Our new collection of table accessories feature the work of the Mapuche weavers in Chile. They use un-dyed sheep’s wool grown harvested by their own people and hand-weave the wool on these wooden looms. The beauty and simplicity of their work astounds me. – Kristina, co-founder
What do you see? A pile of junk wood? We see the endless potential for beautiful new reclaimed wood furniture.
The Muir collection was inspired to save the forests we all love. We use reclaimed wood rescued from old, local buildings that have been slated for tear down. The California Integrated Waste Management Board estimates that wood waste from construction and demolition represent 28% of the municipal waste stream every year. By rescuing the old growth timber and reclaiming it to make our collection of modern furniture, we’re contributing to a sustainable future for all of us.
The only thing more beautiful than rescuing the vintage hard wood, is the quality of the wood itself. Much of the reclaimed wood was originally harvested and milled 50 to 100 years ago, and has been seasoned in sunny Southern California for decades. This gives the wood unparalleled stability and resistance to future distortion or structural movement. The grain of the timber, with its tight growth rings, shows the superior density of the wood in old growth trees.
We work with reclaimed woods because it’s both a sustainable choice and much higher in quality over the new-growth, ecologically grown woods. Plus, the natural, aged patina and color of old-growth timber gives the furniture a look and feel that can not be replicated in new wood.
Solid wood furniture has a distinct beauty and character. When it’s finished with rich, water-based, non-toxic stains you can enjoy it without introducing excess toxins into your home. The Muir collection is made entirely from locally sourced reclaimed wood and handcrafted in Los Angeles. Products made in the USA support our local economy and cut down on shipping pollution.
We believe in a sustainable future. Thanks so much for supporting Amenity and our passion for creating beautifully-crafted, sustainable products.
- Nicole, Co-Founder
I had the most inspiring discussion with Jonathan from the HAND/EYE artisan Grant fund. He is responsible for bringing in Hearts for Haiti and I felt I needed to share the story and more details about the program.
The HAND/EYE Haitian Artisan Grant fund was created in response to the devastating effect of the earthquake last year. It is a way for artisans to recover from the life-challenging loss of shelter, equipment, workshops and income.
What is so amazing about Hearts for Haiti, is the artisans who carve the heart shaped stone live close to the epicenter of the earthquake, about 2 hours outside of Port-au-Prince. This village has never had running water or electricity and all of the homes were completely flattened from the quake. They chisel, carve and buff these beautiful stones by hand.
Through the purchase of the hearts and the give back from the fund, the village has rebuilt many of the temporary structures. The next round of money will go to painting and strapping the homes to their foundations, which is essential for the rainy season.
Providing jobs for the artisans in their rural villages, also helps lessen the stress on Port-au-Prince, where about 70% of the population is still in camps are without basic needs.
The HAND/EYE Fund is also helping in the capital as well. One recipient of a grant is an artisan factory in Port-au-Prince which employees 200 people. The grant has helped to replace tools, and get the factory back up and running. The factory has set up in the alley between its collapsed buildings. One wonderful thing about this factory is it has a lunch program, which provides a meal for it’s employees everyday, this meal might be the only meal some will have that day.
As we all know it is important to have a job. The work provides income and helps with depression and morale. Which is what this fund is doing.
Amenity Home is very proud to participate in of the HAND/EYE artisan relief fund. Help us Spread the Love. – Nicole
We partnered with a group of Bolivian artisans to make the most beautiful afghan blankets. Working as artisans allows them to enjoy earning a fair income to maintain their ancestral habits and craft and keeps them from traveling to big cities to find work. When they can support themselves in their native rural homes, they can escape the poverty that poor, unfair city wages creates.
It was such a pleasure to collaborate with them on the Amenity afghans. Their craftsmanship is breathtaking and the end result is a hand-knitted blanket that will bring lots of joy and beauty to many families. We couldn’t resist making them for adults too!
