At the moment, our patio resembles a disaster area. Bikes and scooters are strewn everywhere, with a couple of potted plants, gardening tools and a grill thrown in for good measure. Suffice it to say it’s not exactly the type of place where I’d want to sit and spend a lazy evening. The hubby insists he’ll take care of it, but I’m not holding my breath. I know there are about a million other things that are more important at the moment. I AM, however, imagining the way the space will look when it’s done. Of course, in my head it’s about three times its actual size and there would be room for a full dining set, but I digress.

I am absolutely in love with the Reclaimed Contempo patio furniture collection from Viva Terra.  It features clean lines and feels ultra industrial, but in a great way. I do wonder how comfortable it is, because it honestly looks a little stiff. But then again, a lot of wooden patio furniture looks hard, but feels comfortable. I do love the rough-hewn look of the wood, which was salvaged from old barns and farm buildings. And even better, it is made by artisans right here in the USA.

So hubby, if you’re reading this, nudge, nudge. I want a place for us to sit and snuggle when the normally oppressive Georgia heat finally gives us a break.

Why It’s Green:

• Made in the U.S.A. of reclaimed wood

Price: $429-898 through June 24, regularly $475-995 (aff)

© 2009 Green Your Decor. Do not republish any items from this feed without permission.

Feeling Some Outdoor Envy: Reclaimed Contempo Collection

I’ve never really been a fan of anything that could be described as French Country. In fact, I’d have to say that as a general rule, that is the exact opposite of my design aesthetic. So why in the world did I fall in love with these chairs and sofa from FCLstyle.com? “FCL” as in French Country Living. Because they’re gorgeous!

The Feuille de Chocolat Armchair is definitely my favorite of the bunch, although I’m only mildly fond of the flocked blue and brown print. And although the Eco-Seat sofa has very French lines and details, I could see it in a very bohemian home with an eclectic mishmash of styles — exactly what I envision my “perfect” home being. And since the pillows come with the sofa, that’s one less detail you have to think about (unless you choose to recover them).

But the look isn’t the best part about these pieces. Check out “Why It’s Green” below.

Why It’s Green:

• Upholstered in 100% organic cotton with GOTS certified dyes
• Frames made of sustainably harvested wood

Price: La Verdure Chair, $795; Feuille de Chocolat Armchair, $1295; Eco-Seat Sofa, $2195(aff)

© 2009 Green Your Decor. Do not republish any items from this feed without permission.

Please Take a Seat: Eco-Friendly Sofa & Chairs from FCL Style

I thank God every day that my husband is an understanding man. He doesn’t complain when I spend hours looking at design blogs, going through retailers’ catalogs or browsing endless ads on Craigslist. He humors me when I get over-excited about some piece of furniture or other — even if he doesn’t like it. And he is actually entertaining idea of finding and refinishing furniture as an extention of the Green Your Decor brand. So I know (hope?) he will be completely understanding when I explain to him why I simple HAVE to have this table. Two of them, in fact.

It’s not just that the figure 8 shape is the perfect abstract representation of my favorite number. It’s not just that its made of reclaimed elm. It’s just that this table was made for me — plain and simple. I’m 100% sure that the designer of this table crawled into my brain, took a long stroll, then set up camp and started sketching. It represents everything I love in furniture. The curvy shape is a little Hollywood Regency, but the dark wood finish means it’s not too glam or fancy to be out of place with contemporary decor. And lets be honest — a figure 8 will never go out of style.

Seriously, I want this table.  My husband will thank me later.

Why It’s Green:

• Made of reclaimed elm

Price: $695

© 2009 Green Your Decor. Do not republish any items from this feed without permission.

