Who: Lala’s Pequenos; Jeffersonton, VA

What: Organic Newborn Noonie

Where: Lala’s Pequenos at Etsy; $62, enter “Urban Sherp Baby” in the ‘message to seller’ box for free shipping on any organic Noonie

Why: Honestly, what could be cuter than a little babe tucked snug as a bug into this cozy Noonie? Like a little pea in a pod…..

The Noonie is perfect for bundling up baby for post-bath cuddles and, for those of us who simply cannot figure out the ‘baby burrito,’ the cone-shaped Noonie makes swaddling a breeze.

Perhaps the best part about the Noonie are the fabrics used. Designer Alessandra Guitierez, has a great eye for quality and design and finds cool, fun and modern fabrics that you just don’t see enough of in the baby department. Better yet, they are  made of 100% organic fair trade cotton lined with super soft super luxe 100% organic sherpa with buttons made from reclaimed wood.

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Timberland has made a name for itself as a maker of quality, long lasting footwear, but over the years they have become well known for their commitment to the environment as well. Transitioning their packaging to 100% post-consumer recycled content cardboard printed with soy-based inks complete with their signature environmental “nutritional label.”  Launching their Earthkeepers line,  a collection of  eco-friendly footwear made of  natural and sustainable materials like recycled rubber treads, biodegradable Smart wool liners, organically tanned leathers and recycled PET to name a few. And refining their manufacturing process to reduce energy and material waste. Click to continue »

I just returned from the ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair) in New York, which was definitely one of the highlights of the year and another reason why I love what I do. I felt like a kid in a candy store as I rode down the escalator scanning the show room floor and marveling at the prospect of a room filled with the latest designs from the U.K., Spain, Denmark, Italy, Canada, the U.S….

Here are some of the  high notes of the show:

1. Sustainable Design Abounds– Sustainability was definitely on the minds of many of the designers who I spoke with. I kept returning to the question of what exactly makes a product sustainable? It is not sustainably sourced materials alone, but more importantly the sustainability of the design itself. Creating a piece that can stand up to the test of time. Creating a piece that is timeless, not trendy. That is the goal of designers like Derek Morton of Park Studios who had on display his own personal coffee table made of Corian and North American walnut that he freshens up with a quick sand before showing keeping the piece looking brand new. Or that of Kurt Dexel whose angled credenza would be just as at home among mid century designs as it would in a country cabin.
2. Design for the People – IKEA wasn’t the only one showcasing design for the people. As consumers are realizing the value in good design, designers are making  their designs more accessible to the mainstream market. Take Andrew Moe of the eponymous moe who is no longer solely making custom high end pieces, but has launched his first Click to continue »

So, the bad news, “green” expos are not immune to the economic downturn despite the emphasis on green initiatives and technologies. Green expos are in decline nationwide from the cancellations of the Green Home Living Expo and the Going Green Expo to the downsizing of the Green East Expo in NYC. Yet, despite the loss of these green events, there seems to be a greater integration of green concepts throughout venues in other industries.

Events like this week’s Residential and Design Construction Convention where there will be numerous green design and building exhibitors, demonstrations and workshops devoted and next week’s Cool Product Expo which will champion innovative end-user products that “do more with less” as demonstrations in sustainability-my favorite, the “Power Hog” a piggy bank that monitors energy use. Good design will have to incorporate Green Design. Click to continue »

Who: CB2 (Crate & Barrel), Chicago, IL

What: Darjeerling Reclaimed Wood Table

Where: CB2.com, $899.

Why: As the green current continues to rage, large corporations are taking note and adding their own green slant. Crate & Barrel and its’ more modern off-shoot, CB2, are adhering to the trend by using reclaimed wood, sustainably harvested woods and sustainable bamboo, soy and corn based foam and fibers, organic textiles and recycled glass into their latest collections. In addition, the company itself has made an effort to update go green by using more energy efficient light and HVAC systems in their warehouses and offices, by using more eco-friendly packaging (although, I have found that most items have way too much packaging) and by using FSC certified or recycled paper in the manufacturing of their catalogs.

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