LotusHaus

3D Graffiti Animation

via vimeo.com

Featuring a backdrop of Southport Broadwater Parklands, a sustainable project in Australia, this 3D graffiti animation by Graffiti Technica is quite impressive... the things that your mind and technology can achieve, man...

Pop Up Solar Party! Boxman Studios Shipping Container

via www.boxmanstudios.com

Wow! Do you have a empty lot or large grassy field? If so, have a sustainable party by checking out these solar powered pop up mobile venues disguised as shipping containers. Like a transformer, the container opens up to reveal a super hip bar, bamboo dancefloor and a modern option to having a tent.

Happy Earth Day from Raffy!

Here's my lil' green buddy, Raffy! (Wearing daddy's baby shoes!) He's now 5 months today, yay! Below is Raffy at age 3 months... sporting a soft and cozy organic cotton gown from one of my readers! Thanks Oresya from GinkoOrganic.

Rouge Tomate - Red Hot and Green Venue in NYC

I really would love a mini vacation to NYC! If I were there, I would check out the new eco-luxe restaurant Rouge Tomate. The food and decor are all sustainable and the venue boasts an impressive mult-level design... The Cranberry Pool is my favorite (pictured below) and this would be where I would have wanted my bachelorette party or bridal shower! At the Rouge Tomate site, click on the Event button to check out the very cool floor plans.

If you are in NYC, check out the Eco-Luxe / Go Green Expo on Sept. 22 to be held at Rouge Tomate. More info here.

JaydaOnline } Stationary and Gifts with an Eco-Twist!

For lifestyle stationary that is modern, fun and eco-friendly look no further! Jayda is a fantastic source for invitations for weddings, baby showers and parties! The founders, Johanna Reyes and Yadira Chevere are the sisters and designing women behind this beautiful event planner's resource (The company name is a sweet combination of their first names). Check out their impressive environmental commitment here. Jayda also has awesome blogs! For wedding inspiration check out Down the Aisle and for some baby love check out Blue, Pink and Green. In addition, to being eco-savvy and hip, the MOST IMPRESSIVE thing about Jayda's offerings is that when you purchase invitations for a wedding or baby shower, you get your own coordinating blog site!

Amy Butler for Welspun } A new collection of organic cotton bedding

Via Decor8 I learned that Amy Butler has designed a line of 100% organic cotton bedding for Welspun that will be available in June! See more photos here and a slideshow here.

Earth Teach Me to Remember } Earth Day 2009

Happy Earth Day! Our celebration of the Earth took place the first weekend of April when we visited with nature on the Oregon Coast at Westwind. Here is a photo of a lotus mandala sand drawing I did with my husband near the shore in the background. Not a soul in sight... just us and the beach, the sand, and the ocean...

Here are some treasures Mother Nature gave me with the wave of her shore... and here is my most treasured find... my soulmate!

Earth Teach Me to Remember
by John Yellow Lark

Earth teach me stillness
    as the grasses are stilled with light.
Earth teach me suffering
    as old stones suffer with memory.
Earth teach me humility
    as blossoms are humble with beginning.
Earth teach me caring
    as the mother who secures her young.
Earth teach me courage
    as the tree which stands alone.
Earth teach me limitation
    as the ant which crawls on the ground.
Earth teach me freedom
    as the eagle which soars in the sky.
Earth teach me resignation
    as the leaves which die in the fall.
Earth teach me regeneration
    as the seed which rises in the spring.
Earth teach me to forget myself
    as melted snow forgets its life.
Earth teach me to remember kindness
    as dry fields weep in the rain.

