We are the generation of upcycling, thrifting and DIY. We understand that life is not about materialism or keeping up with the Jones’, but about having unique experiences and fulfilling lives. I truly believe that every generation is better than its predecessors and we aren’t afraid to take a different path than the societal standards of our parents. Currently, Millennials and Gen Z are in the driver's seat of economic growth in America. But how do we contribute to consumer materialism? Are we as eco friendly, green and crunchy as we think we are? Not when it comes to furniture.
Quick background on myself: I speak fluent sarcasm, I love recycling, and I am a furniture designer by trade. Since this article is about the benefits of recycling furniture, it is safe to say that what you are about to read will be shamelessly, 100% biased.
I grew up in an upholstery shop in Minneapolis. My parents have technically been breaking child labor laws since I could walk or hold a hammer. My fondest childhood memories consist of jumping on foam cushions all day to make them “look better for the customer”. I am pretty sure this was complete nonsense, but I was basically a pro. Best of all, there isn't a single baby photo of me without a random piece of furniture belonging to a complete stranger. Fast forward 25 years, I pursued a design degree and took over the family business. Suffice it to say, furniture is my thing.
So when my best friend moved into her new, super trendy, renovated apartment building; she was undeniably FORCED to accept my furniture advice. Her new apartment is cool. Like exposed brick, beams, and visible ductwork kind of cool. However, old buildings that are turned into cool new apartments tend to come with a catch.
Layouts can be unique and the space can be difficult to design around. She needed a unique repurposed piece to match her unique repurposed space. I came across a forgotten antique sofa, abandoned in a garage for an undetermined amount of lonely years. It needed to be completely gutted, but under all the dust and sadness, I could see that It had a hand carved oak frame and clean lines.
My goal was to design a piece eclectic and transitional enough to match her unique style, while providing her with something chic and timeless. I finished the piece with high resilient foams, a hand sprung platform, black velvet, and a raw skeleton finish on the wood. As my friend likes to say a little too often, “She’s a beaut, Clark”. Normally I would roll my eyes at her incredibly well-timed ability to quote Christmas Vacation, but she was right. She is an absolute BEAUT. I apologize if you are too young for the 1989 film I just referenced. So for the younger crowd, I'd like to clarify that the sofa slaps. It’s almost therapeutic to take an old, broken down piece of furniture and bring it back to life, like an eco-friendly Dr. Frankenstein. The hipster within me absolutely lives for customizing a unique piece that no one else can have.
When I was a kid, the word ‘upholstery’ was completely alien to my peers. Sadly, not much has changed now that I’m 30-something. Our parents and grandparents generations were absolutely ga-ga for reupholstery and furniture was treated as an investment or an heirloom. This seems to be something that the current culture of consumer materialism and the new furniture industry has done well to make us forget. Today's consumers don’t reupholster, they buy new at an alarming and disposable rate. A 2018 study done by The Environmental Protection Agency found that Americans throw out more than 12 million tons of furniture each year.
Millennials and Gen Z shop differently than the generations of the past. Thanks to the wonders of the internet, with one click we can order brand new furniture without leaving the comfort of our couch that we plan to throw away when the new stuff arrives the next day with *eye roll* free shipping. I think I can speak for us all when I say that nothing breaks down your apprehension to frivolously spend money quite like free shipping.
U.S. consumers age 35-44 on average spend more on residential furniture than any other age group. We are the target market, being cyber stalked by furniture giants with advertisements on social media daily. A report published in 2020 by the Statista Research Department found that China is responsible for half of all new furniture manufacturing in the world, with an export value of around 69 billion U.S. dollars per year. China is also responsible for over 30% of global pollution emissions. Furniture giants use natural goods that stem from limited resources and environmentally harmful products like wood, leathers, plastics and synthetics. In today's consumer world, furniture seems as disposable as Kleenex, but without the perk of being biodegradable.
I consider myself a realist with a dollop of optimism recklessly plopped in. I understand that It may not be realistic for us to have strictly custom and recycled furniture in our homes, but we should all make a conscious effort to have at least one. So tell grandma you want her plastic
covered “davenport”. Or take a chance on that cool looking but sketchy dumpster chair. Bring it to a professional for restoration or roll up your sleeves for some DIY. Either way you should bring it inside, enjoy its uniqueness and do a photoshoot with it. I beg you. Tag me, we can be friends.
For me personally, being authentic and unique is the goal in life as well as home decor. Upcycle, thrift, and DIY things as often as possible. This has always been our generation's bread and butter. We have broken away from the cookie cutter expectations in many other ways, but we seem to have missed the mark on furniture. I guess it may just be me and my friends, but we don't want what the Jones’ have, and we likely never will. Stay cool, friends.
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