designTURF

Tord Boontje Charming

2009-06-30T09:57:00.000-07:00

Tord Boontje's new Charming Jewelry Collection is perfect for the times. 18K gold-plated or silver charms are so beautiful and contemporary, yet still priced super affordably at $22-$40 for a set of three.

I especially like how they are meant to be mixed and matched so you can be flexible as to dressing them up or down depending on how the charms are clustered together. The nature-inspired motifs would be perfect for a garden party or outdoor wedding.

Available at re:modern

A farm in your backyard.

2009-01-23T22:07:00.000-08:00

MyFarm takes community supported agriculture one step further by planting a farm in your backyard. It's an absolutely brilliant concept and here's how it works. Let's say you have an unkempt backyard. Rather than hiring a gardener, you can hire MyFarm to come in and install a vegetable garden suitable for your local climate. Then they'll send a 'farmer' out weekly to maintain the garden, do weeding, and even harvest your crops. Any extra harvest can go towards other neighbors who are part of the CSA and reduce your cost. MyFarm is only in the San Francisco bay area at the moment, but we hope this idea catches on. Brilliant!

Hosting and attending holiday parties

2008-12-05T18:59:00.000-08:00

As the season of holiday parties and potlucks are underway, pretty and eco tabletop presentation is on my mind. I love these bamboo bowls that come in a rainbow of colors. They're low enough to stack as buffet plates for a big party and good looking enough to stand on their own as serving bowls. I also like the idea of filling a plate up with some homebaked cookies to give as a special hostess gift. In the past, I would do this with Veneerware trays and plates, which I like to keep on hand for potlucks and occasions where you just don't want to worry about doing dishes.

el Furniture Sale

2008-10-21T18:14:00.000-07:00

el stands for Environmental Language, a line of heirloom-quality furniture made from environmentally friendly materials. Founded by Jill Salisbury, the company makes gorgeously high end, stylish furnishings. If you've been eyeing their beautifully sustainable pieces like I have, this sample sale may be the closest chance to afford one of their exquisite pieces.

CityArt Graphics

2008-09-02T10:34:00.000-07:00

Buildings, the city, and graphics converge in this series of limited edition art by San Francisco-based Publique Living. What could be better!

Digging Deeper for Sustainable Design

2008-07-16T11:56:00.000-07:00

For those of you in the bay area, San Francisco's IDSA brings you Digging Deeper: Unearthing the Building Blocks for Sustainable Design.

This participant-driven panel discussion will dig deep into the eco-issues
designers face everyday to reveal the building blocks for sustainable
design. Digging Deeper seeks to equip designers with the context, questions, methods and, actionable tools for designing green. Digging Deeper's panel of leading experts will introduce and discuss a series of sustainable design methods. They will then examine the steps required to successfully apply, measure and position the resulting sustainable solutions in both your workplace and the market.

July 22nd at Temple, 540 Howard St., San Francisco, CA 94105.

Reception begins at 5:30pm. Keynote begins at 7pm. Priority attendance given to IDSA Members.

More info at www.idsa-sf.org

West Coast Green in Silicon Valley

2008-07-16T11:40:00.000-07:00

West Coast Green announced today that Nobel Laureate, and former U.S. Vice-President, Al Gore will give the keynote address at this year’s conference, to be held September 25-27th, 2008, at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, CA. Gore joins a prestigious lineup of keynote speakers that includes best-selling authors Sarah Susanka and David Suzuki, http://www.hunterlovins.com/ as well as leading scientists, economists, architects, builders, venture capitalists, strategists, chief executive officers and government officials. As the leading hub for innovation in building, design and technology.

Building materials and processes account for roughly a third of carbon emissions, while the electricity-use and industry taking place in buildings account for another third. With built space in the US projected to double over the next 40 years, and buildings lasting an average of 75 years, reforming the built environment is one of the central challenges of our time. West Coast Green will bring together 14,000 individuals to educate, network and inspire the actions that will shape our collective future. For more information, visit West Coast Green's website.

Micro-entrepreneurs

2008-06-12T20:54:00.000-07:00

Websites like etsy are great for showcasing handmade products from emerging designers. However sometimes you just want to see and touch items in person before making the decision to buy. Endossa, an innovative retail collaborative in Sao Paulo, Brazil tried to bridge the gap by providing a physical store where many mini-entrepreneurs can rent boxes to display their wares in. Endossa's model makes it one step easier for the general public to access new, limited edition designs. Read more about it in this story via Cool Hunting.

AMD Open Architecture Challenge

2008-06-03T09:10:00.000-07:00

The winners are in for the AMD Open Architecture Challenge, the latest global competition from Architecture for Humanity. The competition invited the global community to provide solutions to address the digital divide. (Did you know less than 20% of the world's 6 billion people even have access to the educational, social, and economic opportunities we're so used to from the internet?) Challenge sites included Africa, Asia, and South America. Shown here are winning entries by IN & Nis for the Kallari Associates client (South America) and The Global Studio's solution for the SIDAREC client (Kenya).

To see all winning entries, visit Architecture for Humanity's Open Architecture Challenge site.

Do Not Touch

2008-05-08T18:25:00.000-07:00

TOUCH is a network of collaboration amongst emerging designers who are creating handmade products as an alternative to the mass produced. These artisans have a lofty goal, too. Their goal is to make products that are not only beautiful, but also go for the environment and those who make them. Shown here are kraft paper vases using natural pigments by Brazilian designer Domingos Totora. If you're going to be in New York during ICFF and New York Design Week, be sure to check out TOUCH's showcase of sustainable products and installations from May 18-20th only, at 148 11th Ave in Manhattan. For more information, visit do-not-touch.com

Affordable Green Home Products

2008-03-16T11:00:00.000-07:00

If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, be sure to tune in to the ABC show View From the Bay on Monday March 17th for a special segment on affordable green home items. Design expert Lisa Quinn and guest Susan Kim from Coastal Living Magazine will be covering some great eco-friendly home accessories, like these Transglass vessels made from recycled glass bottles. The show airs at 3pm PST.

REGREEN Guidelines for Green Home Remodeling

2008-03-12T17:43:00.000-07:00

This just in from the U.S. Green Building Council...

Another green home resource that will become available on March 14 is REGREEN- the nation’s first set of resources and tools specifically for green home remodeling projects. USGBC will be launching REGREEN at ASID’s “Conference on Design.” The free guidelines cover all aspects of renovations, from installing a new dishwasher, remodeling your master bathroom, to refurbishing an entire home interior. REGREEN, like LEED, addresses the major elements of any green renovation project, including building site, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, material and resources, and indoor environmental quality.

Bent-steel Furniture

2008-02-24T14:49:00.000-08:00

Looking back at midcentury modernism, bent-ply furniture (short for bent plywood) characterized much of the era's iconic imagery. Looking now at contemporary modernism, we predict that bent-steel will be doing the same for this era's innovative design. Why? Because like bent-ply, bent-steel is very efficient in terms of material usage. Resource efficiency is particularly important today because we understand that there are finite limits to our raw materials. Bent-steel is appealing because, when it is 'folded' into place by the end user, items can be transported flat and reduce on shipping fuel used. As a pure material (vs. composites containing adhesives), steel can also be fully recycled, and likely will be at the end of a product's lifespan. Green designers such as mio are coming up with some innovative designs, like this origami table and bent-metal lighting fixtures, all priced affordably at under $200. Available at re:modern.

Voltaic Solar Bags

2008-02-13T10:33:00.000-08:00

Photovoltaic backpacks seem to be all the rage. This new one by Voltaic is actually powerful enough to charge a laptop computer with up to 14.7 watts. Each bag comes with a battery pack so you're not limited to only when the sun is out. Various other styles are available in daypacks, messengers, and laptop cases. Pretty cool.

ModRocks: Ceramic Tile Alternative

2008-02-07T22:11:00.001-08:00

Ceramic tile is a great material for bathrooms and kitchens, but sometimes you want a little more 'umph' and a bit more 'eco.' These ModRocks are a nice alternative. ModRocks are pebbles made from 100% recycled glass. Consumer glass bottles are crushed and tumbled, and mounted on a tile mesh. Very little energy is used in the production of these. Wouldn't they be lovely for a modern, spa-like room?

Recycled rubber floormats

2008-02-01T09:18:00.000-08:00

Rain, rain, go away. But if you don't, at least we can enjoy keeping out the dirt with this recycled tire doormat. Other designs are available as well. Get it here.

