Happy Valentine's Day!!

I was reading through a blog I often enjoy browsing - At Home with Kim Vallée - when I came across this super adorable, and very sustainable, way of decorating: ice ornaments! So in honor of Valentine's Day, I'm sharing a few of the beautiful, and SUPER easy ornaments made by Maggie Ooman of resurrection fern.

Basically, you take a container (in this case, heart shaped glass containers), fill them with some water, and a few natural elements like twigs, grasses, flower petals, buds, whatever, and let them freeze. Maggie is from Canada, and I'm assuming where she lives leaving them outside does the trick, but your freezer works just as well. And I'm not really a Valentine's kinda gal, but I just loved the idea, and what a wonderful, imaginative, and resourceful way to decorate during the cold, grey winter months. Whether you do this for Christmas, Hanuka, New Year's or just for fun, it's really a fabulous idea.

Clearly, though, they're an outdoors decoration...unless you live in an igloo.

A Little Greenery for the Winter Blues

It's been super grey lately and as a native Bostonian, I'm used to winter but I expect the sun to shine and the ice to glisten. Unfortunately, no such luck in the European skies. It's been getting to me, which always makes me want to surround myself with greenery. Even though my plants probably suffer from the lack of sun as much as I do, at least the luscious leaves cheer me up. One of the places that makes indoor gardening easy for the not-so-green thumbs out there is Potting Shed Creations. They've found the perfect way to package plants and seeds to make they stylish and easy. What more could you ask for?

I'm pretty sure I've blogged about these AMAZING inventions - the gorgeous recycled glass container for your indoor herb garden is slim, chic, and totally reusable.

OK, I just think this is a fabulous idea. Bonzai in a box - such a great gift, and such an ideal way to package it. They even include the clipping shears wrapped up in the ribbon.

Adorable and perfect to grow on your counter during the cold winter months, so that you can have some beautiful plants ready to go into the garden as soon as spring arrives. Apple? Ginko? Fantastic!

And they even give you great gift options for people who like to have gardens with a purpose (other than beauty).

Dangling Decor

Every parent is faced with the question of how to make their child's room fun, expressive, and whimsical - a way to inspire creativity and learning - and if you're anything like me, you'd probably think of getting a few things you wish you'd had as a kid! Well, for me, mobiles are one of them. I just love them. I love that they can introduce shape, color and movement, and sometimes just that touch of whimsy that every kid's room needs. Lucky for me, Puka Puka knew exactly what I would look for in a mobile, put it together, and made it eco-friendly at that. Made with recyclable and locally (although Australia is anything but local for most of us - and please note prices are in AUD) sourced materials, these fun and fabulous pieces come in tons of shapes and colors. They ship everywhere, so if you're OK with shipping (great opportunity to do some carbon offsetting!), then here are a few of my favorites.  The picture above is so me...who says you have to wait for a kid to have a mobile????

I just love the mix of colors with black - it's perfect for anyone who wants something that doesn't scream 'boy' or 'girl'

And they even do some adorable ones in felt. SO cute!

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012

It's amazing to think another year has gone by and we're already well on our way into 2012.
2011 was a year of big changes for me, from new cities to new jobs to new family members, and frankly, it makes me excited to see what's in store for the upcoming year. But first, I think a little appreciation for a fabulous year is in order. And you know, I'm not the only one who thinks their was quite a bit of 'fabulosity' floating around this past year. As always, Interior Design has put together an absolutely fantastic compilation of amazing products and designers, putting forth gorgeous work to inspire us all...and star in a day dream or two.  Here are some of my favorite's from their annual 'Best Of Year' awards for 2011, starting with Artistic Tile's Granada flooring. Damn that's hot.

I'm loving the movement of the wood grain in these sleek and contemporary chairs, very cutely named 'Wink' by Community.

Next up is this phenomenal, and very aptly named, 'Nestrest' by Dedon. I can't imagine a better place to be on a hot summer's day than swinging peacefully in this nest, peering off at the water in front of you...

I know plumbing isn't usually sexy, and hardly ever comes up on people's radar when they're thinking of all the fun things to buy when decorating, but really sometimes that mix of shiny chrome and sleek lines does wonders to completely change your bathroom experience...cue Tremillimetri by Gessi.

Maybe paired up with this AMAZING wall covering (tile?) - Elisse by Joel Berman Glass Studios - in the same bathroom too.

And last but not least (there are a ton more great photos and products to see on the website so check it out!), a stunning mixture of contemporary and organic style at its most beautiful, the 0187 (more like 007) table by John Houshmand. LOVE LOVE LOVE.

Wishing you all a very incredible, inspiring, healthy - and beautiful - New Year!

Rock yourself to sleep...

Ok, so usually when I'm thinking of a nice comfy bed, industrial waste doesn't come to mind. Good thing someone else DID make that connection - Joe Manus of Shiner to be exact. Tough, dark, dirty, sexy, clever - all adjectives to describe his Atlanta, GA based furniture company that takes industrial waste materials like hardwoods, steel, and even cardboard to make his phenomenal and edgy pieces. The bed is made for indoor & outdoor use - and I can't imagine a better way to relax outside, and stare up at the stars... No matter where you want it to go, it will definitely make a statement!


And it's not just beds you can find with this funky furniture maker - seating, tables, lighting - you name it!! Totally fun, totally eco - can't get much better than that.

All work...but maybe a little play

For decades, Herman Miller has been the company for office furniture. Why? Because they're damn good at what they do. Their products are ergonomic, stylish, and sustainable. They're also trop cher...so if you've got your hear set on that Eames Chair or Aeron stool, be ready to fork over some dough. But rest assured, if you do, you get what you pay for, and then some... Herman Miller really takes environmental responsibility to heart, from conception to the final product, and even the facilities that all of this takes place in. Their efforts are inspiring - and truly a fantastic example of how design, sustainability, and social responsibility can not only exist, but be profitable. Read more about it here.

A few of my favorites...




And of course, you can't forget the Eames Lounger...

Maya Romanoff how I love you so

I have long been a fan of Maya Romanoff. To me, they are a great example of what makes design so fun and exciting. Innovation is definitely high on their list - the exact reason they just keep on making such fantastic products. And at first, I thought, damn, walls of mother of pearl? That can't be eco-friendly, can it???? Lucky for me, Maya Romanoff thought of all of that. Farmed Capiz shells. That's right. And no formaldehyde. It even installs with low VOC adhesives. And most of their products have the same green attributes - if not even more, like recycled content, rapidly renewable materials, and when they can, they source and make products made in the USA. And if you really want to know what's what, check out their environmental responsibility matrix. But let's not kid ourselves, what really draws you to the site is this:



Absolutely breathtaking...