Homes - Oregon Coast House

I've been saving this one for a while - it's so beautiful my desire to live here is almost painful. I'm sure you'll agree! It's one of the latest projects by Portland design firm Jessica Helgerson Design, one of our all-time favourite sustainable design firms. Their designs leave no fraction of doubt that green design can be incredibly stylish. Their ethos and aesthetic fit perfectly with Pure Green Mag's style and value. We've got our eye's peeled for future projects by this firm — maybe someday we'll travel to Portland and meet Jessica and the team. I think a feature in a future issue would be well received! You?

 This project was handled by JHID designer Jesse Moyer. Here's more on the project:

"The house is divided into three levels, each with its own common living space as well as adjacent bedrooms. We wanted to give each level a special feeling of its own. . .
The upper level is light and elegant with a 16-foot-long sofa that curves gracefully on thin walnut legs, a handcrafted walnut lamp that curves to match the sofa, and a chandelier that reflects the ocean in hundreds of slightly irregular hand-blown glass drops.
The mid level is comfortable and warm with colorful rugs and cozy wing back chairs upholstered in linen. The game table is Jesse Moyer’s design and we had vintage chairs upholstered to match it.
The lower level is playful and casual with a big sectional clad in reclaimed barn wood and a boat transformed into a day bed that hangs from the ceiling. The home theater has inviting velvet chairs, funny Mexican movie posters and pillows made from vintage silk scarves.
With the a very few exceptions nearly all the furniture is either of our design, and built here in Portland, or vintage."

Inspired Living: Miki Organics

I came across a fantastic little online shop today called Miki Organics (gotta love Twitter!) in Britain. I loved the vintage feel of her product shots, and of course the products themselves speak volumes. On trend or not, I can't get enough of natural textures, beachy, neutral shades - every time I see it I just can't stop staring - think cream, charcoal grey, natural wood tones... The name Miki comes from the Japanese translation of 'beautiful tree' - perfect.

"Set up in 2008 by Claire Watson, Miki sources stylish ethical and eco friendly interior design, accessories and gifts. If you are like us then being surrounded by good design and gorgeous clothes makes you happy. We want to be the change we want to see in the world. This means making sure that the people who make our products are also happy, and that from crop to final product the best environmental practices are used."

I think these mini tagines are my favourite! A perfect little salt cellar!

 

Inspired Living | Summer Picnic with Acme Party Box

Loving these picnic accessories from Acme Party Box! A little inspiration just in time for Canada Day OR the 4th of July, depending where you are! I personally am heading out on the water tomorrow with some friends - we'll be grabbing some icecream and cuddling up with a blanket to watch the fireworks, floating in the bay! I also plan to tackle some serious DIY's around the house with my rare and treasured 3-day weekend!! I have a special event I'm planning, which will be very fun to decorate for, and I've got some painting to do. Our kitchen cabinets are begging to become a gorgeous shade of white, and I'm planning a bedroom makeover too! What are your plans for the holiday weekend?

ACME Party Box’s philosophy of throwing chic, sustainable parties extends beyond birthdays and showers. Their picnic basket includes everything you need for an eco-friendly picnic – Weck carafes and storage jars, bamboo cutlery and tableware, a mango wood cheese board, picnic knife, cloth napkins, and your choice of wine glasses or Mason drinking jars with straws, all reusable or compostable and all packaged in a large tote. The only thing missing are some sandwiches and a sunny spot to enjoy them!

Inspired Living - Atelier 688

I have a mild vintage map obsession, which is why these beauties from Atelier 688 in Toronto caught my eye. A surefire coversation starter, these are created using vintage maps printed on balloon silk and carried by military air crews to navigate enemy territory, and were inspired by owner Alex Jowett's late uncle, a pilot in WW II. {Atelier 688, $185}

Inspired Living - Red Cruiser

garden journal 

Onwards with the garden theme! I couldn't resist these when they landed in my inbox from illustrator Heidi Schweigert, known on etsy as Redcruiser. Printed on FSC certified paper, the jaunty illustrations in cheerful colours are a neat garden accessory. I especially love the garden journal (I can NEVER remember which tomatoes I like from year to year) and the seed saver envelopes - much cuter than a bunch of diry, half-torn open seed envelopes spilling seeds all over the place!

Thanks Heidi for the submission!

 

seed saver envelopes

 hello spring poster

Potted Tomato Plants from The Rake

Continuing our garden theme from the Summer issue of Pure Green Mag, I couldn't resist posting this adorable and very well-done video on raising vegetables in potted plants from Cloud Raker, a Montreal ad agency. The first in the series is the potted tomato, featuring a good friend of PGM, Marie-Eve Best of Lake Jane! Here's what they had to say on the matter (I loved the download too - it includes a little trick using eggshells I didn't know!!)

“We Rakers were certainly convinced of the benefits [of gardening] so we started The Potted Farm. What can we say, we love a challenge – and fresh tomatoes. First we enlisted the help of Charles Nock (also a contributor to Pure Green Mag!), local tree doctor, balcony garden guru and plant whisperer, who gave us the full scoop on the perplexities of growing and maintaining tomato plants. Turns out, there’s absolutely nothing mysterious about it. In fact, planting tomatoes is incredibly simple and it’s a great weekend project. There’s no reason why everyone can’t enjoy the tastiest summer salads or green up their outdoor spaces, even in the middle of downtown Montreal. Check out our little how-to video, download this handy little tip sheet and shopping list and turn your balcony into your very own potted farm. ”

Source: The Rake

Inspired Living - Busy Bee Candle Co.

We have fun news!!! Erin Monett, PGM's Photographer has launched a great little side biz called Busy Bee Candle Co.  More than just a candle - they are molded inside perfect vintage mason jars and are right up our alley. Supporting and growing the beekeeping industry is paramount to helping keep bee populations healthy and plentiful. We rely on those little insects more than you realize. (For a quick update on the health of the bee population check out our latest issue - see Eco-Logical by Dr. Charles Nock on p. 102-103). Here's a little more about what Busy Bee is all about:

"Caledon, Ontario honeybees are busy collecting nectar from approximately two million flowers to make one pound of our beeswax, and we are busy creating more candles for you to enjoy!
All natural beeswax is a renewable resource and burns clean. When you burn your Busy Bee Candle Co candle it emits negative ions. These ions act as a “cleanser” for the surrounding air because toxins, such as dust, pollen, germs and mildew, are positive ions. When the two meet the air is purified.
Unlike soy and paraffin waxes, beeswax is used in its original state. There is no bleaching or hydrogenating. Beeswax is the purest and most natural of all waxes (including vegetable waxes such as soy) with the least processing and no additives.
Beeswax is non-allergenic and is best for those with allergies or sensitivities to scents.
Busy Bee Candle Co. is bee friendly and we support the beekeeping industry."

Visit Erin's Etsy shop to get your own!!