Styleture

MotoArt creates high quality furniture out of vintage airplane parts. They are based in Los Angeles and use old aircraft parts such as rudders, flaps, stabilizers, engine cells, fuselage, windows, and even galley carts, which they make into mobile mini bars. The owners of MotoArt have a love for these old aircrafts, and are saddened when they see these magnificent machines that flew the skies for years just crushed and recycled for the metal. This is what has fueled their business, as they travel to airplane junkyards, cut the pieces off of the aircraft, and then transform them into remarkable and functional works of art.

MotoArt reception desks have become popular with big corporations that are looking for a wow piece for their reception area. These pieces appeal to corporations because they are so detailed, boast a modern style and are sure to spice up a reception area as symbols of style and power. MotoArt has been commissioned by companies including GE, CNN and even Boeing International.

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Freshaire Paint

Healthy and sustainable paints have not been the most popular topic in the Interior Design world, but lately they have been gaining some traction. Initially these paints were sought out by people with allergies, those that are chemically sensitive and mothers who were pregnant or had young children at home. Now some professionals are using “green” paints more and more often as these paints have hit the mainstream home supply markets.

Home Depot now exclusively carries a new line of paints that are eco-friendly and non-toxic, called “The Freshaire choice“. These paints are becoming common in today’s households that have children, as well as with people who have allergies or pets with allergies. This is because Freshaire paint does not contain any VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which are the harsh chemicals that make paint smell like paint. The lack of these chemicals is also said to improve your indoor air quality while making it possible to paint without opening windows or otherwise ventilating while you paint.

While it’s in everyone’s interest to increase the quality of their air, these paints are only available in 66 colors, so if you plan to use them you might as well put your swatch book down now, you aren’t going to find them in EVERY color yet. You can find the colors on the Freshaire website under the Colors Tab or by clicking this link.

This paint is also GREENGUARD approved (GREENGUARD Environmental Institute or GEI), which is said to be a well-respected, industry-independent, non-profit organization that verifies low emitting products. The organization is dedicated to supporting programs that improve the quality of life and improve indoor air quality.

The packaging of The Freshaire choice, the color chips, brochures and the cans are all as environmentally safe as possible. The chips and brochures are made from recycled materials that can be recycled again, while the paint can is made from 100% recycled material and the label is made from 75% recycled fiber and printed on with soy ink. These paints really are the most eco-friendly paints we have ever seen.

Freshaire paints are made for interiors, ceilings and drywall primers and they come in Flat, Eggshell and Semi-Gloss.  At first we thought that this was all and good, but were skeptical that these paints would probably fade very quickly. This does not seem to be the case however, as there is a limited lifetime warranty on the paints. Be careful when shopping for VOC free paints because many paints claim to be VOC free, but nearly all of these paints add VOCs to the paint when the colorant is added.

In addition to the above health and sustainability benefits, the people of Freshaire paints are also instilling and promoting the health benefits of Chromatherapy, which is a holistic therapy method that uses colors and lights to achieve therapeutic and health benefits. It is thought that restful sleep can be easier attained when you are sleeping in a room that is painted in a deep blue color, because it soothes and encourages better dreams. The color turquoise is thought to boost your immune system while it guards your body physically from colds and viruses and helps you stay emotionally and mentally healthy. While we do not think that these claims are necessarily facts, we do believe that you should choose a color that will promote a good mood, while encouraging positivity and tranquil states.

If you have used these paints or have something to add, feel free to comment on this post.

Happy painting!

According to the Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment and Security in Oakland, California, the United States ranks sixth in the world for per capita water withdrawals. Europeans use significantly less water per person for domestic purposes than do Americans. On average the Germans and French, for instance, use 55 to 60 gallons daily. This is about 40 percent less water than Americans use per day. This dramatic difference can be attributed to a number of factors including higher prices of water and more efficient distribution systems (i.e. fewer leaks), as well as the widespread use of water-saving fixtures.The use of low-flow fixtures makes a big dent in water consumption. For instance, low-flow showerheads use up to 70% less water than standard showerheads, and low-flow toilets save the average U.S. household about 25 gallons of water per day, or more than 9,000 gallons per year (according to Mother Earth News). Not only does this allow consumers to save big on their water bills, but it also allows them to conserve more water. Prior to 1994, most toilets used at least 3.5 gallons per flush, which is 20 gallons of water per person per day – and the most water used by any household appliance! As water conservation becomes more popular, manufacturers have pushed themselves to the limit engineering the next new product that will conserve the greatest amount of water possible.

Decorative plumbing products manufacturer JACLO has introduced a low-flow regulator that can be used for all of their showerheads and handshowers. The low-flow regulator significantly lowers the gpm to 1.75 or 1.5 without sacrificing performance or comfort. Flow regulators, as opposed to restrictors ensure optimum performance and maintain consistent flow independent of water supply pressure. As an active member of WaterSense, JACLO rates water conservation as one of their top priorities in product development.WaterSense is a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to make it easy for Americans to save water while protecting the environment.

Swiss bathroom brand Laufen has also been busy introducing new designer collections that promote water conservation. They recently announced that nine of their toilets are now WaterSense certified. These toilets, many of which are from their designer collections, illustrate that high-end luxury can now be eco-friendly too. Laufen has nine WaterSense labeled toilets in both floor and wall mounted applications. Laufen toilets meet requirements of the EBP WaterSense Tank-Type High-Efficiency Toilet Specification with an average of below 1.28 GPF.