Shape Lusting: Reclaimed Hollywood Table by Eboniste

There are two places in our home where I’d like to put a chair. But not just any chair. It has to be used — preferably from the mid-century era. And it has be something I can bring back to life with new upholstery. Of course, the idea that I can reupholster a chair with no experience or help other than internet tutorials is just that — an idea. As badly as I want to attempt this, I admit I’m more than a little intimidated. After all, chair upholstery can require a lot of fabric, and I don’t want to start something I won’t finish. So while I build my courage to attempt my own rehab job, here are a few vintage chairs that have been given a gorgeous new life with a little elbow grease:

1. Rubie

If I could ever convince my husband that pink really is a great decorating color, even outside our daughter’s room, I’d snatch up this chair in a heartbeat. Not only does it feature the gorgeous mid-century lines that I love so much, it is also reupholstered in Rubie Green’s organic cotton East Village fabric. Seriously, I think etsy seller revivalfurniture made this one just for me. And if not for me, I imagine Nicole Balch from Making It Lovely could find a place for it. Price: $650

2. Lewittes Wingback Cane Chair

Call me crazy, but I think this chair is fabulous!  It’s bright, velvety (is that a word), and seriously funky! And would you believe I found a chair like this with very similar bones at a thrift store once and didn’t buy it because I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to reupholster it? The ugly floral fabric definitely needed replacing. Now that I see how gorgeous this chair looks, I’m really beginning to regret passing on that thrift store find. Particularly since it would’ve cost me just $45. Price: $550

3. Lucille

A lot of people think it’s a sin to paint old wood, but I’m OK with it in some circumstances. This chair from etsy seller threesidewaysglances is one of them. The muted gray paint paired with Thomas Paul’s parasol fabric is a gorgeous combination. But, this chair will definitely call attention to itself, so it could be tough to place. Still, projects like this give me hope that I can turn a beat up old chair into something fresh and fabulous. Price: $529

4. Reupholstered Vintage Tomlinson Chairs

I admit I’m swooning a little over these chairs. More specifically, over the fabulous reupholstery. Left to my own devices, I never would have chosen something so opulent, with black and grey velvet and velour paired with embroidered satin. And while the embroidery is a little more frilly than I’d like, the combination is really stunning. Price: $599/ea.

Looking for more inspiration? Do what I do: Stalk the Design Sponge Before & After section. I’ll also be obsessively checking Craigslist for the diamond in the rough I can nurse back to health. Have a vintage piece you’d like to share? I’d love to see it!

© 2009 Green Your Decor. Do not republish any items from this feed without permission.

A Few Vintage Chairs for Your Inspiration

Given that we’re moving from a 3-bedroom apartment into a smaller 2-bedroom apartment next week, I very easily could be losing my office space altogether. I am fortunate, however, to have a brightly-lit sunroom that I’ll be able to use as my workspace. This long, narrow space presents a bit of design dilemma. The first is where to put a desk, since the longest wall features 4 windows from corner to corner. With a fifth window on the other wall in one of the corners and a door in the other corner. Yeah. I have my work cut out for me.

The second is where do I store all my supplies: Paper, color pencils, folders and files, design books, etc. And where do I put my large & ugly, but necessary, all-in-one printer? I’ll be losing all the storage that comes with the huge, hulking desk I have now (which is too large for the space), and I’d really prefer not to live out of boxes. Not very stylish, and I literally can’t function in chaos. For me, chaos = stacks of unpacked boxes and a printer on the floor.  And so, I begin my quest for stylish, functional, eco-friendly storage. These modular units from Housefish are pretty close to perfect, in my mind!

They are modern and colorful, which sums up my style pretty well, and they are stackable, so I can use as many as I need — and I’m thinking I’d need about 3 of them. I could hide all my unsightly files behind the doors and even put my printer inside so I don’t have to look at it until absolutely necessary. This ability to hide stuff — particularly my printer — is exactly why a regular bookcase wouldn’t necessarily work. Even with bins and baskets, to contain everything else, the printer would still stick out like a sore thumb. I can just imagine the fun I’d have mixing and matching the door colors, maybe even going doorless on the top unit where I’d keep all my colorful (read: pretty) design books and magazines.