William Good - Upcycled Clothes

2008-01-22T08:14:00.000-08:00

You know something interesting is brewing when Nick Graham, the founder of Joe Boxer, teams up with Goodwill to introduce a new line of eco-fashions. William Good is both an environmental and social undertaking. The brand takes used clothing that was destined for recycling and salvage, and reassembles them into one-of-a-kind unique fashions, re-made in the USA with. This re-invented cast-off line is being rolled out at select Goodwill stores in the bay area, including San Francisco, and soon to arrive in Los Angeles and New York. A great example of upcycling.

Affordable Eco Jewelry

2008-01-16T11:44:00.000-08:00

If you're looking for a great eco-friendly Valentine's Day gift idea, check out these new recycled aluminum necklaces and bracelets. When you first look at them, they appear to be chunky silver chains and upon closer inspection you realize that they are made from pull-tabs off soda cans. Pair one up with one of these modern twist fabric boxes and you've got a super affordable (and eco-friendly) gift for under $50.
Get them here.

How to Minimize Junk Mail

2008-01-11T16:12:00.000-08:00

Did you know an average person receives 41 lbs. of junk mail per year? That equates to 1.5 trees per person and 44% of the mail is never even opened.

We've decided to be proactive about reducing this mail and hope you'll do it, too. After all, it's hard to maintain a beautiful, clutter-free home when unsolicited junk mail keeps arriving at your mailbox everyday!

To minimize unwanted mail, you can sign up with a service like 41 pounds, or take the DIY approach and do it for free:

Direct Marketing Association List

Opt-Out of Pre-screened offers from credit bureaus

DIY Stop Junk Mail, Email and Phone Calls

Val-pak opt-out

Bay Area Junk Mail Reduction Campaign

Go on, do it now. And have a clutter-free day.

Organic Clothing and EcoKashmere

2008-01-07T22:03:00.000-08:00

Good looking sustainable clothing is difficult to come by, so we were really excited to come across Jonano's comfortable collection of designer eco-fashion.

Much of their collection is made from sweatshop-free organic cotton. Particularly unique is the company's ecoKasmere yoga and lounge wear, made from a soft blend of bamboo (yes, bamboo!) and cotton. And for those of you in the medical profession, be sure to check out their Eco Scrubs line, too.

GOOD December

2007-12-08T09:40:00.000-08:00

Multi-task this year by holiday shopping while doing good. If you're in the Manhattan area, check out GOOD December, a collaborative pop-up community center and gallery store. This temporary pop up show is at Openhouse Gallery at 201 Mulberry St. and open from 11am-6pm December 6th through 23rd. The center is organized around the themes of Media, Environment, Technology, Design, Education, Culture, Business & Money, and Health. For more information, visit GoodDecember.org

Redbean Custom Cards

2007-11-14T12:45:00.000-08:00

What do you do when Christmas is fast approaching and you want some custom, eco-modern holiday cards? San Francisco based Redbean Design studio just might be the answer. They just introduced a fresh new collection of modern greeting cards for winter. We received a sample pack of these lovely stationary items in the mail the other day and they are truly yummy to the eye and surprisingly tactile. Check out Redbean's website here.

One Percent For the Planet Auction

2007-11-14T11:59:00.000-08:00

The first ever fundraising Auction for 1% For The Planet has begun! You can bid on anything from home products to gifts to adventures, all donated by merchant members of 1% for the Planet, an organization that raises awareness in giving back to environmental causes. All auction proceeds go to support the operation of this non-profit.

Some auction highlights include an autographed guitar by Jack Johnson, a 5-night stay at a Montana green home (complete with use of an electric car), and eco-friendly home furnishings from Re:modern, Q Collection, and InModern. Finish off your holiday shopping, furnish your green home, or plan that next vacation, all while supporting a good cause. This 1% FTP Auction ends December 5th so bid now!

Micro-lending through Kiva.org

2007-11-07T18:27:00.000-08:00

If you haven't heard of the non-profit Kiva, you must visit Kiva's website because what they are doing is truly innovative. The concept of microlending (loaning small amounts of money to the working poor) is certainly not new, and even gained a lot of widespread exposure when the Grameen Bank was awarded the Nobel Prize a couple of years back. What Kiva.org does, is use the power of the internet to connect lenders with global entrepreneurs. The loan amounts are small (currently capped at $25) and repayment is fast (typically a few months), but make a huge difference in empowering entrepreneurs to lift themselves out of poverty. Lenders can choose who to lend to based on entrepreneurs' stories. We just loaned to Francisca of Mozambique to help her build her used clothing business.

Al Gore wins Nobel Peace Prize

2007-10-12T09:39:00.000-07:00

The 2007 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded today to former VP Al Gore and the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for their work on raising awareness of climate change issues. Gore is giving his half of the $1.5 million prize to the Alliance for Climate Protection, an non-partisan organization whose aim is to generate awareness and find solutions to the climate crisis.

Now if this Nobel Prize (plus Gore's 2 Academy Awards for An Inconvenient Truth) doesn't finally convince doubters of global warming, that there IS a climate crisis going on, I don't know what will. Congratulations, Al!

West Coast Green 2007

2007-09-25T13:18:00.001-07:00

mkLotus house retaining pond
Originally uploaded by re-modern.com

Last week, we took a trip to West Coast Green, the largest residential green building conference in the U.S. Held in San Francisco, this 2nd annual conference was much bigger than last year. In addition to dozens of speakers and hundreds of sustainable building product showcases, there was also mkLotus, a green modular home by Michelle Kauffman, installed in from of City Hall. For more photos of the event, click here.

Fortis Arbor Sustainable Wood Mosaics

2007-09-08T20:56:00.000-07:00

Tile or wood? Now you don't have to choose between these two materials when replacing interior backsplashes, countertops, or fireplace surrounds. Fortis Arbor by Flux Studios is an eco-friendly wood mosaic handcrafted from certified lumber that are too small for making furniture, and would otherwise have been thrown away or burned. We saw these recently in a kitchen installation and it is certainly stunning and unique. Installation is just like traditional mosaic tile and a special non-toxic, waterproof grout is available to resist staining and flex with movement. The tiles are available in bamboo, teak, and rosewood - hardwoods which are both beautiful and durable.

Trash Luxe

2007-09-01T10:18:00.000-07:00

Our friends at Artecnica, the company behind Design With A Conscience, just told us about TrashLuxe, a new London art exhibition about design that transforms trash and waste into luxurious creations. Part of this year's London Design Festival, TrashLuxe mixes together furniture, art, and jewelry works by young and established designers from the UK and abroad, including Karen Ryan, Ineke Hans, Paul Cocksedge, Stuart Haygarth, and the Campana Brothers.

Visit Trash Luxe's website or Dezeen Design Magazine for a good writeup about the event.

Green Modern Glossary

2007-08-06T15:11:00.000-07:00

Everyone's talking green nowadays, but what does it all mean? If you want to sort through all the greenwash marketing that's going on, check out this handy reference of sustainable terms from green retailer re:modern. It has a bunch of useful definitions for home furnishings and eco-lifestyles, from 'abaca' to 'zero-VOC'.

Houston Goes Green

2007-07-10T09:27:00.000-07:00

When we first started designTURF to cover the ground of green modern living, it sure felt like we were in the minority. Nowadays, 'going green' has gone mainstream and the latest example is a weeklong series by Texas morning show Great Day Houston. All week long, Great Day Houston will be having segments to show what it means to go green. They'll have lots of ideas for healthy, organic, and eco-friendly ways to save the planet. For those of you outside the Houston area, you can still watch the video clips from their website...like this one of host Whitney Casey making a green salad with the Dining Divas.

Psst...see those colorful bamboo bowls they're using in the green kitchen? You can get them here.

One Laptop Per Child

2007-07-03T20:21:00.000-07:00

How cool is this?!! One Laptop per Child (OLPC) is a new non-profit organization that's bridging the digital divide between kids from developing countries and, well, YOU. This educational project was founded by Nicholas Negroponte and some core folks from MIT's Media Lab, and quickly grew to include many others from the academic, business, industry, arts, and design community. Design was an important factor from the start, as it has to engage the curiosity of children and meet an incredibly affordable $100 price point. Visit OLPC's website for more information and to contribute.

Also check out Inhabitat's interview with Yves Behar, the designer behind the laptop and the Founder of fuseproject.

Craft is the new green.

2007-06-25T21:47:00.000-07:00

If you look around the design world recently, it's hard not to notice that we seem to be in a renaissance of craft. Handmade goods with impeccable attention to detail, and perfect imperfections abound. So while Wall Street and the business world seem to be chasing after 'green technology' as the next big thing, we can't help but sit back and enjoy the many low-tech innovations by emerging talents. Is craft green? Absolutely! What better way to use materials and resources than to create beautiful things that make us slow down and enjoy our surroundings. Shown here are Nama Rococo's handprinted couture wallpaper, Joanna Mendicino's handthrown Cobblestone Vases, and Sprout Design's reintroduction of vintage Pamela Walker designs.

