LotusHaus

Bahay Home } Filipino, Global, Modern & Affordable Furnishings

Bahay means home in Tagalog (native language of the Philippines) and as a Filipino/Canadian/American, I am so happy to have discovered Bahay Home, an amazing global style furnishing retailer in LA. The Bahay Home collection embodies the style aesthetic I find myself drawn to time and again...natural materials, organic forms, modern aesthetics and cultural consciousness. I just adore the two chairs above! I have been secretly wanting the comfort of a papasan with the base of a tulip chair and look now I've found it, and without an overdesigned price tag ($580)! The other chair is a subtle take on the original Egg Chair by Arne Jacobsen, but I love the Bahay Home version because of it's use of natural and sustainable Abaca fiber ($485). Dare I say that these naturally modern pieces are quite comfortable looking AND affordable? I'm lovin' it! For a review of the store, check out Apartment Therapy LA.
 
I couldn't resist posting my own Bahay Home-like chairs...these chairs, in the manner of Verner Panton, are wonderfully made of rattan, and I picked these up at a vintage store in Brooklyn. The pair was on sale for $200! I had to! For more inspiration on global modern style, have a peak at these related posts:
Environment Furniture
Muléh Furnishings
BlissLiving Home
Adrianna Shamaris
Abaca Resort and Spa
Zen Tea House In Your Own Backyard
T House

Ecolect } Sustainable Materials Library

For all you sustainable designers, check out Ecolect, the first sustainable materials community! Via Treehugger.

Remedy Teas } Organic and Modern Tea Cafe in Seattle

I'm loving the modern and organic Remedy Teas cafe tucked away on Capitol Hill off of 15th. We popped in one day and enjoyed some nice organic green tea and cucumber sandwiches. The look is fresh and modern with white tiles, a shot of chartreuse, walnut veneer and chrome finishes...I'm also in love with the oh so cool use of the classic Helvetica typeface. Remedy's numbered tea storage jars are also cool and seem to just float on adjustable dowels. Check out the website to see their full menu of organic tasty treats, teas and "spiked" tea cocktails. While we were in there, Seattle native Ishmael Butler from the Grammy winning Digable Planets strolled in for a shot of hot tea...cuz he's cool like that! (Sorry, I couldn't resist, Ish!)

Zen Tea House In Your Own Backyard

Zentabulous! This modern teahouse designed by installation artists, Sutton Beres Culler, is so beautiful and interesting with it's varying wood stripes and butterfly roof design. If you want this teahouse you can buy it here along with the mid-century modern home that is for sale with it for $895K.

Eco Chic Bath Set } Made with Banana Bark

I love this stylish banana bark bath set from Shopping The Globe. Banana bark is eco-friendly & sustainable because only bark that is shed naturally is used to weave or make into veneer. This five-piece set includes a tissue box, large and small sundry boxes, and a pair of nested trays. This set would make a nice hostess or wedding gift. Buy it here for under $50.

Chopra Center } Wellness in New York City

Ah, tomorrow's my 32nd birthday and I'm reminiscing about my two business trips to New York last August. During my second trip, I splurged on a glorious 60 minute Ayurvedic Spa Treatment at the New York Chopra Center. I have a little knowledge of Ayurveda and have read many of Deepak Chopra's books so it was a real treat to be in the physical presence of these sacred philosophies and rituals of wellness. The spa itself is absolutely beautiful and I felt so at home with the fusion of ancient and modern. Even the aroma of the essential oils and orange mint water, have left a lasting impression on me. As you can see from the pictures, the colors and architecture are so...umm...me! Wish I could zoom there right now...Have a restful weekend!

Miro Tea } Organic Tea & Crepes in Ballard!

Miro Tea just opened in Ballard on Friday and I can't wait to check it out! Looking sleek & eco-savvy with sorghum walls and a reclaimed wood bar, I hear the iced tea and crepes are to live for! You can select from many organic options before enjoying your tea and crepes outside in the outdoor patio area. The founder Jennie Liu has a history of hip tea spots, as she was the co-founder of Oasis Tea Zone, the urban boba tea (bubble) hangout across from Uwajimaya in the International District. Check out a few sweet reviews for Miro Tea here.

T House } Tranquility in Tagaytay, Philippines

Swoon ~ part two! Via Dessert Comes First, a very cool Philippine foodie blog, I found the T House hotel in beautiful Tagaytay, Philippines ~ pronounced "tah-gai-tie." Tagaytay, which is just a 90 minute drive south of Manila, offers a breathtaking sight of the famous Taal Lake & Volcano - a volcano within an island within a lake. I've personally seen the lake and it is absolutely incredible! Tagaytay is a perfect getaway for people seeking respite from the daily pressures of life in the hectic Manila metropolis. That's where the T House comes in. "Every facet of T House has been designed to let relaxation flow naturally. From the clean modern architecture, the sound of flowing water and the birds in the fruit-bearing trees, the smell of fresh herbs of our food, to the spa treatments, each of your senses will be refreshed and rejuvenated during your stay here." T House take me away! ...or check out my video above with pictures from Dessert Comes First & the T House website.

Bali } Modern Garden Tour

Via HouseMartin, I discovered this unique landscape & architectural tour of Bali, focusing on the modern art form of gardening. Visit the website to see more lush photography and learn more about the tour! I'm definitely adding this to my list!