These units are available in 3 heights and two colors, so they can be customized to fit my needs, AND they’re also made of FSC-certified wood, so they fit literally every requirement I could throw at them but one: short-term affordability. Three units would cost me upward of $1500, which is definitely not in the budget right now.  That said, short-term affordability isn’t the major deciding factor for me here. Functionality, lasting value and sustainability are. I’ll probably have to start with one unit and work my way up, adding a new one whenever there’s a little breathing room in our monthly budget. But honestly, these are just the kind of pieces that are worth saving for.

They are incredibly versatile, so if, in the future, if I decided to use one in our bedroom as a TV stand, I totally could. I could see it used as a sideboard in the dining room, as a console table in a living room or entryway, or as fun, colorful storage in a child’s bedroom or playroom. The doors could easily be repainted to match the decor in any room. And if I’m going to invest a total of 4 figures for furniture, it is an absolute requirement that it be versatile and lasting. The type of pieces I can still imagine in my home 30 years from now.

So really, my search for storage has ended nearly as quickly as it started. Hopefully in the next few weeks, graphic design projects willing, I’ll have one of these babies in my new office space.

Why It’s Green:

• Made in the U.S. of FSC-certified wood
• Doors painted with a no-VOC powdercoat finish
• Packaging is mostly recycled, completely recyclable and plastic-free (yay!)
• Versatile and sturdy enough to last you a lifetime

Price: $419-698/unit

© 2009 Green Your Decor. Do not republish any items from this feed without permission.

A Stylish Place to Stash Your Stuff: Housefish Modular Units

As much as I love to decorate, sometimes I really hate shopping for furniture. Why, you ask? Simply put, because of my conscience.

I am in the market for a new desk. In order to be closer to my daughter’s doctors, we are moving about an hour away into a smaller apartment. We currently use our third bedroom as a studio/office space. In the new apartment, I will have to use the small, narrow sunroom as an office space. This necessitates buying a new desk, because my current one is entirely too large for the space.

My first course of action: trying to find a used desk. I have been to literally every thrift and consignment store in town and have been watching Craigslist like a hawk. Everything I’ve found is either too big, too damaged or made of the same cheap MDF I’m hoping to avoid. And so I started looking for new desks. There’s a part of me that wants to buy the cheapest, most stylish option. But then I start looking at where desks like this were made and what they’re made of, and it makes me cringe. I’ve spent days and hours on end trying to find a desk with as much green cred as possible that I can actually afford.

The Greenest Desks

ORCHID BAMBOO DESK BY GREENINGTON: This is easily my favorite of all the desks I’ve found. It is clean and simple enough to fit into any decor and it is available the dark color that I love (Espresso). I do suspect it may be a little too large at 60″ wide. Because my Mac doesn’t require a tower, I don’t need a lot of desktop space, and I don’t have a lot of space to work with. The price also hurts my feelings a little. I certainly understand why it costs so much, but it’s still out of reach. If this were the only cost associated with our move, we could probably swing it. But with moving truck to rent, movers to pay, etc., the initial cost is just too high, at least for now. Why It’s Green: Made of organic Moso bamboo. Best Price I Could Find: $599 w/free shipping

KNU DESK 1: You’ll begin to see a trend here: Simplicity. Because the desk will be very visible as soon as you walk in the front door and won’t be allotted much space, I want a piece with few frills. This very simple piece from Knu fits all the criteria and is still big enough to accommodate my Mac. Another of my favorites that’s priced out of reach. Why It’s Green: Made of FSC certified wood whenever possible and available in six eco-friendly veneer choices. Best Price I Could Find: $789 (aff)

REKINDLE DESK BY INMODERN: This is easily the most unique among all the green desks I’ve found, with it’s bowed legs and rounded edges. It’s also available in a fabulous steel gray finish that’s unlike anything I’ve seen anywhere else. But is it too unique? Seems like it might be, because the Rekindle is hard to find. On the plus side, the price is quite a bit lower than the two options above, and it comes with lots of green features. Why It’s Green: Made of FSC-certified SmartWood, formaldehyde free and finished with water-based stains, ships flat-packed, all materials sourced in North America, and designed and manufactured in USA. Best Price I Could Find: $420.