Visit Laufen’s website at Laufen.com

Visit Jaclo’s website at Jaclo.com

Many of you might have noticed that the tie dye trend is back on the runways, however it has entered the interior design realm too. Far from the far out, summer of love, traditional tie dye trend, the new tie dye is all about modern, monochromatic style. Companies like Full Moon Loom make tie dye sophisticated with their gorgeous, handmade tapestry which can be used as a bedspread, throw blanket or tablecloth. Below are a few examples of our favorite new tie dye trends in home design:

Tye Dye Textiles:

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Black & White Bathroom

Winner of the red dot 2009 award, mimo pairs color and character with environmentally-friendly design.

The mimo collection by Laufen is a refreshingly unconventional and exuberant bathroom suite. Designed for people with a zest for life that do not wish to be hampered with social conventions. Called the “Mini Cooper of the bathroom fleet,” this technically-sophisticated collection features scaled down sinks, toilets, vanities and a small bathtub, illustrating that big things come in small packages.

Pink Bathroom

The mimo collection toys with curvaceous shapes and shimmering surfaces in pink, white and black. It is available in numerous color combinations as well as the exclusive mimo circular pattern. Even the sinks are available in two colors, including the drain covers below the basin. What’s special about mimo is that it tackles color combinations daringly right down to the shower curtain. (The shower curtain features an innovative anti-microbial treatment to reduce the possibility of mold and mildew build-up.) Laufen has even applied their Swiss ingenuity to the curtain rail system by designing a hidden-from-view track and curtain attachment method that offers the user a smooth and precise operation when opening and closing the decorative enclosure.

His & Her Sinks

Best of all, mimo features eco-friendly materials, allowing bathers to enjoy a luxe setting while doing their part to save the planet. The furniture has an innovative, easy-to-clean and extremely resilient high-gloss surface finish made from recycled materials. Laufen’s ceramic experts have also devised some brilliant new ways of reducing water consumption in their toilets. With an enhanced water supply and flushing system, standard mimo toilets are WaterSense certified and operate at just 1.2 GPF, instead of the 1.6 GPF that is customary to most toilets.

(Click any image for a larger version.)

Black & White Vanity

Black & White Bath

Beautiful Faucet

Right down to the cornices and grooved pilasters of the cabinetry, country kitchens always conjure nostalgic feelings. The warm wood finishes, open sideboard units for baskets and bottles, and glass doors with top light sash bars evoke a feeling that is naturally simple, yet always cozy. Creating a snug, country house ambiance with a high standard of detail, the ALNO Country Collection is designed to embody craftsmanship reminiscent of the good old days. However, ALNO has managed to maintain the look and feel of the lovely quaint farm style kitchen while making it sophisticated, clean and luxurious.

ALNO offers a refined take on country style with ALNOFARM. With vanilla doors and accents in an antique spruce effect, ALNOFARM features a range of foils for framed doors with vertically grooved infill panels. Another kitchen that inspires pure nostalgia is ALNOTERM. ALNOTERM boasts deeply profiled, foil-wrapped coffered doors which highlight the inviting charm of these warm tones. Lastly, ALNOPOL brings style and distinguished elegance with intricately profiled coffered doors with high-gloss lacquer surfaces in vanilla.

“The country kitchen of the past has evolved into a very streamlined, fashionable kitchen that appeals to anyone with an inclination for the traditional,” said President of ALNO USA Yael Tamari. “The new country kitchen has distinctive character paired with revolutionary kitchen technology.” Visit ALNO USA at: http://www.alnousa.com/

Click any picture for a full sized version:

Beautiful Country Kitchen

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Aireloom Matress

California is beginning to see the start of a trend in natural, eco-friendly bamboo bedding with one of the most prestigious bedding brands, Aireloom®, now making these bamboo mattresses.  Known by many in Hollywood, Aireloom beds are America’s only naturally influenced luxury handcrafted mattresses.

The Aireloom Natural Hybrid, part of the Ultimate Comfort™ series of hand made luxury beds by Rancho Cucamonga, CA-based E.S. Kluft & Company, features bamboo, Oeko-Tex-certified fabrics, bio-based luxury foams, eco-friendly upholstery, and sustainable forest lumber. Good for the environment, the bed is also good for soul and body.  The Aireloom Natural Hybrid has features designed for the greatest human comforts:

• A unique “fill” construction that conforms to every body shape and relieves pressure from every part of your body.
• Lumbar support offered by 802 individually-wrapped coils
• Luxury bio-foam for edge support and extra layers of comfort

Other health benefits of the bamboo bed are:

• Health – a better sleep means a healthier sleep. Allows natural air ventilation/ temperature regulation meaning a more steady heart rate.
• Sense of Well-Being – Pressure relieving provides longer periods of restful sleep, less tossing and turning.
• Lumbar Support – body contouring improves body balance, circulation, and lessens back problems.
• Peace of Mind – Eco-friendly materials minimizes gas emissions that may pose a risk to human health.

Find more about Aireloom Matresses at: Aireloom.com