LotusHaus

Inspiration from Osborne & Little

I'm in awe of Osborne & Little's spectacular collection of luxury wallpaper, fabric and furnishings. I really like the mid century modern inspired curved sofas and the rich color & texture!

Staging for All Seasons!

Ok, so you saw my condo remodel, but you probably didn't know that my mom lived next door to me in her own condo. Now she's selling her unit. Since sustainability means using what you already have I used my own furniture and decor to help her stage the place. These black wood lacquer pieces are vintage finds from an artist in Vietnam. They showcase all the seasons in hand painted gold metallic style. See more photos and the Real Estate flyer here (vFlyer.com is so cool!)

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!

Kenzo Maison } Textiles

More inspiration from Kenzo Maison...

Missoni Pillows & Poufs

I really like Missoni's collection of pillows, throws and poufs...see them here.

Lather Spa NYC } Plant Wall & Nice Gift Card Packaging

The latest online version of Organic Spa Magazine came out and I saw this great spread on the Lather Spa in New York. I love the punches of color, the plant wall and the beautiful gift card packaging for those special occasions!

Summerstyle Goodies

From Acacia's new assortment for summer, here are my favorites...Fragrance Flower Diffuser (so fresh!), Reclaimed Wood Table with Stainless Steel Reversible Tray (so versatile!), and Ceramic Garden Stool (so beautiful!).

Algabar } Tea and Tranquility in LA

Beauty. Utility. Spirit. Oh my goodness, I need to get back out to LA...La Brea Avenue to be specific! Check out the Algabar Tea and Lifestyle store inspired by modern Chinoiserie and the art of living and giving. Here you will find a beautifully edited collection of Tea, Home Decor, Fragrance and Gourmet Foods. Algabar also features many unique events like tea and chocolate tastings, global flavor cooking classes, a hot tea bar, MarTEAnis and specialized catering.   I love the Algabar philosophy and it's tranquil and modern vibe!

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.

A Sweet and Sustainable Bedroom Bench!

I just love this sweet bench made of reclaimed Chinese Fir! Check out this lovely bench and many other inspiring lifestyle products for your Body, Spirit and Home at Acacia.

Ikat } Beauty and the Weave!

In a world full of fast paced technology, the latest and greatest gadgets and hyperlink surfing, it's comforting to believe that global textiles and culture will never go out of style. I pray that as a global culture we will preserve and support the ancient and traditional techniques of arts and crafts, like Ikat weaving. Having grown up with Ikat textiles from the Philippines and Thailand, I have enjoyed seeing Ikat being used in modern fashion and lifestyle. Above is the latest Trend Alert from Elle Decor's April 2008 issue via the fabulous Chaikhana blog and below is another Ikat trend sheet from Elle Decor in August 2007 via Style Court.

Lalla Lydia } Modern Moroccan Style Blog

Hey everyone! Please check out fellow blogger Lalla Lydia and her sumptuous Moroccan & Mediterranean style blog! Based out of Portland, Lydia is Moroccan by marriage and recently received a diploma in International Studies with a Mediterranean Region focus! Congratulations Lydia! You rock the Kasbah!

MiGi Style } Lifestyle Design By Martha Stewart Expats

Via the fabulous Hostess Blog, I have discovered MiGistyle. A lifestyle design company from two former Martha Stewart Living editors/designers, Michelle Adams and Gia Russo. They design great lifestyle product, create beautiful books and have many multimedia shows about entertaining. Swoon! They are so inspiring! Of course you can guess that I LOVE the Utopia collection!

Parasoleil - The Art of Shade

Via An Indian Summer, one of my favorite blogs, I discovered Parasoleil, a company out of Colorado that produces earth-conscious artistic copper panels for architectural and landscape design. I have a love affair with wood lattice, window grills, carvings and iron works found in places like India and Asia, so this product really gets my blood pumping. Thanks Bhavna!

