“Where did you get that?” An enthusiastic and genuine question those who thrift furniture get asked all too often. Whether you’ve upcycled a dining room table or refinished an antique armoire, you know those unique pieces have a way of attracting the eye of house guests.

Filled with charm and character, thrifted furniture is an excellent option for those on a budget, looking for a distinct piece to complete a design vision, or those simply hoping to make a positive impact on the environment and their community.

So, if you’re interested in upcycling, thrifting, or collecting, here are some thrifting tips to help you find and give new life to classic pieces.

Why Thrift For Furniture?

While purchasing second-hand furniture might sound appealing to those trying to get a deal, it has many benefits beyond your pocketbook.

Better Quality

Let’s be honest, they don’t make furniture like they used to. Most furniture built in the past was meticulously made by hand using real solid wood. It’s these types of quality pieces that really stand the test time.

Better For The Environment

The fast furniture industry is enormous and wasteful. Made of inexpensive plastics, particleboard, and resin, fast furniture items not only break quickly but look dated in only a few years. Opting to buy furniture second-hand reduces demand for new resources, therefore reducing the energy and waste needed to produce, package, and distribute new items. It also keeps our landfills clear of pieces that take millennia to break down and decompose.

Better For Your Community

Buying second-hand is a simple and effective way to help support your community. Whether you purchase items from an individual looking to declutter their home and make a few bucks or a thrift store in your neighbourhood, that money gets reinvested into the local community.

Where To Look

If you’re interested in thrifting, a great place to start is from  the comfort of your own living room. Websites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, and second-hand apps like Carousell are filled with private sellers hoping to find new homes for their items. You can also score some deals and find unique items on eBay and online auction sites.

If hunting for pieces in-person is more your thing, head out to thrift stores, consignment shops, or flea markets. If you live in a bigger city, head to the outskirts of town to search for items, as inner-city stores and markets are often more expensive  and picked over. Estate and garage sales are also great opportunities to pick up quality furniture at a reasonable price.

Tips For Thrifting

Don’t let the thrill of the hunt get the best of you. Follow these tips and you’ll be successful in your second-hand pursuit.

Establish A Budget And Stay Within It

You can form a realistic budget by visiting popular furniture stores and pricing out a similar item.  Know exactly how much you have to spend before making your purchase. Shop using cash. Not only does it allow you to keep track of your spending, most garage sales, flea markets, and small thrift shops prefer cash. Lastly, be aware of hidden costs. While the piece itself might be a steal, consider all that must go into the item after the fact and how much those refurbishments will cost (don’t forget about shipping if you’re shopping online!).

Be Flexible, Yet Focused

When it comes to thrifting, you never know what you’re going to find (or not find). If you set out to find a particular piece but come across another item that you love, change your plans. But make sure you stay focused on your overall design goal and don’t go overboard for the sake of not missing out on a great deal.

Get Creative 

Look beyond an item’s intended use to uncover hidden potential. Repurposing is a great way to breathe new life into old items. Turn an old dresser into a bathroom vanity. Use an old ladder as a blanket rack. When you look at an item with repurposing in mind it might go from garbage to treasure.

Inspect Before Purchasing 

If you have the opportunity, inspect the item before purchasing. Look for mildew, stains, warping, cracks, and smells (like urine or smoke). If purchasing the item online, and an inspection is off the table, ask the seller to send pictures or video of any known damage as these are often not included in the original listing. Lastly, if the item is upholstered and in need of repair, store it outside of your house (in a garage or storage locker) until you’re able to properly tend to it–bed bugs don’t just hideout in beds!

Look Beyond

It’s hard not to get caught up on every scratch and dent but look past the surface and focus on the bones of the piece. Is it made of high-quality wood? Is it solid and sturdy? Is it comfortable? Items that have good bones often make the most beautiful, rehabbed pieces that last well into the future.

Routinely Shop 

Being patient and shopping frequently are the two keys to success when thrifting. Keep an eye out for garage and estate sales. Shop your local flea markets, thrift and vintage shops, and consignment stores weekly. Check online listings and apps every few days. Don’t get discouraged if your perfect desk, table, or side chair is nowhere to be seen on your first trip out. 