Carribean Blue (Enya)

Mercabarna-Flor } Barcelona's Energy Efficient Flower Market

To all my floral design friends and event planners... don't you wish this was your flower market?! I do! Via Inhabitat I was whisked away to Barcelona to discover Mercabarna-Flor, an energy efficient and totally design-savvy flower market designed by Willy Mully Architects. The plant market acts as a greenhouse to grow potted plants and its climate is very carefully regulated with both radiant heating and passive cooling - one of the biggest systems of its kind. Passive cooling helps to introduce humidity and ensure that temperatures stay between 15 and 26 deg C. Meanwhile the radiant industrial floor ensures that the flowers have enough warmth to grow.The zinc roof and walls are covered with geometric patterns, intended to evoke an aerial view of cultivated-flower fields. A multicoloured band of striped panels wraps around the structure. The building contains three different markets selling cut flowers, plants and accessories. It also includes offices, two floristry education centres, an event space and parking.

Wasara } Paper ware for spiritual enrichment

Oh my goodness, my heart skipped a beat when I discovered Wasara, a truly magnificent concept in disposable paper table ware. With aesthetic beauty and thoughtful ergonomics, this Japanese concept has created an impressive way to display your culinary creations and serve your guests. But wait, the Wasara collection is also sustainable! Even though these items are disposable, their content is eco-friendly in design because they are made from reed pulp, which is quite renewable, and bagasse, which is pulp waste produced when juice is extracted from the sugarcane...the result is a tree-free, compostable and absolutely stunning collection of entertaining pieces. I have contacted Wasara to see where this collection is available on line and for purchase in the United States and will keep you posted! Via Kelley Moore

Related Posts:
Hands Giving } Thankful Gestures at the Table
Tast.es } Modern Disposable Servingware

URBN Hotels Shanghai } Eco-Modern in China

Via the new eco-modern lifestyle site FeelMoreHuman.com, I was able to surf to Shanghai and check out URBN Hotels, the first super-hip, carbon neutral boutique hotel in Shanghai! It looks absolutely stunning with its modern designed suites with wrap around seating, sunken lounge areas and eco-friendly interiors. I definitely want to stay here if ever I get a chance to visit Shanghai! Visit the website at  www.urbnhotels.com

The Sorapot } So Hot!

Ok, here's another one for the "I wish I had this on my wedding registry"... Let me pour you some inspiration with the Sorapot, a beautiful, functional and stunning teapot design with sustainable packaging features. The container is a glass tube that showcases the unfurling of your tea leaves and the whole teapot design is so clever. To add the tea leaves, you split the handle and tip the glass tube into a vertical position. Close it back up and add water through the pour spout. Ingenius! Gorgeous! I want one to show case my favorite organic flowering tea!

*Update 9-13-08: Buy it in Seattle at Area 51 in Capitol Hil!

Pangea Organics } Organic Body Care Line for Kids featuring the Lorax

"I am the Lorax and I Speak for the Trees."
Via Sustainable is Good, I learned that one of my favorite organic body care lines, Pangea Organics, will be launching a new kids line featuring Dr. Seuss's eco-friendly character the Lorax! This new line will be available exclusively at Target around May 2009 and will include items such as children’s toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner and more! How exciting!

Red Crocosmia } Perfect for the Modern Garden

With joy I discovered that we have some Crocosmia in the backyard...Also known as Coppertip or Falling Star, Crocosmia is a member of the Iris family and is native to South Africa. They must really enjoy summer in the Northwest, because I am seeing them in everyone's gardens! I love the red orange color and the shape of the blooms and stems. They add flair and texture to floral arrangements and remind me of the way orchids sprays look. The photos shown here are of an incredible garden design using crocosmia, the color red, and some really cool geometric walls and cut-outs - from the 2007 Royal Horticulture Society Flower Show in the UK. Check out the panorama of the garden here.

Xeritown } A Sustainable Urban Complex in Dubailand

Via Inhabitat, you can check out Xeritown, an amazing new sustainable urban community in the new part of Dubai, which is based on the concept of a xeriscape - "an urban garden area designed to minimize the use of water." The community was designed so that the cool sea breeze is sucked into the town and the hot desert breeze is blocked out. Read more here. I love the artist renderings and the architectural details infusing traditional graphic elements with modern sustainability!