LINEAR DESK BY INMODERN: Easily the most affordable of the truly eco-friendly desks. No real complaints about the price. But it’s really not ideal in terms of style. It would work, but I can picture myself looking at it for months and months wondering if I should have picked something else. Again, on the plus side though, it does have a complementary storage bookcase, which is something else I’d like to get for the single wall in the sunroom. And I actually like this piece. Why It’s Green: Made of FSC-certified SmartWood, formaldehyde free and finished with water-based stains, ships flat-packed, all materials sourced in North America, and designed and manufactured in USA. Best Price I Could Find: $246.99 (aff)

DIRECTIONS EAST BREEZE DESK: I like this desk, really, but something about it doesn’t feel right for my needs. Still, it’s reasonably green and very stylish, and it has a matching bookcase. Why It’s Green: Made of recyclable stainless steel with a bamboo top and finished with a water-based stain. Best Price I Could Find: $359.99 (aff)

Cheaper Desks I’m Considering

HOMETRENDS WELGROVE DESK: I really like the style of this desk, and the price makes it even more attractive. BUT, I have a lot of questions about it’s construction. For instance, the desk has a Paulownia wood finish, but is it made of solid wood, or just veneers over MDF? Does it contain formaldehyde? Were non-toxic stains or finishes used?I really have to decide whether the price justifies all those questions. Why It May Be Green: Made with fast-growing Paulownia wood and a recyclable steel frame. Price: $149.99

UO CONVERTIBLE SIDE TABLE: This technically isn’t a desk, but given it’s dimensions, it would work great for this purpose. The “convertible” part of the table is it’s height. It can be used as a coffee table at 28.5″ tall, or as a desk, dining table, console, etc. at up to 30″ tall. Useful, but I’m still not sure if it’s ideal since it’s green credentials are sketchy and it’s not exactly the most stylish table I’ve ever seen. Why It’s Green: Made of recyclable iron with a mango wood top (mango wood is harvested only after the trees are no longer bearing fruit). Price: $199.99.

The more I look at this list, the more I’m leaning toward one of the pieces from InModern. The difference in price from the cheaper options doesn’t seem worth all my questions. But I want the Orchid desk. And therein lies the reason why I’m hating this particular shopping excursion. Maybe if I’m able to make enough from the sale of my current desk on Craigslist, I’ll be able to afford the Orchid. Universe, do you hear that?

If you’ve come across any other green desks that caught your eye, I’d love hear about them in the comments below!

© 2009 Green Your Decor. Do not republish any items from this feed without permission.

My Search for the Perfect, Affordable Green Desk

Most days, I am reasonably content with my financial status. We have a roof over our head, food to eat and all the amenities of modern life. But there are moments, few though they may be, when I wish I had an unlimited amount of disposable income. Because if I did, I wouldn’t even blink before buying this beautiful mirror from SO Green Store. I have been on the hunt for a vintage sunburst clock or mirror to hang over the TV in the living room, opposite a trio of black and white photos in black, museum-style frames. This mirror would be the like the cherry on the pie. The room would be complete without it, but would just enhance the space so much more!

I am literally awestruck by how beautiful this is! Most of the items in my home have clean, geometric lines. More transitional than modern, but definitely not frilly or over the top. For that reason, this mirror would call attention to itself and be the definite standout in the room. At 36″ x 36″, there’s no way anyone could miss it, and I am seriously wishing I had an extra $600 right now. Are you listening, universe?