Happy Hunting!

Flooring is an investment, and there’s a lot to think about when choosing the right material for your home. One factor to consider is sustainability. The following five flooring materials offer beauty and natural resilience as well as less impact on the environment.

Craft: Artisan Wood Flooring

How It’s Made 

Craft Artisan Wood Floor in Burnaby, British Columbia, combines an artisanal approach to flooring with sustainable manufacturing. During the manufacturing

process, the wood is hand sanded and hand stained to enhance its natural qualities.

Craft’s manufacturing reflects sustainable practices, as its certifications indicate. The brand has a Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Chain of Custody certification, which means a third-party verifies that each step of the manufacturing process is legal, responsible and sustainable. Wood used by this brand can be traced back to its originating certified sustainable forest.

Craft products have Greenguard Gold Certification, which means they emit very low volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This reduces indoor air pollution and the risk of chemical exposure in a home.

All of Craft’s collections are sustainable.

Durability:

Craft flooring is engineered to be durable. The core layer, or structural material, is Canadian Spruce-pine-fir (SPF) harvested from certified sustainable forests. The solid SPF structural component requires less glue than typical plywood to adhere to the flooring’s top wear, or surface, layer. As a result, the finished flooring is highly stable and much less likely than flooring made with typical plywood to experience board distortion or separation caused by fluctuations in temperature and humidity.

Where To Use It 

Craft flooring can be used in most rooms, since it can withstand heavy traffic and the challenges that may come with pets. As with most wood flooring, bathroom applications is not recommended.

Look and Feel 

Craft flooring comes in a range of finishes, from hickory to oak and black walnut, and offers many different aesthetics.

Care and Maintenance 

While Craft flooring is made with premium wood products, as with all wood it requires periodic care and maintenance. Spills should be wiped up immediately, and the floors should be cleaned regularly. Never use wax, oil-based detergent or general purpose household cleaner on Craft flooring.

To keep Craft wood flooring stable, maintain an indoor temperature of 15 to 26 degrees Celsius and relative humidity of 30% to 50%.

Organoid: Pressed Alpine Hay Flooring

How It’s Made 

Organoid makes flooring with surfaces of pressed alpine hay and florals. From rose or cornflower petals to daisies and moss, nature makes its presence known in this flooring material’s look and its scent. You can literally smell the flooring’s organic components in the room.

The natural surface of scented and textured hay and florals has a cork backing applied to a high-density fiberboard, which is a type of engineered wood product. Floor impact protection is added on the bottom of the fiberboard. For waterproofing and abrasion resistance, the surface is protected with polyurethane.

Organoid is one of the few manufacturers in the world to be carbon-positive. Each metric ton of hay the company uses binds with approximately 3,300 pounds of carbon dioxide, helping to create a waste product that is environmentally neutral. 

Durability 

The natural, petalled surface of Organoid flooring may appear delicate, but it is in fact a sturdy surface. This material has a very high resistance level, according to European standards, making it suitable not only for residential use but also for shops and restaurants. Organoid surfaces can be treated with conventional oils and varnishes to increase their resistance to abrasion and water, as well as to fading from light.

Where To Use It

Organoid can be used in any area of the home. For wet areas such as bathrooms or saunas, the company recommends the glue-down version of the flooring rather than the click-in floating system. An extra coating of epoxy resin can be added to this material after installation to protect it from scratches.

Look and Feel 

Organoid floors have an organic, natural appearance. Alpine hay, hop cones, cornflower blossoms, stone-pine needles and nearly any natural substance can be combined to achieve a desired look and palette. You can choose from a range of existing Organoid blends or create your own custom mix. 

Care and Maintenance 

Caring for Organoid flooring is like caring for laminate or hardwood. Clean regularly with mild soap water on a damp mop. Never use detergents that contain acids, and don’t soak the floor — otherwise water could seep into the joists and damage the flooring.

