REUSABILITY: DON'T GO OVERBOARD

Last time on Beyond Taupe, we talked about the concept of sustainability and reusability, as it pertains to your home furnishings. This week, we'd like to emphasize that there is such a thing as going too far with creating a new product out of what was once something entirely different.

For example, there are companies that on the surface specialize in high-end home furnishings and accessories, but then look at every piece of flea market discard and decide it should be turned into some new product (which they then mark up by 50%). We hate to point fingers at a particular company for being notorious offenders in this category, but we feel the need to give you the heads-up and help you to sidestep their money traps. Of course, we fully encourage you to decide for yourself as to whether this company's items are worthy of your hard-earned dollars



(credit: www.napastyle.com)



NapaStyle, in our opinion, is a repeat offender in the junk-peddled-as-chic-recycled-product category. Take, for example, their "Vintage Chicken Feeder Pendant Light," seen to the right. This light is literally made from an old chicken feeder, with the "original paint, rust and patina intact."

For our part, something that chickens once ate out of does not seem like something that is perfect for turning into a light fixture. It especially doesn't seem like something we would ever pay $399 for either.

In fact, we hate to say so, but there is something vaguely creepy about this light fixture. This is one recycled item that we suggest you consider passing up.



(credit: www.napastyle.com)



NapaStyle has a whole section full of "Reclaimed & Repurposed Home Accessories", some of which are well-thought-out items that may look lovely in your home. It's just that the particular light above is not one of them, unless of course you are going for a serial killer-esque flair in your attic or workshop.

An example of a useful reclaimed item from NapaStyle is one of their Repurposed Vintage Glass Knobs.

The knobs can be used for a variety of purposes, including as a door knob, as their creators intended. You could also use them as wall hooks, for which NapaStyle provides hardware. And, these pieces are a reasonable (for vintage door knobs) $29 each. 

That, is repurposing we feel comfortable giving our nod of approval to.