CasaSugar -- Home sweet home.

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?

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: 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 Verde: Reform Teocha Table

casasugar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 04:30:00 -0700

Midcentury furniture designers were right on with their tiered-end tables; two planes are better than one. Or, so says the product description for the Reform Teocha Table ($710). Don't get me wrong, I agree that dual surfaces do double duty, but I'm more concerned with the table's sustainable design. Made of solid bamboo, treated with an environmentally-friendly, water-based walnut stain, and coated with a low VOC clear finish, Teocha is all kinds of eco. Oh! And did I mention that it's flipping gorgeous!? Look at those legs! I wouldn't mind setting my alarm clock down on this beauty — even if that means I have to use it.

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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Win an Eco-Chic Painting Makeover!

casasugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:16:16 -0700

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.

To wind up this month's theme of Eco Chic, CertaPro is giving away its services to provide paint for one room in your home (an approximate $1000 value). All of the materials and labor will be included in this prize. All you have to do is pick out the room color! CertaPro will do everything from provide the paint to move the furniture to follow up after the job is complete.

If you're interested in winning an eco chic painting makeover for one room of your home, just take our quiz! To enter, you must log in and take the quiz below. Your eligibility is not based on getting the answers correct, just by completing the quiz once you are logged in. You do, however, need to be a TeamSugar member and log in before you take the quiz. If you're not already a member, just register here for an account. One quiz entry per person; all repeat quizzes will be ignored. Contest ends Monday, July 7, at noon (PDT), and is only open to US readers. Click here for Official Rules.

To find out more about CertaPro's green business practices,

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 Quickie: Porcelain Por Favor

casasugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:00:27 -0700

Whenever possible, you should try to create a home (and office) that is "free of tree." Considering that most of you use cloth napkins and towels, you're probably well on your way. But, when it comes to giving yourself reminders, and jotting down notes, I'm going to venture to guess that many of you probably still use paper (Post-Its, notepads, journals, etc.). If it didn't scream "college dorm room," I'd suggest using a dry-erase board instead, but unfortunately the memories of freshman year run thick wherever dry-erase boards hang. So, consider cruising over to your cupboard, or stopping by your local thrift store, and picking up a porcelain plate. You can jot notes and lists down on plain ol' porcelain just as well as you can with a tree-killing notepad, using a dry-erase marker of course. And, at the end of the day, when you've checked A through Z off your laundry list, you can wipe off those letters with your handmade cloth napkin.
Source and Source

Casa Verde: Listed Green

casasugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:45:51 -0700

Interested in buying a green home? Then try searching through Listed Green, the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) exclusively for green, energy-efficient, sustainable homes and housing developments for sale worldwide. Committed to reducing global warming by promoting sustainable, energy-efficient, healthy-building design, the service helps to elevate the market value of new green homes and eco-friendly residential developments. Like a traditional MLS, Listed Green accommodates sellers of all types, averaging over 20,000 visitors per month, but each listing is personally reviewed before it is listed to ascertain that it is actually green, energy efficient and/or sustainable; this prevents a sort of real estate greenwashing. The process also holds bigger homes to higher standards, requiring that they have an "extensive" list of green components, such as solar power, solar-thermal hot water, water-saving devices throughout, recycled materials, and LEED certification. It also offers a platform for green builders and developers to advertise their current or up-and-coming green, energy-efficient, sustainable housing projects to like-minded buyers, and helps to educate potential home buyers about the importance of and technicalities surrounding living green. If you're on the house hunt, consider one of these green listings, or at least educate yourself about them. If not, Listed Green has a new website called Listed Green Getaways, featuring green, eco-friendly resorts and spas worldwide; go green on your next vacation!