Why It’s Green:

• The artisan who makes it is committed to sustainability, and has implemented a “1 for 1″ replanting program to replace every tree that is consumed to produce this product.

Price: $583

© 2009 Green Your Decor. Do not republish any items from this feed without permission.

Covet Alert! This Curled Mirror is on my Wish List!

I’m coming down with a serious case of baby fever. Perhaps its the fact that we finally have enough room to welcome a new addition to our family, or the fact that it’s been a few years since I held an infant in my arms and I want my daughter to have a sibling in the household, or that so many of my friends, both in the bloggy world and the real world, are either pregnant or new moms. Most of all, it’s probably the lure of a new nursery to decorate. In any case, I’m getting a serious itch to have a new baby. I’m not the only one. My friend Renee over at Cutie Booty Cakes wrote about the same thing yesterday. These feelings, of course, have led to my imagining what my baby’s gorgeous, green nursery would look like.  The new Eicho and Roh nursery furniture collections from Spot on Square are making my itch exponentially worse.

The Eicho collection includes a minimal crib and changing table, and they are both reasonably priced and eco-friendly, which can sometimes be a tough combination to find. There is, of course, some sacrifice involved. Rather than hardwood, these pieces are made of MDF, albeit made of 100% recycled/reclaimed, formaldehyde-free MDF. Still, I think it’s a great value for parents and parents-to-be who want an environmentally-friendly nursery but who aren’t in the position to drop 4+ figures on a crib alone.

The Roh collection is drop-dead gorgeous, but definitely for the more well-off among us unless you’ve done a whole lot of saving in preparation for your little one. Along with a frame made of beautiful locally-sourced Walnut, the side panels of the Roh crib are made of BPA free, phthalate free, recyclable acrylic, making for a contemporary, but timeless look that any parent will be able to appreciate. The crib is available with just one side or both sides made of acrylic, and the ends are available in gray or white. The dresser with available changing tray are equally as fabulous. I’m drooling right now.

Soooo…now I just have to convince the hubby that it’s time for a new baby, and figure out in advance how we’d explain it to our 4-year-old.

Why It’s Green:

• Made of sustainable materials, including 100% recycled/reclaimed, formaldehyde-free MDF, locally sourced walnut and BPA-free, phthalate-free, recyclable acrylic
• Made in the U.S.

Price: $310-1990. Use coupon code “”HLWN10” to get 10% off through 10/31/09.

© 2009 Green Your Decor. Do not republish any items from this feed without permission.

Nursery Eye Candy = Baby Fever: Eicho & Roh Collections by Spot on Square

Whew! This has been a long week and a half for me. The actually process of moving is almost never fun, but even less so when you have to do it all yourself up a very narrow flight of stairs. But you know what? Having our own place is worth every bump, bruise and scratch along the way, and I couldn’t be happier if I tried. Well…I’ll be happier when we get rid of all these boxes, but still…

And having all this space has definitely given me the decorating itch. Even with boxes stacked up all in corners and along walls, I see so much potential. Take our master bedroom, for example. I’ve been saying for a while that we want to get a platform bed, but we’ve got a lot more space now than we’re used to. So much that I’d love to get a cushy chair to put in a corner for those quiet mornings when I just want to sit under a window and read.

The Linden Armchair from West Elm is green enough to be a serious contender, not to mention stylish and timeless. Even the dust cover is made of organic cotton. I can just picture curling up in this baby with a hot cup of mint tea. There’s just one problem. It costs more than my rent

Why It’s Green:

• Made of FSC-certified wood
• Cushions partially made of soy-based polyfoam
• Recycled cotton upholstery
• Dust cover made of organic cotton grown in the U.S.
• Low-impact dyes release no toxins

Price: $749 (aff)

© 2009 Green Your Decor. Do not republish any items from this feed without permission.

