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10 February 2010
Posted in
4) Winter Wisdom
Getting a little stir crazy from being cooped up on cold winter days? Get outside and embrace the cold! But if you really can’t stand the frigid temperatures, or if you do get out, but still feel the cabin fever when you come in, maybe it’s time for a change? A simple indoor conversion of sorts? Perhaps a new piece of furniture from a special source? Do you something to spruce things up a bit on short dark days? A ‘greener’ coat of paint perhaps? Here are some sustainable suggestions…
- Wise Buying (2nd hand)
- LakeCity Woodworkers & Mental Health Support
- Geddy’s Furniture: Quality, Local, Wood Furniture
- Greener Paint Job & Milk Paint
Wyse Buying (2nd hand)
We’re using a little play on words here. We want you to think about buying wiser for ‘Planet’ and ‘Community’, so we thought we’d suggest 2nd hand furnishings if you are thinking of outfitting a new place, or even an old one.
“Wyse Buys” is a locally-owned establishment that is filled with deals on previously used furniture. It’s conveniently located on “Wyse Road”, so you can easily remember where to find it. There are many others in the greater Halifax area as well. Check your phone books or on-line listings before you head out to buy ‘new’ items, and reduce your costs and your carbon footprint in the process.
The Agricola St. and North end areas have long been known as second-hand and even antique sales Mecca. Or if you want ‘new’ without paying new price tags, visit locally-owned AA (Auction Auction), also on Wyse Rd, for deals on discounted new and ‘like new’ furnishings and appliances.
Or if you really want ‘new’ furniture, but still hope to reduce your carbon footprint, see our next 2 items (below-LakeCity Woodworkers & Geddy’s Furniture) for beautiful, hand-made wood furniture, made right here in your backyard.
LakeCity Woodworkers & Mental Health Support
If you are looking for a new piece of furniture, or even just a change, you must visit the showroom of LakeCity Woodworkers (386 Windmill Rd, Dartmouth, NS). They have an extensive array of beautifully crafted wood furniture, large and small, for your home and office needs.
The 1st reason you want to buy from LakeCity Woodworkers is because their work is beautiful. All their furniture pieces and household items are high-quality solid wood products, available unfinished, or with a wide variety of stains. Although everything is made of hand-crafted wood, some items are sourced from outside to add to the already incredible collection of furniture, with impeccable finishing quality.
The 2nd reason you want to buy from LakeCity Woodworkers is because they are a non-profit company providing employment opportunities for people with mental health needs. From their website:
“LakeCity Woodworkers began in 1972 as a drop-in centre for clients of mental health support services.
These consumers identified work as an important means to re-establishing themselves in the community, and so the business was developed.
Our Community Employment program was added in 1988 as an additional option, for those who were interested in finding employment in the larger community.
We currently serve approximately 400 clients overall. Approximately 50 people are involved in the production of the furniture and other products: with the training and guidance of a staff of professional woodworkers and cabinetmakers, clients are able to gain competitive working skills within a supportive environment.
LakeCity continues to develop programs in support of the needs of mental health consumers. For more information, please contact LakeCity Employment Services Association. You may also visit our employment counseling site at http://www.lakecityemployment.com.”
Geddy’s Furniture: Quality, Local, Wood Furniture
How they can get so many solid wood pieces of furniture in such a small space is mind-boggling. As you walk into Geddy’s Furniture (Agricola St.), creeping up or down to one of their 2 floors, you’d never believe the extensive array of beautifully hand-crafted pieces they have.
And if they don’t have it, they can make it for you to suit your exact specifications. It’s not cheap. But the craftsmanship is impeccable and they are quality pieces to last you a lifetime. Drop by or call them at 422-7171.
Greener Paint Job & Milk Paint
Are you in need of a paint job? If the cold is keeping you from venturing outside as often this time of year anyway, and you are in need of a paint job or just want to spruce up your home a bit, why not give it a quick paint job?
There’s a neat new, ‘old-fashion’ paint called Milk Paint you can consider using to do the job. The general ‘recipes’ date back years and years, as far as 6,000 years ago, according to the Milk Paint website.
The main differentiating characteristic about Milk Paint is you buy it dry. Water is required for mixing. And because it is a naturally-derived product, you can even use an electric blender to mix it. Otherwise, you can use a drill or something.
Milk Paint is available in Halifax at the Uncommon Group’s Carbonstok store, as well as a small collection at their Uncommon Kid’s stores. The good news is that it is currently 50% off (winter 2010). With the discount, it’s quite comparable to standard paint prices used.
The other good news is that many commercial brands like Glidden & Benjamin Moore also have “green” paint lines. Many have less chemicals and reduced VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that release into the air. We have experienced it to be noticeably different while painting. If you are getting a commercial brand, be sure to ask for these.
Since posting this info: We came across an entire article devoted to “eco-paints” by GreenLiving.com. Find it and more details regarding eco-paints at http://www.greenlivingonline.com/article/beautiful-natural-and-eco-paints
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