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Natural Chic - Style at Home Blog

Archive: Kitchen

boomerang reclaimed paint

by laurie
September 20th, 2009

boomerangcanCannot 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.

boomeranglatex

boomerangalkydetc


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bamboo salad bowl beauties

by laurie
July 25th, 2009

cbbamboobowls

Crate & Barrel does houseware basics beautifully, and these bamboo salad bowls are no exception.

Made of pressed natural bamboo grown without fertilizer or pesticides, they’re handmade, foodsafe and waterproof!

Available at: www.crateandbarrel.com

Price: $32.95 US (serving), $9.95 US (individual)


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keep calm and carry on – or not!

by laurie
July 5th, 2009

panicmugNot eco so to speak, but my pal on Twitter, @meljones77, found this and it made me laugh so much I had to share it with you all. Sometimes, it pretty much sums up the way I feel…

Not available yet in Canada or even North America, so if you want it really, really badly, you’re going to have to order it from the U.K. My twitter friend found it at www.hunkydoryhome.co.uk, but they don’t ship here, so try the site below.

For more on the original motto, check out this article.

Available at: www.pedlars.co.uk

Price: £8.50


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smells like a flower shop room spray

by laurie
June 24th, 2009

smellslikeflower

I’m not generally into room sprays, preferring to just keep things clean and fresh smelling that way, but we work right next door to the Canadian Living Test Kitchen, and sometimes when they’re cooking something fishy, garlicky or overwhelmingly greasy first thing in the morning, it’s all we can do to not flee from our offices.

Smells Life a Flower Shop Body & Room Spray has been a saviour on those occasions.

Made by Canadian company Mythical Matters, this spray is so natural you can use it as a perfume, and it really does smell just like a flower shop – truly evocative, but in a really subtle way, of fresh-cut greenery and beautiful blooms.

It’s made of water, alcohol, witch hazel distillate, aloe vera extract, glycerin and perfume and comes in a recyclable amber glass bottle; a percentage of every sale will be donated to the Toronto Wildlife Centre.

Available at: www.mythicalmatters.com

Price: $24.99 (8 oz.)


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the perfect travelling companions: worldproducts

by laurie
June 17th, 2009

worldbeauty I don’t know about you, but when I travel, I like to carry as little as possible! Since I wear contacts, my toiletry bag is already weighted down with my glasses case and contact solution before adding things like shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, blah, blah, blah….You get the picture.

So I was super excited when I got a press release yesterday about worldPRODUCTS created by Brian Phillips of Toronto’s worldSALON and hairstylist to celebrities like Kim Cattrall, Terrence Howard, k.d. lang, James Marsden, Norah Jones and Jessica Stam.

worldCLEAN, worldPROTECT and worldBELIEVE are products that can be used on both hair and skin and so cut down on the things you need to lug around with you when travelling, plus they have no artificial colours or fragrances, sodium lauryl sulphates or parabens and the packaging is recyclable. All of which made me a happy camper even before trying them out. And when I did try them out, I was impressed.

worldCLEAN is a hair and skin cleanser, worldPROTECT a hair and skin moisturizer, and worldBELIEVE a salve you can use anywhere to relieve skin inflammation, chapping, and cuts and scrapes (and it’s gentle enough for babies!). There’s no fragrance, so that might take some getting used to if you’re accustomed to things that smell. But I loved the fact the products are multiuse (take the worldPROTECT: I used it as a conditioner, dabbed it in my hair as a styling product, and also as a cream on my legs!), plus they do a great job. Who could ask for anything more?

Available at: www.world.ca or worldSALON, 132 Adelaide St. E., Toronto

Price: Limited time offer until Aug. 31, 2009 on the worldPRODUCT trio, $75 (worldCLEAN, 360 mL; worldPROTECT, 360mL; worldBELIEVE, 60mL); bottles can be brought back to the salon and refilled for 20% off (not including limited offer price)


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flip & tumble reusable bags

by laurie
May 29th, 2009

flipbags3

OK, there are loads of reusable bags on the market, so I’m quite particular about ones I’ll use. They have to be lightweight and not bulky, so I can tuck them easily into my purse. For a long time I’ve been using Envirosax bags for those very reasons, but Flip & Tumble’s 24-7 bags win on both those counts, too!

