Designer William Stranger has an affinity for trees and forests which is expressed in his striking furniture designs. Constructed of salvaged, recycled or found lumber, and woods from well-managed forests and all finished in non-toxic linseed oil, his handcrafted pieces capture the spirit of their forefathers, trees.

pictured is the Monolith Bench – constructed of salvaged walnut
this piece won Best Design @ Good Wood Show Pasadena Museum of California Art in 2005

Shown 18″ x 60″ x 18″ high.

more info @ www.strangerfurniture.com

New buildings like the Tower Residences in Battery Park City are being constructed to meet a new green standard — with energy, raw materials and water-savings — thanks to legislation enacted by former Governor Pataki. Rooftop solar panels, fluorescent lighting and energy efficient appliances, renewable woods from forests that are certified for their stewardship of dwindling resources, bamboo and poplar will all be utilized.

The building’s water conservation plans include blackwatering. Blackwater comes from flushing toilets — it’s water that gets treated, separated and recycled back into toilet tanks. Not to be confused with graywater, which is water from sinks and showers that’s treated and used to water lawns. (photo is of Vancouver, BC)
New, green roof gardens are sprouting up at two other NYC residential projects — Riverhouse, One Rockefeller Park, also in BPC, and Downtown at 225 Hudson. And the upper east side’s first LEED-certified green building is under development at Lexington Ave & 86th Street, replete with a La Palestra Fitness Center and Spa.

FACT: some European countries, like Switzerland, have passed bylaws stipulating that new buildings must be designed to relocate to their roofs the greenspace covered by the building. Existing buildings must also comply with the bylaws by greening at least 20% of their rooftops…What an effective way to help absorb carbon dioxide and reduce air pollution — hey Mayor Bloomberg!

At the sound of the gong we will have a moment of silence, filled with good intentions and loving energy, before the cooking begins. Sounds good to me. That’s the way the kitchen operates at Bohemian Baby, preparing fresh, unprocessed, non-heat-treated 100% organic fare. They’ll even deliver once or twice a week right to your door, if you happen to live in LA or Orange County.Also available at Erewhon, PC Greens, Mothers Markets and the Tea Garden & Emporium. Brangelina, Gwen Stefani and Adam Sandler are crazy for it. Alternative tots and experts are mad for it, too. More info @ bohemian-baby.com

• Oil exploration in arctic sea approved – msnbc/reuters

• Global warming and children’s fevers – herald sun au

• Global Green USA to shuttle eco celebs to Oscars – enn

• Economists: How fast should we fight global warming? – cs monitor

• Experts: Warming may harm Tuscan wines – yahoo! news/ap

• Ikea to charge for plastic bags – msnbc/reuters

Produced on the remote island of Madagascar, Helen’s hats and bags are hand crafted from high quality, eco-friendly raffia. She created her first raffia hat in the 1980′s as sun protection for one of her daughters, since then, her talents for keeping cool have traveled far and wide.
Visit the site for a peek at the extensive line with visors and cowgirl hat styles, but her fine goods are sold exclusively through shops. Functional, fun and very eco-stylish. Click here for the Kaminski collection, and click here for store locator.

Insect, mold, mildew, and fire resistant, cork flooring is sustainable and stylish. It provides both acoustic and thermal insulation, has natural elasticity and emits no fumes or gases.

Cork comes from the bark of the cork oak tree which grows in the forests of Mediterranean countries and on plantations primarily in Spain and Portugal. Cork trees are stripped of their bark every 9-14 years. The tree itself is never cut and the habitat remains undisturbed. Trees can have over a 500 year lifespan.

Always insist on non-toxic or eco-friendly finishes.
Some cork flooring resources:

green building supply

Eco – Products

GreenFloors

What is up with America? Does big media really have their finger on the pulse of what the American consumer really wants — celebrity meltdowns, screw-ups and worse. The Anna Nicole Smith story dominates the news even now, two weeks after her death. Britney Spears’ bald head is glinting back at me everywhere I turn. Sure there are a handful of celebrities going green, but for every George Clooney, Leo DiCaprio, Bono or Daryl Hannah we have two Lindsay Lohans, Paris Hiltons, or Puff Diddies. Carcinogenic celebrities pile into their private jets covered in furs and jewels, in hot pursuit of the next over-stuffed gift bag. Are these the new aspirational icons of American youth or just the latest push by communications giants like Viacom, G.E., News Corp., Time Warner to set the menu for global consumerism?
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Tumbleweed Tiny House Company’s major designer, Jay Shafer visited Oprah yesterday. Shafer’s minimal approach to living has grown into a movement, and a huge hit in his backyard, the San Fran Bay Area. His original, ready-made designs can range in price from $20,000-40,000 (not including land/site). Or buy your favorite master plan, purchase materials, and do it yourself for about half the price. Jay also offers consultation services, based on an hourly rate. His website is filled with detailed info about prices, materials, photos and videos for a comprehensive overview.
(Note our previous post from early January)

For anyone in the northern California area, Jay’s very own home, the Epu model will be open to visitors this Saturday for his monthly Open House Tour.
Saturday, Feb 24, 2:30-4p
732 Robinson, Sebastopol, CA.
Or visit tumbleweedhouses.com for a look-see, anytime.

This bamboo sports shell is highly breathable for great comfort, antibacterial, cool when it’s hot and hot when it’s cool, wicks away light perspiration and contains a touch of lycra for you athletic types.

Bam manufactures bamboo fiber strictly, according to ISO9000 and ISO 14000. Their factory has a voluntary community initiative, pays almost twice the going rate and offers private healthcare to all workers and families.

Bam plants a tree for every single item they sell. Good stuff.
Sorry America, these guys are U.K. based.

Bam Bamboo Clothing