Sustainable Custom Furniture, Part 2 | Build It To Last Generations

Written By Jeff Leftwich

The number one thing you can do to promote sustainable custom furniture, and interior design, and even residential construction, is to build it once and build it right.

It’s all well and good to think about environmentally conscious sourcing and products and so forth. But the biggest environmental cost of building a piece of furniture, or building a house, is the thing itself. The resources that go into the thing far outstrip any marginal “green” gain by your materials. Again, this is not to say that the materials don’t matter, they do. It’s just that focusing on the small things to give a sense of self satisfaction is just that - small.

Colorado Made Furniture | For The Long Term

How many times have you known someone to trade in a perfectly good car for a “greener” model? Or one that gets better mileage? Or an electric? Those actions are really just to make them feel a little better. The environmental cost of a new car is huge. If your car is dead, or you have a new driver, then sure, invest in one that makes less impact. But don’t think you’re doing the planet any good by consuming more. Consume smarter.

This may sound like I’m shooting myself in the foot as a furniture maker. If you have a perfectly good dining room table I don’t want to build you a new one just for looks. It should serve a better purpose.

  • If your family is growing and you need a larger table.

  • If your kids have grown and you’re downsizing.

  • If it’s time to ditch the falling apart particle board coffee table.

  • If you’ve moved and what you have simply doesn’t fit.

Now we can talk about custom furniture that is build to last generations with quality materials, timeless design and detailed intent.

Built for Quality and Longevity

When we build for quality and longevity we’re changing the mindset from “fast-fashion” to timelessness and staying power. In the end, it’s the kind of investment that is required, not only in our furniture, but in our lifestyles and in our lives.

How do you want to live?

Jeff Leftwich
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Custom Furniture Guide | Defining Exceptional