1. Bien Hecho

Photo: Water Tower Table from Bien Hecho

The utilitarian yet undeniably suave furniture of John Randall truly embodies the spirit of sustainability in design. His work features salvaged wood procured from all around New York, be it a Brooklyn demolition site or a dumpster at Coney Island. The table top here is of a handsome light cedar, which Randall reclaimed from a water tower in the Fort Greene neighborhood.

2.  Aellon

Photo: Duke Oval Coffee Table from Aellon

Named for the 45-year-old shipwreck whose wood it repurposes, Aellon’s “Grace” line sets a new course for sustainability, with the company upholding high standards both in design and operation. While its furniture honors Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) requirements and supports Trees4Trees, the studio itself observes a number of pro-planet best practices—using low-flow toilets, for example, and seasonally balancing the HVAC system.

3. 4Korners

Photo: Credenza47 by 4Korners

Scott Raffaele’s Credenza47 is an amalgam of wood species: mahogany, ipe, walnut and wenge. All are scraps from previous projects, and the piece is coated with an earth-friendly finish. Naturally.

4. Mark Jupiter

Photo: Storm Coffee Table by Mark Jupiter

Some know Mark Jupiter as a founding member of New World Home, a company that creates energy-efficient modular homes inspired by historical styles. Still others know him as a custom furniture maker, whose pieces are handcrafted from locally reclaimed materials. Though Jupiter’s reputation may precede him, this 500-year-old, storm-felled elm tree-cum-table speaks for itself, no?

5. Bower

Photo: Polaris Light from Bower

Despite being newcomers to the scene, Bower introduced its new Polaris Lamp to much excitement. Made from solid pieces of scrap wood, these geodesic fixtures are embedded with magnets that ingeniously allow for the lights to be moved around easily, depending on mood or the activity at hand. Only a couple of days ago, the Polaris beat out 33 competitors to win the Editor’s Choice Awards over at the sustainable design hub Inhabitat. Congratulations, Bower!

For more on furniture, consider:

Bob Vila Radio: Buying Furniture
Make a Statement with Your Mirror
5 Seating Picks from the International Contemporary Furniture Fair

5 Incredible Examples of Sustainable Furniture Design from BKLYN Designs 2013 Home Improvement, Home Remodeling & Home Repair - BobVila.com

That reminded me: With millions of cars on the road—and countless tires languishing in the corners of garages everywhere—it’s a good idea (environmentally, economically, and creatively) to reuse tires whenever possible. Here are five creative ways to incorporate them usefully into your home and landscaping.

1. CREATE BIKE STORAGE

Photo: lushome.com

This one applies whether you’re sharing a house with a handful of bike-loving housemates, or your children have a habit of carelessly leaving their bikes strewn in the garden. Take a cue from Lushome, and reuse tires to introduce organized bike storage for your friends’ and family members’ beloved two-wheelers.

 

2. CONSTRUCT A SEESAW

Photo: barefootnparadise.blogspot.com

Over at Barefoot in Paradise, see how Lorren made a seesaw for her daughter using only basic tools and readily available, not to mention affordable, building materials. Best of all, there’s easily enough to go around, since one tire yields two seesaws!

3. MAKE AN OTTOMAN

Photo: homeattire.net

Nikki from That Was a What?! obtained a large semi-trailer tire through Craigslist. Using rope and glue (and downright cleverness), she was able to transform the tire into a stylish and practical ottoman for her living room.

4. SET UP A TIRE SWING

photo: shutterstock.com

As the saying goes: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The tire swing is an American tradition; help keep it alive in your family. Just make sure to pick a sturdy branch and a strong length of rope.

5. BUILD OUTDOOR PLANTERS

Photo: plataformaarquitectura.cl

The tire planter idea is hardly novel. Mount them on the wall, letting plants cascade down. Or stack and stagger them in your backyard for a larger and more elaborate scheme. Alternatively, you can pursue a unique riff on the theme by building grass-cushioned seating, like the above, which were exhibited at Invasion Verde in Lima, Peru.

