LotusHaus

Outdoor Table and Bench with Arabic Geometric Flavor

Via Designboom, I discovered the 'Tablecloth Series' by landscape designer Tina Sudell. This outdoor table and bench series has a hot dose of modern design with powder coated steel, rounded edges and laser cut Arabic Geometric "tablecloth" pattern! It's a perfect punch of color and style for your patio!

A Cookout with the Cousins

Our family was in town from Virginia and we had a wonderful Tuesday cookout on the patio! Grilled burgers, corn on the cob, salmon, fruit salad, pina coladas and all the fixings! I went to the Renton Farmer's Market and purchased two beautiful bouquets (only $5 each) and decorated the patio with items from my first Thanksgiving party... silk banners and runners plus throw pillows in cranberry, persimmon and grape colors.

Pink and Green Indoor and Outdoor Living

I think this pink and green scheme for indoor/outdoor living is simply divine... add a stone Buddha, a ceramic Kuan Yin figurine or a Thai Temple house and some carved teak wood panels and I'm all set!!! Check out more stunning photos by Pierre-jean Verger. Via Desire to Inspire.

Crate & Barrel Outdoor

 

I was in Crate and Barrel the other day, and I fell in love with the Ventura Collection for my covered balcony! I love the plum, sangria and sunset accent colors and neutral seating. Too bad my bank account hates the idea...

Chlorophylle Grass Planter Centerpiece

These would be sleek and modern centerpieces! Grown your own grass in these luxe Chlorophylle grass planter boxes! Via Totally Tabletops.

Organic "LOVE" to Your and Yours!

Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours! This organic "LOVE" photo was taken by Duncan and Melany Berry, my dear friends and mentors, and co-founders of Westwind, the most magnificent coastal habitat and sustainable retreat center situated on the central Oregon coast... this natural artwork exists as a result of 3000 miles of land meeting 6000 miles of sea at the wild edge of our continent...Showing us that love is everywhere!

Modern Garden Stools

Lovin' these eclectic and modern garden stools. Buy them at Gump's in San Francisco.

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.

Habitat UK

Housemartin reminded me to check out the latest selections from Habitat...I'm so glad I did! These images are inspiring!

A Green 4th of July!

For this year's 4th of July party I was inspired by the cool green, white and brown colors of Carlene & Sonny's wedding theme and the Its Heavenly Blog. I wanted to keep my party as green & reusable as possible and really didn't want to buy anything novelty that I knew would never see another day. I used green colored reed placements to dress up my wooden screen and covered my cushions with green fabric remnants. For table decor I used exising glass vases, wrapped them with bamboo placemats and filled them with colored curly willow that I already owned.

Other green decor included bamboo shoots from our bedroom and my masterpiece of the day...a bamboo water fountain! I took my bamboo floor lamp and secured a wood tray on top with raffia wire. Then I made an arrangement with bamboo shoots, river rocks, succulents from the backyard and an old fountain pump. Voila!  A relaxing and free flowing soundscape to melt away the heat. We love it! It's still in the patio and greets us whenever we enter our home!

Happy Friday from My Garden

A pink peony, some pink roses and green grasses from my garden...My favorite bear from Shanghai Tang...A vintage fish catching basket...and found ceramics. Have a great weekend! It's a gorgeous day here in Seattle!

Yvonne Floral Design } Stunning Wedding Decor

I'm simply in awe of Yvonne Floral Design from Hawaii! I'm even more in awe that she grew up around her family's floral design studios right here in Washington State (I wonder which ones?). Yvonne's work is beyond amazing and you should head over to her gallery right now! These photos represent just a few of my favorites displaying a unique and graphic take on floral decor. For photos of a recent wedding done by Yvonne in sumptuous chocolate brown, pink and lime, check out The Bride's Cafe.

My Kind of Picnic!

