Who: Morado Designs; Fairfax, VT

What: ECO Felt Monster Onesie Set

Where: Natural Luxe – $38 (sign-up to The Find for 15% off through 12/31)

Why We Love It: There is just something so endearing about the crooked smile and  googly eyes of this super cute matching set that the little ones are sure to love. Almost as much as having a tee to match their new friend.

These eco and ‘friendly’ monsters are made from recycled felt and filled with 100% natural bamboo stuffing. The onesie is made of 100% organic cotton with a felt monster to match. Even the packaging is eco-friendly, made of recycled content.

The sets are available in six different colors all of which you can find at one of our favorite online stores, Natural Luxe.

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Who: urbancase; Seattle, WA

What: The Subway Cushion

Where: urbancase – $120

Why We Love It: Now this is a throw pillow that guys can really appreciate. Inspired by a German military blanket he discovered at a Berlin flea market, metal worker, sculptor and furniture maker Darin Montgomery transformed an item intended for military use into a very cool luxe modern accessory.  Printmaker Rachel Illingworth added the finishing touches with the embroidered yellow and teal train based on a Berlin Subway train.

The pillows are hand sewn in Seattle using salvaged German Army blankets made of 100% wool (you’ll find the letters BUND on the back of the pillow which means ‘federation’ in German – an ode to its origins) and 100% all natural organic wool filling.

And check out our personal favorite from urbancase for a happy happy hour…. Click to continue »

Who: Trillium Artisans (Emily Baker); Portland, OR

What: Fox Earrings

Where: World of Good – $35

Why: Walking into artist Emily Baker’s studio is like walking into another world, filled with the most unlikely of treasures – cast off car parts, bits of recycled glass, sea urchin spikes… all of the inspiration for her unique jewelry. Love the way that she manages to transforms every day objects into something extraordinary. These Fox Earrings are crafted from old car parts and salvaged vintage brass chains for a lightweight pair of mod hoops.

Not only are these earrings sustainable, made from 50% post-consumer waste and without the use of toxic materials, but they are also people positive. Emily is a member of Trillium Artisans, a nonprofit economic development organization that supports low-income crafters in Portland, Oregon. Trillium Artisans is just one of hundreds of sellers featured on World of Good, a multi-seller marketplace that promotes people positive and eco-positive products from around the world. Visit World of Good to shop for gifts with meaning and check the Goodprint label to learn about the positive impact your purchases make.

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Have dreamed of salvaging retired lanes from an old bowling alley for the floors in our living room/dining rennovation, so no wonder that I love this coffee table from the Second Life exhibition of sustainable furniture design. Designer/artist/furniture maker, William Stranger’s collection of furniture is made from reclaimed pieces of hardwood from blown down trees, from construction sites and in this case salvaged from bowling alleys. Great example of what beauty can be created with wood and materials destined for landfills. Waste not, want not…

The “Second Life” exhibit can be seen at the Fifth Floor Gallery in LA  from October 24th – November 14th.

Who: Patrick Long; Portland, OR

What: Chester Wallace Totes

Where: Canoe; $95 in white, $125 in brown & grey; more color options available soon at Stand Up Comedy

Why We Love ‘Em: Maybe it is the Mainer in us, but we totally dig these bags. They’ve got that rugged  ‘I belong on a fishing boat’ look and yet have an inherent hipness. In an adorable boutique filled with enviable fashion pieces, this was the item that caught our eye -  a canvas tote of all things. But this is not your standard-issue tote. Click to continue »

Who: Thread Social; New York, NY

What: Chevron Wool Full Skirt

Where: Thread Social, $95.

Why: There are so many designers that we just wish had a touch of green and Thread Social is definitely one of them. Designers Beth Blake & Melissa Akey are the masters of the fun flirty party dress mixing gorgeous bold prints and splashes of colors with unexpected details like folds, bows, tucks and pockets. Click to continue »

Who: VivaTerra –  Pueblo,  CO

What:Plank Bed

Where: VivaTerra – reg. price $1,995-2,095; Now through September 30th, on sale for $1,675-1,775

Why: We love this mix of traditional and modern. The vintage, 100 year old Douglas fir planks find new life as  a contemporary low profile bed. The high backboard gives the bed a greater presence as a focal point of any room. . Equally suited for a city loft or a beachside cottage.

