{homestead} CSA for Valentine's

From Crackers

Hello Everyone!  I'm happy to introduce a new column on PG called {homestead}!  I've been kicking this one around for a while, but listening to readers request more info and insight into how to live green has prompted me to make this one a reality.  You'll have to bear with me though... this column will be, at times, nothing more than my experiments on making things at home, wasting and wanting less, learning more, reading and watching, talking and listening.  I'd like to learn to take nicer photos... we'll see how that develops.  

In the meantime, I thought a nice kick-off to PG Homestead would be to offer up an idea for an alternative Valentine's Day gift, instead of scrambling to find a gift for your loved one, who probably has everything they need!  Right now you're looking at photos of eggs, tractors and veggies and wondering what on earth I could possibly have in mind.  Well, how about a subscription to your local CSA's, or Community Supported Agriculture.  Gaining more and more in popularity, hopefully where you live has at least one to offer.  Basically, the idea behind CSA's is that you 'subscribe' to a farmer's product by paying for your 'subscription', or 'share', up front.  This greatly helps the farmer for a variety of reasons:

1. He/She gets money at the START of the season, which is when they need it to purchase seeds, livestock, buy equipment and maintain their farm.

2. It gives the farmer a 'quota', or target yield for the year, ensuring that they can meet the demand.

3. It supports your local, organic economy - you get to eat yummy, nutritious, 100 mile food, they get to earn a living.

4. You share the risk.  You don't realize how much a farmer puts on the line... disasters such as drought, floods, windstorms, bug infestations, disease, etc. can mean that a farmer's crops are destroyed, or the yield is reduced.  By sharing a little bit of that risk (it doesn't happen often, but it's a reality of working with living things), it ensures that the farmer will recover and will be able to operate another season.

From Crackers

In exchange for your support, you will receive either weekly or monthly packages, containing whatever share you purchased (this would be decided at the time of subscription).  I will be subscribing to two CSA's this year: 1 veggie (in exchange for $100/month I will receive a weekly bundle of the freshest veggies), and 1 meat  (for $475/6 months I will receive a monthly package of meat, eggs and preserves, enough for two to eat very comfortably).

Here's one more reason to do this: you save money!  Usually you will end up paying less per pound than you would at the grocery store, and you don't have to shop.  For example: my meat CSA costs an average of $4.50/pound, where at the grocery it costs an average of $5.60/pound.  Another added bonus? Sometimes you receive veggies/meat you don't usually eat.  It will force you to expand your horizons, try new things, and research/create killer recipes for your newly discovered food.

From Daniel Hurst's Flikr

From Cannelle et Vanille

Consider it.  Happy Valentine's everyone!

{eco} design: Century Home in Sweden

This week's eco design feature comes from Victoria Hamberger, a designer from the Swedish town of Lindingo.  A century home built in 1907, Victoria and her family were intent on restoring and updating the home, yet maintain some of it's previous character - a colourful home previously owned by Anders and Nunni Beckman, founders of the Beckman College of Design.  Victoria set about using colour but keeping it in balance with the furniture she already had and a lighter, less intense feel.  It's not hard to see what drew me to this home.  It's striking, yet peaceful.  As always, we've added the Pure Green touch and added a few green resources, in case you'd like this look at home {who wouldn't} with a little eco flair.

Remember the concrete tiles by Popham Design I mentioned yesterday?  Here they are.  Made in a respectable manner in line with traditional Moroccan technique. 

Such lightness and colour!  I don't know about you, but purple would never be my main accent colour of choice, and yet, this made me reconsider.  How lovely and fresh - I really love the purple vintage cabinet.  The look is anchored by the dark wood floors.  1 eco point for keeping the original hardwood and choosing to refinish them.  Achieve a similar painted look using non-toxic paint by AFM - their Trim & Door formula is up to the job.

1 eco point for the healthy dose of refinished antique pieces found in each room, such as the white Fyndade sideboard and orange lamp found at a flea market in Smalande.  The chair is vintage too, from the Swedish auction site Lauritz that specializes in quality antiques and design classics.

Victoria is also the entrepreneur behind Glowb, a rug company that makes modern and stylishly appointed rugs, including the lovelies shown here in Victoria's home.  The rugs are handmade in India using natural materials and ethical practices.  In fact, Glowb states that part of their mandate is to help contribute to an improved quality of life for it's employees, including investing in schools and education.

As I'm sure you know by now PG is a HUGE fan of vintage.  I couldn't resist showing this collection of vintage bar ware, from Victoria's parents.  