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,

Casa Quickie: Nativity Scene

casasugar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:00:29 -0700

I told you once that it's smart to consider the best time to shower your garden, but I have another watering tip that you may not have considered. If you fill your yard with native plants, you'll trim down your watering requirements significantly. I've talked about native plants before, but I wanted to re-emphasize them during eco chic month. Since they're naturally adapted to the region, they don't require any special care to thrive, like watering or fertilizing. And since they're a part of the local ecosystem, local wildlife will also appreciate the food and shelter native plants provide. How about that for conservation (and preservation)?
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Home Away From Home: Be an Eco Chic Guest

casasugar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 07:45:37 -0700

Even if you're not sleeping in your own bed and eating out of your own fridge, you can still be an eco chic guest when you're home away from home — and that doesn't necessarily translate to skipping showers or toilet paper. I've outlined a few ways that you can be environmentally friendly when you're on vacation or a business trip:

Stay in a green hotel. Environmentally friendly hotels initiate programs that save water and energy and reduce waste, while saving money, and engage in many of the same activities you do in your casa verde. You can find them through the Green Hotels Association, Environmentally Friendly Hotels, AllStays, Green Hotel Review, and Eco Hotels of the World.

There's lots more to learn, so

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,

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

Weird Furniture: RD4 Chair LE*

casasugar — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 06:15:51 -0700

I'm all for one-of-a-kind furnishings, and anything eco chic, but despite those truths, I could never bring myself to put the RD4 (Roughly Drawn) Chair LE* ($1,548), a limited-edition piece hand woven from 100-percent recycled plastic waste material, with no two exactly alike in my living room. The chair certainly makes a striking visual statement, and is modern in an interesting way, but it's too overwhelming for my home. I'd love to see it in the Manhattan Beach home with the green staircase that I recently wrote about, but can't think of another home it would work in. This chair claims to be "a tour de force piece heralding the future of sustainable design." Do you agree? Or do you think that eco-chic furnishings should be limited to those sustainable designs that appeal to a wider public?

DIY: Eco Liquid Soap

casasugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:00:24 -0700

So, it turns out that many cleaning fluids, such as anti-bacterial liquid soap, contain something called methylisothiazolinone, a chemical found to be allergenic, cytotoxic and linked to nerve cell death, as well as Triclosan, another anti-bacterial chemical registered with the Environmental Protection Agency as a pesticide and is believed to destroy fragile aquatic ecosystems. The obvious alternative to using these chemical-filled detergents is simply to use all-natural bar soap. But, waaa, you don't like bar soap because it slips into the sink, looks messy and "dirty" sitting in its dish, and then it gets so tiny that you can't use it anymore. What to do? You can make natural liquid soap from a bar! To learn how,

Home Library: Edible Estates: Attack on the Front Lawn

casasugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:30:28 -0700

Remember when I told you, many moons ago, about the very cool project Edible Estates? Dreamed up and spearheaded by Los Angeles-based architect Fritz Haeg, the project pushes the idea that lawns, which are, in many parts of the world, unnatural groundcover, should be replaced with native plants and edible crops. Now, Haeg, along with contributors, has given urban, suburban, and rural gardeners the world over some serious inspiration with his book Edible Estates: Attack on the Front Lawn.

To see a gallery of photos, and to learn more about this book,

Casa Quickie: Live Simply

casasugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:00:50 -0700

Dave Bruno is a dude who gave himself a huge personal challenge when he penned the 100 Thing Challenge, which limits him to owning only 100 personal effects by November 12, 2008, and live with only 100 personal things from that date for one full year. Although there are some exceptions, such as his prized collection of Marklin Trains and memorabilia, the challenge is a noble attempt to develop consumer discipline. Some might argue that restraining from frivolous spending is a threat to our economy, but what it does do is tame that environmentally un-friendly beast called waste. Living simply, with only true necessities, is the most eco chic thing a person can do.
Source

Eco Chic: Walk Score

casasugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:00:57 -0700

One of the best ways to stay in shape and give the planet a break from carbon emissions is by walking. In my old neighborhood, I walked and biked everywhere with my dog, since nearly everything was easily accessible, from the farmers' market to the public library to my favorite cafe. In my new neighborhood, there's a pretty major hill to contend with (actually the steepest street in the East Bay), as well as about a 3/4-mile walk each way to just get to the cafe or grocery store. I still do this walk about three or four times a week at least, but it's not really a neighborhood stroll — it's an expedition.

Curious about my new hood, I went to Walk Score, which calculates the walkability of an address, essentially measuring how easy it is to live without a car, or with minimal use of a car, in that particular neighborhood. My old neighborhood is the top map, while the new one is one the bottom. Just from looking at the map you can see that my old neighborhood has a lot more cafes, markets, libraries, gyms, etc., within walking distance.