Modern Excursion } A Neutral Palette

Today I'm inspired by the idea of eco-travel in Africa...Here's what I found on my web safari hunt... khaki trouser suit by Stella McCartney | floral sculpture by Junko Miura | mango wood vases by LA-Decor | bamboo cloud chandelier by Roost | lace horses by Viva Terra | sustainable sectional sofa by RC Green | Stockholm leaf chair by Ikea | and pillows by Inhabitat.

Cool Environmental Stamps from Israel

Spotted these really cool graphic stamps over at NOTCOT. Each stamp focuses on a different environmental concern - Air, Water, Noise.

Aid to Artisans } Colorful Handcrafted Gifts

Aid to Artisans (ATA) is a non-profit organization that helps artisan communities enhance their cultural vitality and well being through their crafts. The organization helps craftspeople develop products, learn business skills and sustain themselves in an environmentally sensitive and culturally respectful manner. ATA has also sourced artisan production for Jonathan Adler's pottery. Shown above are some of my favorite finds at the ATA online shop.

Aviva Stanoff } Nature and Design - An Everyday Celebration

I have long been inspired by Aviva Stanoff and her amazing body of work since I discovered her Brooklyn design studio many years ago. (Check out my eco-luxe color & trend board). Aviva embodies the union of her Japanese heritage and the modern metropolis lifestyle.

"From her North Hollywood roots in 1970’s bohemian California to tending to the flowers surrounding her grandfather’s Buddhist temple in Okayama, Japan, Aviva Stanoff represents a cultural tapestry...She finds inspiration in the subtle palette of nature, the deliberate minimalism of tradition, and the city sunset seen every night from her design studio window. She translates these inspirations into pattern, color, and beautiful environments."

With roots in the fashion textiles industry, the Aviva Stanoff collection is known for its high end, heirloom quality pillows and soft goods that are hand-dyed, etched, and painted one at a time in her Brooklyn studio by skilled artisans. Real foliage is used to create the prints you see and with a special technique these elements are embossed into plush velvet leaving the texture and essence of nature for you to enjoy. For more inspiration, check out this video and watch Aviva explain how she creates her work. I guarantee it will awe and inspire!

FabricPot } Fashionable and Sustainable Planters

I'm really liking these funky and eco-friendly fabric planters by FabricPot. Instead of a ceramic or plastic container, these pots use high tech, breathable fabric made with 100% recycled polyester. The fabric material provides proper aeration and makes these planters collapsible and easy to store. On sale now for $24.

Kiss The Earth } Happy Earth Day!

Kiss The Earth poem adapted from Thich Nhat Hanh: Buddhism in Action, by Maura D. Shaw (Skylight Paths, 2004).  For some additional inspiration I highly recommend any book by Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh.  Peace is Every Step is one of my favorite reads.

Take a moment now to watch this earth inspiring clip from the Planet Earth Series by BBC via KarmaTube

Organic Floral Decor } On a Mission to Celebrate Earth Day in Style!

Uphold the well being of the planet & celebrate Earth Day in style...enliven your inner space with some modern organic green! Treat the planet, it's inhabitants and yourself to these charitable & eco-chic floral arrangements. Each of these beautiful organic bouquets not only support the environment, but they give back to the beautiful people of the world. Pick up some flowers this week and feel good about the world you live in! You'll be happy to know that these blooms are also delivered in gorgeous sustainable packaging. Trust me, this will be an awesome experience! Don't forget to compost these lovely things of beauty and they will be enjoyed forever.

