ECOpdx started out four years ago selling their own custom line of furniture made out of local deconstruction and storm damage woods. Soon after they added the Tropical Salvage line of furniture made from 100% recycled handcrafted tropical woods pulled out of rivers and volcanic pits in Indonesia.
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Owned and operated by three friends, Darren and Patricia Morgan and Brian Kelly, ECOpdx is a business founded on the belief that quality craftsmanship and personal attention are the cornerstones for a successful company. This success comes from providing their customers with products that are beautiful, functional, and long lasting. “It’s our hope that our hardwood furniture will be a source of pride in your home for generations to come,” said Brian Kelly.
They decided to sell the Tropical Salvage line because they are an ecological company creating a sustainable living for people in impoverished parts of Indonesia. Tropical Salvage’s other main objective is to stop the widespread destruction of the local rain forests.
Recently they started consigning pieces from local artists who deal in salvaged wood. “The longer we stay in business, the more interesting people we meet that have the same goals: making something lasting out of something discarded or forgotten about,” claims Kelly. If you’re looking for a special piece of furniture, chances are they can find it in a salvaged form. They also offer large slabs of wood that can be used for all types of projects. “We begun selling the slabs to local craftsmen, professionals, and hobbyists. The slabs are from local trees that have gone down in storms or had to come down due to disease,” said Kelly.
“When we started our business we saw predominately two extremes in furniture. There was one side supplying cheap furniture made out of inferior products that were built to last a few years or begin showing their age almost immediately. The other was offering nice furniture, well built, but expensive. The engineering and craftsmanship are impressive on these pieces, but they just not affordable to 90% of the population. We wanted to supply pieces that you’d be happy to have for several generations and still be reasonably obtainable,” said Kelly.
ECOpdx keeps their prices low by purchasing Tropical Salvage products in bulk. The woods used have nail holes, filled cracks, knots, wormholes, and bark exclusions. These imperfections all tell a story of each tree used in the furniture. The wood is sound from an engineering point of view and the inconsistencies insure each piece is unique.
In the coming years they hope to continue supplying Portlanders with sturdy, attractive furniture with an ethical background. “We’re small enough that we can adapt on the fly as styles, needs, and desires change. Whatever the public wants, we’ll try to offer it in a responsible manner, all you have to do is ask,” claims Kelly.
ECOpdx is located at 2289 N Interstate Ave., Portland, OR 97227. For more information call 503-287-8181 or visit www.ecopdx.com. Take the green approach and use the MAX yellow line that stops in front of the store.
