Basket furniture is one of the least expensive and most practical ways to organize things around your home. This is another one of those fun topics that has given me an opportunity to search for interesting items. It was a little difficult choosing the best images, because there’s such a wide variety of items and styles. In addition to the furniture and shelving shown here, there are sewing and knitting baskets, magazine baskets, wicker kitchen cabinet drawers and organizers, simple laundry baskets and basket trays, nesting/stacking baskets, and on and on. You can add baskets to an old dresser or cabinet with broken drawers. Wicker furniture is made from lots of different materials. Sea grass, willow, rattan, vetiver grass, cane, reed and bamboo are popular. Other local materials such as cattails, corn husks, straw, yucca, hemp and sisal are also used. Basket furniture would make a fun hobby the whole family would enjoy. Or you could buy the baskets or trade work since the cost is so low.
affordable
Blue Vinyl Video
“A critics’ darling at film festivals across the globe and Winner of the Excellence in Cinematography Award at Sundance, BLUE VINYL is a deeply personal and frighteningly vital exposé that has been applauded as “funny and irreverent…one of Sundance’s best documentaries!” (Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times).
Steamer Trunk Furniture
In keeping with our series of articles about super low cost and free DIY furniture, let’s look at steamer trunk furniture. Everyone has probably seen these old trunks from days gone by, but using them creatively as furniture is less well known. The trunks may need refurbishing or repair, although it’s not always necessary. One technique is lining the inside with aromatic cedar planking (available from specialty wood stores) for use as a storage chest at the foot of beds or elsewhere. Trunks with flat tops make good coffee tables and end tables. And, as you can see in the following photos, trunks can be assembled into desks, bookcases, shelving and other furniture.
Millions of Americans Are ‘Squatting’ in Own Homes
The focus of our blog is on low cost, low tech housing solutions. But sometimes it’s good to stop and look at what’s happening in society. Even though I read about the economy every day, this article about the true rate of foreclosure is still shocking. Who wouldn’t be moved by what’s going on? Due to financial hardship, more people are investigating lower cost DIY housing alternatives such as earthbag building, straw bale construction, adobe and pole building.
Not So Big House
The Not So Big House book description:
“Sarah Susanka contends that people are naturally drawn to intimate spaces. Large structures inspired by outdated patterns tend to result in houses that just don’t work. In The Not So Big House, she proposes clear guidelines for creating homes that serve spiritual needs as well as material requirements. Topics covered include designing for specific lifestyles, budgeting, building a home from scratch, and using energy-efficient construction. With more than 200 color photographs as well as floor plans, the book is perfect for homeowners ready to rethink their space. “Susanka says to evaluate what makes you feel at home and let your activities define your rooms.” — San Francisco Chronicle
Weaving Barbed Wire Corners
Guest post by Patti Stouter about another low tech way to reinforce corners in earthquake zones. More methods are explained at EarthbagStructures.com:
“Corners are one of the most vulnerable parts of buildings in earthquakes. Straight wall earthbag construction has not yet been tested on a shake table or in a severe quake. It may absorb vibrations, but we don’t know for sure yet. Builders need to exercise all caution and build well to save lives.