Get a similar look in as this kitchen by having bespoke cabinetry built in using bamboo plywood.  The vertical grain in amber from Plyboo will result in a very similar look.  Recycled glass countertops from Icestone will complete the look, along with some non-toxic paint by Mythic.  Keep watch on ebay for a vintage Saarinen tulip table.

Finally, check out Fireclay Tile's Debris Line {made of recycled content} in Black Gloss for a very similar look.

Source

{eco} style: Popham Tile

Two eco style posts in a row!  I couldn't help it.  I actually came across Popham Tile via a home feature that I was going to post but got pushed back to tomorrow because I couldn't not post about these!  Popham was created by two designers, formerly from L.A and N.Y who moved to Marrakech and now create and design stunning concrete tile.  Made in the traditional encaustic style but using concrete, a renewable resource.   mmmmm... so good.  Stay tuned for the home feature that inspired all this tomorrow!

And don't forget about our #PGLiving campaign on twitter!  In case you didn't read yesterday's post, we want to celebrate the ways in which you, our dear and treasured reader, ALREADY live green.  No matter how big or small, send your ideas to us on twitter using the #PGLiving hashtag.  Pure Green isn't about preaching... it's about community and celebration!  Here's the best part... each issue, we'll publish our favourite green living ideas in the mag!  We want to hear from you!

Pure Green Mag on Twitter:

@puregreenmag

{eco} style: Granted Clothing & Pure Green Living on Twitter

Today's eco style post comes to you courtesy of Bess @ English Muffin.  She's wonderful, and I'm in love with this particular find.  I couldn't resist reposting so I could share it with all the Pure Green readers.  Granted Clothing is a family owned business from BC - they are a handmade business, down to the very core.  They produce clothing made of 100% pure wool, which they then knit, BY HAND, into beautiful garments.  It's not inexpensive, but this is no sweater that was knit on a mechanical loom which churns out 100 identical sweaters per day.  This is a heirloom of sorts.  You will have it forever.  AND, it's very stylish.

I also wanted to take today to tell you about a new idea I had.  With the release of Issue 4, I asked new subscribers to kindly tell me a little about themselves so that I can make Pure Green Mag even better.  One of the questions asked was "What Would You Like to See More of?"  Well, you've been more than generous with your answers and I'm so grateful.  One thing that keeps coming up is that readers want more tips on how to live green.  Well, first I have to tell you that we have BIG plans for the next issue.  Things are going to change, only a little, and definitely for the better.  I can't unveil what's happening yet.  It's a secret.  But, we're definitely going to bring you more tips on eco living.  And I'd like you, the reader, to help!

Pure Green isn't about preaching to you a greener lifestyle.  It's about celebrating what you're already doing.  I'm finding that when readers realize 'huh, I guess I am green in my own way', it represents a total shift in thinking that leads to more change.  WAY better than being preached to.  So Pure Green realizes that living green is really a sliding scale of action.  Some do a little, others do a lot, but we all make a difference.   As part of celebrating what you're already doing, I'd like for you to tell me the simple ways that you live green.  And we're going to do it on twitter. 

Using the following hashtag #PGLiving, send me your ideas, big or small.  I want to hear them all!  I think I'm going to make Monday's #PGLiving day, but I want to hear from you all the time.  Whenever you think of something, send it to me!  But I need your help to spread the word.  Here's the best part: the best ideas that come our way between each issue will be featured in the mag!  Little tidbits sprinkled throughout the mag... all from you.  I'm so excited! I hope you are too. 

Pure Green Mag on Twitter:

@puregreenmag

American Clay LEED Home

After I posted earlier in the week about our booth at IDS11 I thought I would try and dig up an American Clay (AC) project so you can see the possibilities.  This home, by architect Michelle Kolb, is one of the Nantucket's first LEED certified homes, and was the winner of American Clay's recent installation contest.  This home, which is a restoration project of a turn of the century farmhouse, is plastered in AC's Sugar Loaf.   One of my favourite green design materials, it can be textured or smooth, very modern or rustic, colourful or neutral, all depending on installation.  The finish, which is composed of Natural Earth Plaster and mineral pigments, is trowelled on.  But DIY'ers despair not.  With a little practice you can definitely do it yourself.  Not your average wall covering, it has the ability to help control humidity and moisture content in your home, inhibit mold growth and it releases negative ions into the air.  The finished product looks very soft, almost like suede.  Available here.

Enjoy your weekend everyone! 

