Originate

Originate is a natural building materials showroom that specializes in interior finishes that are environmentally friendly, non-toxic, durable, and made from natural and renewable resources. Originate was established in October of 2003 to provide a location within the City of Tucson to serve as a local and regional source of environmentally sound building materials and provide a place where people can see and experience these materials.

Revisiting one of our all-time favorite projects for Salvage Saturday! When EcoSense transformed a series of old shippin...
06/20/2026

Revisiting one of our all-time favorite projects for Salvage Saturday!

When EcoSense transformed a series of old shipping containers into office spaces, they created something that feels every bit as thoughtful and creative as the landscapes they design. The space is layered with salvaged finds (not all from Originate!) and natural finishes that give it so much character.

Some of our favorite details are the salvaged metal casement windows, beautifully reimagined into stained glass by đź›  Cipriana S. (Tucson, AZ) âš’ , and a salvaged metal sink that found a second life in the outdoor space. Inside, Forbo Flooring Systems Marmoleum floors and American Clay Enterprises walls bring warmth, texture, and a connection to natural materials.

Projects like this remind us that inspiring spaces don’t have to start with all-new materials! These are the kinds of spaces that keep us dreaming!

Photos by Logan Havens

We love a space that makes a statement from the moment you walk through the door! This beautiful home features Fireclay ...
06/16/2026

We love a space that makes a statement from the moment you walk through the door! This beautiful home features Fireclay Tile in Clover throughout the entryway and hallway, creating a welcoming first impression that carries throughout. The rich green tones perfectly complement the original brick wall, highlighting its texture and character while adding a fresh, timeless feel!

Beat the heat from the inside out with Bonded Logic, Inc ! Bonded Logic’s UltraTouch Denim Insulation helps create a mor...
06/12/2026

Beat the heat from the inside out with Bonded Logic, Inc ! Bonded Logic’s UltraTouch Denim Insulation helps create a more comfortable home by slowing heat transfer through your walls and ceilings, keeping conditioned air where it belongs. Made from recycled denim fibers, UltraTouch offers excellent thermal performance without the itch, fumes, or irritating fibers associated with traditional insulation.

Whether you’re building new, remodeling, or tackling an attic upgrade, UltraTouch helps you stay cooler, quieter, and more comfortable all summer long.
Stop by our showroom to learn more about this amazing insulation solution!

If floors could give hugs, they’d be made of cork! It’s naturally soft and springy underfoot, making every step feel a l...
06/09/2026

If floors could give hugs, they’d be made of cork! It’s naturally soft and springy underfoot, making every step feel a little gentler. It stays warmer than many hard-surface floors, so your feet won’t get that shocking cold-floor wake-up call first thing in the morning.

And then there’s the quiet. Cork absorbs sound, helping to soften footsteps, reduce echoes, and take some of the chaos out of busy households. Kids playing, dogs running, work calls, movie nights, everything feels just a little more peaceful.

That’s why cork shines in bedrooms, where comfort matters most. It’s also a favorite for home offices, where a quieter space can make a big difference. But honestly? Cork works just about anywhere. Living rooms, kitchens, playrooms, hallways, you name it.
Some floors look beautiful. Cork makes your home feel beautiful too!

Brin is 10! This guy has been coming to Originate everyday since he was a pup! He takes his greeting duties very serious...
06/04/2026

Brin is 10! This guy has been coming to Originate everyday since he was a pup! He takes his greeting duties very seriously, and the showroom just wouldn’t be the same without him. He’s the perfect hiking companion, kitty cat whisperer, lover of cheese, and ear scratches. We love you Brin and hope your day is filled with all your favorite things and maybe some extra special treats! Happy Birthday Buddy!!

For the past five years, we've created a custom tarot card to celebrate our anniversary. Each card has reflected somethi...
06/03/2026

For the past five years, we've created a custom tarot card to celebrate our anniversary. Each card has reflected something meaningful we were experiencing at the time. A lesson, a challenge, a hope, or a question that seemed to be asking for our attention. As we've moved through the deck, the cards have become a kind of record of our journey.

This year brings us to 22: The Fool. Fittingly, 22 is also the final card in the Tarot's Major Arcana, representing both an ending and a beginning. After five years of creating these cards, we've reached the end of the deck. What comes next? We don't know yet. But that uncertainty feels perfectly aligned with the spirit of The Fool — standing at the edge of something new, trusting that the path will reveal itself as we walk it.

In numerology, the number 22 is the 'Master Builder’, signifying our capacity to create something lasting and meaningful. It asks us to balance vision with action, and imagination with purpose, building bridges between what is and what could be.

The 22nd card is 'The Fool' in the Tarot, numbered both 0 and 22 — pointing to the start and end of a cycle, a complete circle. Ours is a slight twist, 'The Fools,' speaking not only to solitary journeys but to collective courage and support.

The figure at the threshold stands where earth meets sky, where night greets day, a liminal realm of possibility. Some walk with us, and others wait beyond the threshold, inviting us forward into new possibilities. The Fools card asks us to preserve our levity, our divine foolishness — the parts of us that defy gravity even when reality says we cannot fly.

