For a long time I’ve wondered what “reclaimed wood” is and why it is such a popular material for eco-friendly furniture and products. Now that I’m getting older and considering purchasing “real” furniture, I figure there is no better time to investigate this mysterious “reclaimed wood” phenomenon.

After doing some online research and talking to a friend at a sustainable furniture company, it turns out that “reclaimed wood” is exactly what you’d expect . . . “rescued wood.” It is simply discarded lumber, re-constructed and re-fashioned for re-use in new products. “Reclaimed wood” can come from old buildings, scrap furnishings, outdated constructions—even wharves, piers, and old barns. In other words, it is collected anywhere wood is thrown out, slated for demolition, and eventually headed for a landfill. Depending on the quality, condition, size, and form of the abandoned wood, companies will “salvage” pieces and incorporate them into new projects, furniture, and buildings.

Not only is reclaimed wood a pro for the environment, but it also adds a sense of history and heritage to any piece of new furniture. It’s fun to have a table that was once a door of a mill or perhaps the deck of an important 18th century mansion. One of my favorite simple pieces of reclaimed furniture—a great addition to any bedroom, living room, or home office—is VivaTerra’s coffee table made from teak, pine, and ironwood railroad ties. These tables are sleek, thin, and modern and the smaller one can slide under the larger one to save space. I recommend this table because it is so simple and reasonably cheap (for nice furniture). The wood’s natural tones blend well with most color schemes and it’s minimalist design fits seamlessly into a variety of styles and genres.

Lumber connoisseurs also tout reclaimed wood as an excellent financial investment. According to Mountain Lumber Timber, a company specializing in reclaimed wood, “reclaimed heart pine, oak and chestnut create beautifully behaved building material that only gets better with time.” How so? Apparently, the natural color, character and patina are more readily visible in weathered and older wood. Additionally, wood that has already been through seasonal expansion and contraction cycles is more stable than younger wood. Who knew cast-off wood could be valuable, beautiful, and eco-chic? Apparently, “one man’s trash” really is “another man’s treasure.”

Posted on June 14th, 2007 by Olivia Zaleski