Originate Natural Building Materials, Tucson AZ

They didn't have the specific product I was looking for, but immediately ordered it for me. Great service.

I am so grateful to Natasha and this amazing company Originate! Both the owner and service provided are exemplary from the moment you connect. Their mission and ethos of ". Functioning as a community resource. We enjoy sharing knowledge about natural building materials and helping you to make environmentally aware choices during the design and build process. " is exactly what anyone should be searching for when building their own house. I have been exposed to extremely hazardous environmental toxins in each home I have been and I wish I had known and heard of Natasha and her quality high caliber materials that she uses in the building/design of one's home.

I wish there were hundreds of her and the services she provides out there in this country. It would certainly have saved my current dire health concerns after being exposed to high levels of mold due to water damage & leaks that is just to mention but a few of the issues. I urge anyone who is suffering from major health concerns that it is most likely due to unsafe, shoddy, cheap materials and shortcut practices (implemented by builders) in the building of your home. A home should be a sanctuary that is well built using safe, eco-friendly and healthy, clean quality materials and if that is what you are searching for, look no further - Originate will make it happen! To your health and well-being!

Such a beautiful store with the rudest owner. Not sure what happened in her life to make her so mean. I’ll probably be back there just because the products are so good, but man is it hard to deal with the attitude each time. Next time I will not bring the family.

The place is awesome if you're into restoration and old school construction.the ladies there are true and knowledgeable. I will definitely be speaking with them more often

I have been working with Originate for over 15 years, Natasha is so knowledgeable about the products she sells and she always goes above and beyond to help designers and her clients to get the correct product for project. She is a true problem solver and it's so rare you find someone that really cares about the quality products and how they affect the planet. Originate is one of the first places I take my clients for their home remodel.

Originate is such a special place to go in Tucson. We appreciate having Natasha guide us through projects and that there is a place that values sustainability in our community.

Six words describe their wood yard: Fire hazard, termite holes, dilapidated, unsalable. My husband and I are shocked this meets Tucson Code of Ordinances for Neighborhood Preservation CH 16, and Fire and/or Sanitation codes given the close proximity to other businesses, particularly a Salvation Army housing facility across the street. Yuck. The owner said they charge equivalent to new construction wood for what is not reusable for any construction without violating building codes. What a joke. This is an eclectic group of women who clearly believe they have some philanthropic mission, but in reality are overcharging for junk. They try to spin a great story about this and that, pricing very old junk very high. All their friends must have shown up for reviews. Definitely not customers.

Highly recommend Originate. Natasha (and team) is Experienced, Knowledgeable Friendly Efficient - backed up with a great selection of products

Originate is a place that aligns with my values as a carpenter and furniture maker. Natasha provides services that better our world and health while adding beauty and character to our places. Her incredible knowledge about each product she represents is thorough to say the least. I’ve bought many items from her salvage yard. She treats me with kindness and respect and goes out of her way to order a finish that might not be in stock. Thank heavens Originate exists.

I’ve been buying products from Natasha at Originate for over 15 years. Whether I’m doing the smallest job and need a tube of calk, or a massive flooring job throughout my house, Natasha provides great advice based on years of experience with natural building materials. If you are looking for building or home repair materials and supplies that prioritize human health and the environment Originate is your place. I can’t wait for my next project.

I have been a customer at Originate for fifteen years. Natasha has helped me with flooring, indoor and outdoor paint, and even research for possibilities that I didn't always bring to fruition for both my home and a yoga studio. Her intentionality in what she curates and provides as well as her perseverance for both Originate and other local establishments in a changing world that isn't always in support of small business or the environment is something I deeply respect.

I was at a dinner tonight with friends, Originate came up. After moving here from New Mexico, my husband and I purchased in South Tucson. We quickly began to restore our new home.
About a year ago we went to Originate looking for a vintage window to replace in our Adobe. We left Originate mortified by how poorly we were treated. I thought, someone in Originate was having a bad day and that it was isolated, to our experience.
Tonight I learned this person was in-fact the owner of Originate. I was shocked.
Natasha is aggressive, the rudest, unhappiest, and most miserableness person I have ever interacted with, both in a consumer and business environment. The stories I heard tonight were heart breaking. I hope this business closes and the Tucson community can be spared from this unfortunate individual.
I am both dumbfounded and mortified that this behavior is allowed.
I remember leaving Originate and looking at my husband, saying "was that the worst experience you have ever had in a store? " he turned to me and said "My money is better spent at a big box store, that person is the reason chain stores are succeeding, people do not have to put up with that".
He was right. People do not have to shop local, when local business owners are abusive.

To have a room full of people talk about how this business is hurting the Tucson community is heart breaking. We were only a mile away in Barrio Hollywood, yet eight people all shared why they would never step foot in this business.

More people should speak up. Perhaps Natasha will close the doors or change behavior.

Looking for environmental friendly products I found this store online and went in. I have never been treated so badly by a shop owner. I purchased a product that did not work at all and when i took it back - the women who owns the place was so hostile, rude and unpleasant I actually became concerned she was going to assault me. She refused to take any responsibly, would not take the product back and told me i was using it wrong after i spent a ton of time following the directions to make sure i was not making a mistake.am shocked this place is even in business and I would never go back.

Having recently purchased our house my wife and I were excited to visit a store we thought would align with our vision of sustainable, quality products. We arrived a bit early and while sitting outside waiting, a lady sauntered by staring at us as if we were unassuming pests. She turned out to be the owner. Admittedly we didn’t know it was appt only, but a kind gentleman greeted us and said they had a cancellation, so we were able to come in. He remained kind and helpful throughout the visit.

Unfortunately, the owner didn’t acknowledge our presence once we were inside. Which is strange in a small shop with only 2 customers present. That is until we asked the gentleman a question about a product on the walls, which she took the liberty to jump in and answer with a fantastically rude and condescending response. It’s one of those moments that catches you off guard. And one you should never have as a customer.

Bottom line, it’s a small shop with products you can find online or elsewhere, and some salvaged goods out back. Despite having some interesting materials, the owners clear disdain for her patrons or total inability to understand her own pathetic interpersonal skills make it a total pass. I’d rather have rats eat my face off than give her 1 cent of my money. What a wasted opportunity.

The owner is exceptionally rude. I would rather pay someone else 4x her prices just to give my money to someone who practices everyday kindness. There is a man who works there that is very pleasant (I feel like he must try to compensate for the owner who has a complete lack of basic social skills). There is nothing so great or unique here that it’s worth visiting. What’s especially odd is that I asked the man working questions (since the owner was on the phone and had already made it apparent that talking to her would only cause me grief). But she interrupted him and her own phone conversation to rudely interject. If you’re a fan of Portlandia, our whole visit to Originate was reminiscent of Fred Armison’s character in The Feminist Bookstore. I don’t understand how anyone would want to be a business owner when they have such obvious contempt for (seemingly) every other human. In general, she treats you like you’re trying to steal things from her instead treating you like someone interested in making purchases.

I can't express how glad I am I found this company. My boyfriend realized he had a chemical sensitivity a few years ago. Massive amounts of research on how to make our home safe for him left us overwhelmed until we found Originate. They helped us with low to no VOC paint, grout sealer, caulking, and window coverings. Natasha's knowledge of products and brands that are low to no VOC is amazing. She even pointed us in the direction of another fantastic local shop for furniture. I can't thank her and the other lovely lady upfront enough.