Scrap House

2007-05-23T00:53:00.000-07:00

One person's trash is destined to be another person's treasure. At least this is what happens when a team of San Francisco architects, artists, contractors, engineers, and city officials are challenged to construct a building out of salvaged and recycled materials.

Constructed of previously discarded materials, ScrapHouse is full of resourceful ideas for reusing everyday materials in unconventional ways. Like conveyor belts and fire hoses as colorful textured walls, solid-core doors as economical flooring, phone books for acoustics, and old traffic lights reinvented into a chandelier. Learn more about ScrapHouse, here.

Wool Sweaters Make Great Rugs

2007-05-14T10:15:00.000-07:00

Started in Massachusetts to help the founder pay for college, Crispina produces a wide range of home accessories, all from recycled fabrics. "It is our objective to have fun and make money by offering consciousness and beauty, turning secondhand stuff into funktional heirlooms with wholehearted compassion, inventiveness, mindful consumption and reuse." Placemats, table runners, and a number of different sizes of blankets and pillows are available; in the near future, clothing will be sold from the company's website as well.

Woven from used (and cleaned) wool sweaters, Crispina's Potholder Rug comes in a wide variety of colors and sizes. Naturally chemical free and one-inch thick, they are a massage for the feet and a treat for the eyes and the planet.

e-Fabrics

2007-05-07T11:57:00.000-07:00

e-Fabrics is an initiative that started two years ago by e-Institute and has as a major preoccupation the research and creation of fabrics that respect Brazil's environmental, social, and cultural biodiversity. From e-Fabrics' line there are products such as four types of fish skin used in shoes and bags, latex and vegetal leather on clothes and accessories, jersey and denim with polyester threads from PET recycled plastic bottles, organic cotton, and coats and tops made of traditional manual weaving techniques. via JC Report

Recycled Tire Doormats

2007-05-01T01:46:00.000-07:00

Muddy feet be gone! Check out these whimsical new manhole floormats made from recycled truck tires.

They so make me laugh. Available here for $25 each.

Design Can Change

2007-04-09T12:45:00.000-07:00

Can designers change the world? We believe they can, and so do the graphic designers at smashLAB who created Design Can Change as a pro-bono project. Check out Design Can Change's newly launched website filled with earth-related facts, resources and a growing community of designers who want to make a difference.

Recycled, modern bean bags from WASTE

2007-03-24T22:17:00.001-07:00

The 70s are back! OK, so I'm only partially kidding with that one. While I don't think we will be welcoming bell bottoms back into our closets anytime soon, bean bags have had a modern makeover thanks to Spain-based company WASTE. One hundred percent hand made, these shape-shifting cushions are made from discarded automotive upholstery. "The bags are created with industrial sewing machinery, resulting in a high breaking strength, abrasion resistance, and ideal extension properties, which guarantee a well-balanced and durable seam. They are secured with a double closing of Velcro and zippers. The filler beans are high-density styrofoam pearls that provide comfort and support."

Five different textile designs are available via the company's website. The first design from this fresh business, I'm quite certain we will be hearing more about WASTE in the near future. "We are a young team of entrepreneurs making every effort to develop our business using ethical practices to reduce and recycle waste."

Prep and Serve Boards

2007-03-22T23:34:00.000-07:00

Entertaining without a dishwasher can be tough. Once you've slaved over making and slicing up those perfect hors d'oeuvres and then transfer them on to pretty serving plates, just the thought of having to do all those dishes can be exhausting! That's why we're big fans of multi-functional kitchenware that can go straight from countertop-to-tabletop.

Chop chop boards by Vessel is one such product we're fond of. Use it as a chopping board, then flip it over to serve. Two planks are held together by nifty carrying handles. The creative brains over at Vessel also just revamped the product so that it's made out of sustainable bamboo instead of trees.

Another kitchen-to-dining serving plank option are Oval Fusion Boards by bambu. These boards are made from organically grown bamboo and has a tapered edge that appears to float on the table. I'd say we have the makings for a beautiful presentation. Oval Fusion Boards are new and in stock at re:modern.

Sew Green

2007-03-12T23:06:00.000-07:00

A new eco-crafty blog hits the scenes this week with a focus on consumption, the environment, and a DIY mentality. Check out the eleven creative gals behind Sew Green.

The Stanley Family Lodge: Eco AND Indie

2007-03-05T10:54:00.000-08:00

"The Stanley Family Lodge is the creation of Jeremie & Melissa, a husband and wife team. We are former Detroiters living in Carrboro, North Carolina these days. It is a slow paced little town that makes it easy to relax and read or take some photographs.

We started The Stanley Family Lodge because we realized that it can be difficult for folks like us to accumulate goods that meet our standards. We often have to search far and wide to find items that are vegan, animal friendly, sweatshop-free, recycleable, make use of sustainable materials, safe for the environment, and affordable.

Our goal is to provide a shop where you can find a wide assortment of everyday items that meet these standards in one convenient stop. We're committed to carrying items that we believe are useful, of high quality, and indisposable. We hope to provide a valuable service for our customers, encourage people to shop more responsibly, and slowly grow as a resource."

Do Redo: Eco-Modern Knitting

2007-03-05T00:16:00.000-08:00

We've always been intrigued by deconstructionism. That's why it's really too bad that we're in the United States instead of Sweden. Otherwise, we would be indulging in Do Redo's art of recycled knitting and embroidery workshops. The ladies at Do Redo are DIY experts at taking secondhand clothing and sweaters, and transforming the textiles into new uses and forms. They even wrote a book on The Art of Slaughtering a Sweater.

Learn more about Do Redo, here.

Bus Brake Planters

2007-02-26T09:25:00.000-08:00

Started by two Rhode Island sculptors who were overwhelmed by the amount of industrial waste, Industrial Evolution turns cast offs and leftovers into functional products. Their first contribution is their bus brake planter collection. "City bus brake drums are routinely replaced and discarded. We repurpose the cast-steel drums, creating these heavy-duty, indoor/outdoor planters." Available in four distinct "styles", you can order them directly from their website. On the market for over a year now, I'm quite curious to see what their next offering will be.

Yolo Colorhouse: Zero-VOC paints

2007-02-25T21:50:00.000-08:00

With the weather still cold and spring right around the corner, we find ourselves dreaming often of new colors and ideas for home renovations.

Once upon a time, and still found at your neighborhood home improvement store, paint contained a lot of bad ingredients and was very toxic. Traditional paint off-gases with noxious smelling fumes. Then low-VOC paints sprung up, which are water-based and contain less of those dreaded volatile organic compunds. Now, in addition to low-VOC paints, some manufacturers even have VOC-free options.

We're currently enamored with Yolo Colorhouse, a Portland-based company that makes premium, environmentally-sensitive paint that contains zero (yes, ZERO!) VOC. Developed by a collaboration artists and scientists, Yolo's designer palette has a beautiful range of modern, nature-inspired colors.

Refab Gives Vintage Fabrics New Life

2007-02-22T09:39:00.000-08:00

Choose your own limited edition talking point from Refab's range of cushions, Funky Chicken doorstops and Psychedelic Snake draught exluders. All their products are handmade in their London workshop. Refab is an environmentally conscious company and they like to share with you their retro inspired vision of sustainable style, function and fun. Alongside their classic vintage fabrics from the 50's, 60's and 70's, they use reclaimed, recycled organic and biodegradable materials wherever possible. Refab breathes new life into vintage fabrics to bring color and pattern back into your home.

Haute Surface - Modular Cork Tiles

2007-02-16T08:45:00.000-08:00

We've written about modular surfaces before, but it was all about walls surfaces then. Continuing the innovation of mio's modular wallpaper tiles, Isaac and Jaime Salm have created Haute Surface, a set of interlocking cork tiles that piece together to protect table and furniture surfaces.

Reconstituted cork is a sustainable, heat-resistant natural cushion for hot pots and pans that could scorch countertops. Besides keeping the kids busy, we especially like Haute Surface's houndstooth modularity because it's versatile enough to re-assemble a basic trivet into larger table runners or placemats.

It's time to get rid of that ugly trivet in the kitchen now. You know the one.

Haute Surface tiles are $20, per a set of 12, at re:modern

Karma Coaching Cards for the Environment

2007-01-19T20:08:00.000-08:00

Karma Coaching Cards take the 'pay it forward' concept to an action-based level with flashcards that suggest ways to create positive change. Each deck features 50 cards with activities and facts that can be incorporated into an average day.

For example, card #42's green suggestion Use non-disposable gift wraps. Be creative! Use the comic section of the newspaper or a tea towel. is supported by fact: North Americans throw away over $300 million worth of gift wrapping every year!.

