The use of nature in designs can be a common theme, but one place we feel it is really appropriate is in the bedroom. While camping or “glamping” is fun, what better way to feel like you are part of nature every day than to use nature based elements in your bedroom. Here are a few ways we suggest you can use nature in your decor:
Nourish in Grass Bedding
As more and more consumers embrace lifestyle changes that minimize their carbon footprint, companies are taking notice and designing familiar things in a different way. Eco-chic is “in” and innovative manufacturers are creating products that maximize style while incorporating key green attributes, such as sustainability, water conservation, and recycled materials. Inventive and in balance with nature, the state-of-the-art products incorporated into the home décor of today’s modern age are creative, technically savvy, and functional — without sacrificing performance and style. (Click any image for a larger version).
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fluid® – www.fluidfaucets.com
Imaginatively designed and crafted by artisans, the fluid Fan takes inspiration from an accessory once representing social status in ancient Asia. With graceful lines and smooth motion both the Fan faucet and tub filler emit a waterfall flow for the true spa effect with water-saving technology. The meticulous curves, unique angles, and mirror-like polished surfaces are unmatched, and the eco-friendly collection can be equipped with a low-flow aerator for an industry-breaking 1.5 gallons-per-minute, a rate that has awarded it WaterSense certification.
fluid Fan
The green movement has just gotten a boost from one of the most famous designers in the world. Philippe Starck has teamed up with the Italian manufacturing group PRAMAC to develop the first designer wind turbine designs for home use. The turbines come in two designs, and will produce 400 watts of power and 1 kilowatt of power. They will cost $3,495.25 (2,500 euros) for the smaller “quadrangular” turbine and $4,893.35 (3,500 euros) for the 1 kilowatt “helicoidal” turbine.
These designs comes on the heels of the ultra-famous designer denouncing design and his works and announcing his retirement saying that ‘Design is Dead’, and that he felt that ‘Everything I designed was unnecessary… and I am ashamed of this fact. When he unveiled his new turbine designs in Milan his tune had changed when he said:
“We have to help people to produce energy, to be part of the fight. Energy should not be a punishment, we should create a desire (among people to produce it).”
Philippe Starck Wind Turbines
In the world of eco-chic, sometimes style is sacrificed for the sake of the environment. But what if you could minimize your carbon footprint while still maximizing innovation and creativity? fluid faucet’s future-forward fixtures do exactly that. Meet a brand of bath fixtures that feature meticulous curves, unique angles, mirror-like polished surfaces, and industry–breaking water saving technology. The choice for LEED-certified projects. Green has never looked more fluidTM. Visit the fluid website at: fluidfaucets.com
The fluid brand is broken into eight different environmentally-friendly (and aesthetically stunning) collections. Each collection calls to mind a different element from nature, art or architecture. All lavatory faucets come equipped with a low-flow aerator that performs at 1.5 gallons-per-minute, a rate that has awarded all models with WaterSenseTM certification.
Fashioned in the shape of a semi-arc rainbow, the Sublime Collection reaches the highest levels of form and functionality, with a gently curved spout ideal for vessel sinks.
The Penguin Collection is a clean, contemporary line of bathroom fixtures, which features a true fusiform shape and takes its design cues directly from nature. The single lever faucet has a streamlined silhouette, upright form and horizontal spout.
Featuring graceful, cello-like curves and angled edges, the Swing Collection embodies the rhythm of music in its flowing form.
The Emperor Collection is a modern collection with Asian design undertones. The faucet was the recipient of the CIDF Gold Award and the iF Product Design Award, for its sweeping form, reminiscent of the ancient Qin dynasty.
Like its noble namesake, the Toucan Collection is versatile, distinctive and features all the elements of effective design. The faucet’s spout is shaped exactly like the keel-billed toucan itself, allowing it to prominently extend over the sink.
For the spa-lover, the Fan Collection borrows its graceful lines and motion from history. Its flat spout emits a waterfall flow, offering extreme comfort and superior conservation.
The Wisdom Collection is an inspirational collection complementing a wide spectrum of sensibilities. Inspired by the ancient Greek Acropolis, this collection pairs classic lines with bold volumes. The ideal choice for the transitional or contemporary bathroom looking to maintain beauty and environmental consciousness.
Reminiscent of the enduring craftsmanship of the ancients, the Jovian Collection’s formal and austere lines recall the tenants of classic architecture, a stark contrast to the very modern eco-chic technology inside its gorgeous design.
