Un-styling your space by just being yourself, continuously. I'm certain we covered close to everything there is to know about the art of undecorating in parts one and two, and it's almost time to call it a wrap. You know the rules because there aren't any, other than trusting your instincts. And if your instincts … Continue reading Undecorate, Naturally: Part Three
Un-styling your space by just being yourself, randomly. In Undecorate, Naturally: Part One, we established that the new way to decorate begins and ends with trusting your instincts, choosing what you like and just going for it. There are no wrong answers. The best way forward is straight through your doubts or fears, to the … Continue reading Undecorate, Naturally: Part Two
Un-styling your space by just being yourself, naturally. Lately, there's been a lot of talk about the undoing of decorating. Our piece last week showed us the ins and outs of this new un-style, of letting go of the status quo and allowing a space to be personal rather than perfect. You can go to … Continue reading Undecorate, Naturally: Part One
The evolution of windows toward sustainability. It's something you probably don't think about very often - windows. They tell us a lot about a building, from its age and style to how energy efficient it is. An average home may lose 30% of its heat or air-conditioning energy through its windows, which is inexcusable considering … Continue reading Windows and Sustainable Design
Architects have clients and clients set the creative parameters for a project. But when an architect is his own client, all rules and artistic limitations disappear and the result is the ultimate self portrait. Home is where the heart of an architect can fully and completely be expressed. We take a look into the hearts … Continue reading 6 Famous Architects and the Homes They Lived In
Another historic gem from the Modernist era is threatened with demolition. The Lassiter House, built by A.G. Odell in 1952, is the oldest known Modernist residence in Charlotte, North Carolina. The original owners, who worked with the architect on the design, put the house on the market last year but it hasn't sold. On February … Continue reading The Historic Lassiter House Awaits Its Fate
Portland is considered one of the greenest cities and is fast becoming a major player in sustainable fashion, food and culture. But did you know that Portland has historic architecture? It's true. The famous "Made in Oregon" sign (image above) sits atop the historic White Stag building, built in 1907. Portland also has people more … Continue reading Remade in Oregon: The White Stag Block Renewed
Ceramics celebrating the unique number fonts of two Modernist masters. Heath Ceramics and type foundry House Industries have joined forces and created these stunning clay tiles ($45 each), in honor of the design genius and number fonts of Neutra (as in, Richard) and Eames (as in, Charles and Ray). Announce your house address with the … Continue reading Lustables: Heath House Numbers
Rooftops as sustainable, functional and gorgeous green spaces. Around the globe, more focus is being put on utilizing the vast square footage of the roof. People are creating private, green havens of relaxation or gardens that provide fresh, pesticide-free fruits and vegetables. Take, for example, the rooftop pictured below. Add a little green and watch … Continue reading Gardener on the Roof: 15 Gorgeous Green Rooftops
Essential questions for conscious travelers. The series Places & Spaces could inspire even the most dedicated couch potato to pack a bag and hop a plane. The destinations featured are sustainable, but what about your average hotel claiming green sensitivity? The term is increasingly overused, so it's important to ask questions. A well-informed traveler is … Continue reading 10 Questions to Ask A Hotel Before You Book
If you're familiar with textiles and design, you've probably heard of screen-printing, digital printing, and maybe even sublimation. All three are printing technologies used to create pretty patterns and pictures on fabric. But I would bet the Eames chair and ottoman I'm saving up for, that you don't know about the Lumi Process. It's a … Continue reading Lumi: Pure and Natural Textile Printing
It is rare to come across a one-stop design resource with a finger on the pulse of all things cool, but it does happen. Better Living Through Design (BLTD) is one such spot. They feature products in categories ranging from travel and home renovation to furniture, books and accessories. And they tell you where to … Continue reading Bookmarked: Better Living Through Design
The 36-year-old Danish architect Bjarke Ingels is the hottest topic on the tip of every avant-garde's tongue. I'm glad he's here, mostly because he uses words like symbiosis and spontaneous interaction; hybrid typology and harvest resources. There's nothing sexier than a voracious vocabulary. And an architect. Ingels and his Copenhagen-based firm, BIG (the Bjarke Ingels … Continue reading Bjarke Ingels Has Big Plans for the Big Apple
I worked for a year in an art gallery while I was in design school. The hours were great - 10am to 5pm Tuesday through Saturday - and I got to hang around cool people and look at art all day. We sold pieces by lesser-known but up-and-coming artists, as well as stuff from greats … Continue reading Art Collecting Comes to a Computer Near You
Bring together a landscape architect, an architecture firm, New York City train rails that are unused and on the brink of demolition, and a bunch of passionate activists - what do you get? Creative, green brilliance, of course. Otherwise known as the High-Line Project. The High-Line, located on Manhattan's West Side, is 13 miles of … Continue reading From Rusty Rail-Line to Landscaped High-Line
It's that special time of year - the time that brings (invited or not) extravagant eating, kindness and giving, and friends and family visiting. And if your people are anything like my people, they come bearing gifts and all sorts of sweet love and excitement. It warms my heart. Mi casa es su casa. I … Continue reading Mi Casa Es Su Casa: Preparing Your Space for Holiday House Guests
We talk about it a lot here at EcoSalon. Conscious choices. Mindful decisions. The easiest way to make a difference and effect change in the world is to live consciously and mindfully. To try to be aware of what we buy, how (or if) we drive, where we shop, what we eat. If we're present … Continue reading Tearing Down the Past Leads to Nowhere Fast
I grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles when phones were rotary and the coolest video game going was Atari Pong. Or maybe it was Pac Man. My point being that there wasn't a lot to do indoors after school, so we headed outside. After a quick snack, it was out the door on … Continue reading Go Climb a Tree and Stay a Night or Two
I've rarely been accused of being 'at a loss for words,' except when it comes to small talk. Inane chit-chat serves a purpose, I understand, but I'd rather just hear the silence in between. Call me anti-social, aloof or just plain boring, but my shutting up leaves plenty of room for observing, which has made … Continue reading Moss Talking
I'm not much of a holiday decorator. I don't spend two days unwrapping little chotskies out of bubble wrap (you know, the same ones I spent two days re-wrapping last year) and setting them up all over my home. I don't hang hundreds of blinking lights from my roof or station large plastic figures on … Continue reading Autumn Inspiration: Just Don’t Say Holiday Decoration
Kim Derby 
You must be logged in to post a comment.