It is genius. Pure genius. Especially in New York City. A simple motto: never use anything once. The city is swimming in waste and there are multiple efforts to reduce it as much as possible. It is a simple truth that there is just not enough room for it. All of the city’s waste is carted off to other states. Why should others live with our waste? It doesn’t make sense to me. I try very hard to minimize what I throw away. Although, we all have those days when it is just easier to put in the trash. When its there, its gone. Out of sight, out of mind. Current trends may change that thinking. Trash is becoming very valuable.

I am overjoyed when I see something fantastic made from reclaimed materials. For years I have wanted a wall made of glass bottles. The light reflecting off of them is beautiful and you can’t help but drool over their beauty and ingenuity. Glass bottles make fantastic lights too. Group them together for a chandelier or hang a series of single bottles over a table. The dim light makes for a romantic warm ambiance.

New York City has everything for everyone. My everything is architectural salvage. Growing up surrounded by antiques and salvage items spoiled me. I never thought it would be a difficult thing to find. Thankfully I live in New York City and the selection is fabulous. Olde Good Things, is exactly that. This company has three stores in New York. Lucky me! I visited the Union Square shop the other day. It was love at first site… for just about everything there! Olde Good Things sells items that are salvaged from New York City buildings. As a lover of local products, it does not get more local than that. Old glass doorknobs attached to reclaimed wood makes for a great coat rack, a very thick nautical chain into a table, and old machinery becomes a table quickly when paired with a glass top. The company also does custom pieces, including reclaimed wood tables and tin tile mirrors and frames. Other locations are in Chelsea and the Upper West Side. You don’t have to live in NYC to indulge in the offerings though! They have two stores in Los Angeles and another in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Salvage tests your creativity and resourcefulness. When I see an old window become a table, something triggers in my brain. My creative juices start flowing and I want to make things for hours. I will never look at trash as trash again. Everything has a second life.