Earth Day 2012 - Go Green!!

From Earth Day photo page on internet.

Yesterday was Earth Day 2012 and a lot of people payed homage to the many ways in which you can celebrate and promote the the world we live in.  One of the hallmarks of Earth Day is to "go green" and reduce the reliance on new manufactured consumer goods.

I researched Earth Day and found the following interesting description of its history and some of the cultural and societal influences - ones I remember well:

Each year, Earth Day -- April 22 -- marks the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970.

The height of hippie and flower-child culture in the United States, 1970 brought the death of Jimi Hendrix, the last Beatles album, and Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water”. Protest was the order of the day, but saving the planet was not the cause. War raged in Vietnam, and students nationwide increasingly opposed it.

At the time, Americans were slurping leaded gas through massive V8 sedans. Industry belched out smoke and sludge with little fear of legal consequences or bad press. Air pollution was commonly accepted as the smell of prosperity. “Environment” was a word that appeared more often in spelling bees than on the evening news.  Although mainstream America remained oblivious to environmental concerns, the stage had been set for change by the publication of Rachel Carson's New York Times bestseller Silent Spring in 1962.  The book represented a watershed moment for the modern environmental movement, selling more than 500,000 copies in 24 countries and, up until that moment, more than any other person, Ms. Carson raised public awareness and concern for living organisms, the environment and public health.

Earth Day 1970 capitalized on the emerging consciousness, channeling the energy of the anti-war protest movement and putting environmental concerns front and center. http://www.earthday.org/earth-day-history-movement

So this is a good time to rededicate ourselves to repurposing, refurbishing, reusing and limiting excess landfill.  One of the founding principles of my personal business - Wydeven Designs - is dedicated to this cause as stated on my website:

This is also an environmentally-friendly - GREEN - enterprise. We are participating in recycling, reusing, and reducing the reliance on newly manufactured products that require precious natural resources. link to site

Great Do it Yourself Ideas - Courtesy of BHG

From BHG - A Custom Storage Unit at Base of Bed

It is not often that I find an article and images that together make a great blog by themselves but this article  on the Better Homes and Garden Website is just wonderful and speaks to my strong passion for furniture repurposing and refurbishing!   link to full article.

DIY Furniture Transformations

Make the most of your furnishings by repurposing pieces into custom creations that look good and work hard. With these simple, affordable ideas, you'll be able to transform your ordinary furniture into fresh finds for your home.

By Leslie Marshall

Leslie shows some amazing transformations and ideas that are not only stylish but very, very clever.  Here are some examples.

Take your tired, throwaway bed frame and change it from to junky to funky. Cut the footboard in half vertically and fasten one half to each end of the headboard using screws and wood glue. For the seat and front rail, cut pieces of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and attach using screws and wood glue. After sanding, priming, and painting, stylize the settee with nail head trim. Use a foam pad and batting wrapped in a colorful, patterned fabric for a comfy cushion.

Large mirrors with fancy frames can break the bank. Save the money and construct a custom frame by building your own around a mirrored closet door. Incorporate a piece of paintable textured wallcovering to the inset panel above the mirror. Try adding decorative trim or molding for an extra design motif.

Alter a simple armoire to create a storage-packed buffet. Cut the doors in half and move the hinges to make room for a beverage bar above and storage cabinets underneath. Winery-inspired shelves create more space to house your favorite drinks. For a touch of elegance, add crown molding and scrolled bottom molding. Finish with a fresh coat of paint.