Pretty Little Green Things

Archive for December, 2010

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and belated Happy Chanukah!  This has been amazing year thanks to all of you.  I started this blog with only a conviction and an idea in my head without realizing what it would actually turn into.  And it’s been an amazing journey.  As much as I babble on in my posts, this blog is really about you and what inspires you to live a greener and more beautiful life.  I’m so happy to be here to guide you and share my thoughts and findings with you.  So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

I’m going to take a much needed break over the next week, but will return in 2011 with tons of new content, exciting features and as always, gorgeous eco-friendly design.  I can’t wait for 2011 to begin.

As I said, this blog is about you, so if there’s something that inspires you or you want to see more of, please email me at petra {at} prettylittlegreenthings {dot} com or leave a comment below.

-Petra

I know we’re all in the midst of getting ready for the holidays, but I wanted to take a quick break from all the planning and decorating with a peek into the Andrianna Shamaris showroom. I’ve often visited their shop in Soho just to be inspired by (and drool over) their gorgeous collection of furniture and home decor.  While not technically green, most of their products feel very organic.  In fact, most of the furniture is handmade out of reclaimed teak & petrified wood.  Plus one of a kind furniture made by skilled artisans always makes for a smaller eco footprint.  I figured all of these were a few good reasons to share this gorgeous furniture with you.  If you’re in the area, stop by their showroom on Greene Street.  There’s also a showroom in Malibu and one coming soon in the Hamtons.

Such a beautiful dining table and cut of wood.

I’m in love with these petrified teak side tables.  The contrast of white and black organic streaks is just stunning.

This side table is made of reclaimed teak and filled with cracked resin.  I love that it looks like a big square geode.

This are antique necklaces, turned into a gorgeous sculpture.

Andrianna Shamaris sells architectural pieces too, like this one which is made from a banyan tree.

Photos from Andrianna Shamaris

It’s officially winter!  Growing up in Minnesota, I have a special place in my heart for this time of year.  The air is crisp and best of all, there’s fluffy white snow on the ground.  Unfortunately we only have the former rather than the latter here in New York, which does not make me as happy.  But nevermind that, in honor of winter and my missing of real snow, I’m shifting today’s post from something eco-friendly to beautiful snow inspiration.  Happy winter and enjoy!

2011 is fast approaching and I haven’t yet bought my desk calendar.  Fortunately there are more eco-friendly options this year than ever before.  So while I’m doing my calendar shopping, I thought I’d share a few of my favorites.  Which one is yours?

Paper Source is always a go-to stationer for me.  I love the styles and colors of pretty much all the paper products they sell.  And of course since this company has a commitment to the environment, most of their products contain recycled material.  This 17-month academic calendar is made with brightly colored ink on recycled paper bags.

Also from Paper Source, this art grid calendar is printed on 100% recycled paper with 30% post consumer waste.

If planners are more your style, Ecosystem is a great option.  Their products are completely customizable so you can pick your favorite color, size and interior page style.  I love this bright pink one with the Advisor calendar system inside.  And of course their products are all made from 100% post-consumer waste.

How cute are these birds from Modern Pop?  Each calendar card is 4″x6″ and printed on 100% recycled cotton fibers.  Funny Bird Calendar from Modern Pop on Etsy.

I love that this Botanical Calendar from Night Owl Paper Goods is printed on wood rather than paper.  Each card is 7″x4″ and printed on very thin slices of sustainably harvested wood.

Ecojot also has something fun to bring out your inner child.  I wouldn’t mind writing down all my appointments on these fun calendars!

These cute cards from Sure As Blue are printed on recycled stock and when the month is up, can be repurposed into postcards.  Who wouldn’t want to receive one of these in the mail?  Minimalist Modern Calendar from Sure As Blue on Etsy.

Now that it’s turned a bit chilly in New York, I wouldn’t mind escaping to the Basque region of Southern France.  Oh who am I kidding?  Who needs to use weather as an reason to visit that part of the world?  But what would make a nice excuse is L’Auberge Basque, a beautiful little inn nestled between the Rhune Mountains and the Bay of Biscay.  It was founded by Basque native, Cedric Bechade, with a commitment to the local community and environment.

And not only is this contemporary guesthouse chic, it’s also eco-friendly.  Geothermal systems heat and cool the hotel and a sophisticated shower system mixes in air to save on water.  In addition, energy efficient lighting, natural cleaning products and a recycling system are found throughout.  I’m loving the sophisticated furnishings paired with a very serene color scheme, making it a perfect place to relax and enjoy your surroundings.  Enjoy!

Photos from L’Auberge Basque

I was blown away by your response to the Branch Hanging Ceramic Test Tube giveaway.  I’ve been a huge fan of Branch and pretty much everything on the website for quite some time, so you can probably guess how excited I was to find out that you all love it too.  And of course Pigeon Toe Ceramics is a wonderful part of their selection.

But I won’t keep you waiting any longer.  The winner of the ceramic tube is…..Cristina!  Congratulations Cristina – I will be in touch.