To find out my neighborhoods' Walk Scores, as well as how this service works,

Eco Chic: Solar Power Executive Table

casasugar — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:00:42 -0700

If you read my reclaimed wood bench Before and After, you'll remember that the Oakland-based design-building studio, Because We Can, was hired by SunPower to create furniture for their new office in an old Ford manufacturing building. The reclaimed wood benches that they designed are beautiful, but their job didn't stop there. SunPower, a solar power company, also asked Because We Can to design them special table for their executive office, with a different feel than their other furnishings. Because We Can harnessed their own energies to design a particularly special executive table: a table that holds one of SunPower’s solar panels. The panel, which has a smooth plastic surface, was dropped into the steel table frame, and looks sleek and most definitely "special." What's more: it actually functions, trapping the suns rays as it sits there during important business meetings about . . . solar power!
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Steal of the Day: Early Bird Candle

casasugar — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:00:28 -0700

Need some aromatherapy? Try this Early Bird Candle (on sale for $13.77, originally $22.95). Made with essential oils and beeswax instead of synthetic scents, it comes in a delightful Lemon Geranium fragrance. When your candle's been burnt down to within an inch of its waxy existence, you can reuse the 7.5 oz glass for baubles or trinkets.

Other eco chic features of this pretty candle include its use of postconsumer recycled paper for the label, organic farming of the materials used in the candle, and the fact that a portion of the sale proceeds are donated to charity. Even without that incentive, I've got to say that this is a lovely little home accent; I can imagine lighting it in my bedroom to relax after a long day at work.

Casa Verde: BioBags

casasugar — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:00:48 -0700

We talk often about ditching plastic bags in favor of resuable shopping bags and recycling whatever you can. But, no matter how hard you work to be environmentally conscious, at the end of the day (or week), you still have to take out the trash. Someone still has to take out the trash. When that time comes, toss your trash away in BioBags, certified 100-percent biodegradable and 100-percent compostable bags, and the first "bag from corn." My dear city of San Francisco recently sent 100,000 rolls of BioBags to residents to educate them on the importance of diverting food and other biodegradable waste from entering landfills, and they're now available at over 100 outlets in the Bay Area. BioBags come as kitchen compost bags, tall-kitchen bags, lawn and leaf bags, cat-pan liners, and waste-system bags — pick your flavor. They're also available at most natural-food stores in the US, or you can order yours online.

Eco Chic: Previously Developed Land

casasugar — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:15:03 -0700

No one will tell you that building a new home rather than purchasing one that already exists is environmentally friendly — even if you use salvaged materials. So, if you're considering building a new home, find a lot that's previously been built on. Previously developed land (PDL) that is vacant or unused is a wasted resource. Building on PDL does not disturb wildlife, and keeps our natural assets intact. There may also be a cash incentive to leaving nature untouched. When asked about the value of New Jersey's natural assets, Bill Mates of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, said they're worth a lot:

At least $26 billion a year worth of goods and services. And that $26 billion a year is worth about $850 billion in present value terms.

If you have no plans to build a home but have money to spare, consider purchasing undeveloped land and leaving it that way. It's the only property that can't be reproduced.
Source

Open House: Eco Upgrades

casasugar — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 05:19:12 -0700

According to CitizenSugar, Al Gore has spent $16,533 on eco-upgrades including solar panels, a geothermal system, new light bulbs, and better windows — and his "house uses enough energy in a year to power 232 regular houses for a month." Yikes! Not to brag or anything but, if you remember correctly, my utility company named me one of 1.5 million residential and 80,000 business customers who had conserved natural gas this past Winter. I may not have solar panels but there's a chance I may still have out-eco-chic'd Al Gore in terms of energy use! What eco upgrades have you made to your home? Solar panels? CFLs? Sustainable materials? Reclaimed wood furniture? Wind power? Planted a tree? Tell me by commenting below!
Source

Show Me Your Eco-Chic Casa

casasugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:30:46 -0700

Recently, I stayed at my friends' completely eco-chic casa. You may remember reading about it in this post. What makes living in a big, old schoolhouse so eco chic, you may ask? Well, there's the ratio of people-to-square-footage that's involved (the more people that live in one home, the more energy efficient a home is). Then there's the house's emphasis on reducing, reusing, and recycling. Oh — and also gardening and composting. And last but not least, the crafty chicas who own this schoolhouse are some of the coolest designers I've ever met. This room, the designated guest room, was dubbed "The Room of Restful Sleep" by my guy. I don't know if it was the warm color scheme or the lovely antique bed, but we did have some of the best sleep in recent history in this eco-chic guest bedroom.