Lily Lodge } Organic Floral Boutique in LA

Via Style Court I discovered Lily Lodge, a truly unique organic floral boutique experience in Los Angeles. With a family history of creativity and a background in fashion, proprietor Ariana Lambert Smeraldo takes flower power to another level! At Lily Lodge you will find pesticide-free flowers from local and organic growers and an amazing selection of one-of-a-kind vintage vases, set in a truly beautifying atmosphere. Finally floral decor gets the elevated status it deserves! Check out the glorious parlor like furnishings and the custom designed flower cooler which was designed to mimick artwork in a gallery or museum setting. Simply stunning.

Beautiful Antique Credenza

Peep this beautiful antique credenza that I saw at Cargo Inc on a recent trip to Portland! I just love how the hand painted tiles add a splash of vibrant color to the distressed dark brown wood.

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!

Nicolai Bergmann } Danish Modern Floral Artist in Japan

   
Nicolai Bergmann is an incredible Danish floral artist based in Japan. His modern style and visions for retail and fashion inspire me so much! When you check out his portfolio ("What's On" section) you will see that many luxury brands and upscale retailers have commissioned him for their stores and special events. In Japan, he has also opened various lifestyle concept stores that really take flowers, interiors and decor to a modern & sophisticated level.

Marks & Spencers } Spring e-Catalog & Green Mission

Wowee! I like the new Spring eCatalog by Marks & Spencer. These are some of my favorite images. I just love dark woods, cool whites and flashes of dark pink. I also love the jade green color of the plates and bowls in the bottom right photo.

I am also impressed by the Marks & Spencer environmental mission. It's called Plan A - because there is no Plan B! By 2012 Marks & Spencer aims to:

• Become carbon neutral
• Send no waste to landfill
• Extend sustainable sourcing
• Help improve the lives of people in our supply chain
• Help customers and employees live a healthier life-style

Very global cool!

An Indian Summer Bazaar } New Online Shop for Indian Decor

Fellow blogger Bhavna from An Indian Summer has just launched a wonderful online shop called An Indian Summer Bazaar! Featuring a sun drenched selection of fine Indian pillows, wall art, knick knacks and accessories, you will truly appreciate Bhavna's unique collection. Head on over there now and show some love!

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.

Mod Flower Box } Living Art from France

To add some living color to your home decor, get inspired by Flowerbox out of Marseilles. I am so enamored by these easy and modern displays of micro foliage! There is a special moss, called sphagnum moss that allows the plants to get the required amount of water needed for their growth. Très chic! For more inspiration have a peek at the Flowerbox photo gallery.

Graffiti-Arabesque Inspired Wallpaper from Sweden

This graffitti-arabesque inspired wallpaper design by Swedish company Funkis, is the funkiest! What an amazing accent wall this would be! The top color option gives the impression of a monogram too and would make a really edgy wedding invite pattern or detail. Maybe I'll ask my graf friend Hews One to create a custom piece using his tag style in the manner of Funkis!

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!)

Modern Condo Remodel } Finally Complete!

Well, we finally finished our year long DIY remodel of our old condo!!! Amidst all the frustration and angst, we are very happy with the results. Now if someone would just buy it we'd be really happy! We wanted give the new owners the most style and eco-conscious updates for their money (and ours). We were going for a downtown loft look and I think we got pretty close, thanks to Ikea! Check out these awesome before and after photos of the major renovation done to the kitchen and bathroom. The old kitchen had 70's faux wood grain and split pea soup laminate countertops, dated appliances and inefficient storage space. The new kitchen has sleek Eucalyptus veneer cabinets, steel look appliances, a double sink and a cool ceiling fan (can't see it in the picture, sorry).

Same thing with the bathroom...the old one had 70's faux wood grain and split pea soup laminate countertops. The new bathroom has a brand new all in one shower/tub (which was really challenging getting it in there), tile floors, energy efficient toilet, a stylish sink/vanity and chrome fixtures. Check out our cool Craigslist posting to see all of the features of this entry level condo.

