Who: Leslie Webb; Philadelphia, PA

What: Shosh Bud Vase, in Black Walnut, Hard Maple or Cherry

Where: Contact Leslie directly to purchase: leslie@lewebb.com; $95 (includes shipping & tax)

Why: We love this piece because it makes flower arranging easy, just as long as you remember to pick up nine stems to fill each of the lined slots. If that seems beyond your reach, not to worry, this piece can definitely stand on its own.

The delicate balancing act of the fanned base is a credit to the fine craftsmanship of Leslie Webb’s work. She manages to make solid blocks of wood appear light and delicate, like a ladies’ fan and gives them the allusion of motion as you imagine the trajectory of a falling block suspended in time. All the wood used to create these vases are scraps salvaged from her workshop.

Click to continue »

When Barbara Aimes, the CEO of imagiPLAY, expanded her recycled cardboard based toy company to include wooden toys, she wanted to use wood that was sustainable and responsibly harvested. She settled upon raw pine sourced from Canada, bamboo harvested from China and plantation grown rubberwood. Rubberwood is a tropical hardwood and the world’s primary source of natural rubber. Since rubberwood has gained a reputation as a sustainable, durable, and splinter free hardwood, ‘retired’ latex producing trees that were once discarded and burned, have found new life. Like those used in imagiPLAY’s bright, chemically safe, hand crafted Animal Alphabet Puzzle. The design is quite poetic as a metaphor for the web of life. Each animals’ well-being integrated into the well being of next, a delicate balance that could prove devastating upon the removal of just one….. But I digress, this is a great long lasting toy that will assist children with counting, their ABC’s and learning the names of 26 different animals. Retails for $38 at Fun Baby Toys.

Click to continue »

Who: Balanced Design; Providence RI

What: Pod Organic Cotton Throw Pillow

Where: NIMLI for $80

Why: I have had my eyes on a pair of throw pillows from Balanced Design for quite some time, but, in an attempt to curb my consumption, I had exercised restraint. But with prints reminiscent of the Mid-Century Masters, think Eames, Girard and Jacobsen, and crafted of a range of eco-friendly fabrics including organic cotton, organic linen, organic flannel, hemp and wool felt; how was a girl to resist? So now two of these lovely designs now grace my sofa and I adore them! Best of all the feather insert is super thick and malleable so molds to you needs, but with the bat of a hand regains its’ shape. Click to continue »

Who: Loki Custom Furniture; Boston, MA

What: Outdoor Table with Inset Stainless Steel Liner

Where: Contact Loki directly for purchasing information

Why: Seriously, this is the coolest table we’ve ever seen and has given us yet another reason to yearn for a backyard bigger than the size of a postage stamp, alas… This piece is pure brilliance complete with the quintessential centerpiece that is both beautiful and functional — an inset steel beer & wine chiller. Perfect for backyard entertaining, but works equally well indoors. Fill the center tray with flowers, plants, oysters, goldfish, possibilities are endless! Tables are built to order, so you could request a salvaged wood slab for the table surface. The legs are made from welded stainless steel.

Update April 20, 2010 We randomly came across this same table while research the local architecture firm, 30E Design. Their Le BonVivant table is made of sustainably harvested tropical timber suitable for outdoor use, with a stainless steel insert. It is available in sizes 3′ x 7′ and 3′ x 8′, by 30″ high with prices starting at $7,500….

Who: Cri de Coeur

What: Linneah Bootie

Where: Amazon.com – $264.98, on sale for $105.98

Why: So, yes, shoes are on the brain right now as it is officially fall, and it is time; time to retire flip flops and sandals to make way for the boots of winter. Fortunately, the season is full of irresistible boots and booties, particularly those from the fall line of Cri de Coeur. Their line of vegan boots is phenomenal, and have suddenly found myself in dire need of a pair of canvas ruched booties, namely, the Linneah Bootie. As, a friend of mine would say “I need them for my life!!” No drama here….

The Linneah would look great paired with jeans, skirts, dresses, you name it and the ruching is oh so New York Fashion Week ’09…….

In addition to the style quotient, Cri de Coeur is the epitome of eco-friendly design. Each shoe is hand made in Europe with 100% vegan materials. Not only do they set out to produce their shoes as ethically and as environmentally sensitive as possible, they also offset their carbon footprint by purchasing carbon credits and for each shoe sold a tree is planted.

—————————————————————————————-

(Updated October 7th, 2008) Just stopped by the delightful Leokadia boutique, one of the few stockists of Cri de Coeur, to see their selection. Owner, Jessica Lynn, makes you feel right at home when you walk through the door. She is super helpful, knowledgeable and has an incredible eye for shoes. Currently, three styles of Cri de Coeur shoes grace her shelves; the Kate T-strap flat sandal, the Sierra Heeled Sandal, and the ‘suede’ Scout Ankle boot. I found the fit to feel slightly narrow, but Jessica suggested visiting a cobbler who could easily lend some breathing room with a light stretch. I highly recommend a visit to Leokadia for an irresistible selection of unique designer labels.

