Designing Green - Concrete Kitchen

In keeping with my colourful theme this week, I chose this kitchen for designing green Wednesday. Concrete countertops are a no-fail eco standby; they always look fabulous, whatever the setting. They are fully recyclable, {and usually fully recycled}. They've been critiqued as 'cold', but I couldn't disagree more. The motled texture and subtle imperfections make it wonderfully personal and unique. I'm usually a fan of white and concrete, but I'm loving the shots of pink in this particular kitchen. It adds life and movement. It also read 'colourful' without being overwhelming. I also like the transition between wood and concrete flooring; people are usually afraid to do that, but done right, its well received.

photos: Living Etc.

Eco-DIY - Birch Bark

There's something about birches that everyone (or at least I do) love; they are so naturally chic. Everytime I pass fallen birch branches on my dog walks in the woods, I'm always thinking what I can do with them. Usually I plunk them in glass vases, which always looks nice. However, here are a few different projects if you feel like being more crafty.

These birch tealight holders were made by a good friend. She simply took fallen birch and drilled out a piece large enough to hold a tealight. Voila!




Again, find a fallen birch branch, and bore out the center. Drop a small glass inside and you've got a gorgeous bud-vase.



{Oh, and then there are these from Viva Terra: not exactly natural, but no less chic. For the city gal who can't just 'pick up' some birch: }



Both are made with recycled aluminum.


Hurry! These vases are 50% off!

ECO-Style: Mod Kitchen

This week I was determined to add colour to my ECO-Style post, so when I found this photo, I knew it was a must. I adore this cute space! It makes me think of milkshakes and twizzlers, and I really love green. In fact, the glass-fronted cabinets, stools, recessed drawer pulls and candy tones all remind me of a candy shop! The shots of red in the window frame, chairs and coffee maker are great too; I often use this colour combo (green and red are complimentary, which is why they are often seen together, as they create visual harmony and balance).

Apparently, the owners of this kitchen, architect Tim McNamarra and his wife Paige, use the letters for alphebetical organization (whoa! way beyond me!), but I think they contribute to the mod vibe of the room too. Read on to see which features of the room could be had in ECO-Style!

These cabinets are clearly custom, so why not request that they be made of wheatboard, a totally sustainable product made of waste material. This product is similar to particle board, but is formaldehyde free, and is hence safe to store your food and allows you to breathe easy. In terms of durability, it meets the strictest building codes and outperforms traditional particleboard. Even better, the cost is very reasonable, so its a great choice for budget kitchens. There are many manufacturers out there with different price-points, but I like Kirei*; check their website for distributors. If you're set on wood, make sure its FSC Certified, at least.

Now that you have eco-cabinets, you need equally safe paint to achieve that fab green. I believe kitchens are an important space to use safe materials, as you spend so much time there and its where you prepare you food. My first choice is AFM Safecoat*, considered leader in its class in terms of toxicity and performance. They have a ton of different products, but the trim and door enamel would be a good choice for high traffic areas such as kitchen cabinets.



For great hardware such as the sleek recessed drawer pulls above, try Rocky Mountain Hardware, a great company that uses recycled content and responsible manufacturing processes. Its biggest downside is $$, sadly.

For mod lighting, try Schoolhouse Electric Co.*, who use responsible manufacturing techniques; I like the 'Lowell' pendant.

How 'bout these for a cool retro take on barstools? These are vintage factory stools from Antiquaire Online. I really like.

For a great countertop option like the one pictured above, look into Icestone*, a really gorgeous green product made of recylced concrete and glass. It comes in many colours. See their website for distributors.

I could go on....there are just so many ways to be eco, but this should be a good start.

Note: all products marked with a * will be available through my eco-design store, Sustain, with online purchasing capabilities. Check back often for more updates. Also, don't forget, if you'd like a room in your house to get an Eco-Style treatment, send me photos and I'll post your room and my suggestions. Its free!

From my Portfolio - Converted Porch

These are photos of a converted front porch - it was extended and winterized to add to the home's existing living space. I love the large windows - they have a great view and help heat the room through passive solar heating. The room has a fresh, youthful energy that makes it a nice place to be. By adding tons of toss-cushions, the room's feel can easily be changed. This is one of my favourites - I apologize for the poor lighting, photography is not my strength. I'm planning to have a professional take some, so when I get those I'll post the updated photos. Hope everyone likes!

The flooring is FSC-Certified, and the soft-furnishings as well.

The table was my project: an old, thrift-store find was painted,
the top removed and replaced with reclaimed

lumber from an old, local barn.

The glass nesting tables are also a favourite vintage find.