Cork Flooring

How It’s Made

Cork is harvested from a thin layer of tree bark, typically from cork oak trees, with care taken not to damage the tree. This thin bark is an impermeable,water-repelling material that is buoyant, elastic and fire-retardant.

To make flooring and other products, the bark layer is stripped into long, wide slabs that are then used to make wine corks, bulletin boards, flooring and other items. Binders are added for flooring applications to hold the ground cork together. These binders vary by manufacturer, and therefore it’s worth researching which binders are used before purchasing a particular product.

Cork is a natural insulator and sound absorber and can be recycled. Cork trees live for 300 years and aren’t cut down to produce cork floors. This has made it a favorite of eco-conscious designers and homeowners.

Durability 

Cork floors normally last longer than wood floors. They stand up to everyday traffic with the bonus of repelling water from spills. Cork is naturally resistant to mold, mildew and termites. It’s also anti-microbial. Over time, discoloration of cork floors may occur if the flooring is exposed to direct sunlight. For many fans of cork flooring, this is a patina they embrace as part of the overall aesthetic.

Where To Use It 

Cork’s buoyant qualities make it soft underfoot and a great choice for rooms where you typically stand for long periods of time, like kitchens, laundry rooms and workshops. Its soundproofing qualities make it a wise choice for music rooms and apartments where noise may be a concern with neighbors.

Look and Feel 

If you want a warm flooring material with a comfortable, causual appearance, cork is the right fit. Since this material will develop a patina, it is probably not the best choice if you want a pristine floor material that will not change with time. Cork is available in tiles and planks and in many styles, colors and sizes. Alternating shades of cork can be combined to achieve unique patterns and custom designs.

Care and Maintenance 

Due to its highly textured appearance, cork naturally masks small scratches and stains. Regular sweeping, vacuuming and mopping with a damp cloth will keep cork floors looking their best. Avoid harsh abrasive cleaner and any cleaning products with ammonia. A simple solution of four parts vinegar and one part water is recommended.

Linoleum Flooring

How It’s Made 

Linoleum is often confused with sheet vinyl, and as a result it is overlooked as a flooring option with positive attributes. True linoleum is made of natural materials. Linseed oil is oxidized to form a thick mixture that is then cooled and mixed with cork powder (which gives linoleum its bounce and resilience), pine resins and wood flour to form linoleum sheets on a jute backing. Limestone dust may be added for hardness and durability.

Due to its natural makeup, linoleum is biodegradable and does not emit harmful VOCs. Linoleum comes in glue-down sheets and snap-together tiles. During the glue-down installation process, special care should be given to select adhesives that are free of solvents and labeled “no-VOC.”

Durability 

Linoleum flooring can resist scratches and mask them well because its pigments are saturated throughout the material, not just the surface. Linoleum does, however, get dented by high heels and furniture legs. Linoleum is water-resistant but not waterproof. It should never be fully immersed in water, as this can cause edges, corners or seams to curl. Much like cork, linoleum can also fade, or turn yellowish, when exposed to sunlight. When properly maintained, linoleum can last as long as 40 years.

Where To Use It 

Linoleum has traditionally been installed in schools, hospitals and commercial spaces, but it is making a comeback in the home. It’s durability and versatility make it a good choice for many rooms. Not all manufacturers recommend linoleum in bathrooms, so check the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure the product you choose is suitable.

Look and Feel 

Linoleum flooring comes in hundreds of colors, from subtle to vivid, and can be installed in a wide range of patterns. Your only limit is your creativity. Sheets in a single color work well for a modern aesthetic. Unlike wood, which has joints, or tile, which has grout lines, linoleum offers the opportunity to create a nearly seamless appearance.

Care and Maintenance 

Linoleum can be swept, dusted, or vacuumed regularly. For a more thorough cleaning, the flooring should be wiped with a damp mop or cloth using a solution of one gallon of hot water, one cup of vinegar and a few drops of dish soap. As with cork, avoid cleaning products with ammonia. Spills should be tended to immediately. Some manufacturers add a coating to linoleum flooring to protect it from scratches and fading. Without such a protective coating, linoleum should be cleaned and waxed every two or three years to maintain its luster.