If you’re not familiar with Branch, umm where have you been?  It’s just about the coolest green store out there, with an impeccably curated selection of gifts, home decor, kitchen, tabletop and more.  Before you start thinking I work for Branch, I don’t.  I’m just excited about any store lets you forget you’re buying something eco-friendly and just lets you enjoy your shopping.  I decided for today’s post that I would share some of my favorite items from Branch with you.  All are available now, just in case you’re still looking for that perfect gift for the holidays.

1. Shade Pendel Lamp in black 2. Print on Wood of NYC (there’s also San Francisco)  3. Ceramic Basket Bowl from Perch 4. Teardrop Vessel in concrete from CraftedSystems 5. Felt Pebbles 6. Customizable Family Pillow from K Studio 7. Arroyo Candle Blocks 8. Slumped Vases from Esque 9. Velo Tea Towel 10. Striped Wool Blanket from Coyuchi

All photos from Branch

First off, congratulations to today’s winner of the Hammocks & High Tea lavender sachet giveaway…Maya!  Thank you to all who entered – it’s truly wonderful to hear from you.  If you didn’t win, head on over to Hammocks & High Tea to get your own beautiful sachet.  And while you’re there, you can also pick up a tea towel, a placemat, some napkins….

And now on to the pretty pictures.  In the design blog world, Wednesdays are often called “Wordless Wednesday” because it gives us a chance to focus on the gorgeous pictures we post and not talk about them.  However, I’m not very good at the wordless part of Wordless Wednesdays.  So knowing that I couldn’t be completely silent, I thought I’d try my hand today at “Not quite as wordy Wednesday” instead (doesn’t quite have the same ring to it, does it?  Oh well).  The pictures below are from the Produce Row Cafe in Portland, Oregon.  The bar has been newly renovated and filled with vintage furniture, antique materials and repurposed wood from bowling lanes.  I wouldn’t mind enjoying a beer here right now while trying no to talk too much (and most likely failing).  Enjoy!

Photos from Produce Row Cafe

First of all, I’m very excited to announce the winner of the Moss Envy reusable glass water bottle giveaway winner.  Thank you to all who entered.  I love reading each and every one of your comments.  Keep them coming even if I’m not giving anything away – I love to hear what you have to say, especially all your tips to live life just a bit better.

The winner of the water bottle (by random selection by my husband from a hat) is…Wendy!  Congratulations Wendy!  If you didn’t win, you can always stop by or visit Moss Envy online and pick one up for yourself.  And there’s still time left to enter giveaway 3 & 4 if you haven’t already.

Now that it has started to get really chilly out there, I’ve been longing to bring some color into my home.  These gorgeous Ethos rugs from ABC Carpet would do just the trick.  They’re made by skilled artisans from recycled vintage sari silk.  They use a unique knotting technique to create the amazing large scale Ikat patterns inspired by 19th century Central Asian textiles.  I love the melding of tradition and modernity to create something so stunning and new.  Now if I could just figure out which color was my favorite…

I picked out a few of the Ethos patterns and colors to brighten your day.  Enjoy!

Photos from ABC Carpet

Thank you to all of you who entered the Fabric Wrapper giveaway.  It was so wonderful to read your comments and hear your eco-friendly gift wrap strategies for the holidays.  Before I get to announcing the winner, I wanted to share with you a few of my favorites suggestions from the entrants:

• Reuse gift wrap year after year – two readers still use the Care Bears and Snoopy paper from when they were kids.  It’s tattered now, but represents all of the holidays spent together as a family.  What a meaningful tradition!
• Use old newspapers, calendars and other paper from around the house.  I do this one too and I actually think this makes for more interesting wrapping.
• For the techies, use old cables and wires as ribbon.
• Bring out memories of singing holiday songs by wrapping gifts in old sheet music.
• Use linen bags that can be repurposed.

All of your comments were so thoughtful that we decided to randomly pick a winner (selected out of a hat by my husband.  Honestly!).  And the winner is…Diana!  Congratulations Diana.  Expect an email from me and a package from Stephanie soon.

If you didn’t win (or enter), there’s still time for the other three giveaways.  Good luck!

I was looking through old design magazines and stumbled upon a beautiful vase by Munio.  Of course I had to find out more about this company and their products.  After a few clicks on their website, I was instantly in love with their gorgeous wood pieces from sustainably harvested rainforests.  Danish based, their name actually comes from latin and means “I defend.”  Perfect motto for a company that is committed to defending and preserving ancient rainforests.  Their first collection, in collaboration with Helena Rohner, is out and for sale online.  I’m loving the richness that the ancient wood brings to each of these pieces, like they have a story just waiting to be told.

The wood vases come in three sizes and are made of Arura Vermelho wood

The bowls are made from Muiracatiara wood.  Such a beautiful wood, even if I can’t pronounce it!

The wood for the candleholders is also a type I’ve never heard of (Coracao de negro), but that doesn’t make it any less gorgeous!

The tray is also made from Coracao de negro.  Now if I could only figure out where the rest of the metal & porcelain pieces come from.

Photos from Munio