The colours are lovely (there are lots more), the wide strap is built for comfort, and check out how the bag rolls up into a teeny-tiny ball in this video.

Here’s some info on the bags direct from the Flip & Tumble site:

bag size = 12” x 14″ x 5” = large enough for 3 half gallons [2-litres] of milk and then some

ball size = 3” in diameter = the size of a peach

weight capacity = 25 lbs. = strong enough for a bowling ball or two

material = ripstop nylon

felt patch = keeps the bag on your shoulder

washing instructions = machine wash cold, drip dry

plastic bags spared = 1,000+ [how many bags you can potential save by using a reusuable bag!]

Available at: www.flipandtumble.com

Price: from $7 (US) per bag, depending on how many bags you buy!


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muu’s sam crib

by laurie
May 21st, 2009

muusamcribmuusamtoddler1

Trying to find an environmentally friendly crib that’s also good-looking? The Sam Collection of kids furniture from Muu is now available in Canada!

With the incredibly versatile interchangeable panels, you can switch up the look of your child’s room in a flash as they grow, and as their tastes or yours change. Plus, the furniture is made from locally sourced hardwood from verified sustainable sources and formaldehyde-free MDF made from certified recycled wood fibres.

Addendum: In August, 2009, it was announced that Muu’s Sam Collection had been selected as a finalist for the 2009 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA). Congratulations!

Price: from $449

Available at: Princess and the Pea, Edmonton, www.theprincessandthepea.ca; The Mom Store, Calgary, www.themomstore.ca; Inhabit, Vancouver, www.inhabitshop.com; www.muukids.com


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anthropologie’s natural finds

by laurie
April 21st, 2009

Anthropologie’s first Canadian location opens in Toronto tomorrow at the Shops at Don Mills and we’re beside ourselves with excitement!

paperiepeacock1Among the fashions and home decor items are eco-friendly goodies, including these lovely finds. Can’t wait to see what else we uncover in the coming months. You can order online if you’re not in T.O. area, while two other stores are slated to open soon: one in the West Edmonton Mall and another store in Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood.

< Paperie Petting Zoo by Stray Dog Designs
Handcrafted from recycled cement bags
Price: $248.79capricandle1

ecojotnotebook1Capri Blue Candle-In-A-Jar >
Made from recycled glass and soy wax
Price: $31.41

< Eco Jot Notebook Set
Made from recycled paper and cardstock
Set of 3
Price: $17.59

Available at: Anthropologie, www.anthropologie.com, the Anthropologie shop at the Shops at Don Mills


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etsy extravaganza!

by laurie
April 15th, 2009

Today I’m a Guest Curator on Etsy’s blog The Storque – very exciting! Here’s my post for them; for the full article, click here. (Keep in mind that things sell out quickly on Etsy, so if something is no longer available, the seller might have something similar, or might stock something again down the road.)

I’m always on the lookout for great natural products for the home from anywhere and everywhere and recently posted about a colourful baby quilt by Etsy’s Sewn Natural (www.sewnnatural.etsy.com). There’s masses of other fabulous earth-friendly products on Etsy and this is just a small sampling!

natsuminishizumiinennapkin1

organic linen napkins by natsuminishizumi

Love the splash of colour on these organic linen napkins from natsuminishizumi. They’re hand-screenprinted using water-based inks, and 5% of the profits go to Friends Without a Border, a charity that provides medical care to children in Cambodia  http://www.fwab.org/). Goodness all round!

Available at: www.natsuminishizumi.etsy.com

Price: $30 US per set of 2

pouchhearts

vintage fabric hearts by pouch

These lavender sachets from Pouch will add a sweet scent to your drawers or closets and repel moths in a natural, chemical-free way; plus, they’re made from vintage recycled fabric.

Available at: www.pouch.etsy.com

Price: $11.50 US per pair

mariposadragonfly

yellow dragonfly nightlight by mariposaavenue

What a clever use of an old can! Mariposa Avenue takes what would otherwise be trash and turns it into an attactive light fixture by cutting out a pretty design, painting it a bright, cheery colour and adding a light equipped with a photo sensor so it only comes on when the room is dark enough. Perfect for when guests come to visit or wee ones just find the dark too frightful.