Rainforest Green Bouquet The mission of Rainforest Foundation-US is to support the efforts of indigenous and traditional populations of the rainforest to protect their environment and fulfill their rights. The Foundation helps indigenous communities secure land rights, manage natural resources and strengthen their capacity to defend and sustain their ways of life. Now you can support the Foundation through the purchase of these magnificent chartreuse colored roses. With each one dozen purchase 5% will be donated to the Rainforest Foundation-US. $49.95

Earth Share Oriental Lilies Earth Share is a nationwide network of America’s most respected environmental and conservation non-profit organizations. Earth Share is dedicated to promoting environmental awareness and supporting the vital charities that work to protect the environment and our well-being every day. Now, you can help support Earth Share in its vital mission simply by purchasing this unique and fragrant bouquet of Oriental white lilies – 5% will be donated to Earth Share for each purchase. $59.95

A Bouquet to Save Plants United Plant Savers' mission is to protect native medicinal plants of the United States and Canada and their native habitat while ensuring an abundant and renewable supply of medicinal plants for generations to come. Now you can support United Plant Savers through the purchase of these beautiful mauve colored long-stem lavender roses. With each purchase 5% will be donated to United Plant Savers. $49.95

Asiatic Lilies that CARE CARE’s mission is to serve individuals and families in the poorest communities in the world. Drawing strength from CARE’s global diversity, resources and experience, CARE promotes innovative solutions and are advocates for global responsibility. Now you can support their humanitarian efforts with the purchase of these vibrant yellow and orange Asiatic Lilies. Each bouquet is hand selected and shipped fresh from the farm. Plus a portion of the proceeds of this sale will be donated to CARE. $59.95

Healthy Child Healthy World Roses Healthy Child Healthy World (HCHW) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public, specifically parents and caregivers, about environmental toxins that affect children's health. Goals are met through increased scientific research, government policies which are more protective of children, and educating and mobilizing individuals around the country. Support Healthy Child Healthy World through the purchase of these spectacular bright pink roses. With each purchase 5% will be donated to HCHW. Includes two-dozen long stem roses. $69.95

Ann Demeulemeester Boutique } Green Seoul

Here's some more global green! Check out Ann Demeulemeester's green boutique in Seoul, Korea. Designed by Minsuk Cho of MassStudies. All I can say is WOW!!!! Click here for a slideshow and click here for more examples of modern greenery in retail environments.

This Earth Month give your home an Eco Home Makeover

This is truly amazing! The folks at Sam's Club have created an incredible once-in-a-lifetime package called the Eco Home Makeover. For the price of a brand new luxury car, you can transform your home into an eco-friendly, high-efficiency household, complete with Sharp solar panels, Kestrel wind turbine and your choice of stylish Energy Star qualified GE appliances for your kitchen & laundry. With a complete setup generating enough renewable energy to power a 3,000 – 4,000 sq. ft. home, you will no longer be just an advocate of sustainability -- you will be living it.

Oh, and don't think that this process will be lengthy or distruptive like most remodels. During your Eco Home conversion, you and your family will be whisked away to the Inn by the Sea a top notch green hotel on Crescent Beach in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Your home will also become an eco-celeb with coverage by The PBS series Building Green which will document the conversion and its benefits to our planet.

Available for purchase by Sam's Club members after 10pm tonight, April 9th! Oh, how I wish I could finance this!

Ovopur } Environmentally friendly water dispenser that looks like an egg

Today, I discovered Ovopur, an environmentally friendly and uber-cool looking water dispenser.
Via MocoLoco, I learned that the Ovopur:

1) Consumes no electricity. Instead it uses gravity to filter and revitalize tapwater, 2) The unit itself is made of porcelain, glass, and metal, and 3) Features a reusable, multilayer filter cartridge whose contents are 100% recyclable. The main reservoir can hold up to 11 liters of fresh water, with the water level indicated by the magnetic gauge. The filter cartridge uses a combination of KDF 55, activated carbon, microporous bioceramics and quartz crystal to remove impurities from the water.

Wowee! This is so global cool! Download the brochure and find out how this ingenious piece of work is inspired by Chinese Tradition.