Have you recently visited a home that's eco chic? Maybe you're working to make your own home both green and fabulous? Show off all of your home views, both interior and exterior, in my group on TeamSugar called Su Casa, where readers can share snapshots and stories related to home decorating, crafts, organizing, and gardening.

A Su Casa post could be anything from a photo of a loved one's home to a tiny nook you're tickled by. Think of it as a Look Book for home style. If I see something I like in Su Casa, I might feature it on CasaSugar, so don't be surprised if you get an email from me!

To learn how to join and post in the group,

Love It or Hate It? Wedding Graffiti

casasugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:00:28 -0700

Instead of wasting paper on placecards, menus, or programs, the company Wonderful Graffiti suggests these wall stickers as an option. I think it's a lovely way to make your wedding more eco chic. What do you think?

Love It or Hate It? Wedding Graffiti

Love It

Hate It

Undecided

Get the Look: Modern Rustic Kitchen

casasugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 09:15:13 -0700

Since my mind's on all things eco chic, I'm ready to move right into this kitchen, which features recycled wooden cupboards contrasted by a modern, steel floor and steel-front appliances. The laid-back, casual feeling of the room is achieved by using neutral and cool colors and "lived-in" furnishings and accents. Start by painting the walls a warm, khaki color, and taking down your drapes or blinds to let in the light.

Furniture: Reclaimed wood storage is key to this rustic kitchen. Bring in a soft, leather club chair that you can wear in — or already have — to achieve that lived-in look. Choose a no-frills, clean-lined oak dining table, and pair it with a set of industrial steel French café stools.

There's still lighting and accents to hear about, so

Home Library: Eco-Chic Weddings

casasugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 06:15:17 -0700

What better book to review during June, when our theme is focused on eco chic living, than Emily Anderson's wonderful guide Eco-Chic Weddings? Since I'm trying to plan my wedding as DIY and green as possible, I knew that Anderson's book was a must-read for my planning. With simple, quick, and often economic ideas for making your ceremony and reception more eco-friendly, Eco-Chic Weddings was just the thing I needed to both inspire new ideas and reinforce other plans I'd already made. For instance, Anderson's suggestion to skip save-the-date cards made me feel environmentally responsible and modern, instead of irresponsible (some other guides had insisted that STDs were a must). Other tips include using in-season flowers, taking advantage of local food and resources, and renting items that won't be used after the wedding. Anderson, a former Martha Stewart staffer, is already at work on a second Eco Chic book. For now, catch up on all of her great ideas in her first book, which you can purchase here. For any bride who's concerned about eco entertaining, I highly recommend this book — it's a great resource for all of your eco-chic bridal needs.

Source

Eco Chic: Hee Seating

casasugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 04:30:13 -0700

When Danish designer Hee Welling opened his refrigerator he didn't find a rotten science project or dozens of beers, but he discovered a chair. Three chairs, to be exact. Looking to design furniture using only one material, he was inspired to recycle refrigerator shelves to make his Hee Bar Stool ($98, reduced from $200), Chair ($98, reduced from $200), and Lounge ($250). He later revised the triptych, adding only a powder coating, which made them suitable for outdoor use. Hee can be yours in green, white, or yellow, on sale at Design With Reach. If they're too steep for you, maybe you should take a look at what's holding up the five jars of mustard in your refrigerator.

