Giving Paper a New Life: Papier-Mâché Stools by Stray Dog Designs

While I consider myself to be an aspiring eco crafter, I have never done papier-mâché. As much as I love the idea of turning old newspapers into something beautiful that I can use every day, I’ve always been little intimidated by the process. It’s just hard to imagine strips of paper and gobs of paste becoming anything else. I’m afraid I’ll end up with something that I’ll end up hiding away in a box in storage because it’s so ugly and misshapen. Thankfully, there are artisans who have mastered papier-mâché technique, and I’d be more than happy to have some of their work in my home. These stools and accent tables by Stray Dog Designs are, in my opinion, papier-mâché at its absolute finest.

I love the fact that although the stools are painted a pristine white, the raised images and patterns give them extra dimension and appeal. They are also available in a wide array of beautiful-sounding colors like African Violet, Chocolate Candy Brown, Pumpkin Blush and Vienna Green. I don’t know this for sure, but papier-mâché doesn’t seem like a technique that would be easily mass produced. Even if it is, these particular pieces, like most of Stray Dog’s other products, are handmade by talented Haitian artisans. That would certainly explain the premium price. These are also the types of pieces that can easily become family heirlooms passed down from generation to generation, and I think that’s worth a couple hundred dollars.

These are exactly the type of pieces I would want to use as bedside tables if I had space for them. They are unique and completely unexpected — two of the adjectives that describe the way I like to envision my home.

Why It’s Green:

• Made of recycled cement bags
• Finished with water-based, low-VOC paints
• Handmade by Haitian artisans
• A portion of the proceeds from every purchase is donated directly to organizations that feed hungry children, shelter homeless families and create loving homes for stray dogs and cats

Price: $275-375