100 Mile Decorating
You may have heard of the hundred mile diet -- purchasing produce and other food items grown, raised or created within 100 miles of your home -- in order to make life a bit greener and preserve the livelihood of local farmers and other small businesses. But have you heard of hundred mile decorating? This article talks about the environmental and local business benefits of decorating your home with the same approach as the hundred mile diet.
Hundred mile decorating takes the concept of "green home decorating" to a new level. In addition to being cautious of the materials your furnishings and decorations are made out of, there is the added environmental benefit of buying locally. This means no jet fuel costs from shipping goods across states or countries, and less automotive fuel by reducing the amount of truck driving required for shipment. It also means a sustained livelihood of local artisans.
It can be hard to adjust to lifestyle changes like hundred mile decorating or the hundred mile diet, but the key is to approach them with an open mind and allow yourself to get used to the adjustment before giving up. For example, if you live in New England, think of how many miles an orange has to travel to get to your fruit bowl! If you're buying locally, you may have to sacrifice the fresh citrus fruits in the winter, or plan ahead by canning or freezing your local seasonal fruits and vegetables when they're in season so you can enjoy them all year long. You can start to adapt to the change even simply by changing your approach when you go to the grocery store, and being more careful to pick foods that have been harvested nearby.
The same goes for green home decorating. It can be incredibly convenient to pick up whatever you need for your home at a mega-store where the goods are shipped in from all over the place, but even small steps can make a difference. For example, head to local flea markets to find locally made baskets and candles. Purchase your furniture from a local reclaimed wood furniture company. Buy homemade runners, drapes or curtains from a craft fair. There are many ways to get started, it just might involve a bit of extra looking!
Have you adapted any green home decorating methods, or have you taken the plunge into local purchasing? Leave a comment and tell us about it!
Author's Name: Lesley Anderson
Posted Date: May 19, 2008 at 3:13 PM
Filed under: Green Building and Eco Friendly Products
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Tags: buying locally, green home decorating, green living, hundred mile decorating, hundred mile diet, reclaimed wood furniture, sustainability
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