{eco} design: Vintage Cottage

Speaking of summer, I found these images of a summer home and thought they were lovely.  A true labour of love, the owner has collected vintage finds over time...carefully curated to look as though they've always been there.  The home has been carefully restored, mainting the original architectural details, rather than knocked down in favour of something more modern and impossibly big, like I so often see.  Have I mentioned that I really love white and wood?

 

 

 

 

all images from Skona Hem

Gee, it's really starting to feel like summer. The weather is a funny thing...May's not yet gone and I've been in the beautifully balmy lake 3 times already, and the mercury's cresting 30 degrees... I've been feeling so summery this week I've gathered a little summer beauty for you.  My darling husband installed a clothesline for me yesterday...there isn't much that feels more summery than laundry snapping in the wind.

Image right: Enamorphoto; left: Roadside Photograph

SLG Designs

Zuppaartista

Claire Wise

The weather has been soooo lovely here!  I cannot believe we are still May, I went swimming yesterday for goodness sake!  I discovered that one of my favourite eco friendly furniture creators, Cisco Brothers, has a new line of eco-gorgeous outdoor furniture!  As a little celebration I thought I'd create a special eco style post for you!  I've gathered a few of my favourite eco finds for the great outdoors to create a little inspired living in appreciation of this crazy good weather!  Enjoy!

1 & 2: Cisco Brothers, in collaboration with HOM

3. Solar Radio by Kikkerland

4. Modular Garden Planter by Woolly Pocket

5. Ceramic Bird Feeder, by Perch

6. Rain Chain (direct rain in this beautiful traditional Japanese fashion...get one similar from Raven Metal)

{eco} design: Simon Carver

Last week I told you that, since green designers can be hard to find, that I was going to start posting spaces that I like and give little suggestions and sources to make it a little greener.  Welcome to take two!  This week I'm featuring Simon Carver, a interior stylist from Melbourne, Australia.  I think I must be attracted to electicism lately - I'm craving spaces with personality I guess.  In my own home its always a struggle to balance personal peices with design, especially when you hate clutter, however, there's nothing worse than a home that doesn't look lived in.  Perhaps this is why this apartment decorated by Simon caught my eye.  I appreciate the industrial, rough luxe elements, the mix of styles and furniture and the personal feel - yet the space still feels modern.  Like the look?  Here's a few sources you can try in order to get this look with a good dose of green.

You'll pay a pretty penny, but get a driftwood version of this amazing pendant light from Bleu Nature.  Find vintage Tolix tabouret at Antiquaire Online.  Check out Icestone for a similar worktop, and finally, get beautiful, eco floors from Eco Timber. 

 Do you live in Canada?  If so, get a modern, clean sofa with some serious eco-cred from Montauk (one day, I will have one!!!).  Live in the states? Try Martha's Vineyard Furniture Co.  My favourite way to get the vintage-mod look of the chair and coffee table shown here:  check out second hand stores by granny's cast-offs, then have them recovered in a fabulous fabric of your choice!  Some of my favourite online sources are Daisy Janie and Mod Green Pod.

Hmmm, bedding is a hard one, but, a little birdie just told me that the super fantastic Amy Butler just came out with organic sheets and towels!  Seriously!  Get them here for a graphic look like this!  Find an uber cool eco-friendly radio made of wood, and designed by Singgh Kartano, and buy it here.  In the market for a mattress?  Try a biodegradable, totally organic natural latex mattress.  Super comfortable minus all the yucky chems that offgas while you sleep. 

 

{eco} style: PaperPlatypus

 

 

I couldn't resist posting this today.  I think these paper butterflies from PaperPlatypus are fantastic, and I'm itching to use them.  I have a few ideas...imagine a few dozen on the wall, very sporatically arranged...she'll make custom colours for you too. 

 

 

{eco} style: LuPrints

Perfect summer style...LuPrints is created in B.C. Canada.  Creator Ulla Clark creates each peice by hand, using eco-friendly inks on a linen/cotten blend.  Her scandi-chic designs add a graphic touch to any space, and can be country cute or modern and graphic. 

{napkins for four}

{the aprons are definitely my favourite...don't miss LuPrints other great designs!}

The Green Traveller - Skovshoved Hotel, Denmark

Would you like to stay in a scandi chic, sea-side hotel in Denmark, just minutes from the epically design savy Copehnhagen?  Oh, and the buildling is 400+ years old!  How's that for preservation?  I must say, the Green Traveller is quickly becoming one of my favourite columns!  So many places to see!  Enjoy the Skovshoved Hotel.

 

The Organic Kitchen - Sweet Paul

I couldn't resist sharing this with you...I found it via Irene from Bloesem, and absolutely loved this independent online mag from Sweet Paul, whom many of you may know via his blog.  While his adorable magazine doesn't necessarily focus on organic eating, the ingredients can easily be switched out to support a greener menu.  In any case, it is definitely worth a read.  Enjoy the styling and colour as well!

I know its been a few weeks, but not to worry, lots of yummy ideas coming from Pure Green soon!

Live Green Graphic Art

 

What do you think of these?  Do let me know!

{eco} design: Vanessa Bruno

{search online for mid century classics such as these...lushpad is a great source.  For distressed floors like this try reclaimed oak or pine, finished with a non-toxic product such as AFM Safecoat PolyUreseal}

I came across these images via a photographer that I found on Emma's Design Blog...thanks Emma!  I loved the lived in feel of this apartment and thought you might too...but what I wanted to point out is how personal the space feels.  The photos featured are Vanessa Bruno's (a celebrated fashion designer) Parisian flat - and this week I'm trying something different.  There are so many inspring and absolutely drop dead gorgeous spaces out there that I'd love to share, and I do sometimes struggle to find spaces that have green cred - it is worth mentioning, however, that I have found many amazing green designers, and will continue to showcase them for you.  In the meantime, from time to time I'm going to take spaces that I find inspiring, and make some green suggestions to help you acheive a similar look with eco, non-toxic benefits. Let me know what you think!

{get inexpensive, recyclable chinese lanterns for a similar look above the table.  for a great looking, long lasting cabinet paint, try milk paint from Homestead House}

{my favourite source for natural fibre/wool rugs is Merida - they use natural backings so there is no nasty offgassing into your space}