Burnt Wood Flooring

How It’s Made 

Charred or burnt wood flooring is made using the ancient Japanese technique of shou-sugi-ban: treating wood planks with heat ontheir outward faces. This produces a scorched layer of carbon that is highly resistant to water, fire, mold and insects.  Once the wood is scorched, the manufacturer then cools, cleans and prefinishes the planks with hardwax oil. No chemicals, preservatives, paints or retardants are needed.  

Designers and architects are drawn to burnt wood for its elegant appearance and sustainable qualities. By selecting wood, a renewable resource, from sustainable sources and applying this ancient Japanese treatment, manufacturers achieve a high level of resiliency. Ultimately, the longevity of burnt wood leads to less 

material waste over time.

Durability

Look for manufacturers who apply a nontoxic, zero VOC hardwax oil prefinish on its charred flooring for extra protection and resistance to wear. The hardwax oil connects molecularly with the wood fibers, adding strength to the planks. When regularly cleaned and maintained, this flooring will look good for many years. Charred wood can scratch and dent, but spots can often be repaired. This material is available in both solid and engineered wood forms.

Where To Use It

Charred flooring can be used in most of the home. As with all wood flooring, wet areas should be avoided.

Look and Feel

The shou-sugi-ban process produces an elegant surface with distinct lines and textural beauty. It is usually associated with a dark, rich charcoal appearance. This material has become popular in modern interiors because it offers a textured matte, almost black appearance that reads as chic, yet with imperfect qualities that balance the look for a fuss-free feel.

Care and Maintenance 

As with all wood it requires periodic care and maintenance. Spills should be wiped up immediately, and the floors should be cleaned regularly. Never use wax, oil-based detergent or general purpose household cleaner on burnt wood flooring.

A $3.2 million pilot project, the first of its kind in Canada, was established in Elmsdale, Nova Scotia  to introduce renewable energy battery storage systems to 10 homes. This could eventually change how Nova Scotians and Canadians power their homes

The project, which is a joint effort of Nova Scotia Power, Tesla and Ontario energy company Opus One Solutions, was launched in 2017. A grid-size battery was installed at Elmsdale's substation and 10 Tesla powerwalls were installed in nearby homes.

"Our goal is to study if customers enjoy the reliability that the batteries provide. That all the cases we are testing are successful and the batteries can do what we want them to do," said Jill Searle, the smart grid program manager for Nova Scotia Power. "The next question is where would we deploy them, so it's effective for the grid and effective for customers."

Wind energy powers the Tesla power pack at the substation, which sends energy to be stored in the powerwalls of the 10 homes. The grid could power up to 300 homes, but only 10 are being tested as lithium ion is expensive.

Searle said, “Testing the system is just the first step in trying to harness and store wind energy, and eventually, solar power. Being able to take that energy stored in the battery until a time that our customers need it, that's a benefit to us and for customers as well.

We have been encouraged by the pilot study and hope more testing will be done to make renewable energy more affordable and available to more people.” 

Mark Candow, one of the homeowners selected for the pilot, remarked, "From my standpoint, it is essentially a quiet generator. The power goes out [and] I get a text from Tesla saying the power is out, but I don't realize it because my power is still on. During Hurrican Dorian the powerwall gave me 19 hours of electricty when my power went out.”

The powerwalls serve as sources of extra power during outages but could one day serve as a way to power homes through solar panels connected to the home.

Searle said the next step is to do more analysis on the cost of lithium-ion batteries.

"We want to make sure we're making decisions that are good for customers, so we're going to watch the price of that and potentially deploy batteries at other locations in the future," she said.

I guess the individuals involved in this pilot project will be waiting eagerly for September 22, 2020 as Teslas just announced its offical schedule for Battery Day. This live event will reveal significant advances in battery and battery production technolog from Tesla and its partners, specifically cost and durability.