It invites us to stay quiet enough to receive that nudge of brilliance, then brave enough to follow it. What may appear foolish may be wisdom piercing through perceived limitation. Together, we are the master builders, let’s work together creating the world we want to see.
But what are we building?


Not simply buildings, homes, or beautiful spaces, though those matter too. We are building systems of care and stewardship. We are building a business that measures its impact and takes responsibility for it. Last year we attained our Climate Label certification, but the certification itself is not the destination. The work continues through daily choices: powering our operations with solar energy, tracking the emissions tied to shipping, purchasing carbon offsets, and setting tangible goals that move us closer to alignment between our values and our actions.

We are building resilience. We are building infrastructure for a changing climate. This year we replaced our oldest rainwater cistern, a tank that had served us for nearly twenty years after first finding its way to us through FreeCycle. It survived countless seasons but not the journey by crane to our new location. Its replacement was purchased from Texas Metal Tanks, another small business out of Texas, and is helping us care for all of our plants inside and outside. Not always an easy feat in the dessert.

The Fire Horse arrives on its own schedule — electric and unnameable. This year has asked more of all of us. We had a challenging time getting our New Year's postcards out this year. We went through four different printers because the one we used for five years no longer has access to the h**p paper & closed their doors. Simple things are no longer simple. Everything takes extra time, resilience and perseverance and a willingness to begin again.

And perhaps that, too, is part of what we are building: the capacity to adapt without losing sight of what matters. To keep choosing creativity over cynicism, participation over resignation, possibility over despair. We are not alone. Together we are the master builders — late, tired. But still creating the world we want to see.

It’s Salvage Saturday! Which means it’s time to show some of our recent additions to the salvage yard! Lots of really be...
05/30/2026

It’s Salvage Saturday! Which means it’s time to show some of our recent additions to the salvage yard! Lots of really beautiful light fixtures! Brass wall sconces with egg lights, porcelain sconces, a mill glass light, and a ceramic ceiling fixture that made its way from England!

In addition we got in a really cool set of brass andirons for a fireplace, and 3 of these decorative cast iron metal pieces.

Today’s a great day to take a stroll through the salvage yard! Open 12-4PM, we hope to see you there!

Have you ever noticed the main countertop on our paint bar? It’s made from Suberra Cork, a countertop surface created fr...
05/29/2026

Have you ever noticed the main countertop on our paint bar? It’s made from Suberra Cork, a countertop surface created from post-industrial recycled cork!

Cork might not be the first material that comes to mind when thinking about countertops, but this material has completely won us over! Suberra is made from recycled cork bark harvested in Portugal, where cork oak trees are carefully protected and can only be harvested once every nine years. The bark is first used by the wine industry for bottle stoppers, then the remaining material is transformed into ultra high-density building materials like this countertop.
Not only is it lightweight, durable, and naturally anti-bacterial, but it also has a warm, soft feel that makes it really unique compared to stone or other hard surfaces. Ours gets constant daily use at the paint bar and has absolutely proven itself over time.

Available in both Natural and Chocolate tones, Suberra is a great option for kitchens, bathrooms, workspaces, and anywhere you want a surface with a little more warmth and character!

This beautiful custom home in Dove Mountain features  on the walls and ceilings throughout, creating a soft, seamless wa...
05/28/2026

This beautiful custom home in Dove Mountain features on the walls and ceilings throughout, creating a soft, seamless warmth in every space. Finished in Porcelina, American Clay’s smoothest plaster texture, the surfaces have an almost velvety feel with subtle movement, gentle depth, and a softness that paint just can’t replicate. The color is Sugarloaf, American Clay’s brightest white in their original collection. A beautifully balanced white that feels warm, earthy, and calm without ever feeling stark.

There’s something special about a finish that changes with the light throughout the day, adding quiet texture and character while still feeling minimal and refined. Natural materials at their best!

Plaster installed by Erma Duran & Co.

So many people shy away from materials that need a little upkeep, but sometimes that maintenance is as simple as a quick...
05/19/2026

So many people shy away from materials that need a little upkeep, but sometimes that maintenance is as simple as a quick DIY once or twice a year. This countertop was refinished by sanding and sealing with Bioshield Herbal Oil, a plant based oil that actually hydrates the material (unlike petroleum based mineral oils that just sit on the surface). Bioshield soaks in to nourish and protect, helping extend the life of the countertop naturally.

There’s something really satisfying about materials that can be renewed instead of replaced. A little maintenance can go a long way toward creating a healthier, longer lasting space.

Swipe for before and some process pictures! This countertop is in Richlite’s color Cabernet.

Address

948 N. Main Avenue
Tucson, AZ
85705

Opening Hours

Tuesday 12pm - 5pm
Wednesday 12pm - 5pm
Thursday 12pm - 5pm
Friday 12pm - 5pm
Saturday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

+15207924207

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