These colorful tiered bento-style lunchboxes and tableware from Graham & Green make me want to party outside! These are from the UK but click here to purchase similar lunchboxes in the US.

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.

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!

Global Modern Gardens } Inspiration from Sunset Magazine

I'm really soothed by this backyard garden with global touches. The colors are refreshing and the details divine. I especially love the tea station for two! Via Sunset Magazine.

Bohemian Rhapsody was the theme for this lovely garden by Vanessa Kuemmerle a landscape designer and the founder of Vee Horticulture. I just love the wooden Balinese doors and the batik cushions!

Here are some of Vanessa's tips for what I would call an eclectic and global garden:

• Use tertiary colors on the color wheel for more complexity and depth. (ex. sage, lime, charcoal, maroon and aqua)
• Think eclectic and sensual - incorporate plants from all over the world.
• Use plants in layers and mix them for textures, colors and scents.
• Don't be a plant snob. Shop everywhere for plants & accessories
• Play with scale - uses big leafed plants up front and small leafed ones in back.

Via Sunset Magazine.

Swanky Tables Blog & Mod Asian Settings

Via the cool new event design blog Swanky Tables, I was led to these awesome photos of low table settings by Wildflower Linens. In a funky world-beat style, the top photo reminds me of Japan in Wonderland and the bottom photo is like a marriage of West Elm and Anthropologie. How inspiring & fun! Thanks Annette!

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.

Jim Denevan } The Zen of Sand Art

Take a deep breath and plunge into the beautiful work of Jim Denevan, a phenomenal artist that makes larger than life freehand drawings in the sand. Truly in touch with each moment and the law of impermanence, Jim's labor of love usually takes hours to complete. Once his freestyle design is done the ocean washes in to reclaim its canvas and to reinforce the awesome power of nature.

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!

Wintergreen snowflakes } DIY or buy an eco-gift

These wintergreen snowflakes are so lovely and naturally whimsical! Make your own using this DIY guide from Sunset magazine or jump on OrganicStyle.com and send an Organic Pine Snowflake or a Pine Peace Wreath to your favorite person! 

Grass Planters by Chiaki Murata

I just love these grass planters by Tokyo based product designer Chiaki Murata of Metaphys. They kind of remind me of cement blocks. I can envision a whole world of floral possibilities with these vessels! Via Inhabitat. Buy a square version at Uncommon Goods.

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.

Portland Chinese Garden

One of my favorite gardens is the Portland Classical Chinese Garden. Smack dab in the heart of Chinatown in downtown Portland, this garden was built as a replica of the Suzhou Chinese Gardens in Portland's sister-city, Suzhou, China.  It is a wonderful and serene place with ponds, bridges, scholar houses, viewing decks and a tea house. Please visit this splendid place the next time you are in Portland. These pictures are from our visit early last year.

When Your Garden's at Stake

"A garden needs only a few simple things to thrive: water, sunlight, soil, and attitude!" These garden stakes by Pamela Barsky are such a riot! I love 'em! Buy them here.

Orla Kiely Goes Camping!

Via Style Files, I found out that Orla Kiely, one of my favorite textile designers, has a camping line! Makes me wanna camp out in the jungle of my back yard! So cool!

Feeling Succulent?

For your next floral arrangement, visit Succulent in LA for a longer lasting and sustainable alternative to fresh cut flowers. You'll love their low maintenance and greenery. To me, succulents are like the plant version of lotus blossoms!

For some modern garden inspiration, head over to Sprout Home's new location in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Check out more pics here. Via Design*Sponge.

4th of July } Food, Folks & Fireworks

Hands down, this was the best 4th of July celebration ever! We had our very first patio party with our families in our new home (we moved in last August), enjoyed a beautiful sunset and a 180 degree view of the fireworks all across town. My hubby and I had fun setting up our outdoor patio for entertaining. We have a big covered patio that has a nice view and a great breeze. I just used decorations that I had around the house. The red, orange and purple lanterns were thrift store finds, the arabesque wood screen was a Craigslist buy, the patio set is from an off-price retailer and the lovely flowers are from our garden. The tables are our collapsible dj tables and the benches are from our dining table set up. Oh, it was a lovely day!