Designer Solar Panels

Soak it up! Via Design Flute I learned of a new technology that allows solar modules to convert sunlight into electricity and can be integrated in the glass façade of a building. It is possible to produce it in desired colors, print images or text on the module! Design, technology and sustainability is finally showing us the light!

Orchids } New species found in Vietnam's green corridor

From National Geographic & the World Wildlife Fund:

5 new orchid species were found in the Thua Thien Hue Province – a region known as the Green Corridor. Three of the new orchid species are entirely leafless, which is rare for orchids. They contain no chlorophyll and live on decaying matter, like many fungal species. The new other plants include an aspidistra, which produces a flower that is nearly black. Aspidistra-relatives plants are used as houseplants and are able to withstand very low light conditions. And a newly discovered species of arum has beautiful yellow flowers. Arum plants have funnel-shaped leaves surrounding the flowers.

Ain't Mother Nature full of surprises! I'm in awe. Pictured from left to right: Gastrodia theana, Aspidistra nicolai & Saccolabiopsis viridiflora.

Why I Love Aveda!

If you've ever been to an Aveda Concept Salon or an Aveda Retail Store you'll know why I love Aveda. The Aveda approach to beauty, wellness, aromatherapy & ecology is so inspiring. When you go into a retail store you are offered hot tea and a complimentary hand massage. When you have a styling appointment at the salon you receive a scalp and neck massage with essential oils before your service, and a hand/arm massage while your hair is being shampooed/ conditioned. Aveda's environmental mission is displayed everywhere and even the stylists and sales staff are excited to talk about the environment while showing you the latest things in hair and makeup. I personally love Aveda's fragrance and makeup lines (especially the Uruku Lip Color Line.) The makeup products are stylish, simple, sustainable, great smelling, great tasting, and beautifully packaged.

This goes for all of Aveda's products and services! Aveda also has a really cool Pure Privilege program where you can rack up points to score really cool green products and service. I'm saving my points up for the Destination Spa Stay in Jamaica. I had the chance to work with Aveda in a third party kind of way when I designed last year's Earth Month collateral for the Columbia Riverkeeper, Aveda's 2007 west coast environmental partner. Recently, after Christmas while redeeming some gift cards, I found out that Aveda is now 100% Wind Powered! Another reason to love Aveda! The company has funded wind turbines that generate enough wind energy to offset 100% of the electricity used by Aveda's primary manufacturing facility in Minnesota. The best part about this wind power push is Aveda's super couture looking ad campaign! I just love the juxtaposition of beauty, style and environmental concern! Beauty is as Beauty does. I love it!

San Francisco GREEN DESIGN SHOW ~ Sept. 19-20, 2007

Oh, how I want to go to this event! It's the San Francisco Mart's first green expo. The theme for this green event is "Live Green, Live Well"  and the show is dedicated to green furnishings and design. Sounds exciting! For more information, go here.

The 11th Hour } Movie premiers on August 17th

I love movies and documentaries for their ability to create emotional connections and to stir us out of apathy. After reading ecorazzi for reviews of The 11th Hour, I am looking forward to the intensity and drama that I know Warner Bros will deliver. Oh and don't worry that you will leave the movie feeling down...I'm told the conclusion ends on a high note. Learn more about what Warner Bros is doing to help green their operations on their website.

Recycle It!

I love this Recycle logo that I found on the Resource Venture website. If you're summer cleaning and about to throw something out...STOP! Look online to see if there are recyclers in your town that will take it. If you are in Seattle, check out the Recycler Database for some great resources.

Seattle Weekly } Get Your Green Card

Extra! Extra! Read All About It! Seattle Weekly has a great new feature called the Green Card. Sign up online and you will receive a card in the mail which entitles you to green discounts and specials at participating businesses. Small businesses and entrepreneurs, I encourage you to learn more about greening your business and participating in awareness programs like this. You will not only do good for the green earth & your green pockets but you will also open your doors to a new market of friendly, happy NEW customers.