Available at: www.mariposaavenue.etsy.com

Price: $15 US

burgundyjournal1

recycled bright summer flowers journal and sketchbook by burgundydistrict

Feeling inspired? If you’re not already, you will be by this colourful 80-page book from BurgundyDistrict. It’s handmade, 100% recycled and perfect for jotting down your thoughts or sketching pictures.

Available at: www.burgundydistrict.etsy.com

Price: $21 US

whiterecord

white purity record bowl by vinylrocksmyworld

How many people do you know who can say they have something as unique as this absolutely fabulous white bowl by vinylrocksmyworld? I simply can’t say enough about how smashing I think it is! Unfortunately, this item just sold out today – so disappointing! But that’s what happens on Etsy, so if you see something you love, grab it quickly! Let’s hope vinylrocksmyworld finds more of these and quickly!

Check for similar items at: www.vinylrocksmyworld.etsy.com

alexandraseahorses

seahorses pillow by alexandraferguson

Get a little taste of the seaside and summer with this 100% recycled felt appliqué pillow from alexandraferguson, pillow-maker extraordinaire. These jaunty little creatures are soft, cute and cuddly and are sure to add charm to any interior. Who would have believed they were once plastic water bottles?

Available at: www.alexandraferguson.etsy.com

Price: $49 US

sweetbeetsposter

letterpress counting poster by sweetbeets

This charming 8.5” x 11” letterpress poster from Canadian illustrator sweetbeets is on 100% cotton paper made of fibres recycled from the fabric industry.

Available at: www.sweetbeets.etsy.com

Price: $30 US

reister8tote

recycled sail tote – blue number 8 by reiter8

The stark, graphic quality of this tote from Reiter8 really makes it shine. Crafted from upcycled sailboat sails, the tote’s number is appliqued on the front and red organic cotton lines the inside, which is divided into three sections so you can easily organize all your gear.

Available at: www.reiter8.etsy.com

Price: $75 US

fivefortyrug

handwoven felted wool rag rug by fiveforty

Canadian crafter fiveforty turned old sweaters into this gorgeous felted wool rug. The lovely gradations of greys, blues and greens bring to mind lakes and cool green forests.

Available at: www.fiveforty.etsy.com

Price: $240 US

ounoarmypillow

army blanket pillow by ouno

Made out of surplus Italian army blankets, the modern, sombre tones of these pillows from Vancouver crafter ouno would look chic against cleanlined white slipcovers in the summer.

Available at: www.ouno.etsy.com

Price: $60 US

trilliumblossomvase

cherry blossom base by trilliumartisans

Tuck a sprig of spring blossoms into this petite reclaimed glass vase etched by TrilliumArtisans member Amanda Siska (you can also check out her Etsy shop at http://breadandbadger.etsy.com).

Available at: www.trilliumartisans.etsy.com

Price: $45 US

lilfishbeachstones

felted wool beach stones by lilfishstudios

Add a hit of colour to your home’s surfaces with these quirky felted-wool-wrapped stones. Lisa Jordan of lilfishstudios uses wool from old clothing and finds her inspiration in nature – I’m in love with the colour and love the idea of these stones!

Available at: www.lilfishstudios.etsy.com

Price: $30 US


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Do you have a product you’d like to recommend for this blog? Email me at naturalchic@styleathome.com!

recycled silk dog leash

by laurie
April 11th, 2009

silkleashWatch for an extravaganza of natural, eco-friendly items from Etsy’s website sometime next week: I’ll be a Guest Curator on their Storque blog (very exciting!), and will also post all my findings right here on Natural Chic for you to peruse, but in the meantime, here’s a fantastic find that I couldn’t find a place for in that more home-decorating-based column.

Etsy crafter Annie of  Waterloo, Ont., makes this smashing dog leash out of repurposed silk ties and leash hardware. Could there be any more stylish, green accessory for your four-legged friends?

You can find it at Annie’s Etsy shop, anniessweatshop (click on site below), and there’s also a matching dog collar. Tons of other patterns are available, too!

Available at: www.etsy.com

Price: $33 US

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