Go Outside

“The richness I achieve comes from nature.  The source of my inspiration.”

- Claude Monet

Recycled & Illuminated

Chumbo Lit Planter

Manufacturer: Sage Design

Sizes:
24”x24”x14” square
18”x18”x18 square

Construction:
Plant Size: 1 to 2 Gallons
100% Post industrial and Post consumer regrind recycled plastic.
Light fixture included.

Finish/Color: 20 standard colors. Custom colors are available.

Additional: -MADE DOMESTICALLY –

Want to learn more about green building?

Watch this! She does feng shui also. It’s interesting.

I heart “The first hotel with a conscious” = Good Hotel

Seeking out the “good in us all.”  Good Hotel is located in San Francisco, California.  I discovered this eco-friendly hotel while researching my senior thesis project for interior design.

“The Good Hotel is a hip San Francisco hotel that practices philanthropy and believes in doing good for the planet. The eco-friendly hotel décor features reclaimed and recycled construction materials. Vending machines in the lobby are stocked with wallets made from FedEx envelopes and are one example of our inventive ideas to promote a good lifestyle. We are also as fun as we are inventive. You’ll find humorous touches like “Be Good” written on walls of your room.”

Not only that but I also discovered that it gets even more unique because it offers: “Good Pizza, located at the Good Hotel, has a philosophy as simple as its name: serving artisan thin-crust pizzas made with the freshest local ingredients.”

Just when you think : that’s good enough…there is more… “ Take one of our resident bicycles for a spin -they are free to use while you stay with us.”

AND you can take your best furry friend!

Find out more…the good just keeps on getting better.  So Refreshing!

The Perfect Pretty Little Urban Mom Bike

Madsen Bucket bicycles What a precious form of transportation for the urban mom on-the-go: groceries, laundry, plants, surfboards, shopping bags, and kids (maybe get the kids to hop out for the hills).

“After hauling six neighbor kids around in a wheel barrow bucket bolted to the front of our first prototype, we started to realize what a bicycle can really do,” say the folks behind the development of the Madsen kg271/BUCKET bike.

“Their end product is a stylish mode of utility cycling, perfect for green minded parents looking to combine urban errand running with fun kid hauling!”  – Inhabitat

Thanks for the great solution Madsen!

New York’s Highline Park – Now Open

This week the highly anticipated High Line Park in NYC opened to the public for the first time. We were super excited to be on the scene for a sneak peek of new elevated park, which was built on the remains of an abandoned rail system in New York City. Check out our video of the new High Line, with exclusive interviews of the architects including Lead Designer James Corner of James Corner Field Operations and architect Ricardo Scofidio of Diller Scofidio + Renfro who made this stunning new park possible. Enjoy!

- Inhabitat

Can I please work for google… for even just one day!

Watching the Extreme Workplaces episode on the Travel Channel was a great opportunity to see spaces that were unique and conducive for supporting creativity. These companies realize the importance of their employees and they put the money into creating environments that encourage over all well-being. I obviously liked Google the best because of their Mt. View, California based offices. The “GooglePlex” offers (this is only a few examples): resistance lap pools, four fully stocked gyms (complete with personal trainers), outdoor eating spaces (with summer time grilling), a diversified food court (free of charge), coffee bars (not your regular pot of coffee), massages (free on your birthday), an in-office doctor, sleeping pods, laundry rooms, plug-in efficient cars (for on-the-job trips), and so much more. The workers are happy, healthy, and productive. Google is a wonderful combination of work and play. Creativity and the efficient application of innovation are vital to our economy and culture. Welcome to a new way of thinking and a new form of balance.

Check out more on how awesome google is! Google’s is the largest single corporate solar installation in the world

Hello to you Mr. Naked

Yes, it is more Milan Design Week stuff. Yes, I do realize that it was a while ago now, but I just keep running into great pieces (and Italy is my second home).  This one reminds me of a friend.  It has great personality.  It’s easy to ship and treads lightly on the earth too.  Way to go Outofstock at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan in April 2009!

Naked Chair A chair made of solid beech and folded sheet steel, it can be described as naked because the chair’s structural frame is revealed in the seat and backrest, flaunting its construction as its principle aesthetic. The intention was to dematerialise the chair and present it in its elemental state. The chair’s strength derives from the action-reaction forces between the folded steel sheets and beech wood frame. The Naked Chair flat packs in transportation, resulting in a low carbon foot-print.

Tree Hugger Chic Ready to Hit the Beach

“Kelly B Couture’s Valentina Bikini halter top and bottoms, with their thick green side straps, create a slimming affect and do not cut into your skin like itsy bitsy string bikinis; no muffin tops here. Made with 90% organic cotton and 10% spandex, this suit is made entirely in the USA with fair trade practices.” LOVE IT! HAPPY MEMORIAL WEEKEND!

Design for a Dollar @ NYC design week

This is an awesome project done by Pratt Institute.  Students came up with some really cool design solutions with only a dollar for the New York City Design Week 2009.