Can these coaching cards really improve your karma? We may never know the answer to that. But at the very least, it's another 100% environmentally friendly product to hit the market recently that makes the connection between eco-consciousness and personal lifestyle.

Ethical Design Lab

2007-01-04T00:08:00.000-08:00

Paul Barnett dropped us a note to tell us about the recent launch of Ethical Design Lab. Ethical Design Lab promotes awareness of, and demand for, ethical design. EDL highlights trends, spotlights green retailers (like re:modern), and showcases products, like Renata Fontenelle's new fashion accessories for Tiptoe Collection. Fontenelle's organic cotton crocheted jewelry is made by a small scale cooperative using natural materials.

Check out Ethical Design Lab's newly launched eco-site.

Dominic Crinson: Natural Fleece Wallpaper

2006-12-27T20:43:00.000-08:00

UK-based Dominic Crinson has fast become established as an internationally recognised contemporary designer. His unique collection of designer wallpaper creates an environment that is ornate, contemporary, graphically-stylized, and natural all at the same time.

We like Crinson's quality wallpapers particularly because they are made from 100% natural fleece that is friendly to the earth. It is even suitable for wet areas.

Pet Hypothesis Jewelry

2006-12-11T18:03:00.000-08:00

What happens when ReadyMade Magazine's product manager takes her CCA jewelry background and creates a new collection? The result is Chelsa Robinson's Pet Hypothesis and its inaugural collection, Gravity Max. The Gravity Max Collection transforms repurposed billboard scraps into art. Pet Hypothesis is an ongoing experiment that reuses material waste in pursuit of quality, integrity, originality, and sustainability.

Buy a pair of earrings, and $5 from the sale of each pair will be donated to Conservation International. For more information, visit Pet Hypothesis.

For other recycled billboard products, check out Modulab's Movie Poster bags and wallets, and Freitag Freeway Bags.

CritBuns: A Design Entrepreneur's Story

2006-12-04T18:42:00.000-08:00

CritBuns is an innovative new seat cushion created for the love of the crit. As any art or design student can tell you, spending many hours sitting on hard stools and on the ground for studio crits can create a lot of pain. So when designer Joe Gebbia emerged from a crit one day with marks on his tush to show it, CritBuns was born.

We met Joe recently and tested out a pair of CritBuns in person. In addition to making us chuckle, CritBuns was quite comfortable for hard surfaces. This simple, yet unusual product reminded us also of how creative thinkers can make everyday life just a bit more bearable.

Whimsical home pieces from PalletArt

2006-11-30T10:25:00.000-08:00

While recycling does its helpful part for the environment, reusing goods and supplies is even more efficient. PalletArt, by Mark Dabelstein, transforms discarded shipping pallets and other salvaged lumber into whimsical home accessories, art and furnishings. He also utilizes organic paints and finishes for a cleaner, safer planet.

Furniture, frames, flags, and clocks are always available through the PalletArt website. Mark is also open to doing custom pieces with customers, a collection of which can be seen on the website as well. Whether you are on a farm, commuting from a suburbs, or smack dab in the middle of an urban area; PalletArt is a delightful way to introduce a rustic, homely feeling into your personal space, all while diverting landfill waste.

Eco-chic goes mainstream

2006-11-27T23:37:00.000-08:00

When Re:modern first went online in 2005 exclusively selling stylish and sustainable furnishings, the idea was pretty novel. Who knew that just less than 2 years later, the merging of good design with eco-friendliness would be an idea to hit mainstream America!

We will be tuning in to NBC's Today Show tomorrow morning to watch celebrity style expert Lloyd Boston do a special segment on Eco-chic Holiday Gifts. Lloyd Boston is Style Editor for the Today Show, a Style Network Host, and author of a number of chic fashion books, such as Before You Put That On, Make Over Your Man, and Men of Color.

Lloyd's eco-chic Today Show picks include our very own bambu laquerware bowls and the bamboo daisy wall clock. Check out Re:modern's Holiday Gift Guide for even more unique, eco-chic ideas.

Hiroko Kurihara Designs: keeping you and the homeless warm

2006-11-20T12:13:00.000-08:00

With each item they sell, a scarf or blanket made of recycled polar fleece is donated to a member of your local community who is homeless or in transition. This act of giving requires no additional purchase ... just responsible, ethical consumerism. On top of that, Hiroko Kurihara's designs are created right in Oakland and Berkeley, California; not in some unknown sweatshop.

Though the collection is small, the designs are modern and soothing at the same time. Made from 100% virgin wool from Italy, Hiroko's blankets, pillows, and scarves made a comfortable addition to any home (or in a box under the tree for a loved one).

RISD Holiday Design Sales

2006-11-18T15:27:00.000-08:00

The Rhode Island School of Design produces some seriously talented artists and designers. Every year, RISD's Holiday Art Sale draws big devoted crowds, snatching up one-of-a-kind creations designed and made by the school's alumni.

Some of our favorite RISD alumni include Ryan Kundrat of Hoopla jewelry fame and Devon Holzwarth, creator of devon industry's wooly hand-felted accessories.

This year's annual sale will be on December 9th in Rhode Island. Luckily, for those of us not in the east coast, the sale's popularity has also spread to the west, with a Bay Area version of the RISD sale happening this weekend, November 19th, at Fort Mason in San Francisco. What a great way to support independent artists and finish some holiday shopping at the same time!

Seed Shaman: plant art by Richard Solomon

2006-11-16T09:50:00.000-08:00

Thirty minutes outside of Santa Fe, you will come across a Natural History Department of Botanical Wonders: the hut of the SeedShaman, also known as Richard Solomon. "Every seed has a story to tell...the 'story' of the earth. My work is a return to art's first canvas - the earth - and to the planet’s original storytellers: the seeds. I have learned that every seed has a story to tell. The 'story' of the earth. The plant materials I collect in various stages of their life cycle were all once seeds. From beginning to end, each piece, like the seed, evokes a spirit and connection with Mother Earth."

Some of the original pieces are available for sale, but for most of us, his ilfochrome and giclee reproductions of his works are perfect for framing. The dimensionality of his works are enchanting and more than easy to get lost in. Envisioning the dancing and floating of nature's beauty will help to intensify your decor as well as remind you daily of our constant exchange with Mother Nature.

Stylish and functional recycled chopsticks from Kwytza Kraft

2006-11-13T11:58:00.000-08:00

Bryan Parks' idea was simple: collect post-use, single-use chopsticks from restaurants in China (where he was living when this came to him), thoroughly clean them, sanitize them at extremely high temperature and pressure, and use them to make high-quality accents for your home. This idea has become Kwytza Kraft pronounced k-why-tsa).

Billions of single-use chopsticks are consumed annually and it takes, by some estimates, 25 million trees and bamboo plants to support this process. Kwytza's collection of home goods features natural and plant-dyed chopsticks that are certainly eye-catching. Their folding bowls, shown in the picture above, are one of their best sellers. When not in use, they simply fold in half for easy storage - save a tree and safe space in your house. Also available are table lamps, waste baskets, magazine racks, CD holders, night lights, purses, jewelery, and accessories for your dinner table.

Harmony Art's eco-fabrics

2006-11-08T11:04:00.000-08:00

Back in April and May, I talked about the eco-DIY movement and how to get involved. If you don't remember these posts or you have just joined us recently, make sure to check them out: Eco-DIY 01, Eco-DIY 02, Eco-DIY 03. What better way to save money and get creative at the same time? If you are planning on making your own seat covers, bags, clothing, or drapes, then you are likely to be on the hunt for a planet-friendly fabric - HarmonyArt has you covered (literally).

Still a young business (under three years old), founder and creative director Harmony had been working in the graphic design business for awhile. "The journey is still unfolding. It always will be. The love and support, the magic that unfolds when we pause long enough to notice it...keeps me inspired, amazed, dumbfounded, and excited about each new day and each new challenge... for it is in these moments that we truly live. The journey is indeed the prize."

All of the print and solid fabrics HarmonyArt has available are made from organic cotton or denim. A collection of their current designs can be see on their website ("in full bloom"), as well as designs in the works ("planted seeds"). Loving their fabrics but not blessed with the crafty gene? Don't worry - check out the products page where you will find a list of companies that use their prints.

Rehabilitated dishes by Sarah Cihat

2006-11-06T11:25:00.000-08:00

With the holidays right around the corner, family and loved ones will soon be on our doorstep. If you're like me, then you probably want your serving platters to grab as much attention as the eco-friendly nibbles you plan on cooking. Though taking the time to shop at vintage stores to find just the right pieces sounds like a fun way to spend an afternoon, most of us just don't have the time to do so. Thankfully, NY Parsons School of Design graduate Sarah Cihat has done the leg work for us, and more!

