"Rust Belt" is a term used to describe the industrial boom that occurred in the 20th century in the Midwest and Northeast, primarily the Ohio and Pittsburgh areas where steel mills and manufacturing facilities were the main source income and employment for most residents.

Due to globalization and outsourcing, many of these factories have closed, but the locals still feel strong ties to the past. One of those people is Doug Meyer of Rustbelt Rebirth, who makes beautiful industrial pieces of furniture from mostly found items and materials. Using mainly metal, which probably can be found in abundance in the Midwest, Doug pieces together console tables, coffee tables, chairs, and even bookshelves. The result is a patchwork-style that gives the original metal pieces their own identity, in addition to a new identity as a whole.

Doug explains that, "It wouldn't be uncommon to see me buying wheelchairs from the thrift store on half-price day, or pulling shopping carts out of a pile in the scrap pile." Maybe if you live nearby, you'll see him doing that someday?

Bravo to Doug and his reuse of old materials and his Character Approved style that encourages us to keep our nation's history as an industrious country full of hard workers alive.

[Image: Rustbelt Rebirth]