The Velvet Crowbar May 2013 Issue

One of the most intriguing things about reuse retailing is the creativity of customers. While some of TRP’s customers reuse building materials as originally intended (a door as a door), many others completely transform them—into art objects, furniture, motion picture sets, raised planter beds, greenhouses and tree houses, to name a few.

The 2013 National Reuse Contest Is Open

By Ted Reiff

Calling all do-it-yourselfers, woodworkers and amateur architects! The second annual TRP National Reuse Contest is officially underway. If you have a pet project in the pipeline, now’s the time to draw up the plans, assemble the tools and start shopping for used materials. You have roughly six months to submit your entry to a participating store.

By Ted Reiff

Once again, sprouting crocuses, greening trees and outerwear blowout sales are signaling the return of Spring. After a cold and, depending on where you live, punishing winter, nothing could be more welcome. Unless, of course, you count several surprising signs of Spring growth in the economy.

By Ted Reiff

Here’s my advice to anyone considering designing or building for eventual deconstruction: Don’t! You’ll wind up driving yourself crazy with endless what-ifs, driving your partner crazy with goofy ideas, and driving me crazy with questions.

However…