To see the entire collection visit the fluid website at: fluidfaucets.com
Sublime Faucet
Fluid Wisdom Rain and Hand Shower
Fluid Swing Faucet
Fluid Fan Faucet
Dinamico Rain Shower
It’s easy being green! Do you think that “going green” always means sacrificing comfort? Think again. JACLO’s exclusive line of low-flow showerheads and handshowers save water and energy without compromising performance. Their secret is an innovative low-flow regulator, as opposed to restrictors, which keeps the pressure and flow of the water strong. This technology lowers the average rate of gallons-per-minute from 2.5 down to an impressive 1.75 – nothing to sneeze at when you consider the average household uses over 22,000 gallons of water per year in showers.
Now you don’t even have to sacrifice aesthetics for ecology, JACLO’s low-flow technology is available in over 30 showerhead and handshower models in styles ranging from traditional to contemporary. The regulator also works with all available shower sprays and strengths – full rain, massage, full rain massage, Nebulizing mist®, and Nebulizing mist full rain. Turns out less really is more. (Click on either picture to see a larger version.) Visit JACLO’s website: JACLO.com
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JACLO Cylindrico 5 Shower Head
A kitchen cabinet collection that lowers the carbon footprint, while delivering high style and cutting-edge technology.
ALNO® has introduced a new kitchen cabinet collection that brings new meaning to the word class. The revolutionary ALNOCLASS boasts modern technology, minimalist details and eco-friendly materials. The door fronts are constructed of 100 percent sustainable oak from FSC-certified forests. The collection is available in light wild oak and dark brown carbon oak, and its matte lacquer finish is free of VOCs. Those looking to spice it up a bit can add a mobile niche unit. ALNO’s mobile, multifunctional niche units keep all of the most important kitchen utensils within arm’s reach. The best part is that the glass cover, which is used to conceal the components when not in use, can be outfitted with one’s choice of colored LED light fittings.
ALNO’s GREEN MISSION: For over 20 years, ALNO has been using non-toxic paints and lacquers, free from heavy metals and low in emissions. ALNO products are manufactured using recycled and regenerated wood from certified resources as well as the continued use of non-toxic laminates, aluminum, glass and technical veneers. ALNO only uses lumber, veneers and wood panels from sustainable forests. The factory also adheres to a “Zero Waste” resource management system, whereby all waste is either reconstituted into new materials or used as fuel to heat the factory. www.alnousa.com
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This past weekend I took a trip over to Culver City with the family to pick out some new toys for the tots at the Lakeshore Learning Center Store on the corner of National and Venice. I couldn’t believe how nice the area has become in the past few years and noticed the numerous furniture, decor and designer stores (plus a few restaurants) that now occupy the huge Helms Bakery District. I thought this must be a great place for designers to come when they’re pushing a deadline or need a one stop spot for all their Interior Designing needs.
I noticed that while this might not be the place for bargain shopping, you will find a very large variety of stores and collections to choose from. With all types of styles and designs from modern to traditional to custom made, the Helms Bakery District has at least a dozen stores that all offer furniture, decor and custom goods and services. Here is a list of some of the stores and showrooms at this location:
Sustainable interior design has become extremely popular over the past few years. Some companies – like kitchen and bath fixture manufacturer and distributor Sustainable Solutions International (SSi) – even make sustainable and stylish design easy. Sustainable Solutions International has a number of offices in North America, and manufactures and distributes some of most luxurious and energy-efficient products on the market.
Fluid's Swing Faucet
SSi manufacturers and distributes many products in the US and in Canada including Caroma, a company that is always introducing original and cutting-edge water-conserving products. In addition to Caroma, SSi also has a line of sustainable luxury kitchen and bath fixtures under the Fluid label, which are some of the most appealing sustainable faucets we have seen this year. SSi is also an expert in sustainable energy needs and distributes Eternal hybrid™ water heaters.
This past summer, SSi completed the redesign of their corporate headquarters in Burnaby, British Columbia. They partnered with Sustainable Interior Design firm Penner & Associates to complete the redesign of their office building which features an open, airy environment; fresh, contemporary design, and a focus on healthy work spaces. The office’s sustainable interior design includes the use of maximum daylight and even has occupancy sensors for lighting. The office building uses Greenguard IAQ Certified furniture and seating, and regional, recycled materials and rapidly renewable materials were also used. The new design also integrates SSi’s own water –conserving fixtures.
The LEED-Certified SSi headquarters was recently awarded a Silver Award of Excellence from the Interior Designers Institute of British Columbia. Vectorworks software was used to create the uniquely hybrid 2D/3D environment.
Please click on any image for a larger version:
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