Speaking of friendly new markets, I picked up this little card at the Greenfresh Market, the newest green grocery store in Renton (south of Seattle), just minutes from my house!!!! The store is daybright (they have clerestory windows), the goods are green, organic and local, and the people are so friendly and happy to be working there! It's so easy being green! (The owner was a former PCC partner)

E-Jeepney } Green Cars in the Philippines!

If-you're-Fi-li-pi-no-and-you-know-it-clap-your-hands...because the Jeepney has now gone down the electric avenue! For those of you not yet clapping, the Jeepney is a Filipino innovation in public transportation, and art for that matter. After World War II, when the US wrecked havoc in the Philippines, they left behind their standard issue military jeeps. Being crafty & resourceful, Filipinos reused these jeeps and gave it the Filipino flip. With flamboyant decoration and crowded seating, the Jeepney has become a symbol for Philippine culture as well as the people's transportation. But now, flash forward to 2007, and southeast asia is forever changed because Greenpeace and GRIPP (Green Renewable Independent Power Producer) have helped to launch the electric jeepney. The Electric Jeepneys are part of an innovative project led by GRIPP to help reduce the use of fossil fuels and address urban problems like air pollution. Magaling! Excellent!

The ingenuity and individual creativity of the Jeepney has also inspired an urban clothing line from fellow Sea-town pinoys, called Jeepney clothing.

Greendimes } Stop Junk Mail

Join Greendimes and stop junk mail with Matt Damon! I really hate the horrible waste of paper and resources associated with the tons of junk mail I get. For about a dime-a-day, Greendimes is a service that will reduce my junk mail and plant a bunch of trees on my behalf. Matt Damon received this service as a gift and was so impressed he became a member of the Board of Directors.  So give your junk mail the Bourne Ultimatum! (Hee hee, can't wait until the movie comes out!) Via Eco-chic weddings.

New Leaf Paper :: Sakura 100 } the first coated 100% PCW recycled paper

For all you print designers and small businesses out there, New Leaf Paper has just recently released Sakura 100, the first coated paper manufactured with 100% post consumer waste (PCW). PCW is paper made out of paper which has already been used up by the end consumer. It is then collected for recycling from various recycling programs. This is the best paper to buy, as it uses and creates demand for paper which would normally end up in the landfill and no trees are cut down for making the paper. According to the AIGA Center for Sustainable Design, New Leaf Sakura 100 is really cool paper because it is:

• Produced from 100 percent post-consumer waste, which preserves forests and reduces landfill and greenhouse gas emissions
• Processed chlorine free, which helps keep rivers free of poisonous bleaching products
• Designated Ancient Forest Friendly™, which reflects the highest environmental standard in North America
• Manufactured with 100 percent Green-e® certified renewable wind energy, which helps reduce the nation’s output of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming

The best end uses for this paper are for annual reports, catalogs, direct mail, marketing materials, postcards, publications, sell sheets, etc. However, as always, to be more sustainable, design your projects using the least amount of paper output as possible. (examples: design more efficient materials, use double sided printouts, and print only as needed.) Graphic designers...get nourished here and download this eco-design checklist for a great way to green your next project!

Aani and the Tree Huggers } Save a Beloved Forest

Aani and the Tree Huggers is based on a true event in northern India, and presents an enduring message of bravery and environmental action. Aani, a young girl in a large Indian family, makes a decisive move to save her special tree from the cutters that have stormed their beloved forest.

This story is based on actual events known as the Chipko Andolan (Hug the Tree Movement), which took place in northern India in the 1970s. These were the original Tree Huggers! Because of this movement councils in India meet within most villages to decide how many trees can be cut without endangering the land and those who live there, and also, new trees are planted each spring. There is much to be learned and remembered here.

Help our next generation cherish the wonders of our environment. Share this book with them and relive the spirit of the original Tree Hugger movement. Go here to purchase a copy and make it a cherished heirloom for generations to come.