Eco-Friendly & Green Living Blog

Another glowing idea from Duffy London: art that illuminates!

These luminous pieces can brighten any room. The canvas is made from 100% cotton (from sustainable sources); the frame, from FSC-certified wood; and the print is illuminated by long-lasting low-energy fluorescent bulbs. So, while art can be pricey, at least it doesn’t come at a high cost to the environment.

Available at: www.galerie-co.com

Price: $185 (small, 65cm x 65 cm), $595 (large, 90cm x 90cm)

Eco-friendly stuff from top designer Amy Butler is fabulous but all too often just isn’t available in Canada.

That’s why we were so excited to see these lush, colourful 100% organic cotton blend towels at Bed, Bath and Beyond! They’re supersumptuous, with a lovely velour band to up the richness factor and come in Orange, Turquoise, Lime, Plum (from top).

The bath towel measures 30″ X 54″, the hand towel 16″ x 28″ and the washcloth 13″ x 13″. Machine washable.

Available at: www.bedbathandbeyond.ca

Prices: $18 (bath towel), $13 (hand towel), $8 (washcloth)

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What better time to show your support and buy a work of art produced by the Comite Artisanal Haitien, which represents more than 170 Haitian artisans and groups, than now, in the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake?

This fabulous wall hanging is made from recycled oil drums, and represents the Tree of Life, the classic symbol of the interconnectedness of all life on earth.

It would look equally wonderful indoors or out, measures 24″ in diameter and has a protective coating to prevent rust.

Available at: www.serrv.org

Price: $46 (US)

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This adorable bin is the ideal storage solution in a kid’s room or play area. At 17″ high and 20″ in diameter, it can be used to store everything from toys to laundry, and the cotton canvas it’s made from is sturdy enough to stand on its own even when empty.

Green factor: The über-cute felt hippo motif is crafted from 100% recycled water bottles (other designs are also available), and the cotton is organic.

Price: $38

Available at: www.saplings.ca

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Put your best foot forward on some eco-friendly floors this year. Here are a few of our faves!

1.  Torlys Recycled Leather Planks

Sleek, elegant and eco-friendly: these leather tiles are available in a variety of colours and textures. Available in tile or plank format, the rich flooring is made of 100% recycled leather with cork backing and is completely VOC free!

Price: $11 per plank Available at: www.torlys.com

2. Recycled Metal Tiles

And now for something completely different: These recycled metal tiles are often used for bathroom and kitchen walls, but also make for a chic surprising new floor accent. Tile sizes range from 2×2 to 12×12 and are available in either 100% recycled aluminum or brass. Colour accent tiles are also available, a great way to add an unexpected and eco-friendly element to home.

Price: $35 US  per sq. ft. (aluminum); $70 US per sq. ft (brass) Available at: www.ecofriendlyflooring.com

3. Olde Wood Limited Reclaimed Wooden Planks

Add centuries of history to your home with reclaimed antique hardwood. Available in wide-plank oak, hickory, maple, pine and more, the wood was salvaged from old American barns dating back to the 19th century, and has a beautiful weathered look. Visit their warehouse to custom-choose planks with markings like saw marks and insect and nail holes.

Price: From $7 US per plank Available at: www.oldewoodltd.com

Presenting some exciting products for your wall-to-wall eco overhaul!

CLD Pure Wallpaper

CLD PURE wallpaper (Carey Lind Designs, Crown Wallpaper) covers your walls with natural, non-PVC product. These stunning, subtle solids and loud patterns are printed using low-VOC water-based inks so you can breathe easy in your own home.

Price: $80–$100 per roll Available at: www.crownwallpaper.ca

Bamboo Wall Flat by Inhabit Living

For a touch of texture, try these bamboo wall flats by Inhabit Living. Made from 100% bamboo pulp with no chemical additives, these tiles are a wonderful way to make your walls pop! They’re also 100% biodegradable. Customize your look with placement (you can rotate, mix and match the tiles) or paint colour (eco-friendly paint, of course).

Price: $86US per box of 10 panels (each panel 18” x 18”) Available at: www.re-modern.com

Milk Paints by Homestead House

Toronto-based Homestead House is all about natural products and cultural heritage – we like! Great for indoor or outdoor use, these milk-based paints are made with natural ingredients and pigments boasting Canadiana names like Voyageur Red and Rideau Blue. They’re 100% biodegradable, durable, and only take about a ½-hour to dry! (We really like!)

Price: $37.00/1 lb Available at: http://homesteadhouse.ca

Aren’t these wall decals supersweet? And the best thing about them is, they’re made from fabric!

Most wall decals are vinyl or PVC, which is anything but eco-friendly, so these are a great choice if you’re into being green. Since they’re made from fabric, they’re washable, plus, if you stick them up in one spot and change your mind, don’t worry – you can move them around.

They come in all sorts of themes – the ones above are Forest Critters for Boys ($75), but there are more below. They’re made by a company in Australia whose motto is Charmed, I’m Sure, and I certainly am!

Available at: www.saplings.ca

Dinosaurs, $75

Oh Dear, $75

Winter Dress Up Dolls, $45

Twitter Birds for Girls, $45

Build a Tree, $105

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Warm up chilly fall days with this sleek-looking, high-efficiency fireplace.

The RAIS 60 Insert System is a zero-clearance-firebox insert that has an air-tight lock for efficient wood burning and a cool (literally and figuratively!) hollow handle that you can touch bare-handed. The fireplace comes in both black and gray.

Price: $5,200

For more info and availability: www.rais.com

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Cannot say enough about the work that Boomerang Paint is doing!

The Quebec-based company takes unused paint and stain (even the hardened stuff!), reformulates it and repackages it, then sells it in a recyled plastic container. In 2008, the company recycled some 4,000,000 litres of paint.

About 1%  new material is added to ensure good quality re lustre levels (which are low across the brand), viscosity and drying time. The finishes are washable and the alkyds can be used on exterior surfaces, including wood.

The Boomerang paint colour palettes are shown below; the selection, not surprisingly, is somewhat limited, but for a lot of people who are racked with indecision when faced with thousand of paint chips, that will be a total bonus!

Price: approx. $15

Availability: For a retailer near you, click here.

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I just fell for the classic but updated look of this Azure sofa from Crate and Barrel. Tufting, curves – it’s got it all!

It’s shown above in Whitney Bran linen/rayon blend with self-welt detail but it’s also available in other colour options (a custom colour is shown below).

And, of course, it’s eco-friendly.

• the seat and back cushions are filled with soy-based polyfoam
• the cushions are wrapped in fibre made from clear and white plastic bottles
• the frame is made from hardwood that’s FSC or SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) certified

With these lines, it would look amazing in just about any room, modern or fresh traditional, and with hundreds of fabric options, you could really give it your own personality twist!

Available at: Crate and Barrel stores; for locations and to order online, visit www.crateandbarrel.ca

Price: from $2,199

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