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.

Free People } Kimono Inspired Storefront in Texas

I love the look of Free People's new store in Austin, Texas. Look at the kimono inspired painted storefront. Check out the Free People blog for the inside scoop on this great free spirited, urban boho brand. Anthropologie has a vibe similar to Free People...see photos from their cool headquarters in Philadelphia here (via Decor8).

Andrianna Shamaris } Global Organic Flavor

Andrianna Shamaris is an amazing designer with a tasty blend of global, modern and organic flavor. A world traveler, Andrianna designs, sources and retails all of the luxurious items in her stores on each coast ~ one in Soho, New York and the other in Malibu, California. I love her color story...it's seems very coastal but with global appeal ~ ivory, sea glass, teak and driftwood colors with touches of indigo and gold. She scouts the globe for materials and my favorites are shown in the photo above. *Antique Balinese ceremonial sarong pillows*Custom L-shaped sectional*Antique shell necklace and throw*Live Edge Teak/Resin coffee table* I'm lovin' 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.

D-mension Modular Shelving } Asian Mod style

I love this modular shelf design! D-mension is a steel shelf that mixes cool 60’s mod with modern design. But look a little closer and you will see that these shapes liken themselves to the classic Asian alter tables and plant stands that I love so much!.

Yamani } Indian Home Fashion

I found out about Yamini home textiles on my daily visit to the splendid blog, Rang Decor. The Yamini store chain in India has a vibrant collection of Indian flavored home furnishings like beddings, cushions, accessories as well as awe inspiring interiors and merchandising. I love these earthy-but-sleek modular shelves and the vibrant colors of the items displayed so casually.

Acronym Designs } Swilken Bench

This beautiful indoor/outdoor bench is a modern and sustainable piece by Acronym Designs. Inspired by the Swilken bridge in Scotland, it's made with reclaimed hardwood and a concrete base. See more modern sustainable furnishings here.

Zen Decor } Asian Modern Wall Vase

Add some meditative decor to the spirit of your home by making your own living art. Any flowers will do, just pick colors that complement your decor and follow these easy instructions for making a modern, gallery like floral installation. Go here for online instructions or download a nice pdf file here. Courtesy of Sunset Magazine.

Muléh } Sustainable South East Asian Style

Muléh means "to come home," in Javanese. This modern retailer is another one of my favorite global lifestyle companies with sustainable style. Muléh founder Christopher Reiter, spent several years in South East Asia and returned to share with the world a lifestyle store that reflects the "harmonious subtleties of Asian modern interiors." (yay!)

Featured furniture design collections include Kenneth Cobonpue (my favorite Filipino furniture designer!) and Warisan (from Bali). Many of these modern and savvy pieces are made in southeast Asia with natural & rapidly renewable organic materials ~ like abaca (manila hemp), bamboo, rattan, reclaimed teak ~ and with self-imposed eco-friendly manufacturing guidelines. I just love all the dark woods, distinct lines and textures!

Greener Lifestyles } in Sustainable Ballard

Greener Lifestyles is a modern sustainable furnishings store in Ballard. For those who don't know, Ballard is a hip and sustainable neighborhood just northwest of downtown Seattle. In this modern and delightful store, you will find refreshingly hip furniture, flooring, linens, bamboo tableware, gifts and more. They carry samples of Flor tiles, EcoTimber and Yolo paint for your green decor pleasure. Most of their furniture is custom designed inhouse. I love the sofa collections and the meditation chair you see below (in chocolate colored upholstery.) Unfortunately, there is no info about this piece on their website, so just give them a call and ask for Ben.

 

Just Green } Seattle Design Center

After poking around the Girari website for sustainable event rentals, I discovered JustGreen, a dealer at the Seattle Design Center. To my further delight, it turns out that JustGreen is a company offering sustainable furnishings to the trade. I will definitely contact them if I ever have a sustainable enough budget to plan a party using Girari's sustainable event furnishings.