Just Add a Good Book: Linden Armchair from West Elm

I have a problem with wanting what I can’t have. For example, when we move into our new place, I have a serious urge to sell ALL of our existing furniture, which has been sitting in storage for 2 years and is no longer in remote alignment with my current taste, and refurnish the entire place with pieces that are:

1. Made sustainably with long-lasting quality, and
2. Closer to my and my husband’s now more-refined tastes

That’s flawed thinking of course, because the most sustainable thing to do would be to keep what we already have and learn to live with it. But I can’t help but dream. If we were to start from scratch? The new dining area would begin with this Fire WCS Dining Table from PURE by Ami McKay.

It is nothing short of droolworthy, and did I mention it’s on sale? A price tag of nearly $900 is still nothing to sneeze at, but it’s better than $1370. At 30″ tall and 48″ in diameter, it’s small enough to fit comfortably in a breakfast nook and big enough to seat at least 4 people. I’m also a sucker for the elegance of round tables.

Give me a beautiful capiz shell chandelier and a group of vintage tulip chairs, and I’d be in dining heaven. At least in my dreams, I would. My bloggy buddy David over at The Good Human reminded me the other day that we can’t shop our way out of the climate crisis, so I’ll likely just wind up attacking our boring, blonde wood dining table with a can of paint. Because no matter how much I fantasize, that would be the greenest thing to do.

But if you NEED a dining table, by all means, have at it

Why It’s Green:

• Made in Vancouver, Canada of sustainable kirei and wheatboard
• Uses non-toxic adhesives and finishes
• Member of the Sustainable Furniture Council

Price: $890.50

© 2009 Green Your Decor. Do not republish any items from this feed without permission.

Heat Up Your Meals: Fire WCS Dining Table by Ami McKay

My husband and I have been sleeping on just a set of mattresses on the floor for a while, because buying a bed frame just hasn’t been a priority. But I’m really beginning to miss the feeling of a fully decked-out bed. I love the low height of the mattresses, confirming my suspicion that I’d be happiest with a platform bed that doesn’t take up a lot of space. I’ve featured some great ones in the past, but the Stillwell and Low Rider beds by WONK NYC have skyrocketed to the top of the list.

Both beds are made of carbonized bamboo ply. The low-rider features a sleek, simple style with just enough corner detail to make it special. And at just 9″ high, we’d still be able to maintain the low profile I’ve come to love. I really like it, but the Stillwell has more of the features that I think I’d want in a bed, including a gorgeous headboard and storage space underneath. The headboard and storage drawers cost extra, but I’m OK with that. I think they’d be worth the price. The Stillwell is also available in natural bamboo, which is a closer match to the IKEA wardrobes we’ve had for a while.

I have some ideas about our bedding too, but that’s something we don’t need right now, so I’ll have to stay away from temptation

Why It’s Green:

• Made in N.Y. of carbonized bamboo

Price: Low Rider, $975-1475; Stillwell, $1935

© 2009 Green Your Decor. Do not republish any items from this feed without permission.

Stylish Slumber: Stillwell & Low Rider Beds by WONK NYC

As my husband and I search for a place of our own after several years of living with family members, I now face the task of remembering what we have sitting in storage. Suffice it to say our taste has changed quite a bit in the last few years. I’d like to think mine has become more sophisticated. For example, if I had known then what I know now, the hubbs and I never would have purchased a red sectional. Yes. I said it. A red sectional. Not a smart move, but we didn’t know better at the time.

Likewise, we purchased a large, old-fashioned bedroom suite complete with a sleigh bed, mostly because it was the most affordable we could find at the time. We have since sold that bedroom set and are living without much furniture. When we do move into our own place, it would be great if we could replace it with something much more stylish and timeless. It would be even better if we could replace our furniture with pieces from the Concerto Collection at Z Gallerie.

