eco-chic design

chic and compostable dinnerware made from fallen palm leaves

It was great to see VerTerra’s products mixed in with reusable dinnerware at the St. Julien Hotel in Boulder during the LOHAS Forum last month. I've always loved the elegant design of the disposable plates, bowls and trays but never had a chance to use them. They are made with fallen palm leaves, steam, heat, and pressure only. You can’t get more pure than that. The idea originated during a trip to India where VerTerra’s founder Michael Dwork witnessed a local woman pressing leaves fallen from trees into plate like objects that were used to serve food. Now fallen leaves that otherwise would get burned are collected from plantations, then cleaned and pressed into contemporary looking dinnerware at local factories in India. Over 80% of the water used during the steam process is recaptured and reused. Even the waste products are powdered down into fertilizer that’s returned to the farmers who supply the leaves. I love eco-friendly products that close the loop like that. 

The results are organic looking plates and bowls that are non-toxic, biodegradable and even compostable. The great thing about being compostable is that these sustainable products will not only break down within 2 months after use in home or industrial composting but also release valuable nutrients into the soil. VerTerra’s dinnerware is intended for single-use and a green alternative to plastic and paper plates. Something that certainly comes in handy these days for eco-friendly BBQs, beach parties or rooftop gatherings.

retro-chic wallpaper that supports sustainable forestry

To my own dismay I’ve been spending more time indoors lately to escape the ongoing heat wave in New York City. This got me thinking about the fun and nature-inspired wallpaper designs by London based MissPrint. They are a whimsical yet modern way to bring the outdoors in through their organic patterns originated from hand drawn illustrations. 

All MissPrint products are designed and hand-printed in London by mother and daughter team Yvonne and Rebecca Drury. Their eco-chic wallpapers are PEFC certified which ensures that the paper products promote sustainable forest management. They are dyed with organic pigment inks that are non-toxic and free of heavy metals. One of their latest additions is the "Dandelion Mobile" wallpaper inspired by wild-growing dandelions in two new color combinations: porcelain with powder blue and mist green with white. Both colorways make me feel cooler already. The stylized seed heads are a modern take on illustration styles from the fifties through their use of color and space. Other nature inspired wallpaper designs include the patterns “Leaves”, “Saplings”, or “Fleur”. Make sure to also check out the mid-century furniture collection upholstered with MissPrint’s hand-printed fabrics. The chairs or sofas are a cool way to recycle discarded furniture and make a great accent piece in any eco-modern home.