eco-chic design

go green with your daily coffee fix

It’s much easier for me to cut my paper and plastic consumption than coffee. That’s why I love that these chic insulated mugs from Earth Lust are a stylish green alternative to take out coffee that typically comes in a paper or styrofoam cup. They are cool enough to bring to the office or the park during the summer. Just think about all the paper cups, plastic lids and cardboard cup jackets that you’ll be saving every single day if your coffee consumption is similar to mine.

The 20 oz insulated mugs or thermos come in two sleek designs that are both inspired by nature and reflect the company’s commitment to promote a green life-style. One is a simple feather design and the other one has a botanical design with the word change. It’s a great reminder to change your coffee consumption habits to reuse, refill and recharge. The double walled #304 food grade stainless thermos keep your cold drinks cool for up to 16 hours and your warm drinks hot up to 8 hours. They are consciously produced in China with fair trade and labor conditions but designed and tested in California. Both designs feature non-toxic paints and BPA-free safe polypropylene #5 caps. Now go ahead and enjoy your cup of organic, shade-grown and fair trade coffee.

for earth loving gift givers

Wouldn’t it be great to receive a gift that you can actually use instead of hiding it in your attic or throwing it into a recycling bin? The gift certificates and IOUs from printable greeting cards company e.m. papers founded by the two designers Eleanor Reagh and Molly Hart achieve just that. Giving gifts is not only about exchanging presents but also a chance to reconnect with friends, family or coworkers in a meaningful way. e.m.papers takes this philosophy one step further with their downloadable gift certificates and IOUs that give someone a home cooked meal, walk their dog, give them a foot massage, take them out for cocktails or treat them to a coffee and a book.

The whimsical and cool printables are green on so many levels. Not only do they reduce paper and energy consumption since you won’t have to drive or shop for gift cards or presents but you can also reuse the fun designs by regifting them. Make sure to check out Eleanor’s blog since she gives some great advice on how to print and fold her eco-friendly stationery that’s perfect for last minute gift givers. Just purchase the design you like, download the pdf and print it on recycled cardstock or on the backside of paper you have already used. It’s a fun and cool way to reduce, reuse, and reconnect.

a natural conversation starter

Modern cardboard design has been gaining popularity over the last few years, but not often have I seen it used in such a witty and dynamic way. The Conversation Table designed by Leo Kempf is imaginative, functional and sustainable. It’s made out of cardboard with a highly recycled content and hardboard from compressed secondary wood fibers without formaldehyde and resin. The designer uses birch spacers to add strength to the Speech Bubble Coffee Table so that a person could even sit on it. I love when cardboard is transformed into recyclable pieces of furniture or accessories. Not only do they keep paper and cardboard out of landfills but also turn waste that would otherwise be discarded into something useful and therefore help closing the loop.

Originally Frank Gehry was the pioneer in the use of cardboard in modern furniture design through his series "Easy Edges" from 1972. They were made of layers of cardboard held together by hidden screws. His iconic wiggle side chair is part of the MoMA collection and is now being produced by contemporary furniture maker Vitra. Another piece by Leo Kempf that uses cardboard design in an eco-modern way is his curved Wall Shelf that’s made out of corrugated cardboard, hardboard and laminated hardboard spacers. Both of his designs are great reminders to join the green conversation.

a refreshing take on green design

We all know that it’s important to keep plastic bottles out of landfills through reusable water bottles. But what if you don’t like tap water as much like myself and prefer sparkling water or soda? I received a demonstration of SodaStream’s home soda makers at the Go Green Expo 2009 earlier this year and was surprised how much I liked the sparkling water. Even the sodas made with flavored syrup were really refreshing and not too sweet.

The average American consumes about 600 cans or bottles of soda and sparkling water each year according to SodaStream. In addition just think about the thousands of miles that your favorite bottle of imported sparkling water has to travel to reach you. A SodaStream home soda maker is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and to keep plastic bottles and cans out of landfills by turning tap water into sparkling water or soda within a few seconds. It uses no batteries or electricity since it operates on the power provided by its compressed gas carbonators. Once empty they are returned to the company to be cleaned, inspected, refilled and reused. The line of home soda makers includes the SodaStream Penguin that comes with two glass carafes and the Sodastream Pure made of high quality plastics and brushed stainless steel. Who says you can’t make your own designer water? Both designs are a great alternative to beat the summer heat in green style.

reclaim your workspace

Originally I was attracted to SMC Furnishings by the reuse of discarded saddles in their may lounge chair that I saw at ICFF earlier this year. But since I love more streamlined minimal design I really like their pw stool/tables that play with contrasting lighter and darker wood. They almost look like metal combined with wood at a first glance, but the beauty is that they’re made out of antique long leaf hard pine and African wenge wood or hickory.

SMC Furnishings is a small New York based company that produces handcrafted and eco-friendly furniture. In fact 90% of their wood comes from waste and recycled sources like reclaimed building timbers or locally sourced trees downed by storms, disease or nuisance issues. The company’s commitment to a sustainable work environment shows in their philosophy of no waste. In 2004 they converted three early 19th century barns in the Finger Lakes region of New York into a workspace with low impact on the environment. Every piece of leftover wood is re-milled until it can’t be re-cut anymore and even then it’s used as fuel to heat the facility. I love companies that live what they preach and I applaud SMC Furnishings for implementing sustainable practices into their furniture as well as workspace. Luckily a lot of their eco-friendly benches or stools look great at any lobby or retail store that will hopefully inspire more sustainable business practices in other companies as well.

an organic summer detox

The organic eucalyptus sea therapy bath by 100% Pure was the closest I got to visiting the beach this weekend thanks to my summer cold. It’s certainly not how I envisioned my 4th of July weekend, but at least I was able to spend it in eco-modern style. 100% Pure is a Berkeley-based organic apothecary that produces skincare and makeup products without any synthetic chemicals, chemical preservatives, artificial fragrances, artificial colors, harsh detergents or any other unhealthy toxins. Instead they are 100% natural and 100% vegan except when there is honey involved.

100% Pure organic eucalyptus sea therapy bath is made with crystallized kelp from an organic seaweed farm in the Brittany Coast of France instead of ordinary sea salts. It contains 60 different minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and amino acids that replenish, nourish, detox and heal. Organic peppermint essential oil stimulates circulation and organic eucalyptus essential oil strengthens immunity and eases decongestion. The packaging looks as pure as the ingredients. It’s made from recycled plastic or glass and is completely recyclable. Another favorite of mine is the 100% Pure honey almond organic body scrub that’s full of powerful anti-aging antioxidants and vitamins. I never thought I could get a summer glow by staying at home. Other 100% Pure products include organic shower gels that look as vibrant as freshly pressed juices and color cosmetics made with fruit and vegetable pigments. Just reading the ingredients reminds me of my grocery list when I try to eat really, really healthy.