In the years since I really started digging in and learning about interior decor, I’ve always wanted at least one piece of furniture with a mirrored front. The entire Concerto Collection boasts this feature, backed by painted white hardwood. And to my glee, all the wood comes from managed forests where trees are replanted. Of course, there are some other issues that make me question the green credentials of this furniture:

1. It is made in China, and “managed forests” over there often aren’t as well-managed as we’d like them to be
2. Again, it is made in China, which means I’d have to factor in the carbon emissions of transportation
3. I know nothing about whether the adhesives and finishes used in the construction of these pieces are water-based, non-toxic or VOC-free

I guess I could just go ahead and call this furniture light green — maybe even pale green. But I still can’t help admiring its beauty. Z Gallerie, if you can answer my questions, you still may make a customer of me yet.

Why It’s Green:

• Handmade with wood from managed forests

Made In: China

Price: $399-999

© 2009 Green Your Decor. Do not republish any items from this feed without permission.

Beautiful, but Not Very Green: Concerto Mirrored Bedroom Suite

Small though they may be, children are expensive to raise, sometimes more so when you’re trying to raise them with green values. So when I find Nurseryworks eco-friendly furniture on sale for 50-70% off, I take notice.

I’ve had my eye on the Nurseryworks Storytime Bookcase, top left, and Vale Headboard for quite some time now, so I’m ecstatic that fawn & forest has slashed prices on these, and many other Nurseryworks items. This is one of my favorite manufacturers of modern, incredibly stylish furniture for kids that also happen to be sustainably made and non-toxic.

At these prices, I imagine these pieces won’t last long! See below for the full list of Nurseryworks items on sale at fawn&forest.

NOTE: Notice the new logo for Green Steals of the Week. It’s less intrusive and easier to fit with photos, so look out for this icon instead of the old green one.

Why It’s Green:

• Made of MDF and Paulownia wood. MDF is Grade EO, which offers very minimal offgassing. Paulownia wood is a fast-growing, fire and decay-resistant hardwood species.
• Uses low-VOC finishes, lacquers, and glues.

Prices:

• Loom Changing Table: $330 (on sale from $1110)
• Goodnight Ottoman: $310 (reduced from $620)
• Vale Headboard: $312 (on sale from $625)
• Storytime Bookcase, single: $350 (reduced from $700)
• Storytime Bookcase, double: $625 (on sale from $1250)
• Mini Sleepytime Rocker: $92.50 (reduced from $185)
• Perch Stool: $212 (on sale from $424)

© 2009 Green Your Decor. Do not republish any items from this feed without permission.

Green Steals of the Week: Huge Reductions on Nurseryworks Furniture

Lately, I’ve been obsessing over all things vintage. There’s something about objects that have stood the test of time that is just incredibly appealing to me. I’m not sure I can pull together classy vintage fashion looks, but I ‘m fairly certain I can make a home sing with vintage pieces. I got lucky at the thrift store this past weekend and walked away with an old iron birdcage and a bronze owl figurine (both of which I spray painted red) for just $2.50. I’m not sure of their origins, but I know I can feed my vintage cravings in Etsy seller Sweetshorn’s shop. It is filled with fabulous retro housewares, decor and more.

Among my favorite finds? A green Mikasa creamer vase, a pair of white ceramic quails and a hot pink needlepoint pillow. Even I can’t figure out why I’m attracted to that pillow, but I can see it making a real splash on a deep gray couch or paired with soft pink bedding. And the best thing about Sweetshorn’s shop? Everything is extremely affordable, with prices starting at just $12. There are a couple of exceptions, like this $699 Arne Jacobsen stainless steel tea set, which is one of the first few made in 1967 and totally worth the price if you’re a collector.

Why It’s Green:

• All items are vintage

Price: $12-699 for a wide variety of items. Vast majority are under $60.

© 2009 Green Your Decor. Do not republish any items from this feed without permission.