For more on repurposing, consider:

5 Things to Do with… Old Windows
On the Edge: 11 Garden Borders You Can Make
10 Inspired DIY Planters to Dress Up Your Garden

5 Things to Do with… Old Tires Home Improvement, Home Remodeling & Home Repair - BobVila.com

ENTER BOB VILA’S GREAT BIG GARDEN GIVE-AWAY

This week and every week in May (until 11:59 a.m. EST, May 31, 2013), you can enter to win one of four weekly prize packages with assorted True Temper garden tools (valued at approximately $250 MSRP), plus a $250 VISA Gift Card. (Entry period for WEEK ONE is from 12:00 p.m. EST, May 1, 2013 until 11:59 a.m. EST, Friday, May 10, 2013. See Official Rules below.)

Whether you are a seasoned landscaper or consider yourself “florally challenged,” there are a few tools everyone should have on hand. These durable “musts” from True Temper are sure to cultivate your green thumb—maybe even turn your neighbors a little green with envy, too.

Each week’s prize bundle will include a $250 VISA gift card, plus:

• A round point shovel, garden hoe, and 14-tine bow rake from the True Temper True American line, for those who value high-quality tools made in the USA.
• True Temper Pruning Solutions hedge shears, perfect for cutting grasses, bushes, small trees and hedges.
• A True Temper Ergo Gel Grip hand cultivator, hand trowel, and hand transplanter,each of which features ergonomic handle design and gel grip inserts for comfort, as well as stainless steel heads for durability.
• And if you’re worried about how you’ll move loads around while preserving those green thumbs, True Temper has included their Total Control 6-cubic-foot steel wheelbarrow.
• To top it all off, we’ve included a $250 VISA Gift Card, to help you start (or finish) that gardening project.

Enter today and every day in May to increase your chances of winning one of four weekly prize packages valued at approximately $500 during Bob Vila’s “Great Big Garden Give-away” from True Temper!

To learn more about True Temper’s other lines of high quality landscaping and gardening products, click here.

The “Bob Vila’s Great Big Garden Give-Away” sweepstakes is open only to permanent legal U.S. residents of the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia; residents of Alaska and Hawaii are not eligible. Void in all other geographic locations. No purchase necessary. Contest Period runs from 12:00 p.m. (EST) Wednesday, May 1, 2013 through 11:59 a.m. (ET) Friday, May 31, 2013. One entry per household per day on BobVila.com. Alternative means of entry for Drawing is available by faxing your name and address to 508-437-8486 during the applicable Entry Period. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. See Official Rules.

Bob Vila’s “Great Big Garden Give-Away” from True Temper! Home Improvement, Home Remodeling & Home Repair - BobVila.com

1. UPDATE YOUR CABINETS

Photo: Better Homes and Gardens

Take a page out of Better Homes and Gardens and try re-facing your kitchen cabinets with salvaged or store-bought tin ceiling tiles. So simple enough to be done in a weekend, this upgrade is transformative enough to impress guests for years to come.

2. CREATE A MAGNETIC BOARD

Photo: Ruffled Blog

Not only is it an aesthetic improvement over the usual cork bulletin board, but this surprisingly simple tin ceiling tile magnet board from Ruffled takes almost zero labor to pull off. You may never look at your notes-to-self and family schedules the same way again!

3. BUILD A HEADBOARD

Photo: Apartment Therapy

Amateur carpenters and beginning do-it-yourselfers need not be intimidated by this money-saving headboard project via Fresh Home Ideas. With the right tools and a stockpile of tin ceiling tiles, you can start and finish within a day—just in time for bed.

4. FRAME A MIRROR

Photo: granddesignco.blogspot.com

Follow this tutorial on eHow to refashion even the most modest of mirrors into an objet d’art that stylishly reflects its surroundings. A moveable feast of DIY ingeniousness, the same approach may be applied, on a smaller scale, to an artwork or photography frame.

5. MAKE A PLANTER

Photo: This Old House

Who knew that an element intended for ceilings could be equally striking at ground level? This Old House shows how you can make a charming, off-beat planter using only five tin ceiling tiles, some everyday tools, and a little plucky know-how.

For more on repurposing, consider:

5 Things to Do with… Cinder Blocks
13 Ways to Repurpose Antique Armoires
10 Inspired DIY Planters to Dress Up Your Garden

5 Things to Do with… Tin Ceiling Tiles Home Improvement, Home Remodeling & Home Repair - BobVila.com