Designing Green - Jessica Helgerson

I've admired designer Jessica Helgerson from Portland, Oregon, for a long time. She designs using the same principles as I do: that although a space must be beautiful, it must be good for you and the Earth too. The house featured below is so fabulously full of good ideas. The white and black palette is carried through the entire home, and the hits of fresh green are exquisite! Jessica is great proof that eco can be ultra-stylish!

Seagrass rugs are a good natural and sustainable flooring option.

There's just something about the colours white and green mixed with wood that I love!

These gorgeous, hand-blown pendant light fixtures are from Niche Modern.

Oooh-la-la! IceStone has green countertops like these.

The bathroom cabinets are made from Kirei Board, a totally sustainable product made with waste material.

Get similar espresso bamboo floors that are seamlessly carried through the entire house at Natural Cork.

Hope you enjoyed that as much as I did!
*I've seen Jessica featured before in the blog world, but she is so fab she can handle the repeats!

Clean Laundry

I came across this laundy detergent on Etsy and wanted to share. It inspired me to search for other great laundry room finds, and I was surprised by the diversity. I think the laundry room is an easy place to forgo our green intentions, but it is no less in important. (It's also hard to know exactly what's in your detergent!) Also, the laundry room is an easy place to skimp on style! So, here are a few neat green products you may want to consider, that are as pretty as they are functional:

Clean Rinse in 'Monkey Farts' (think fruity!) scent. 100% natural and biodegradable. Safe for He machines. See their etsy page for the full list of ingredients.

These rosemary and orange oil stain sticks are completely natural. See Growing Season Soaps for more info.

I love these products from ReFabulous; These wool dryer balls are made from wool unraveled from old sweaters, and can be used again and again! The dryer sachets are made from vintage fabric and are stuffed with dried lavender. Use them until they no longer smell, about 10-15 loads.

Make everything pretty by displaying your new green laundry accessories in these vintage apothecary jars. I found these on Ebay for $15 (for 2)!

Lastly, here are a few inspiration photos of a lovely laundry room. Its not doing a bad job of being green: high effeciency machines; recyclable glass tile; a composite counter-top from Ikea; the vintage mirror, among others.



photos: Design Inc.

Eco-DIY - Rustic Lamp

I'm pretty excited about this DIY. It was made using scrap lumber from a log home builder in my area, and a simple lamp kit. Girls, I did this one myself, so grab your boyfriend or husbands tools and make one too! I was after a rustic look, but you can make a lamp like this out of anything! For instance, go to a salvage shop and use an old pillar. Anyway, I'm very happy with how it worked out. Let me know what you think! (This is a prototype, as I'm going to have more made to sell in my store, Sustain).

*Note: This kind of project isn't too difficult if you know what you're doing, but it can be dangerous if you don't as working with electricity (wiring the lamp) and power tools can cause serious injury or fire. If you are unsure, grab someone who is and get them to show you.

Get this Look ECO-Style

This week on ECO-Style I was hoping to go for colour (!) but, I found this image and fell in love with it. Yes, it kind of looks like spring, but it conjures up cozy afternoons with your favourite book, one of my favourite past-times during cold winter days. I love the personal look of this space, every object looks like it has a story. Because the objects listed here are personal vintage finds, I could not reproduce it exactly, but here are some eco-suggestions to help you get something similar. Enjoy.

photo: Living Etc.

Add colour to your all-white scheme with a vintage or handmade quilt; this one is from Purl Soho

This responsibly manufactured feather stuffed Montauk Sofa just invites you to sink into it, and the company plants trees every year to offset its carbon emissions during production.

I couldn't find a vintage mirror exactly like the one above. Here are two equally stylish options: an antique, such as this large Louis XVI from Antiquaire Online; or, as I have done myself, visit salvage shops and purchase a large, old window, then have it fitted with mirrored glass.

This pedestal table is from Ikea. Find out why shopping at Ikea is a good eco option here: The Ikea Way

These bookcase options are not exactly like the one above, however they all have eco benefits. To find a white, reclaimed one, you may just have to search in your area, or do a shabby chic makeover on one you already have. The ones here are from Knack Studios, Ikea and Antiquaire Online

An example of a reclaimed chest to use as a coffee table. Wood would look just as good as the white one above.

These glasses are from Viva Terra and are made from recylced liquor bottles (think Skyy Vodka).

p.s. Don't forget - if you'd like this treatment applied to your own home, or, if you just don't know what you want to do with your space, send me a photo! (Just click on the 'contact me' link and attach the photos.) I'll make some recommendations and post it on this blog. Everyone needs a little green!