Started in 2003, the rehabilitated dishware line has garnered her, and the eco-movement, a lot of attention in major media outlets. Her process is simple: scour places like Goodwill and Salvation Army for dishware; paint a 2nd, modern design over the top; then refire the pieces. What comes out are funky, edgy, yet somehow classic china that look equally powerful on the wall as they do on your table.

Textile Art by Maxine Sutton

2006-10-25T20:22:00.000-07:00

On a recent hunt for emerging artwork with an eco-friendly edge, I came across the work of London artist Maxine Sutton. Trained as a painter, Maxine's pieces strike just the right balance between texture, color, form, and references to culture and the environment. Gorgeous embroideries, stitched cloth, screenprinted images, and needle-punch felting characterize Maxine Sutton's work. It's almost like a stitched, tactile version of a Rex Ray piece. What is really amazing is that she uses combinations of reclaimed or organic fabric, low impact printing methods, and plant dyed yarns sourced from the Pyrenees - all to keep her art production ethical and sustainable.

For more information, visit Maxine Sutton's website. She is truly a 'green modern' artist of our time.

Material Spotlight: Zelfo Plastic From Plants

2006-10-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

There is a new eco-friendly material on the market and it's called Zelfo. Did you know that plastic leaches and that cancer rates are higher around these toxic production facilities? Zelfo is an ecological solution to petro-chemical and toxic materials and production methods. It uses a patented method that takes full advantage of the cellular structure of plants to produce a plastic-like material. Zelfo is a solid and mouldable material made from natural fibres including hemp, sugar cane, beer draff, recycled paper and other cellulose containing raw materials. For more information, visit Zelfo's website.

Ecoist Candy Wrapper Bags

2006-09-26T20:17:00.000-07:00

Candy is bad for you. Until now.

Green retailer Re:modern just introduced a new line of handbags, totes, purses, and coin pouches designed by Marisa Rey of shoe design fame. Manufacturered by Miami-based ecoist, these stylish bags are made from recycled candy and food wrappers. They resemble Basura Bags, which have been around for awhile. Yet unlike Basura , the ecoist version is made from pre-consumer misprints so the production is more consistent and the finished bags don't smell like food. We especially like that ecoist partners with Trees for the Future, so that a tree is planted for every bag purchased.

Each bag comes with a contrasting zipper and/or detatchable handle. We just want to eat them up. Get it here, starting at $18.

iXi: Biking without the greasy chain

2006-08-28T21:10:00.000-07:00

After more than a century of modern technology, the bicycle is still the most efficient means of transport ever invented, and now the iXi heralds a new era of compact cycling promising to revolutionize short term transport. The iXi bike offers a revolutionary new approach to overcome some of the negatives long associated with cycling. Gone are the greasy chain, awkward handling, complicated gearing and difficult storage found with most bikes. Instead, the ultra-chic iXi features a maintenance-free clean belt drive and a collapsible, compact frame with many easy handling features adaptable to any lifestyle. Aside from the obvious environmental and health benefits of riding an iXi instead of driving, it puts and immediate end to your worries about rising fuel costs.

Rugmark

2006-08-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

There is a big problem in the rug and carpet industry that most people don't realize. Child labor is commonly employed to make woven, hand-knotted, and hand-tufted rugs. So when green retailer Re:modern set about to offer high quality, yet sustainable rugs, the first thing they thought of was Rugmark.

Rugmark is a global nonprofit organization working to end illegal child labor and offer educational opportunities for children in India, Nepal and Pakistan. The Rugmark label is your best assurance that no illegal child labor was employed in the manufacture of a carpet or rug. A number of rug manufacturers have adopted this certification process to ensure that their rugs are responsibly made.

This Mammy Rug by Angela Adams is one of our favorites.

ZeroOne: Seven Days of Art and Interactivity

2006-08-07T22:19:00.000-07:00

Today marks the start of ZeroOne, a global festival of Art and Interactivity. Held in conjunction with the 2006 ISEA Symposium, ZeroOne promises to transform downtown San Jose with interactive installations and temporary art from over 100 inernational artists. This biennial festival showcases art on the cutting edge along with performances, workshops and other events. ISEA stands for Inter-Society for the Electronic Arts, which self-proclaims itself "an international nonprofit organization fostering interdisciplinary academic discourse and exchange among culturally diverse organizations and individuals working with art, science and emerging technologies."

ZeroOne, a.k.a. Seven Days of Art and Interactivity runs from August 8-13th and is free to the public throughout downtown San Jose, California.

Shown above is Germaine Goh and Gordon Hicks project entitled Call, and Luther Thie and Eyal Fried's project entitled Acclair.

Sustainable Design Competition for New Orleans

2006-07-20T10:40:00.000-07:00

In September of last year, the infamous Brad Pitt presented an idea to Global Green President Matt Petersen. This idea quickly became a feature project for the eco-organization, as well as the Hollywood star. Seeking to build a series of model green home projects for the redevelopment of New Orleans, the sustainable design competition has recieved over 100 entries from architects and designs from all over.

Applicants were directed to conceive a net-zero-energy apartment complex with integrated daycare facility for a 1.25-acre site in the city’s Lower Ninth Ward. To help visitors make informed voting decisions, web presentations of the finalists’ submissions will be accompanied by an explanation of sustainability criteria. The beginning of this week revealed the six finalists in the competition and public voting for the winner has begun. Want to have your say? Then click over to Global Green's website and vote for your favorite finalist! The winner will be announced August 30th.

Modern BBQ Grill

2006-07-18T18:09:00.000-07:00

It's scorching hot out there. Which got us thinking about fires. And barbeques. And whether there are any well-designed alternatives to the classic Weber grill. Like this one by Dutch designer Piet Hein Eek. A pretty cool grill for such a hot day.

Spare the Air Day

2006-07-17T23:43:00.000-07:00

Today was a Spare the Air day, here in the bay area. Established by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to educate people about air pollution, the Spare the Air Program encourages commuters to change behaviors on days when smog levels are particularly unhealthy. The program provides free public transportation on summer days when ozone levels are particularly high. That means commuters can avoid driving in traffic and take public transportation (BART mass transit, buses, and ferries) for free. All day. Sacramento also has their own Spare the Air Program.

Of course, if your workplace isn't that far away, it's a chance to think about other low impact means of transportation as well. Such as walking, biking, or carpooling. So grab that Eco-Messenger Commuter Bag and take advantage of these free alternatives to paying high gas prices, while reducing pollution at the same time.

A Month of Yellow

2006-07-05T23:18:00.000-07:00

Some people associate July with red, white, and blue. But I always think of July as the month of yellow. Perhaps it's because Tour de France, the world's premier cycling event takes place during this month every year. This year's event promises to be especially unpredictable. With Lance Armstrong finally retired, and many of the top favorites eliminated from a last minute doping scandal, it's now anybody's race. Personally, I'm rooting for George Hincapie from the Discovery Channel team. Hincapie is the American classics rider who has directly supported Lance in all of his seven tour wins. He also has his own cycling wear clothing line, Hincapie Sports, which are as distinctive as his trademark superhero sunglasses.

Jigsaw modular office furniture

2006-06-26T10:24:00.000-07:00

When buying furniture, you never know what the future will hold. From an increased workload to adding bundles of joy to your family, anything can happen. Having furniture that is flexible, sustainable, and attractive is quite difficult to find. Thankfully, there is the Jigsaw collection.

Made from top quality FSC-certified Baltic birch, the interlocking tool-free joints are easy to assemble as well as being strong. With two finished to choose from, as well as a number of available mix-and-match pieces, your work area will look streamlines and be light on the Earth. No matter what the future holds for you and your home office, you will be prepared.

PassionFly Stationery

2006-06-21T08:52:00.000-07:00

We love it when creative entrepreneurs make beautiful products AND give back to the environment.

PassionFly is a Nevada-based fine art stationery company dedicated to preserving the beauty of natural wonders. This eco-friendly startup just informed us that they've selected The Nature Conservancy's Muddy River Project to receive its first business donation to help preserve that slice of wildness originating in Nevada’s Moapa Valley.

Passion for Nevada’s desert wetland and riparian habitats, and a desire to share the unique beauty of wild places and creatures inspired founder-designer Anne Johnson to develop her PassionFly business. 10% of PassionFly's annual profits go towards funding the U.S. wildlife conservation.

Check out Anne's artfully printed stationery at PassionFly.

LA's South Central Farm

2006-06-20T10:56:00.000-07:00

The largest farm within LA's city limits was destroyed on June 13th after a long battle with city officials. South Central Farm, which used to sit on 14 acres of property located at 41st and Alameda Streets. Over 300 local farming families fought the eviction for over 3 years finally having a sit-in wich included stars such as Darryl Hannah. The plot of land had been bought by an industrial company for nearly $5 million and they want to put a warehouse on the land.

