Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Risdon.
Megan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
From yesterday’s fishing boats to modern-day homes, EcoChic brings artful twists to old classics in our one-of-a-kind reclaimed wood and metal furnishings.
EcoChic tells a story of endurance. The timeless beauty of reclaimed boatwood lives on in art furniture with au courant style. The form may change but the spirit of graceful strength remains the same. We take pride in using sustainable wood and metal, as well as organic sealants, to bring you sought-after pieces for every room of your home.
OCEAN-SWEPT
Boatwood steeped in adventure.
Our story starts on the water. The proud owners of tropical fishing boats paint their hulls in bright colors and designs: red, green, turquoise, and yellow. After years of daily use, when the boats are no longer seaworthy, they are hauled up on shore to begin another life as extraordinary reclaimed wood furniture.
SUN-KISSED
Bewitching color, gorgeous texture.
We choose only exceptional boatwood for our collections. We search out vivid colors, unique patterns, and breathtaking patinas. The boards must be straight and true, free from warping and damage. The layered paint, applied by hand over the years and weathered by salt, sand, and sun, inspires our designers to create signature pieces that showcase their lineage beautifully.
LAND-FINISHED
Quality furniture that honors its origins.
To do right by our valuable reclaimed boatwood, every step of the reconstruction process is carried out by hand. Skillful craftspeople cut, assemble, and finish each piece, and our on-site quality control process ensures that the results are perfection. When you invest in furniture with this kind of strength and history, your reward is a lifetime of beauty.
Has it been a smooth road?
EcoChic Lifestyles started with an adventure.
I was working in the corporate world, but I was on the lookout for an opportunity. The right product at the right time.
One day, I came across a mirror made with wood from old tropical houses, and I loved the history behind the piece. This wasn’t just anonymous wood from a factory―it had a former life that gave it character and personality. And I was captivated by the vibrant colors. Could I find more?
I started researching reclaimed materials in tropical regions. I learned that the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 had wrecked many fishing boats, which people then salvaged to furnish and decorate their homes.
That got my attention: taking the wreckage from a devastating storm and turning it into something useful and beautiful. Fishing boats are generally made from marine-grade teak, so the wood is highly durable. And the photos I found showed gaily-painted boats―veritable works of art.
That’s when I knew I had to go on an adventure and see these boats for myself.
So I made my first trip to South East Asia. I didn’t know what I would find, but I knew I had to go.
And my adventure paid off: I found the high-quality fishing boat wood I was looking for. The richness of color and texture took my breath away. Pictures were no substitute for the real thing.
I also found iron reclaimed from bridges, sanded clean but still with that wonderful aura of age.
Then I found production companies that could turn my designs into reality. All the construction is done by hand, which means that every piece is cut and assembled carefully but without the cookie-cutter look of industrial manufacturing.
And I have fallen in love with the results. I am endlessly fascinated by the unique and practical beauty of our pieces.
I’m a very hands-on business owner: I’ve been buried in paper for days at a time, unwrapping an entire container; I’ve spent countless hours testing out different finishes to see what works; and I fly to South East Asia regularly to source the best fishing boat wood, manage production, and monitor the quality of EcoChic pieces.
When I see people’s eyes light up at the sight of our EcoChic collections, I know that the adventure has been worth it.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with EcoChic Lifestyles – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We specialize in bright and vibrant colors. Very edgy yet happy and chic.
We do a lot of custom and commercial orders especially in the hospitality industry. We are very popular among restaurants and resorts. We pair our beloved marine grade boatwood with other materials such as glass, chrome and iron.
We are different than our competition because our product does not look reclaimed and not all of it is. We design and manufacture both overseas and in Los Angeles. All our custom and commercial pieces are made in America.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the healthy lifestyles Los Angeles offers. I am a vegan and avid yogi. I certainly do not mind the gorgeous weather. It’s a very inspiring place to live filled with artist talent and culture.
The traffic is what I dislike the least.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ecochiclifestyles.com
- Phone: 747 202 3583
- Email: katherine@ecochiclifestyles.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearecochic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearecochic
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/wearecochic
- Other: https://www.ecochiclifestyles.com/lookbook/
NDP Forward Convention 2015
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