Midday Muse: An Artful Arrangement . . . of Refigerators

casasugar — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:00:10 -0700

I never thought minifridges had anything to offer besides $6 water bottles and Toblerone bars, but I'm impressed with how visually appealing their artful arrangement is in this photo from Apartamento. Unfortunately, plugging five refrigerators into the wall is far from eco chic, but you can always use them to store your dishes without using any electricity! To see what's hiding behind those sealed doors,

Before and After: Reclaimed Lumber Bench

casasugar — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:30:07 -0700

Oakland-based design-building studio Because We Can was hired by SunPower to create furniture for their new office in an old Ford manufacturing building in Richmond, CA. This enormous, potential-filled pile of lumber had been taken out of the building and slated to be dumped, but the studio stepped in, deciding the wood could be reclaimed to build something new. After mulling it over, they "decided that benches were the most feasible idea to use the lumber and keep costs down." They created two designs, one simple with legs and a seat, and another that doubled as a bookcase, with a bottom shelf fit for storing books. They designed 20-foot-long benches to use the wood most efficiently, basically as it was in its found state — but prettier and less splintery. When the wood was milled down, they discovered "a beautiful Douglas Fir glue lam, not far beneath the weathered exterior." The benches are so large that they had to be fork-lifted through a small opening on the second floor of the building. Now installed in the new HQ, they look gorgeous and fit for the vast size of the old factory building. To see the splintery wood planks in their fabulous new form,

Casa Quickie: Buy in Bulk

casasugar — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 07:00:25 -0700

Hilary Swank was quoted in Woman's World in 2005 saying, "I cut coupons, love specials, and believe in buying toilet paper and toothpaste in bulk. It's just who I am." Swank probably picked up the penny-pinching habit during her meager beginnings living in a trailer park, but she was onto something. Avoiding products that are packed for single use, and buying in bulk instead, is a form of precycling, or preventing waste before it happens. You can do so by storing your bulk products and transferring a smaller portion to reusable containers. Pick up products like tp, dishwashing liquid, and shampoo at health-food stores like Whole Foods and large, discount retailers like CostCo and Sam's Club.
Source

Guess What This Hammock's Made From?

casasugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:00:54 -0700

The fabric for this hammock is made from a recycled material. Can you guess what it is? (Hint: At one time, this fabric held something thirst quenching.)

Casa Shops: Spring

casasugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:00:05 -0700

After the birth of their son, Oliver, Lucas and Margi Heldfond were motivated to open their Russian Hill, San Francisco eco-specialty store, Spring. What's the correlation? They were troubled by the fact that air-tight homes seal in air pollutants. The Heldfonds took a look at the way chemicals find their way into our homes through paints, household cleaners, dry cleaned clothes, building supplies, furniture, electronics, and personal care products, and decided to specialize in green products for a healthy home. And thus, Spring was sprung.Spring now offers home products such as air purifiers, natural cleaning products, organic bedding, organic mattresses, natural personal care products, home accessories, steam cleaners, furnace filters, encasements, HEPA vacuum cleaners, and more. All of these eco products help to reduce our exposure to chemicals, toxins, and pollutants in our homes. This not only ensures environmental health in general, but also contributes to residents' personal health.

Concerned that all this sounds a little too hippie-crunchy granola for you? Not so fast! Spring is loaded with the most stylish, eco-friendly, and eco chic products around. The store even sells no-VOC paints in custom colors! So San Franciscans, go ahead and put a little Spring in your stomping ground. And for everyone else: here's hoping the Heldfonds get their web shop up and running before you have our own little Olivers. To see Spring's 12 steps to a healthy home,

DIY: Eco Chopstick Birdhouse

casasugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 06:15:12 -0700

I came across this YouTube video by eco-architect Michelle Kaufmann about how to make a birdhouse by reusing chopsticks from all those Friday night orders of vegetable lo mein. I'm actually quite impressed with the design; contrary to what you might expect, it doesn't look a thing like a kindergarten craft project. I summarized the steps for you below, but some of you may find the video helpful as well.

Supplies

Chopsticks
Non-toxic exterior glue
String or wire

To learn the steps,

Show Me Your Eco Chic Casa!

casasugar — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:00:26 -0700

When I first ran this photo in a Casa Beta post, reader albelia asked what color the walls were. I thought it was only polite to get back to her — it's Marina Isle, from Behr. But be warned — it is definitely more minty than grey green, and guests have commented that the color seems to change shade before their eyes. I love it though. I love it even more because I used a low VOC base, which helped to make my entry eco chic.