Other that being a sad event, why is this important? The same thing could happen to local farms all over the country. In our society, money talks and you never know when your local community garden could be the victim of such a sale. Not all hope is lost of the South Central Farm. On July 12, the Farmers and community will go to court to fight the legality of the sale of the land.

Showing your support for the farmers will help the city see just how important open plots of farming land are, whether in cities or suburbs. According to their official website, the SCF needs, "donations of new [farming] supplies and food for both volunteers and Farmers as we continue to hold down the perimeter of the Farm should earth movers come. Small bulldozers have already torn through the plots but it is far from lost."

Bicycle Film Festival

2006-06-15T10:14:00.000-07:00

Do we really need another reason to get outside? Add this one to the list: the Bicycle Fiml Festival. Now in its sixth year, the event has been getting more popular each time around (no pun intended). With over 17,000 pedal-pushers coming out last year, the organziers are expecting to beat that number with this year's tour. Having already stopped in NYC and LA, there are still seven other cities left to be visited. Next on the list is Minneapolis in July, followed by Chicago, London, San Francisco, Sydney, Tokyo, and Milano.

Be outside, support "alternative transportation", see some good movies, and meet other cool people - what's not to love?

[Image courtesy of flickr.com user everyday_i_live]

An Inconvenient Truth

2006-06-14T18:17:00.000-07:00

It's been along time since Al Gore has been in the spotlight. During the infamous hanging chad period, I sat at my studio desk in design school, clicking 'refresh' on CNN's website every couple of minutes, waiting for the latest in election results. I wasn't alone either. A good majority of student in studio that night were glued to their computer monitors instead of their design projects. It wasn't necessarily because we thought Gore would be a perfect president, but rather that without him, our country would miss out on intelligent insight and a genuine advocate for the future.

Well, Al, we're glad to see you back in the spotlight with your new documentary film, An Inconvenient Truth. We especially appreciate that your views on the environment are not all gloom and doom. Thank you for raising awareness about the planet in a manner that's hopeful, inspirational, and truthful.

Directed by Davis Guggenheim and featuring Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth is now playing in theaters.

Yoga and the environment

2006-06-12T10:32:00.000-07:00

Many environmentalists have an interest in spiritual matters. You can usually find like-minded eco-folks at your local yoga studio. Even the basics of yogic study cover the ideals of caring for the planet and all its living creatures. Why then are so many yoga studios not running as eco-friendly businesses?

The Green Yoga Assocation is addressing that question directly. As their website states "Illuminating the green basis of yoga helps us to deepen into the ultimate meaning of yoga as union. Yogis have always known that all life is interconnected, and that we must treat all beings, even the elements of nature, with tenderness and respect. Our work is to awaken this great teaching in our lives, and to share it with the world." As fellow environmentalists, we want to make sure that each action we take is one that doesn't harm the planet.

Even during your practice, there are ways to help the environment, such as with the mat that you use and the clothing that you wear. Here are some eco-friendly companies that provide yoga goodies:

+ Blue Canoe
+ Inner Waves Organics
+ Prana
+ Vickery
+ Pangaya
+ Hugger Mugger
+ Jo-sha Wipes

[Image courtesy of flickr.com user Jennifer Esperanza]

P1UON

2006-06-09T21:41:00.000-07:00

Leave it to an interior designer to come up with jewelry as yummy as a well-designed home. My favorite is the glass Rancher Necklace, reminiscent of the jolly candy.

"Artsy-fartsy" since she was a kid growing up in the Bronx, P1UON's creator, Rebecca, makes handcrafted accessories for P1 Unless Otherwise Noted as a stress reliever and creative outlet. Her career as a corporate interior designer offers exposure to an array of inspiring materials and textiles. Each item is unique and comes from an overflowing stash of vintage and new textiles, buttons, glass, and other random materials.

And what's the significance behind the name? It's an interior designer thing.

Check out P1UON's new website for more of Rebecca's creations.

Luxury on a Budget: Biodegradable Plates

2006-06-06T09:24:00.000-07:00

Uh-oh. The attendee list is growing and you'd hate to risk breaking your fine china for an outdoor gathering. What to do when your dinner party exceeds the number of place-settings you have? Bamboo Veneerware is there for the rescue. It's many times nicer and stronger than using paper plates. Your guests may not even know that they are paper plate alternatives, which are 100% eco-friendly, affordable, and biodegradable. Starts at $7 for a set of 4 plates and is available in matching serving trays, too.

Car sharing services

2006-06-05T10:03:00.000-07:00

With the high price of gas, it is easy to see why a number of folks are looking for transportation alternatives. Simply owning a car can be an expensive endeavour when you factor in title, taxes, insurance, maintenance - just the thought of it makes me wallet run & hide.

Affordable, flexible alternatives to traditional car rental companies have been popping up all over the States, as well as overseas. Most of these services are designed to help those that live in the covered areas, but some can be taken advantage of when traveling as well.

+ FlexCar is available in the following areas: Seattle, Portland, San Francisco Bay, Los Angeles, San Diego, Washington D.C., and Chicago. With 6 different vehicle types and flexible rate options, this company is quite well established. They even offer rental plans for businesses and organizations.
+ ZipCar has a number of cities covered as well, including the San Francisco Bay, Minneapolis, Toronto, NYC, Boston, Washington D.C., and Chapel Hill in North Carolina. Insurance is included in your monthly rental fee, they also offer 2 different personal driving plans. You can also save even more money by joining a group or business plan.
+ City CarShare is only available in the San Francisco Bay area, but they offer a number of the same options that you can get with the above mentioned companies.
+ GoGet CarShare is the major carshare service in Australia. With over 20 locations in the Sydney and Melbourne areas, finding an available vehicle should be no problem. If there isn't a location near your place, you can register your interest on their website.
+ Streetcar has so many locations in the major UK areas, it is hrd to keep track of them all. Registering your interest for a location near you is also available on this site. The London area currently has the most locations, with Brighton and Southampton on the list as well; availability in Bristol & Oxford will soon be added.

These are some of the more well-known services, but companies are popping up in cities all over the US, so search the internet or phone book to see what is available around your home.

Have you ever used a car sharing service? What was your experience like? Know of any good services that we didn't mention? Let us know!

design:e2

2006-06-02T05:05:00.000-07:00

Starting June 2nd, PBS will be showing a new series called design:e2. Also known as The Economies of Being Environmentally Conscious, this show tackles complex issues facing the environment by focusing on challenges, as well as solutions, by visionaries across many fields shaping the future of how we live. This ambitious project by kontent>real breaks the boundaries of traditional environmental realms. It is as much about design, technology, and the production of culture as it is about green issues.

design:e2 focuses on architecture, buildings, and the environments in which we live, work and play. Future e2 series will cover water, energy, food, transportation, botanicals, health, and textiles.

We'll certainly be watching design:e2 because it shares our green modern philosophy. It also doesn't hurt that Brad Pitt will be narrating either.

Product Spotlight: Flip Flop Mats

2006-05-31T09:22:00.000-07:00

As the weather warms up and you pull out those summer sandals, have you ever thought about how cool it would be to make an entire rug out of the cushioned foam bottoms? I'm glad somebody did!

Flip Flop Mats are made out of brand new, surplus sandal soles that would have otherwise ended up in landfills. It's pre-consumer recycling that closes the loop in the manufacturing process. The result is a colorful floor mat that's tough, water-resistant, and ideally cushioned. So kick off those sandals and try putting your feet on these recycled sandal soles.

ICFF 2006

2006-05-22T08:34:00.000-07:00

The International Contemporary Furniture Fair is happening right now, May 20th-23rd, in New York. It's the annual 'candy-store' event for the furniture and interiors trades, featuring booth after booth of innovative design.

Like Matt Gagnon's bench made out of recycled paper, or Patty Johnson's new sustainable design collaboration with Mabeo Furniture. These are just two of the many green modern designers we'll be keeping an eye on.

ICFF also saw the limited advance release of Design Like You Give A Damn, the new book on architectural responses to humanitarian crisis by Cameron Sinclair, founder of Architecture for Humanity. Talk about changing the world... this non-profit organization is such a visionary hero.

Keep reading designTURF in the coming weeks for our discoveries from ICFF!

Eco city guides

2006-05-20T07:25:00.001-07:00

Since summer is approaching quickly, you are probably in the midst of making plans for a vacation. Maybe you just want to explore your area more and find some new hideouts? As the green movement keeps growing, "green guides" for cities in the USA, Canada, and international cities/countries are becoming available in bookstores and in website form.

