{eco} style: Andrea Brugi

I was having a bad day... but these images cheered me up, a little...  Celebrated carpenter Andrea Brugi creates these wood peices out of all sorts of different wood, new and antique, which are pretty irresistable in these images.  No wonder as the fabulous Ditte Isager took them.  I'm in love with the mood in these photos... and it gives me a bench mark in terms of styling for Pure Green Living.  Hope you like... and that it provides a little bright spot in your day for you!

So Nice Contest: Something Fun!

 

Hey Everyone!  I'm doing something a little different, and kinda fun!  This past summer I was asked to participate as a judge in a contest hosted by So Nice, Canada's largest NON-GMO Soy product company - the company also uses soy grown in North America, which is doubly nice!  So, to sum up - have a great idea that could make a real difference? Always wanted to start your own not-for-profit?  Well, here's your chance!  Present your idea and possibly win $5 K to put towards you idea!  Sweet!  Check out the details below, and be sure to say hey to the other cool judges!

BTW - This is NOT a sponsored post.  It's just a project that I am a part of that I think is cool, and I wanted to share with you! 

Contest Information
The So Nice "A Better Organic World" Contest runs from August 16 to December 31, 2010.  Entrants are invited to answer in 300 words or less how they would spend $5,000 toward a better organic world. Throughout the Contest, members of the general public will be able to visit the Facebook Contest app and vote for their favourite sustainability ideas.  Enter Here!!!!

Who's Eligible
All legal residents of Canada and the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Montana in the United States of America are eligible to win, providing they are over the age of majority on August 16, 2010 in the province or state in which they live and providing that they are not employees of Soyaworld Inc., their advertising or promotional agencies, the independent judging organization, any independent judge or family members with whom these employees are domiciled. For more on the rules and regs, click here.

How to Win
On January 18, 2011, the 10 entries with the most votes, along with 10 entries selected by the Contest Sponsor (Soyaworld, manufacturer of So Nice) will be reviewed by the 6-person judging panel, who will award the Grand Prize of $5,000 to the selected entrant.  Good Luck!

{eco} style: Gray Works Design

I came across this today, and fell in love.  These are so beautiful and made with salvaged wood by Gray Works Design.  Can you get much better?  So lovely... and the photography is fantastic too.

Happy weekend everyone!

Customize it...... yes please.  This is going to be a christmas gift for my hubby for sure!!!

{eco} design: NYC Penthouse

Hello again.  So... like last week, I've had a little trouble fitting everything in. But, you can expect good things to come of my absence. This week PGL mag travelled to Hamilton and then to Niagara on photo shoots... can't wait to share that little bit of fun with you!   In the meantime, I found this LEED Certified penthouse, designed by Joel Sanders Architects, and thought you might like to dream.... for like, you know, when we're all millionaires!  Green can be uber stylish.

{green} traveller: Boca Chica

 

Gee willickers......  I have a love hate relationship with this column.  I LOVE finding these amazing hotels, with so MUCH charm!  I swear, I'm never staying in a chain hotel again!  Here's the hate: all I want to do is go visit!  I want to drop everything, pack a bag, hop on a jet plane, and go relax!!  But I can't just now.... here lies my problem.  Too much temptation.  Don't those lounge chairs look irresistable?  Last week, I thought Portugal was my next destination, for sure, but after finding this latest gem, Hotel Boca Chica in Acapulco, Mexico, I'm not so sure.  I think I may have to cruise the internet for cheap flights.  At any rate, all temptations aside, Hotel Boca Chica has been revitalised to offer a contemporary take on 1950's glamour.  Built in that era by then leading Mexican architect Francisco Eppens, designers Frida Escobedo and Jose Rojas specified vintage glamour for the hotel's revival.  The result is stunning: iconic architecture and period details have been effortlessly integrated into an updated, refreshing hotel that lacks nothing in terms of style and personality.  I like it because the original building and details were kept intact, minimizing the environmental impact of the revitalization - leaving us with a modern throwback to a glamorous era, and reminder that new isn't always better!  And, I was pleasantly surprised at their rates.  Not exactly budget, but it won't scare you either.

{eco} style: Hans Blomquist

As you can imagine, these days I'm paying particular attention to styling.  European stylist Hans Blomquist is among my favourites.  His affinity for vintage is obvious, and his creations are outside the usual.  Love.  I dream of creating something like this! A little eye candy is always nice.

{the} Mag: Behind the Scenes

Hello again!  Sorry for my absence, again.  I spent the weekend running errands for yesterday's shoot, with all the time between that obsessing over our shoot styling.  I'm happy to say I'm THRILLED with the results, and I can't wait to share.  I wanted to share a teensy, weensy behind the scene's look at our shoot... Meet Erin, PGL Mag's indispensable, incredibly talented photographer, and a great friend.   What goes into a PGL Mag shoot? 

1. Concept Design

2. Sourcing

3. Prop Design & Styling

4. A Healthy Dose of Obsessing Over the Details

5. Coffee

6 Lighting

7.Editing

8 And tons of fun!!!!!

Next week we're travelling to shoot one of the home features in the Holiday issue.  I'm planning to bring a video cam and document more carefully.  I love behind the scene's stuff, and I'm hoping you do too!  In the meantime, without giving too much away, here's a closer look at some of the amazing vintage pieces we used in the shoot.  (photos taken my moi while Erin worked her magic)

{green} traveller: Hotel Favorita

I was really excited when I came across this lovely little hotel, called Hotel Favorita, located in Portugal.  I really, really want to go to Portugal, and I'm thinking that, well, perhaps this is the year!  I'll combine it with a photoshoot forPure Green Living and it'll be "business"!  Right....well maybe!  Anyway, this adorable space is actually a remodeled home, creating a cozy, seven room hotel decorated by the legendary Sam Baron.  A solid mixture of vintage design classics, defining architectural elements and a considered minalist approach has created a space that is cozy yet design savy.

These tiles are fantastic.

The solid yet soft palette of white and soft grey throughout has created unity and lends a peaceful, quiet and relaxing feel.