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Fashion Conscience Autumn '08

FabSugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 04:55:22 -0700

Fashion Conscience Autumn '08 Ethical clothing has never been more relevant than it is today. The main problem is knowing where to go to find good, chic ethical items. Here is a peek at what to expect this Autumn.

Casa Verde: Creative Coffins

casasugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:30:37 -0700

I hate to be macabre, and I know the last thing on your mind this summer is where you'll be laying "when I lay me down to sleep" for good. But for those of you who want to be green-to-the-grave, I thought I'd let you know that there's an environmentally-friendly coffin alternative out there for you. Creative Coffins are made from cartonboard produced from unbleached pulp. The cartonboard is made from at least 60 percent recycled paper and uses wood pulp from sustainable forests, too. Beyond that, the coffins are available in an array of patterns and themes such as flags, nature, pastimes (guitar), or sports, and can be made-to-order. If you're a traditionalist, you can still go au naturale with light wood, dark wood, marble, or granite printed coffins. I personally think it's pretty darn tacky to go with a slot machine-printed coffin, but I guess for the right person it could add a bit of humor to a very sad event. What will they think of next?

Win an Eco-Chic Painting Makeover!

FabSugar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 02:55:22 -0700

Win an Eco-Chic Painting Makeover!
I've been pushing low-VOC paint for a while now, but I know that painting in general takes a lot of time and energy. Who needs the hassle, right? If you've been too busy or uninspired to try low-VOC paints in your home, then I'm here to help — with a lot of help from CertaPro.

Casa Verde: From Bottle to Building

casasugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:00:08 -0700

I like my Sancerre, my Sauvignon Blanc, and my Beaujolais Nouveau, and I have been known to drink wine from a box. Heck, I'll try any kind of wine you pour. When all of these bottles are finished, and I toss them into my recycling bin, their corks don't land in the trash; I've been saving my corks for a few months now to make a wine cork mirror. But if cork décor isn't your style, you can still recycle natural cork, thanks to ReCork America.ReCork America takes already used and overstock corks from the wine business, and then recycles them into flooring tiles, insulation, and other products. There are several locations in California and the Pacific Northwest that are collecting used cork in their day-to-day business operations, and hopefully in the future there will be locations for public collection. Do you know of any cork collection programs in your neighborhood?
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Casa Quickie: Leftovers

casasugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:00:53 -0700

Hand-me-downs. Cold pizza for lunch. Last night's lasagna for breakfast. Defrosted wedding cake on your one-year anniversary. What's not to love about leftovers? And, as much as they can satisfy cravings, they will also satisfy plants! If you have houseplants, whenever possible give them a good pour of water that is left over from drinking and cooking. Obviously, you don't want to over water your plants (black thumb!); so, if it's not yet time to use that leftover water, why not store it in a jar rather than pour it down the drain? Repurposing and conserving water is certainly eco. And even better — the nutrients left over from boiling or steaming veggies will provide an added vitamin boost to your plants. What's not to love?
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Casa Quickie: Eco-Color Theory

casasugar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:00:09 -0700

Ever remember burning your bare feet on a black top in the Summer as a kid? The black color of the paved surface absorbs the light particles that it hits, exciting the pavement's particles, making the black surface warmer because its particles are moving faster. Contrarily, white surfaces reflect light, so they are cooler. So for those of you living in a warm climate, think about painting your home light colors, which will absorb less light, meaning less need for turning on that a/c. And, those of you living in a cold climate should think about painting your home darker colors, which will absorb the light, meaning less need for turning on your heater! Maybe Orlando Bloom should consider repainting his black house, and I should alter my poll to read "Chicken or the Egg or the Climate"?
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Casa Interview: Michelle Adams of Rubie Green

casasugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:00:50 -0700

I recently told you about Michelle Adam's online shop Rubie Green, which sells classical upholstery prints available in eco-friendly fabrics. All of Rubie Green's upholstery fabrics are made of 100 percent certified organic cotton and produce minimal factory waste. Michelle was kind enough to answer some organic textiles and decorating questions for us. You can see her first answer here.

CasaSugar: How can people who are new to decorating with eco-friendly fabrics start adapting them into their home's decor?

Michelle: Many people like the idea of using eco-friendly fabrics in their home, but find that it feels like a daunting task to find the right look, feel, price point etc. I'd recommend deciding on what sort of texture you're after and experimenting from there. If you like the look and feel of linen, give hemp a try as it has a very similar hand and weight, or even tussah silk and organic linens. If you're more of a cotton person, try organic cotton! Most companies are happy to provide small swatches for matching purposes, so you can get a sense of what you're buying before you make the big purchase.

Photos courtesy Patrick Cline

Casa Interview: Michelle Adams of Rubie Green

casasugar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:00:23 -0700

I recently told you about Michelle Adam's eco chic online shop Rubie Green, which sells classical upholstery prints available in eco-friendly fabrics. All of Rubie Green's upholstery fabrics are made of 100% certified organic cotton. Michelle was kind enough to answer some organic textiles and decorating questions for us. Here's my first question for her.

CasaSugar: What are your tips for mixing modern and classical furnishings and fabrics?

Michelle: When it comes to decorating, I've always believed that if you fill your home with things that you truly love, they will always go together regardless of the style. I especially love mixing vintage and modern furnishings with classic textile prints. Take for instance a modern looking Saarinen white dining table and imagine it paired with vintage Louis XVI side chairs, upholstered in a classic floral print. So many eras and styles are mixed, yet the look comes together seamlessly and feels fresh and stylized without looking like you're trying too hard. In my own home I've upholstered a traditional bamboo chair with a classic zebra print for a look that's eclectic, modern, and a bit unexpected. Never be afraid to mix and match styles and finishes, and always buy only what you truly love.

Thanks Michelle! To see an example of how Michelle adapted this idea in her own home,

Coveted Crib: An Eco-Chic Island Home

casasugar — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 08:30:17 -0700

The Posts Standing House, which was built on Gambier Island off the Coast of British Columbia, takes the concept of the log cabin and infuses it with style and beauty. With Japanese timberframing influences apparent in its design, as well as the use of local materials, this is one eco-chic residence. To see its stunning interior, check out the slideshow. Source

Cool Idea: Eco Chic Gifts

casasugar — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:13:27 -0700

Growing up I had a friend who was the queen of re-gifting. She usually passed on my gifts to her to our mutual friends when their b-days came around, but one year she re-gifted a board game I'd bought her to me on my birthday! It got to the point where she might as well have left all of her presents in their wrapping paper and change the gift card. While I certainly don't recommend this shopping technique, it does do a good job of curbing consumerism and waste. TeamSugar member Mazdagirluk thinks along the same lines; she recently wrote, "For my bday this year, I have asked for no "new" items. Only items friends have but don't use anymore, or just a smile. I am interested to see what people share!" There are other ways to give (and request) eco chic gifts though, without emptying out your own closet. To hear them,