Bess' Birch Bark DIY

Hello!  Gosh I've really been on my own planet lately... sorry!  However, I LOVE this DIY by my new found friend Bess, illustrator extraordinaire behind English Muffin, and if you've been paying attention you'll know that she is also one of the newest editions to the Pure Green team.  She and hubbie Charlie tackled this beautiful wall hanging constructed of birch bark.  Be sure to pop on over to the English Muffin blog to see the entire DIY.  Thanks Bess!

By the way Bess - this sneak peek of your home looks beautiful!  Can I see more?

IDS 11 Wrap-up

It's my first day back from IDS 11... I think the word count for this weekend is somewhere around a million, there were many cups of coffee consumed, many great new people, and tons of excitement.  It was my first time exhibiting Sustain at the show.  I was plenty nervous but it came off brilliantly.  Among the flash, bright lights and general exhuberance of the show was Sustain - we had a tiny little booth but we were so different than everyone else we were REALLY busy!  Next year I really hope to have a booth for Pure Green... I think everyone would have liked it.  Next year!  Here are a few modest pics I took of our booth and some of the my personal faves from the show.  Phew.  Time to relax... or not.  Too much to do!

Among all the corporate booths here we were, a la DIY!!  Everything is eco, of course, and everything was made by myself and Jonathan.  Mostly Jonathan.  The floor is cork.

And so is the chair!  I really need to show you the before shot... awful.  Anway, these chairs from the fifties were completely sanded down and reupholstered using cork fabric.  Just wait until I finally get around to making handbags out of it!  It's a beautiful, durable alternative to leather.

Here's a closeup.

The back wall was reclaimed lumber.  We had several people ask if they could take our wall home!  Funny!

Icestone... countertop materials made with recycled glass and concrete.

The walls of the booth were covered in American Clay, a natural earth plaster that can be super modern or very rustic.  The walls of the booth were supposed to be white... but they turned out kind of beige.  No matter - I think we'll be doing lots of jobs in this colour because people really liked it.  And there really was lots of white at the show already.

A closeup of the texture... no faux finishes here.

These are a few photos from some of my favourite booths, including my new friend Julie, creator of Manor 12.

I had to include this... at the opening gala my jaw nearly hit the floor when I turned the corner and saw a page from the latest issue of Pure Green Mag on Julie's booth wall!  It was a good weekend for Pure Green.  I met tons of people and had a little boost of sunshine as many people knew of the magazine already!  We're getting out there and it feels SO good!

LOVED Nicole Tarasick's pillows.  Right up my alley.  I begged her for a little organic collection so I could sing her praises in the mag.  She said maybe... stay tuned!

I also love Montauk.  Michelle of Holley & Gill laughed when I told her it was my mission in life to own one of these.  They're carbon neutral and beautiful.

Always a fan of chalkboard, I loved Montauk's chalk installation.  I had been visualizing something like this for a Pure Green booth, but alas it's been done.

It was great to be a part of all the fun.  I didn't have a chance to see Sibling Revelry, but the long line was deterring, not to mention I had five minutes collectively the entire show to peek around!

Like I said... MUCH coffee drinking.

From Gus Modern.  Nice.

That's it!  If you want to see more glitz and glamour from the show, check out Michelle's shots (of Holley & Gill and also style editor for Pure Green) on Poppytalk.  She did a fantastic job!!

IDS 11

It's been a busy few weeks.  No excuse.  I know.  Yesterday we set up our booth for IDS 11 - our first time exhibiting, I'm nervous and excited.  We've been busy little bees working away on our booth, with the challenge to use ONLY recycled, eco items and still be stylish, and let's face it, a little stressed. I think we did it, but I'll let you be the judge once I post photos of the completed project.  I'll be there for the next 4 days, and I will post updates as often as possible.  Hopefully I'll get a chance to snap a few photos and post them - but stay tuned on Twitter (new username @puregreenmag)! 

In the meantime, here are a few of the green exhibitors that I'm excited to meet!

Atelier 688

Brother's Dressler

Loyal Luxe

{eco} design: Vintage and Escapism in Sweden

I've so busy lately... my mind is exploding with 'To Do's' and I've had a little trouble keeping it all straight.  But for a tiny second I got lost in these photos, and I forgot all about my daunting lists.  This home in Arild, Sweden, got a second life - from beat down, forgotten and abadoned 70's villa... to this.  Against the pure, snowy white background this home is exploding with colour.  And it's oh so vintage!  So here's to two minutes of escapism.

I love everything.  Every single room.

Source