I used to buy homeware based on aesthetics alone—shape, color, “will this look good on Instagram?”
But over time, I began to feel a kind of… disconnect.
Why was I layering synthetic rugs on plastic-based couches and lighting candles I couldn’t even pronounce the ingredients of?
It started small. I had just moved into a new apartment, eager to make it feel like me. I was scrolling through pages of decor when I paused on a product description:
“Crafted from OEKO-TEX certified linen, dyed with non-toxic pigments.”
Wait—shouldn’t all our home items be made like this?
🌿 A New Way to Read Labels
From that moment, I began paying attention—not just to what a product looked like, but what it was made of, who made it, and how it might live in my space over time.
Some materials immediately stood out:
- Reclaimed Wood – Not only stunning with its imperfect grains, but also lower in carbon footprint. I found my dining table at The Citizenry, handmade in Mexico using salvaged timber from old haciendas.
- Natural Linen – Especially when it’s undyed or low-impact dyed. Brands like MagicLinen and Bed Threads became my go-tos for breezy, breathable textures that felt clean, not chemically fragranced.
- Stoneware & Ceramics – Durable, earthy, and often made in small batches. My favorite mugs and vases now come from East Fork and LAIL, whose glazes are non-toxic and whose aesthetic is quietly timeless.
- Recycled Glass – Whether as candle holders or drinking glasses, I love the slight imperfections that make each piece feel like it has a past. Look to La Soufflerie or Nude Glass for understated, elegant options.
🧼 More Than Just “Eco”: It’s Also About Health
One of the biggest shifts I didn’t expect? How much better my home felt.
Not just emotionally, but physically.
I stopped waking up stuffy-headed from synthetic bedding.
I felt calmer lighting a Beeswax candle from Fontana Candle Co., knowing there were no paraffins or artificial fragrances.
Even my rugs, once a trap for dust and unknown dyes, have been replaced by low-pile jute rugs from Armadillo & Co., which are both biodegradable and better for indoor air quality.
🪴 Materials That Age With You
There’s a quiet beauty in things that get better over time.
Linen softens. Terracotta darkens.
Wood develops that lived-in sheen that only touch can create.
When I bring something new home now, I ask myself:
Will this material grow with me—or will it decay in a landfill?
It’s a simple question. But it’s changed the way I decorate.
🛒 My Shortlist: Trusted Brands for Thoughtful Materials
- The Citizenry – for ethically sourced reclaimed wood furniture
- Bed Threads – for GOTS-certified, stonewashed French flax linen
- East Fork – for lead-free, locally made ceramic dinnerware
- Armadillo – for natural fiber rugs made to last for decades
- Fontana Candle Co. – for beeswax and essential oil candles
- La Soufflerie – for mouth-blown glassware made from recycled bottles
You can browse my curated favorites here.
When you start seeing materials not just as a means to an aesthetic, but as a message—about values, about intention—it becomes a lot harder to go back to fast decor.
Pretty becomes purposeful.
Soft becomes safe.
And suddenly, your home doesn’t just look good. It feels right.