Keeping it Old School: Vintage Finds from Sweetshorn

I’ve been excited about bringing this Green Room in a Box from an idea to reality ever since I first posted it. It’s amazing how easy it is to get sidetracked on a decorating project. If it took my husband and I 2 months long to complete a patio makeover, I can imagine how long it would have taken us to do a kitchen!

To be fair, we wound up making cosmetic changes that we hadn’t anticipated, like buying bags and bags of mulch to prettify the planting beds and just generally make the front of the house look a lot better. That blew a giant hole in our original budget, so it took us longer than expected to re-budget for all the accessories we wanted to get. Coincidentally though, my mother returned from the Virgin Islands yesterday, so we were able to do the “big reveal” for her before I do it here for you, and I’m happy to say that she loved it! Click on the thumbnails above to see more photos of the finished design. RSS and email users, you may have to click through to the site in order to see the gallery.

Just so you’ll remember where we started, the original “before” photo is shown above. Most of the items we planned during the Green Room in a Box reveal did end up in the final design, with a couple of exceptions.  So here’s the final shopping list and some notes:

1. Radiance Imperial Matchstick Rollup Shade from Walmart | $34.88/ ea.; $69.76 for 2 | Made of bamboo. I hand-painted the flowers I originally envisioned onto the shades. What do you think of the result? I plan to post a tutorial on Monday.
2. Recycled Green Lemonade Carafe and Glass 5-Piece Set from Walmart | $19.98 | Made of recycled glass.
3. 3 Piece Acacia Bistro Set with Cushions from Walmart | $148 | Made of FSC-certified acacia wood.
4. Coir Coastal Doormat from Target | $14.99 | Made of coir, which comes from discarded coconut husks |  We changed the color scheme of the room, so this one no longer made sense. We also wanted one that was a little bit more affordable, so we opted for this simple, but colorful design from Target.
5. Solar Lights from Walmart | $4/ea.; $16 for 4 | Solar-powered | They aren’t shown in the photo because we haven’t yet figured out how to actually get them to work, but we did buy them (Not available at Walmart.com; Only in stores)
6. Sheraton Low Deep Seating Chair from Walmart | $146/ea.; $292 for 2 | Made of FSC-certified Eucalyptus wood.
7. Plantation Patterns Outdoor Pillows from Home Depot |  $12.49/ea.;  $37.47 for 3 | The pillows we originally wanted from Sears were no longer available when I finally went to order them, so we got these from Home Depot instead. The online price is $30 for a set of 2, but in the store, we paid $12.49 per pillow. And remember how I said I couldn’t find any eco-friendly outdoor pillows? On Monday, I’ll reveal how I did find some…2 days after I had bought these pillows and all the matching accessories
8. Plastic Planters | As I mentioned my mom had 2 of these for a few years. We painted them and added flowers to really spruce up the space. And as you can see, we added lots of other potted plants, herbs and flowers. Actually, my husband did. I may have the eye for the design, but I do NOT have a green thumb
9. Recycled Plastic Sunburst Rug from Bambeco  |  $35  |  Made of recycled plastic  |  As soon as I saw this rug and how beautifully it coordinated with the pillows we chose, I had to have it! In the product photo on the Bambeco site, the rug looks purple. In person with an up-close view, it looks purple because the rug is made of a combination of red and blue woven plastic. It still looks great though!  |  BONUS: Use coupon code “gyd09” to get 20% off any order from Bambeco! (aff)

TOTAL: $633.20 | The final cost is about $20 higher than it was originally intended to be, and with supplies (a few cans of spray paint and a small paint sample, a pair of hedge clippers, etc.), the total cost (excluding the mulch) is probably right at $700. Not bad, eh?

So what do you think of the final design? We still plan to paint the front door black (if my mother will let us) and stain the concrete patio so it looks like the discoloration is on purpose…lol. Leave your compliments comments below!

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(sponsored opp) – Walmart provided a gift card to purchase the patio furniture as part of the ElevenMoms program

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Green Rooms in a Box: Patio Makeover Revealed!