Reclaimed Materials for Interior Design
In today’s world we struggle with the effects of pollution. Our environment slowly degrades into the gunk and junk of waste products and poor waste management processes. Recycling these waste products is one out of the many ways to create an efecient method to curb the adverse efects of pollution in our environment. As an interior designer, applying sustainable materials in my work is an integral part of my designs. Reclaimimg these materials saves energy as well as protects natural resources and wildlife. Some of these materials include; paper, glass, wood, metals, tires, car parts etc. These materials can be re-used in their current state or infused in a polymerization process to create layers and bonds that forms a strengthening and aesthetic effect.
Wood, a common material that is widely used in every interior element, from furniture to flooring to cabinetry and many more is a highly decorative and functional component of interior design. Old cabinetry can be converted to a rustic picture frame, wall cladding focal point, wall art. Old beams and wooden crates can be converted to a table stand, open shelving. Wooden or timber materials can be treated and vanished to maintain their longetivity as well as enhance their appearance.
Glass is a versatile material that can be applied into any form or shape. Repurposing glass is one of the most greenest way of using it in your space. It uses more energy to create glass from scratch than it does to recycle. It can be recycled as it is or mixed with other components to add texture, color or variation. Old windows can be re-used to create counter or table tops, kitchen cabinetry, old stained glass windows converted to decorative backsplash, wall art. Bottles can be repurposed into wall decor, floor and ceiling art, vases.
Plastic is one of the waste products that is widely found in the environment as an adverse of pollution, it represents 60-75 percent of the worlds debris collected in seashores and landfills. Plastics can be recycled into any size, shape, form, color, texture. It is easily adaptable into any design element, thus being among a designers dream material to use without compromising quality. Plastic cups repurposed into small plastic decorative tiles, nylon plastic bags repurposed into carpets and or table/floor mats, bits of old plastic bottles changed into wall art, wall cladding.
Metal scraps are a beautiful way of adding texture and character into any space. Recycling meatsl scarps such as copper, iron, brass, aluminium is a concept that has been widely done over the years. These metals can be re-used an infinite amount of times to create all new products and structures. This material can be repurposed into wall art, wall cladding, home fixtures, frames, tables and much more.
Environmentally correct design is an essential worthwhile investment as it offers a lower long term cost. At remiel espai, the idea is to create a product / design having in mind its disassembly and possible re-use at the end of its lifespan.
“Good design is effcient design”. The design is only as good if the people in it, like it. Whatever the theme or style our clients have in mind, the designers at remiel factor in the aesthetics as an essential element to their designs in addition to making it sustainable”
The sky is the limit when it comes to the creativity and imagination of adding aesthetic elements to these secondary materials taking the opportunity to make them more beautiful, much better and more durable than they were before. Its often said that “old, is gold”.