NYC has 2 different exceptional resources - The Big Green Apple: Your Guide to Eco-Friendly Living in New York City & Green Apple Map. A group of eco-lovers in LA recently launched the Greenopia site. The country of Ireland has the Sustainable Ireland site with information for all across this beautiful country. London is known to be highly interested in eco-transformation, just like NYC. There is a great book called Veggie & Organic London - it's a must for anyone visiting or living there.

Don't know where you are headed yet? Make sure to check out the Green Map System site. There are locations all over the world participating in this project; just looking through the site gives me oodles of ideas for trips!

Is there a site we forget? Already know where you are going but need more eco-info for the area? Leave a comment and let us know; we're always here to help.

Eco-DIY part 03

2006-05-17T13:12:00.000-07:00

It's time to take DIY to the next level. So far, we have told you the basics of the DIY world, as well as great online sites & clothing-related books to check out. Up next, it's time to tackle your home! Yet again, we have done all the legwork to help you find the best crafty books around. Here's our latest collection, organized by activity. If you have any other suggestions for great books or sites, leave a comment and let us know :)

Knitting!
* Knitter's Lib: Learn to Knit, Crochet, And Free Yourself from Pattern Dependency
* Mindful Knitting: Inviting Contemplative Practice to the Craft
* Compassionate Knitting: Finding Basic Goodness in the Work of Our Hands
* Odd Ball Knitting: Creative Ideas for Leftover Yarn

Sewing/Crafts!
* Sew Subversive: Down and Dirty DIY for the Fabulous Fashionista
* Super Crafty: Over 75 Amazing How-to Projects!
* Bazaar Bizarre: Not Your Granny's Crafts!

The Home!
* Handmade Modern: Mid-Century Inspired Projects for Your Home
* ReadyMade: How to Make [Almost] Everything: A Do-It-Yourself Primer
* The Starving Artist's Way: Easy Projects for Low-Budget Living
* Get Crafty: Hip Home Ec

Gardening!
* You Grow Girl: The Groundbreaking Guide to Gardening

Does this all give you the sight of empty forests and wallets? Then head to your local library! If they don't have what you are looking for, ask if they are willing to add it to their collection.

What's next in Eco-DIY part 04? You'll just have to wait & be surprised ;)

[Image courtesy of flickr.com user wisecraft]

Bamboo: Not Just for Pandas

2006-05-16T11:16:00.000-07:00

When searching for sustainable, strong furniture options, there's one magic word: bamboo. Bamboo is stronger than most hard woods (including red oak and maple!), and is a highly renewable resource. Bamboo is a grass, with a harvest cycle of three to five years, versus 15-20 for most hard woods. The useful part of bamboo is cut off without killing the root, and it can be harvested many times without damaging the root system. Bamboo is typically grown without pesticides or chemicals, is 100% biodegradeable, and naturally regenerative. By purchasing bamboo, you are helping to reduce timber consumption, protect forests, and bring income to rural economies in several parts of the world.

Its cute, too!

In addition to traditional, molded bamboo pieces that use complete stalks, bamboo can be cut vertically, layered and pressed into super-strong boards. Artists like Maria Yee (www.mariayee.com) layer and bondstrips into bamboo timber, which is pliable and strong. This results in tables, media pieces, etc, with beautiful bamboo markings and the strength of steel.

Maybe Pandas are smarter than we knew....

Sting sings.

2006-05-16T09:37:00.000-07:00

As if there weren't enough reasons to love musician Sting, here's one more.

Did you know that Sting and his wife Trudie Styler founded the Rainforest Foundation in 1989 to protect the rights of indigenous populations around the world? This Friday, May 19th is their big Rainforest Foundation Fund Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall, featuring big names: Sting, Sheryl Crow, Billy Joel, and James Taylor. This year's concert theme is Woodstock.

Afterwards there will be a gala at New York's Pierre Hotel with a Silent and Live Auction. Hundreds of VIP guests from the entertainment, environmental, fashion & financial industries are expected.
The event is dedicated to showcasing emerging companies that are inspired through nature. We're so excited that re:modern was invited to be one of the responsible companies featured! Donated items for the fundraiser include sustainably stylish glam, like this hand-crocheted, recycled aluminum bag by Escama. We hope this star-studded event raises lots of money for the Rainforest Foundation.

Green Roofs

2006-05-15T11:53:00.000-07:00

Green roofs are like gardening on steroids (not that we support that sort of thing). Ranging from a simple roof garden to a collection of blanketing, self-sustaining greenery, this is the ultimate in eco-roofing. A number of corporations are starting to catch on about the economic, social, and environmental benefits of green roof infrastructure, but how can you make it happen on your own home. There are two major books that have been published about green roofs & they are more than worth reading:

+ Green Roofs: Ecological Design And Construction by the Earth Pledge Foundation
+ Planting Green Roofs and Living Walls by Nigel Dunnett & Noel Kingsbury

The Green Roofs for Healthy Cities organization helps to advocate the green roof movement by connection companies and individuals with those that can help with the transformation. They also conduct Green Roof Design 101 which is an "introductory training course on green roof infrastructure design presents many of the tools and techniques needed to meet your green roof project objectives on schedule, to specification, and within budget".

Also capitalizing on this trend is GreenGrid Roofs, which is, in essence, a full kit that helps turn your roof into the envy of all in town. With an easy, modular style, finding the design and layout that is just right for your space couldn't be easier.

Organic gardening

2006-05-14T13:23:00.000-07:00

My mom is one active woman with a number of diverse interests. Even with all that, one of the first things I think of when I think of her is gardening - a hobby that she adores but rarely has the time to spend doing it. As an eco-lover, I can't help but think what fun she would have with an organic garden, let alone how much better the food would taste. Though we won't be able to spend this Mother's Day working in the garden, I plan to get her some great reading material on the subject.

Searching on Amazon.com, you will find over 700 results for "organic gardening" - that's a lot to go through! Loving to do research, I've gone through and found some of the best tolms for you to buy (or rent from your local library) to create the garden that nature intended:

+ Organic Gardening
+ Organic Gardening for Dummies
+ Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening
+ Organic Gardening for the 21st Century: A Complete Guide to Growing Vegetables, Fruits, Herbs and Flowers
+ Rodale Organic Gardening Solutions: Over 500 Answers to Real Life Questions from Backyard Gardeners

Also, check out Rodale's Organic Gardening magazine for new info every month.

[Image courtesy of flickr.com user maryspics]

The Perfect Gift

2006-05-14T01:16:00.000-07:00

Unsure of how to celebrate Mother’s Day this year? Fearful that another year of flowers or chocolate may just put you on Santa’s "naughty" list? Did you know that in a recent national survey, 8 out of 10 adults said they would prefer to receive a gift card than any other kind of gift? If any or all of these apply to you, then make your mother’s day and give her a Re:Modern Gift Certificate. This card will be her passport to design with integrity, and will surely put a smile on her face. And whose Mom doesn’t deserve to be happy on her special day?

Happy Mother's Day!

Build Your Dream House

2006-05-13T02:31:00.000-07:00

When you’re finally ready to build your dream house, make sure it’s not a nightmare for the environment. Choosing salvaged or sustainable wood for your house is a great way to lessen your impact on our woodlands. Similarly, installing solar panels or otherwise turning to solar energy to power your house is a great way to conserve energy and keep your bills down while you’re at it. To furnish your house, scour flea markets, vintage and charity shops for one-of-a-kind finds. Or, buy new but buy wisely. The Jigsaw Bookcase is a top quality, environmentally friendly design that will make all your friends jealous. Finally, when it comes to decorating your outdoor areas, consider crumbled sea shells or chipping old rock to create gravel for your driveway. For more information on building green, check out the Green Building Initiative.

Delano's sustainable luxury

2006-05-11T11:53:00.001-07:00

For many, the idea of eco-friendly clothing lends itself to itchy, unflattering hemp dresses. Many companies are out there trying to buck that trend, thankfully. A few brands in particular are targeting the upper crust of society who easily have the money to pay for "sustainable luxury" goods.

This past winter, the Delano Collection released its first piece of sustainable clothing - the Ramona Coat. Made from 100% Organic Wool shell & 100% Bamboo lining, a price of $425 seems relatively reasonable, no matter your budget. Clothing, like furniture, should be an investment that is well thoughtout.