"In Bali.. the modern art form of gardening combines with a rich traditional culture to create a truly unique blend. The result is a cutting edge style of its own. The fusion of traditional craftsmanship with modern influences set against a lush landscape produces the most extraordinary examples of garden design, artistry and architecture. The use of outdoor living spaces and fluid transitions from interior space to exterior is only one example of this small island's impact on the international design community."

Chaco Canyon Cafe } Organic in the U District

Yesterday I had lunch with Amy (pictured above), a lovely & sustainable graphic designer and interior decorator, whom I met through BizNik. We both wanted to try out the newly re-opened organic & raw Chaco Canyon Cafe in the University District. Chaco Canyon Cafe is a vibrant organic cafe with a tasty menu and soothing southwestern decor. I enjoy eating Raw food dishes and they have a wonderful and healthy selection. It was fabulous! I had a freshly made Green Goddess drink (cucumber, celery, kale, fennel & ginger) and their version of raw Lasagna. It was pure gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free heaven! The presentation was fantastic too! Look at the pink ribbon made out of red onion! Genius :) Oh, and the owner was really nice too! Here's a little video for you folks that are not in Seattle.

If you are ever in New York, you must also check out the raw foods restaurant Pure Food & Wine. I have the recipe book and have personally eaten in their NY restaurant too. It was also organic heaven! Enjoy!

Abaca } boutique resort + spa

Swoon! Abaca resort & spa is on the must see list for my next visit to the relatives in the PI (Philippine Islands)! Abaca is a new tropical boutique resort and spa with modern styling, luxurious spa treatments and luscious culinary arts. The resort is located on the tip of Mactan Island, a short flight's trip from the modern city of Cebu, which to me, is the capital for naturally modern furnishings. Cebu is also home to my favorite, world reknown Filipino designer, Kenneth Cobonpue. The resort's name is a wonderful tribute to the very important natural plant fiber derived from a banana-like plant called "abaca" or Manila hemp. As you watch the movie, you will also notice the book entitled, Abaca Philippines, which happens to be the first comprehensive reference guidebook on abaca plants and the many by-products that have been created with this eco-friendly natural fiber. You can buy the book as well as abaca soaps & lotions here. Enjoy!

Julep } fab organic nail parlor and entrepreness!

Ok, where do I start? First, I love Daily Candy Seattle for keeping me in the know. Second, I love the divapreneurial vibe we got going on here in Seattle...Crave, StartUpJunkie, Mac Fashion House, Raw Threads, (my fashion friends) etc. And lastly...Think Green It's Friday!

From Daily Candy I found out about Julep Nail Parlor in the University Village. I love everything that the founder, Jane Park, is about and has built for her salon. She thought of EVERYTHING! And did so in modern, green style. I am so inspired by her business model! This former corporate Starbucky has created the coolest, hippest & most organic nail experience that I have ever come across so far. As a modern gathering place, the Julep concept focuses on sharing your pampering experience. The beautifully designed furniture and lighting are designed to be mobile so your party can gather around and enjoy each other's presence. Don't forget about the fellas. Julep has a special "man"-icure for them too, so they can also join in the party.

Julep makes my stylish green heart sing! Here's why:

• Lotions are paraben free, and use natural and organic ingredients (and they're still trying to do more!).
• Nail vernis colors are gently formulated to be free of formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalates.
• Nail vernisseurs have access to health care benefits.
• All employees provide excellent customer service thanks to Jane's "Julep Immersion Program"
• Paper shopping bags are made with 10-30% recycled paper content.
  
• Purchase 100% energy from windpower.
• Installed LEED (Leadership in energy and environmental design) approved flooring in the parlor.
• Installed a dual flush commode in the restroom (to learn more, visit the Environmental Home Center).
• Used environmentally preferable paint.
• Support the local community through our Corporate Giving Program.
  
• Donate $1 to The Nature Conservancy  on behalf of each guest who brings back her "little orange bag" of disposable implements.
• Gives an inside look into this startup venture with the Julep blog (love it! so inspiring!)

Ok, so I'm booking an appointment right now! Who wants to join me?!

Orchard Garden Hotel } Eco Chic in SF

The Orchard Garden Hotel is San Francisco’s newest green hotel. Newly built in the heart of San Francisco, the Orchard Garden Hotel is stylish and sustainable. Next time you're in SF, make sure you stay here and let me know how it was!  

Marriott & Organic Bouquet } organic flowers for your next event

In the May/June 2007 BizBash Los Angeles magazine there's a great spread for event planners wanting to green their events. It talked about 15 ways to reduce the ecological impact of corporate events and meetings - some simple and cheap, some not so much. The most interesting thing that I discovered was that "If you happen to be using a Marriott property for an event, finding organic blooms is about to get easier. As one of many venue owners and chains looking to get on the eco bandwagon, Marriott recently forged a partnership with Organic Bouquet to make it easier for planners to source eco-friendly flowers."

Hooray for Marriott, and hooray for Organic Bouquet!

From Organic Bouquet: "The environmentally conscious party concept is spreading. Marriott International will soon announce deals with organicbouquet.com and other vendors to make organic flowers available to customers for events, starting in the spring, said Laurie Goldstein, a spokeswoman for the hotel chain. Ms. Goldstein, who said the demand was driven by corporate meeting planners seeking to be more socially responsible, called organic flowers "the first step" to offering all-green events, including organic food and organic cotton tablecloths."