We all aspire to achieve sustainability in building, but it can be an overwhelming and daunting task at times. The definitions of sustainability and best practices can appear at first glance to be actively in conflict as we try to make our homes, offices, and other buildings healthier for humans and the planet. Learn more about sustainable building materials and practices here!

One of the most helpful things, when you have multiple projects in progress, is a way to contain your supplies in one space, so everything is always where you need it! It's handy for traveling or taking your projects to work on the go.    I love using cork inside my project bags as it is more durable than cot

In the ever-growing sustainable building material market, there are dozens of choices for your project, but how do you know which material is the best for your unique space? The intended use and traffic of a room, concerns such as direct sunlight and temperature control, and cost are all factors that may help you pick the best material for your project. 

At times, the definition of sustainability and the best use practices can be in conflict. We all want to fill our homes with more sustainable and healthy materials, but how can we do that in the most sustainable way possible?

Cork is one of the world's under-appreciated renewable resources. Each cork tree planted plays a vital role in reducing CO2 in our air and releasing pure O2 for us to breathe. While it performs this crucial process, the tree is hiding its biggest secret in plain sight.

Sustainable use practices have garnered attention in recent years as individuals and companies take a more holistic view of sustainability and the environmental impact of their decisions. For decades, we have been thinking in terms of the three R's: "reduce, reuse and recycle."

As a homeowner, you want to make your home the best place it can be. And with climate change affecting everyone, including homeowners, it's essential to consider more eco-friendly options when updating your house.

For many of us, creating a garden is about creating an escape from everyday life. It's creating a little oasis where we can be surrounded by the beauty of nature and breathe deeply. But, as we build our garden getaway, we should consider the impact of our materials on the greater world. There are many natural and sustainable gardening alternatives to traditional plastic pots, netting, and mulch. You can mount orchids on cork bark flats and tubes, use a cork bark planter to house perennials, and cork granules can even be used as mulch.

One of the most frequent questions that we are asked is, what really is cork? We love getting this question and being able to discuss the unique properties of cork and the cork oak tree.

Tree bark is a vital protective layer to the inner tree, preventing moisture loss and acting as a barrier to pathogens, insects, and fungi. When most types of tree bark are removed, even when only a thin ring of bark is around the trunk, the tree will die; however, cork bark can be harvested without harming the tree; why is that?

I talk (or think) about cork all day, every day. I have for years. Explaining the process of the cork harvest and how the bark immediately begins to re-generate has always made me feel good.

There are many different definitions of sustainability, with two of the more common definitions highlighting best what sustainability means. Cork is an excellent example of sustainability under both of these definitions.

 I am here to spread the cheerful joy of the incredible cork tree and its delightful bark. If nothing else, to shed some light on the negative carbon footprint from the world of consumerism.

Cork is the bark of the cork oak tree. Once harvested from the tree, it allows new bark to grow in its place without killing or damaging the trees (think sheering a sheep). 

One tree with harvestable bark is the cork oak tree, which is from the beech family and under the oak genus, meaning it produces acorns, and its leaves are arranged in a spiral shape. Oak trees are known for their hardiness and come in more than 600 subspecies. A few properties make the cork oak tree (Quercus suber) stand out from the hundreds of other types of oak trees. These properties also make it an intriguing tree for environmental protection and suitability. 

The cork oak tree (Quercus Suber) is an ancient variation of the oak tree that has withstood the test of time. Cork bark is made up of three layers on the tree. The outer and middle layers can be harvested, leaving the inner layer on the tree. The outer two layers of bark will then regrow, allowing for the tree’s bark to be harvested again and again.

In the past, the floors of our gyms, yoga studios, and other workout spaces have been made of unforgiving, rigid, or non-sustainable materials in the name of being easy to clean. Cork is a natural and renewable resource carefully hand-harvested from the cork oak tree and can be used as comfortable and sustainable flooring perfect for workout spaces.

There is just something about a Christmas Tree, the smell of a real one, finding the perfect size and shape for the room or rooms. So, we’ve come up with something for the crafter who can’t throw anything away just in case you need it someday (you know who you are). This is your time to shine. Pull out those ‘someday this will come in handy’ boxes, and let’s make some trees, a tree farm, a whole forest!