Have you made any changes in your home that are a little eco chic? Finished any big or small projects? Show off all of your home views, both interior and exterior, in my group on TeamSugar called Su Casa, where readers can share snapshots and stories related to home decorating, crafts, organizing, and gardening.

Eco Chic: Jellybean Eco Shopper Bag

casasugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:00:27 -0700

You all know how I love my Flip & Tumble bag, mostly because it rolls up into itself, so it's small and lightweight enough to carry in your purse. Well Flip, mama's got a brand new bag. The Jellybean Eco Shopper Bag ($30) from the MoMA store also folds into a small square, so it can be easily stored in a purse, and has an inner pocket and an outer zip pocket. Functionally, it seems to work the same way as F&T, but printed with a playful jellybean pattern, it also boasts some visual magic. What to do? Well, it wouldn't be very eco chic to go and buy another shopper bag just because it's pretty. Maybe if I wait until my Flip wears out until I buy this Jellybean, it'll be Easter time and the bag will be wildly appropriate . . .

Casa Quickie: Limit Your TP

casasugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:00:16 -0700

An electric toilet paper dispenser by Kimberly-Clark Corp. automatically doles out only five sheets (squares) of toilet paper to those who use it away from their homes (in airports, schools, offices, etc.). According to one article, they believe "most people will be satisfied with just five sheets — and use 20 percent less toilet paper in the process." It would be silly and extravagant to have an electric tp dispenser in your own home. But, if you follow this five sheet rule, you'll save a lot of trees in the process of . . . you know, wiping. I'm just waiting to see toilet paper cut into 20" strips (5 sheets) for sale to the general public in super markets.
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Eco Chic: ReVision Furniture

casasugar — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 05:30:35 -0700

Artists For Humanity (AFH) is a Boston-based group whose mission is to "bridge economic, racial, and social divisions by providing urban youth with the keys to self-sufficiency through paid employment in the arts," essentially offering youth apprenticeships. A group of teen artists working with AFH were inspired by the AFH's EpiCenter, Boston's only LEED Platinum building (the highest designation of the US Green Building Council) and in response, decided to create a green furniture line, as they'd noticed a need in the market for innovative sustainable design. After months of research and development, the teens and their mentors launched ReVision Tables, a collection of small tables constructed from reclaimed junk mail and magazines, finished with a water-resistant , no-VOC, eco-friendly resin, which is also easy to clean with other eco-friendly products. The tables range from $300 to $650, and are available for purchase online here. Although they may not quite be my style, I certainly find the collection innovative and a great example of sustainable, eco-chic design. I can see them in a coffee shop or lobby-type setting, or perhaps a modern, urban loft. What do you think?

How-To: Repurposing Your Magazines

casasugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:00:22 -0700

Since it's eco chic month, I can't tell you to avoid reading all of your favorite fab fashion magazines (or shelter magazines), but I will give you a few tips on what to do with your mags when you've finished. It's always nice to pass them along to friends, but if your friends aren't eco-conscious, it's likely they'll end up in a landfill. So, here are a few suggestions on what to do with your light reading when it starts to get heavy.

Make a mobile out of them.
Make a box out of them.
Transform them into an art-like wall-hanging.
Turn them around and around into a bowl.
Weave them into a clutch (and have the MoMA sell it).

There are many, many more where these came from, so

Roundup: Sisal Rugs

casasugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 09:15:19 -0700

Sisal rugs have been all over the home-design world for years now, and for good reason. They're tough, stain resistant, all natural, and affordable. They can also be easily integrated into a number of eco-chic interiors. Sisal is actually the most popular natural plant fiber, probably because of its great versatility. The fiber can be woven into a soft, loose weave that adds extra heft or cushion, mixed with other fibers, and woven into a flat weave that's great for areas like hallways or kitchens.

Sisal rugs are made from fibers from Agave sisalana, a succulent plant that's native to Central America. While 100-percent sisal rugs can be too scratchy for some people, when it's combined with wool, paper, jute, or cotton, it makes for a lovely, natural, and more soft rug.

To find out more about sisal, and to see some of my favorite choices for sisal rugs,

Guess How This is Powered?

casasugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 07:00:14 -0700

This festive Ferris wheel uses two types of sustainable technology. Can you guess one of them?

