We’ve all heard the horror stories about the destruction of the rainforest and the need to avoid buying rainforest woods.  But these woods continue to be used particularly because they hold up so well outdoors.  

If teak is what you seek, ease your conscience by checking out some reclaimed teak furnishings from Arbor Vetum or Raft.

Arbor Vetum uses 100% reclaimed teak for their outdoor furniture.  By salvaging wood from old buildings, no new trees are felled.

“For instance, we are currently using some fabulous ancient teak beams which we salvaged last year from an old French Military Hospital c 1904. We will always be able to tell you where the timber to make your furniture came from and take pride in the fact that each and every piece of our furniture has a history and story to tell.”  They are FSC and Smartwood certified as well.

Raft claims to be “the UK’s no. 1 retailer of FSC accredited reclaimed teak furniture.”  I spoke with them at one of the home shows last year and was really impressed with their environmental policy and their products.  Unfortunately, their website is a little sparse in elaborating on their environmental credentials.

I do wonder…  While both organisations seem to be doing fantastic things with reclaimed wood, all of their environmental philosophy and credentials focus on sourcing of their raw material. It would be nice if they would addressed more of the life cycle of their product. For example, what kind of transportation miles are involved in getting the wood to the plant? Is the wood mostly from Europe, which would be great, or is quite a bit of it from Asia, with greater transportation miles? Where is the product manufactured? Are there any environmental considerations in the manufacturing process?

That said, these products still offer a great eco alternative…check them out for yourself!

Photo by Cheryl Kempton.

• Pimlico Road 
• Kensington Church Street
• New Kings Rd (Chelsea)
• Fulham Rd (South Kensington)
• Lillie Rd (Fulham)
• Camden Passage (Islington)
• Portobello Rd (Notting Hill)

Of course there’s lots more, and whole books on the subject, but I figure this is a good start, as I’m still working my way through checking all these out.  Do you have any favourites?

Photo by Cheryl Kempton.

When we were first starting out here in London and a little short on cash, I was thrilled that the property clearance shop just down the street had 4 mid-century walnut dining chairs (that perfectly matched our little hand-me-down table) – all for £20 (and they delivered for free!).

My bus conveniently passes the property clearance shop which puts some of its best stuff out on the pavement.  One day my eye caught a lovely little curule stool.  Stopping by that night when the store was closed, I fell in love with that stool in the window.  Unfortunately (fortunately?) I was out of town the next day so my adoring husband was kind enough to go get the stool, barter the price down a bit, and carry it back up the street for me.  What a guy!

Photo by Cheryl Kempton.