reuse existing goods and softer on the wallet. Furthermore second-hand store’s proceeds often support social organizations. It is a win/win formula! We get more authentic and soulful interiors at a fraction of the cost and help preserve our planet while supporting others in need at the same time, what could be better?