I love our new grill! My father-in-law, the grill master, was in full effect and we ate until we were stuffed! Then we ate some more!

Jamali Garden } hanging lanterns

I'm in love with these fantastic hanging lanterns from Jamali Garden in New York. These lanterns offer soft and colorful lighting solutions and would be great accents indoors or outdoors. I think they would look lovely for a patio or balcony setting. The prices are incredibly affordable and there are discounts for buying in bulk.

Carmel } Modern outdoors

I really LOVE the Carmel outdoor collection I found over at Allegro Classics. Unfortunately, my check book doesn't feel the same way about it...know what I mean?

Maku } Indonesian modern & sustainable outdoor furniture

Founded by two "Global Surfers, Travelers, Marketers and Lifestyle enthusiasts", Maku Furnishings offers "non traditional furnishings for a modern world." Their surf-inspired aesthetic is tempered by a distinctly modern feeling that yields a pretty unique set of products; Maku calls them "experiential, organic, and relevant to passionate lifestyle participants and design enthusiasts." All of Maku's products are made from sustainably-harvested teak from Indonesia, and they're also proud members of 1% for the Planet. Via Sustainable Style

I love the limited edition Maku lounge chair. It has beautiful hand carvings peaking out from underneath the armrest! Also, check out the incredible wood doors!  

Nau } beauty, performance, sustainability

Nau, (pronounced “now,” meaning “welcome” in the language of New Zealand’s Maoris), is a Portland based sustainable outdoor apparel company, that has really captured my green heart. The holistic nature of their design philosophy, modern styling, and sustainable processes epitomize to me the Emerald standard for all retail enterprises.
 
In addition to well-fashioned and well-thought out product, they have also launched an environmentally responsible retail concept that satisfies the demands of us socially conscious customers. The key to their strategy involves blending an online store with brick-and-mortar storefronts, that they've coined, "Webfronts."

Currently in Seattle, Portland, Boulder and Chicago, these Webfronts appear to be like any other store: physical locations where shoppers can browse, try on garments, ask questions and purchase items. But the stores feature computer kiosks to allow customers to research products and, if they choose, buy them online for home delivery at no charge. Because purchases are made online, the stores can carry less inventory, thus reducing costs and reducing impact on the environment. Webfronts require less square footage, thereby cutting down on building materials and decreasing energy use.

I'll be sure to check out our store here in Seattle (actually it's in Bellevue, which is east of Seattle) and give you a full update. But in the meantime, check out their beautifully designed flash website and watch this incredibly tactile and inspiring video for a stylish and interactive look into the Nau philosophy of beauty, performance and sustainability.

Heal's } Outdoor Style

Check out these exciting modern outdoor pieces over at Heal's (UK)*. Don't you love the variety of shapes, textures and forms? Teak, metal, rattan, cane and ceramic are all wonderfully natural and enduring materials that help beautify any outdoor space.

1. Sunan range - galvanised wire

2. Cadiz range - teak and white porcelain

3. Pod woven - all weather weave

4. Lutyens loveseat - teak. (reminiscent of my favorite Indonesian and Philippine benches)

*Not sure if they deliver to the US.

Urban Outfitters } going outdoors

I heard it through the grapevine... via ApartmentTherapy and TrendCentral:

"Urban Outfitters Inc. is planning to launch a new brand concept in 2008. In what sounds like a smart execution of the urban gardening trend, merchandise will reportedly consist of lifestyle home and garden products, antiques, and live flowers and plants."

For more dirt, dig here to get an underground look into the Urban Outfitters campus in Philly via decor8.

In the meantime, you could always sprout a couch or spruce up your space with your own DIY modern green arrangement.