In the past month, Delano launched more of it eco-luxury goods, including a tee, two tank tops, a blazer, and three recycled glass vases. The market for sustainable and eco-friendly clothing is growing rapidly and it is wonderful to see more companies get the hint :)

Beautiful Buds for the Bride

2006-05-10T13:26:00.000-07:00

It’s Springtime, so with the same certainty that we WILL get allergies, we can be assured that we WILL be attending a wedding in the upcoming weeks. With all the waste that goes into a modern wedding (from the ceremony booklets to the wrapping paper to the CFCs in all that hairspray), why not stand out for being the guest with elegance and environmental foresight? Give the blushing bride a beautiful bud vase (or two!) hand-thrown and glazed by San Francisco artist Joanna Mendicino. Be sure to order early though, as each piece is custom made. Choose some organic gift wrap and a funky notecard and you’re all set. Bring on the chicken dance!

Camping conundrom

2006-05-10T10:07:00.000-07:00

Tis the season to get outdoors and enjoy the beauty of nature. One of the best ways to do so is to go camping - sleeping out under the stars just does something to a good ole city dweller. There are only two things that annoy me about camping: bugs and darkness.

With all of the creams and sprays out there to help protect us from those creepy crawlers, bugs are easily taken care of. Whether you are sleeping in your own back yard, at a camp site, or in the middle of a National Park, it's likely that "nature will call" in the middle of the night. I can't count how many times I've bumped into backpacks, trees, and unknown fuzzy oddities while trying to make it to a toilet.

Thankfully, that is all over with the nifty Candeloo. Instead of having to burn oil from a lighted lamp or drag around a heavy camping lantern, just take along a Candeloo from its charging base at home and you can have just enough light anytime that you need it. There is no open electrical outlets either, so no worries about possible shocks for you or any younger explorers. Last but not least, the funky shape and colors remind me that camping is still about having fun, no matter how many bug bites you go home with.

Worthwhile wallets

2006-05-09T10:49:00.000-07:00

For the past three months, my boyfriend has been driving me nuts, reminded me just how much he needs a new wallet. Since we started dating almost 2 years ago, he has gotten very interested in animal rights and environmental practices. To keep this going, I told him that he should get a vegan or recycled wallet.

I've shown him a lot of different sites and brands online, but he still only seems mildly interested. While working this morning, I realized that I haven't yet shown him the unique creations from Gecko Traders. Great style, each one is different, and, best of all, after buying one, you still have money left to put IN your wallet.

Luxury on a Budget: Texture in Unexpected Places

2006-05-08T10:03:00.000-07:00

Ah, yes... how do you achieve a fabulous space when you're on a budget? At re:modern, we tackle that issue everyday. Luxury is not about having more. It's about doing more with with what you have. Look for furnishings that give you high impact and added texture, especially in unexpected places. Sculptural Wall Tiles by mio is a great example. Made from recycled paperboard, they are essentially 3-dimensional wallpaper that doubles as a piece of artwork. Each tile is modular so you can customized the configuration to your space. They can be mounted either permanently or temporarily (so for apartment dwellers, there's never any doubt whether you'll receive your rental deposit back when moving out). These tiles are the ultimate luxury on a budget item, starting at just $28 for a box of 12.

Shop Till You Drop

2006-05-07T03:03:00.000-07:00

Shopping can be confusing, and I don't mean because of all the mental math involved in sale prices. I mean that if you're trying to spend your dollars ethically it can seem like there is no hope ounravelingng the strings of big business. How are you supposed to know if a corporate conglomerate has recently bought out your favorite independent label? How can you tell if your money is being used to fund sweatshops? Can you even find products without someone's name stamped all over them? And above all, will you have to spend twice as much for half the design if you do find a brand that fits with your conscience?

NO!

Visit Co-Op America's Responsible Shopper site today to find your one-stop shop for information on businesses across the company. And don't spend another dollar until you do!

Wearable Works of Art

2006-05-07T02:48:00.000-07:00

Remember those lazy summer days when all you needed to worry about was getting your daisy chain bracelet just so? Does your mother have a lovely macaroni necklace in her jewelry box, courtesy of your industrious imagination? Did you ever look at a safety pin and think “I could make a KILLER earring out of that?” If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you need to think about rekindling your jewelry making skills! Today, companies around the world are looking at every day items and turning them into wearable works of art. From soda tabs to toothbrushes, almost any item can be recycled into jewelry if you’re willing to mold and model. For those of us with the passion but possibly not the skills, Ryan Kundrat is one step ahead of us. Any of his funky designs will be hotter than the thermometer this summer, so grab a pair of his Hoopla earrings now and stand out from the crowd!

Travel Tip: Pack A Green Carry On

2006-05-05T12:28:00.000-07:00

Go green, and don't even worry about making it match your travel outfit! Instead, make sure you’ve only stowed environmentally friendly bags in the overhead compartment. 1% of the total sales from Patagonia are put towards preserving and restoring the environment, so go ahead and splurge on their Freightliner wheeled case. Try packing some of their Organic Cotton or PCR (post consumer recycled) clothes inside. Carry your suits in Artisan Gear’s Essential Suit Bag, made of hemp with an inner lining of 85% reclaimed soda bottles. Carry your passport and guidebooks in any of the recycled inner tube bags from Alchemy Goods , or a messenger bag made from recycled tires by Vulcana. Happy trails!

Mom's the word.

2006-05-04T10:31:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day is this May 14th. Here are our top re:modern picks for stylish + sustainable moms, all in stock and under $50:

:: Recycled aluminum cosmetic case
:: Organic bamboo salad bowl
:: EcoWave Tote Bag
:: Transglass vases
:: Hoopla bangle bracelet

Oh, and if you indicate a gift message, your order can be shipped direct to mom with a free handwritten notecard. Now you know she'll love that!

Casa Natura

2006-05-04T09:53:00.000-07:00

Founded 37 years ago in São Paulo as a therapeutic cosmetic store by Luiz Sebrae, Natura develops beauty products utilizing sustainably sourced raw materials from Brazil. Natura's ranking among the 35 biggest cosmetic brands in the world is a clear reflection of the ethical market — a segment composed of loyal consumers dedicated to natural food, drinks, and personal care products. According to Datamonitor, the market is predicted to increase in the US and Europe from 89 million consumers in 2004 to 173 million in 2009.

Natura's executives are responding to this market demand by expanding their reach beyond Brazil. In 2004, the label opened a flagship store in Paris called "Casa Natura." The store — designed by architect Arthur Casas — takes you on a sensorial trip into Brazil's distinctive scents and tropical environment. Natura's major line, Natura Ekos, is comprised of fragrances and personal care products that reflect a commitment to eco-friendly sourcing and a respect for Brazil's indigenous population and its heritage. The line features unique floral scents found in Brazilian forests, such as guaraná, Brazilian nut, andiroba, cupuaçu, pitanga, passion flower, and buriti. The Ekos line is produced under sustainable extraction rules controlled by Imaflora, an NGO based in São Paulo. The products are biodegradable, and sold in bottles and packaging made of recycled material.

In addition to the sustainability concept, Natura is commited to quality relationships. According to its founder, this concept is the basis of its door-to-door system of direct sales that today employs 519,000 "Natura consultants" worldwide and incorporates a heavy social value into the brand. This small army demonstrated its power last year, when Natura mobilized its consultants to encourage their communities to join an educational program sponsored by the government. The campaign brought 65,000 dropouts back into the school system.

From Flavia Mendonça's story in JC Report. Click to launch full story.

Eco-DIY part 02

2006-05-03T15:09:00.000-07:00

Now that we've introduced you to the greatness that is DIY, how do you get started? Don't worry, we're here to help with that as well. The web and your local bookstore are full of ideas; so many that you might not even know where to start!

Online, there is no shortage of ideas or fellow DIY'ers to share your vision with. When it comes to community websites, I happily recommend the following: SuperNaturale, Get Crafty, & Craftster. You'll have no problem finding ideas for a project, supply resources, as well as others who share the joy of doing it yourself. If you are the knitting type, another site worth clicking to is Knitty - with a new "issue" each season, there is no shortage of unique ideas on what to make, no matter your skill level.

Do you find it hard to tear yourself (and your credit card) away from the bookstore? The market for crafty books is huge, which means there is a plethora of great tomes to choose from. From the creators of the Craftster website comes The Craftster Guide to Nifty, Thrifty, and Kitschy Crafts: Fifty Fabulous Projects from the Fifties and Sixties; what better place to get inspiration from than an era where being crafty was commonplace?

How about putting a little creativity into your wardrobe? These 3 books will give you all the ideas you need:
1) Generation T : 108 Ways to Transform a T-Shirt by Megan Nicolay
2) Second-time Cool: The Art of Chopping Up a Sweater by Anna-Stina Linden Ivarsson, Katarina Brieditis, Katarina Evans, Anna-stina Linden Ivarsson
3) Tease : Inspired T-shirt Transformations by Superstars of Art, Craft, and Design by Sarah Sockit

*** Coming up in Eco-DIY part 3 - DIY books about gardening, sewing, knitting, your home, and more! ***