Silturq's Musings: Homestead Green Building: Interiors and Resources

At this point in the process, you're probably a bit tired. Am I right? You've built your home, supplied it with necessary power and water. You've possibly even taken the time to grow and process your own wood, mixed up your own paints. Maybe you even built a temporary home for you to live in while your homestead dreams began to take shape. So why not take a break here? Go out and buy cabinets and furniture, or use what you already have. You can, absolutely. There's nothing wrong with that. But if you're watching every penny, and you're not in a hurry, why not take this extra step? Hmm.... well, let's see. You're not a carpenter? You're not an upholsterer? You probably weren't a builder before undertaking the build of your own homestead, either. Anything is possible. So why not have some fun?

There are many reasons to take some time here. If going green is a real concern for you for whatever reason, this is a great opportunity for you to continue on that path. Bring it in from the building itself into the things in your home that you will be using, sitting on, etc. every day. You can choose what materials you use, what finishes are applied, every last detail. Keep it as green as you want it to be. Pick materials that best suit you and your lifestyle. Are you going completely primitive with no electricity? Are you wanting to go off grid and green, but still be connected? How rustic do you want to go? Or how modern? By not purchasing pre-made furnishings, you have much more say. Want an extra long sofa? Want an overly over-stuffed chair? That can get really expensive real quick. Build it yourself to your exact specifications. All it takes is a little effort and planning. Yes, it may take a bit more sweat equity, but it can be very inexpensive, rewarding, and fulfilling, depending on what you're wanting. At this point, you're pretty much on a roll. Don't stop now. You're almost at the finish line.

Now, if you've used cob, adobe, or something of that nature to build you're home, continue with the theme. It's very easy to use the same mix to create built in benches, chairs, sofas, bed frames, tables, and even sinks and bathtubs. Build them right into the walls as you go. Get creative. Add some sculptural elements into your creations. Make it unique. Make it you. You can even build a rocket stove for that extra bit of warmth in the winter.

Reclaimed wood is another great thing to use. Everything from your floors to your walls, your kitchen cabinets, your table and chairs.... anything you want can be made from reclaimed wood. You can use pallets, look for construction or remodeling projects going on around town, and ask if you can have their extra wood, even the local dump can be a place to score some wood. I even found some beautifully perfect pieces of plywood sitting out for the garbage collector right around the corner from my house. You might just be surprised at what people throw out. No matter where you find your wood, just make sure to take your time to really look at the wood. Make sure there is no rot or mold, and, depending on it's intended purpose, make sure it's the same or similar types of wood, not a lot of warping or knots that can buckle when under weight. You may also want to figure out if the wood has been chemically treated in some way. For a lot of reclaimed wood, that may or may not be possible. You'll just have to use your best judgement. However, if you're specifically using pallets, maybe this can help you determine what, if anything, has been done to the wood. Or, if you've already gone the extra step of growing (or buying) bamboo for any other part of your home, then that can also be used for furniture or.....

What about counter tops? Yep, you can do those, too. You can use the reclaimed wood, bamboo, or even salvaged butcher block. Other surfaces, again, may be obtained possibly from remodeling or construction jobs. If you do this, please make sure to ask before you grab. Some construction companies make a small profit from recycling themselves, or have other protocols for discarding unused materials. It's always best to ask. Another option is to build a mold and pour a concrete counter. I would, obviously, recommend to do this in rather small sections. Otherwise, it may simply be too heavy to lift. Now, that might not be an issue for you if you have a bunch of people with muscles to help you out. But still. Don't overdo it. Remember that you still have to have a cabinet underneath it that is strong enough to support the weight. There are companies out there that specialize in green options for counter tops. So this could be one of those places where you can spend a bit of extra money if you've saved enough in other areas. Now if you really want a special touch, and don't mind the expense (because, wow! some of the prices), look into semi-precious stone counters. Beautiful, luxurious feeling, natural. You can even get sinks and bathtubs made from these stones. They are incredible! Now you can also get a similar look by taking a collection of smaller stones, inexpensive slices of agate, or whatever else you want, and encase it in a food-friendly, natural resin.

You can even customize the little things, like light fixtures. You can use anything from mason jars, to bottles to globes. Then, all you need is the wiring, which can be acquired relatively inexpensively from any hardware store. Again, make them special. Make them unique. If you need ideas, look on Pinterest or Instructables. You can even find out how to build your own coffee maker (I really love my coffee, so this one is my personal favorite). You can find ideas for just about anything you could possibly imagine. Anything, big or small, you can get tons of ideas here.

So, if you've decided you want to repurpose, recycle, or build anything and/or everything that goes into your home, where do you go to find the stuff you're going to need? As I mentioned above, roadside, construction/remodeling jobs, and the landfill are all good places to start. While Craigslist can sometimes have a bad rap, you can find some really good deals there. Make sure to check out the "free" section. Similar sites are abundant. Check out LetGo, Wallapop, OfferUp, or Varagesale. I've not personally dealt with these sites, but I know people who have. As with any site, there are good and bad experiences. Above all, be safe. If you meet with someone to acquire something, meet in public, take a friend or two... you know, the common sense safety measures. Another place to try is freecycle, or a similar site. Everything there is free, and most communities have one, or have one not too far away. Check out thrift stores and garage sales. Network with an online yard sale. They are abundant on social media. Find a Habitat for Humanity Re-Store. Get good quality materials, save a bit of money, and help out a wonderful charity all in one. These are also good resources throughout the building process.