Get the Look Decor: It’s Easy Being Green

Etsy.com handmade and vintage goods
Iheartmoustaches

Story by Christine Domanic

Published on Mar 13, 2011 in Shop

ChristineThis weekend’s Get the Look Decor is inspired by an eco-friendly, modest brick home on the east coast of Australia. The home’s occupants, Cath, her husband Neil, daughter Marlo and their big old mongrel dog Zac, rely on power from the sun, collect water from the sky and grow their own organic fruit and vegetables.

This family always dreamed of living in an eco-friendly house. After purchasing a small fixer-upper, disaster struck in the form of a split water tank and a busted hot water system. Viewing their misfortune as opportunity, they decided to make their dream a reality. They installed a 5500 gallon water tank, which collects rainwater from roof runoff, and a composting toilet (shown in the above photo) which requires no water or power. Cath adamantly states that “They do not smell!”, and her garden benefits from the nutrient rich compost that is created and ready for each new planting year. The home’s roof has also been outfitted with enough solar panels so that all the energy the family consumes comes directly from the sun.

Papyrus hanging basket

By Pailanita, $17.

Reclaimed Farmhouse Table…

By CoastalChicStudio, $1550.

laugh shelf sitter

By manwood, $7.95.

Cast Brass Hanging Lantern

By click2egyptCOM, $55.

Canvas pocket hanging baskets

By granatina, $26.

Colonial Mirror with Basket

By missbettysbungalow, $65.

 

Cath is inspired by decor that is simple, sustainable and high quality, while still being affordable and DIY friendly. The family does all of their shopping within nearby towns, commissioning local artisans for custom furniture and regularly shops for quality vintage pieces that are built to last.

The Classic Chair

By thevintagetreehouse, $249.99.

Decorative Pillow Cover

By SacredandProfane, $35.

Persian Mahal Rug

By joeaziz, $995.

Modern Child Table set

By jessedirk, $270.

Campervan Illustration Cushion

By helenacarrington, $65.

Blooming Blossom Pillow

By joom, $23.

reclaimed coffee table

By timsway, $345.

Lovebirds – Giclee Art Print

By inaluxe, $35.

 

Cath says that living an eco-friendly lifestyle is really quite simple and encourages others to make the leap. The changes they have made to their home were inexpensive and did not require any sacrifices. She says, “I like that our house is kind to the earth and uniquely us. We are surrounded by forest we know will never be cleared because it is ours.”

Walk This Way wall graphic

By ellynelly, $50.

Morning Bus Roll Poster

By MySweetPrints, $25.

Potato Ricer Masher Strainer

By sugarlily, $22.50.

The cute little red teapot

By MademoiselleChipotte, $35.

Reclaimed Copper Pot Rack

By coffeebagger, $160.

Owl Stool 24″

By owlstool, $305.

 

Ironstone Apothecary Grinder

By ethanollie, $32.

Hand forged cleaver

By NateRunalsBlacksmith, $80.

Chopping Board Server

By RedOnionWoodworks, $380.

French Glass Bottle/Cruet

By frenchdip, $12.50.

early wire whisk

By thefoxparade, $12.

Vintage Nut Grinder

By suesuegonzalas, $12.

knife rack butternut

By koepckewoodworks, $35.

Utensil Holder Wine Cooler

t

By NEWGEORGIACLAYWORK, $37.

 

Cath’s husband Neil, a chef and gardener, built this brick oven in their backyard over the course of a long weekend (with the help of a few mates and several beers). Since their summers last about 9 months, the family enjoys their outdoor oven all year round for entertaining family and friends.

pizza peel

By newberry, $47.

Set of Antique Tiled Stov hooks

By Alchemyshop, $18.

Cast Iron Skillet Mitt

By collisionware, $4.50.

Stacking Serving Bowls in blue

By lurearts, $56.

vintage wagner skillet

By cottagefarm, $29.

No. 8 Cast iron Dutch Oven

By oldetymestore, $69.

 

Industrial spools

By jollytimeone, $35.

television cover

By carriescovers, $54.99.

Pair Vintage Chairs with Maps

By EnRouteStudio, $700.

Yellow Abstract 20×20 Print

By bbrunophotography, $54.

Indoor Barrel Planter

By Ficurinia, $25.

Casserole Basket

By joannascollections, $32.

Blue Eyed Yonder little kitchen

By BlueEyedYonder, $350.

custom handmade play food set

By littlepearlquilts, $30.

 

Handwoven Ikat Balinese Rug

By amyjodesigns, $120.

Deer Oh Deer

By amandajean, $26.47.

Cross Stitch KIT – Gnome

By Sewingseed, $17.50.

Little house on the hill

By lauraamiss, $25.65.

Log 100% Hemp Pillow

By biffbangpow, $13.

Winter — original painting

By laurageorge, $120.

Blanca the white chicken

By AmiRomi, $18.

Dorothy – 11×14 Photograph

By ellemoss, $28.

Woolly Bear Giclee Print

By Juliapott, $30.

Shut The Front Door

By bombastitch, $35.

 

Flowers and Gingham Sheet

By redcombvintage, $16.50.

whale watching

By loveallaround, $20.

Practical bunk beds

By woodking72, $1499.

Castle Music Box

By DogGoneSailboats, $45.

Native American Dolls

By CrazyCache, $19.99.

Vintage Tin Toy

By skipadoodle, $75.

While Cath’s dedication to living a green lifestyle is truly inspiring, she has also transferred her earth friendly mission into her business, which offers handmade toys and home accessories made from organic fabrics. Visit her Etsy shops, chunkychooky for adorable softies made for little tree-huggers, and mybeardedpigeon for organic pillows inspired by vintage maps. Stop by her blog, chunkychooky, for even more creative inspiration and ideas on incorporating an eco-friendly lifestyle in your own home.

You can see more photos of Cath’s sustainable home on Flickr.

 


Looking for more styles and interiors? Check out our video series, There’s No Place Like Here, where creative types show us their unique spaces — infused with their aesthetic and filled with the treasures they collect. Get involved and show us your amazing space in this Flickr pool.

More Get the Look: Home Decor Editions.

Housewares Category | Vintage Housewares

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