How Urban Lumber Gives New Life to Recycled Wood
Hot Spot: A Winnipeg-based furniture company partners with local arborists to keep wood out of landfills.
By Will Scott
When forestry professionals Mike McGarry and Carlee Farmer realized that much of the wood used to make furniture in Winnipeg was imported, they were determined to find a local alternative. Their vision for local eco-friendly products shifted, naturally, to reclaiming trees that were being taken down in the city due to disease, old age or commercial development. The trees — mostly elm that had succumbed to Dutch elm disease, but also white oak and cottonwood — could be crafted into rustic-meets-contemporary home furnishings. In 2018 McGarry and Farmer co-launched Urban Lumber. Partnering with local arborists, the company redirects wood out of landfills and turns it into unique salvaged-wood dining tables, chairs, mantels and kitchen counters, as well as finely crafted outdoor seating. And since Urban Lumber has its own mill and carpentry shop, sustainability-focused customers can easily purchase customized recycled-wood furniture pieces. CAA
(Clockwise from left) Contemporary wood furnishings created by Urban Lumber; Carlee Farmer and Mike McGarry have found a unique way to keep wood out of landfills; the Urban Lumber log yard. | PHOTOS: COURTESY OF URBAN LUMBER
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Contemporary wood furnishings created by Urban Lumber; Carlee Farmer and Mike McGarry have found a unique way to keep wood out of landfills; the Urban Lumber log yard. | PHOTOS: COURTESY OF URBAN LUMBER
How Urban Lumber Gives New Life to Recycled Wood
Hot Spot: A Winnipeg-based furniture company partners with local arborists to keep wood out of landfills. | By Will Scott
When forestry professionals Mike McGarry and Carlee Farmer realized that much of the wood used to make furniture in Winnipeg was imported, they were determined to find a local alternative. Their vision for local eco-friendly products shifted, naturally, to reclaiming trees that were being taken down in the city due to disease, old age or commercial development. The trees — mostly elm that had succumbed to Dutch elm disease, but also white oak and cottonwood — could be crafted into rustic-meets-contemporary home furnishings. In 2018 McGarry and Farmer co-launched Urban Lumber. Partnering with local arborists, the company redirects wood out of landfills and turns it into unique salvaged-wood dining tables, chairs, mantels and kitchen counters, as well as finely crafted outdoor seating. And since Urban Lumber has its own mill and carpentry shop, sustainability-focused customers can easily purchase customized recycled-wood furniture pieces. CAA