Eco Chic: Doreen Westhphal's Plantable Lounge Chair

casasugar — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 07:45:56 -0700

I would love to plant this chair in a rather drab section of a patio or garden, as it would really contribute a conversation piece to your outdoor entertaining. Called — yes, it's true — "Let´s Grow Some Balls!", this chair combines a lounge chair with a plant container, and the entire thing is made of recycled plastic. Pretty cool, huh? Designer Doreen Westphal presented the chair at the Object in April of this year at the Salone Internazionale de Mobile as part of the Tuttobene exhibition.
For another look at the chair,

Designer Spotlight: Emily Kroll

casasugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:00:14 -0700

Emily Kroll has designed, manufactured, and distributed custom and contract furniture for notable interior designers, celebrities, and large corporations since 1992. The granddaughter of a furniture designer and an architectural and scrap metal recycler, and a lifelong Southern California resident, her approach to life
and business has always been rooted in environmentalism. So, she sought out to change the way the U.S. furniture business works, "where production is notoriously wasteful, and many toxic chemicals are used," and launched EKLA HOME in 2007. The collection of upholstered sofas and woodwork is well-crafted and high-quality as well as stylish and lush, but still yields to an eco-conscious mandate — in other words, eco chic.To see more of her designs,

Nice and New: Amenity Muir Bed

casasugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:00:46 -0700

If you admired the pretty bedframe that took second stage to Amenity's botanical organic duvet covers, then you're in luck, because the bed frame is now available for purchase. The Amenity Muir Bed ($1,540 – $1,980), which was designed by Nicole Chiala, has a straightforward, spare design that will appeal to the warm minimalist in you.

To find out what makes this bed so eco chic, just

What Eco-Chic Principle's Behind This Chair?

casasugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 08:00:53 -0700

This pretty Adirondack chair is made from recycled skis, and is at an Olympic Peninsula lodge that Shelteriffic visited. What eco-chic principle is represented by the chair? (Hint: I defined this principle back in the Fall.)

Casa Verde: Recycling Bins

casasugar — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:00:11 -0700

You can't expect yourself to recycle if you don't designate a location for your used items. Your needs may vary depending on how many people you live with and what products you buy, so I thought I'd offer you several recycling bin options for home. Unless you have a city recycling program that lets you mix recyclables, you should be separating your recycling products (paper, plastic, glass, aluminum, etc.), so you might need a
bin or basket for each type. And, if you haven't yet, get yourself a composter, and get in the habit of composting. Also, consider whether you'll be keeping your recyclables inside your house or outdoors before you buy. After you choose what recycling system works best for you, make sure you know how your curbside recycling program works, and what type of plastics it accepts. If you don't have a curbside recycling program, definitely find out where your local recycling center is, so you can drop it all off!
Source

Casa Quickie: Reuse When You Move

casasugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:00:34 -0700

Moving? Though it may be nice to support a local business by buying new boxes when you move, it's far from eco chic, and it ain't cheap either. When I've moved in the past, I've taken a day to drive around to local businesses like grocery and liquor stores to pick up used cardboard boxes. I prefer egg-crate boxes and wine case boxes; they're on the small side and not too heavy when packed. But, not all of you may have the time or patience to go on the hunt for used boxes. So, there's one company that'll relieve you of the task (and the headache) — UsedCardboardBoxes.com. As they rightly claim, they're the "cheapest, easiest, and most earth-friendly way to get boxes for packing, moving, shipping, and storage" — aside from getting businesses to give them to you for free. Basically how it works is they buy good quality used boxes from other businesses that have them in excess or they salvage brand new boxes that might otherwise be thrown away (misprints and overruns from box manufacturers), and sell them to you at a much reduced price. You can purchase the boxes in packages fit for a studio up to a six bedroom, or in stacks of mediums, larges, and extra-larges, or you can make a larger commercial order. They will also purchase gently used boxes from you if you have some you don't need! How 'bout that?
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June Must Haves

casasugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 08:30:38 -0700

Welcome to June! As always, there'll be a slew of wonderful tips, products, and projects coming your way this month (hint: stylish eco-friendly furnishings, tips on greening your home, and special projects for Summer). Check out the slideshow for a preview! Source