The planks were reclaimed from demolished buildings and hand planed for a smooth finish using an eco-friendly wax to bring out the rich hues of the wood. Available in Dark or Light finishes.

See also the coordinating Modern 6-Drawer Dresser.

Who: Peter Danko Design; Standardsville, VA &  J. Persing, Red Lion, PA

What: Arborline Benches

Where: Vivavi; w/back $1034 or backless $695; available in a variety of webbing & wood options

Why: Seat belts take on a whole new look with this pair of sleek, modern, minimalist benches designed by Peter Danko.

By design, the seat belt material is incredibly durable, fade-resistant and long-lasting, making it well suited durable and long-lasting furniture furniture. The webbed netting has been tested to hold up to 5000lbs without losing shape.

The use of post-industrial salvaged seat belts, PEFC certified european beech, non-toxic/water-based finishes and adhesives qualifies these benches for LEED points and serves as a great alternative for traditional urethane foam seating.

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Very exciting news! After 10 years in development, the High Line public space has officially opened!

The High Line was originally built in 1934 as an elevated freight traffic rail running through Manhattan to export the transport of goods throughout the west side of Manhattan in New York. The rails were abandoned in 1980 and left untouched for years.  The rails seemed destined for demolition until Joshua David and Robert Hammond came around. Perhaps inspired by the plants that had taken root to amongst the heavy industrial rails turning it into a pastoral landscape in the midst of skyscrapers, Joshua and Robert recognized the potential of the space, not as the eye sore real estate developers claimed it to be but rather an opportunity to revitalize the neighborhood by creating a dynamic green space lofted above the city.

They believed the1.5 mile stretch was a vital public space worth fighting for, so they founded Friends of the High Line to raise awareness, support, and to launch their campaign to save the High Line.  ‘Friends’ like Diane Von Furstenburg, Trina Turk, Anya Hindmarch, Zero+Maria and Rag & Bone lent their support, their celebrity and, recently, their artistic talents in creating Limited Edition High Line designs to raise money to manage the maintenance and operation costs of the park.

They hired the brilliant architectural design firm of Diller, Scofidio and Renfro to take on the challenge of reinventing the narrow meandering and unconventional space. True visionaires, they are renowned for their success with the new ICA building in Boston and the innovative redesign of the Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln, the firm is incredibly good at integrating architecture and design with the public, making a building interactive not just to those inside but to the pedestrian and physical landscape surrounding the building.  The landscape they envisioned for the High Line was no different.

Diller, Scofidio and Renfro invented a new type of paving system that echoed the deserted rails of the High Line. The staggered pavers taper towards the ends urging  nature plays its’ part; as the grasses grow to fill in the gaps,  the pavers seemingly erode away. The footpath, itself  is scattered with benches, lounge chairs, water features all tied together with the work of landscape  architects James Corner Field Operations and Piet Oudolf.  Windows overlooking bustling streets encourage a dialogue between the park with the trafficed streets below preserving the High Line’s legacy as an elevated escape from the busy traffic below.

Update: July 13, 2009 – A little High Line controversy, is it or isn’t it green?

Who: sea bags, 24 Custom House Wharf, Portland, ME

What: Large Anchor Bag ( s, m & l)

Where: sea bags, $145

Why: I have been a fan of Seabags since they first hit the market in the late 90′s. I love the look, love the story, love the company and their adherence to environmentally and socially conscious business practices. The bags are manufactured in Portland from salvaged sails that have actually at one point navigated the seas so no two bags are the same, but they are all waterproof. Kudos to the design’s nod to the fabrics nautical origins; from the hand spliced handles to the colors to the emblems that adorn the bags.

Similar style sail bags are currently on “sail” at VivaTerra for $39-$54!