Leokadia, 667 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02118

Who: Beyond Skin – London, U.K.

What: Beyond Skin Women’s Amelia Lace-Up Pump

Where: Amazon.com – $284.95, on sale for $85.48!

Why: Beyond Skin’s Amelia heel is a sassy and sweet take on the menswear classic. Oxfords are all the rage this fall, a timeless refined shoe that can be worn all day long. The Amelia oxford features a faux patent leather toe and soft felt uppers with a heel that looks petite, but at 3″ is deceivingly tall. These shoes would look ‘smashing’ with our beloved s u w h a jacket, (if you have not heard of s u w h a – you will, she is an amazing up and coming London based designer) which is curiously enough, also named the Amelia…. mere coincidence?

The designers of Beyond Skin set out to create a line of stylish, ethically sensitive and eco-friendly shoes. Most of the shoes are vegan incorporating natural and man-made fabrics such as satin and synthetic leather which are made from polyester and cotton-backed polyurethane respectively to cut down on chemical by-products. All of the shoes are made to order by hand in East London. Quite comfortable.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Update: March 12, 2009: (Seen at ECO-AGE). The heel on these shoes and the rest of the Beyond Skin line are deceivingly high!

Who: Caitlin Mociun (pronounced mo-shun), Brooklyn, NY

What: Mociun Strapless Convertible Dress

Where: On sale for $240 at Beklina

Why: This dress by Caitlin Mociun is pure art in the shape of a dress - no surprise that she hails from RISD. What makes her clothing standout are the funky textile designs reminiscent of 70′s geometric prints. This print is quite fascinating, a sea of black and white grafitti, that adds dimension to an seemingly simple a-line dress, that, and the fact that it can also be worn as a skirt. I love a double duty clothing item; a tie back dress or a tie front skirt. Mocuin adheres to principles of sustainability in her designs using organic fabrics and eco-friendly manufacturing.

This dress was manufactured by hand in Brooklyn, NY .

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Update: April 20th, 2009, sadly from what I can tell, this dress is SOLD OUT.

Who: jGoodDesign; New York, NY

What: Astral Chandelier

Where: jGoodDesign – Price Varies

Why: I have been searching for perfect lighting fixture for my dining room–one that is eco-friendly and visually appealing proved to be no easy task. Most of the eco-options consisted of fluorescent monstrosities. I wanted a fixture that was composed of little to no plastic and instead made of more natural, and consequently, more sustainable and less toxic, materials like glass (preferably recycled), wood (preferably FSC Certified), and various metals like copper or aluminum or steel that can easily be recycled. Alas, I discovered the fabulous glass fixtures created by jGoodDesign. Click to continue »

Who: Nori Morimoto; Waterbury, VT

What: Kiku Pendant Lamp

Where: Special Order through NoriMorimoto.com, $1495

Why: I am completely smitten with this whimsical pendant lamp designed by Nori Morimoto of Waterbury, Vermont. The slender ‘reeds’ of wood curling inward create a tension that evokes a budding flower about to burst open to reveal its’ hidden bloom. As with all of his pieces, this pendant is hand made from wood harvested near his Vermont studio. Each slat carefully bent by hand to create the graceful curves. From his work, you sense that he is paying homage to his medium of choice – wood. Maintaining the essence of th wood-its’ warmth, grace and beauty. Interestingly enough, Morimoto translates to “the edge of the woods.”

Who: Sublet, NYC

What: The Alison Dress

Where: envi, on sale for $126

Why: The Alison dress boasts of draping that even Rami would be impressed with. The unique shape of the dress is surprisingly flattering thanks to an impeccable design. by looking at the silhouette, you might think it would create an overly ‘hippy’ shape–but not so! But perhaps the best part–the hidden pockets. Pockets on a dress are tricky, but pure genius when done right. Okay, well perhaps that is the second best part – the best part is that this dress is a product of a eco and socially conscious design team.

The designers, Tara & Inessah, met through a sublet years ago, and have since launched Sublet, a very wearable line of eco-friendly clothing line using bamboo and organic fabrics and all manufactured in New York City. Their designs offer a unique take on otherwise simple patterns like a tie on the back of a halter dress or perfectly placed gathers on a cotton cardigan. I will definitely keep an eye on this design duo!

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Update: April 20th, 2009, The spring 09 collection has an updated version of this dress with cap sleeves – the Catherine. Available in Misty, Black & Sapphire. $280.