Now that I have a whole apartment to decorate, I’ve begun to notice a trend. I never finish one room before trying to move on to the next. The furniture is mostly there (except for the living room, thanks to a move-in mishap), and I’ve even put up window treatments. But none of the rooms feel “finished.”

What’s missing is those beautiful little details that give a room personality. The decorative touches that that it from a room full of stuff to a well-designed space. Amenity’s brand new Arroyo collection is filled with those touches.

It includes square napkin rings that double as placeholders when you’re entertaining, blocky candleholders and soy pillar candles to go inside them, two beautiful tray styles, salt and pepper shakers and a salt and pepper block. The clean, geometric lines are right up my alley, and in my own dining room, the dark tones of the walnut would be a beautiful contrast to my blonde wood dining table. And even though I rarely entertain, I’m thinking about how much fun I could have with those placeholders during Christmas dinner with my family.

They’d also make some pretty awesome gifts for your favorite decor-loving hostess (or host). I’ve always been a fan of Amenity, but whenever they add new beautiful pieces like these to their repertoire, my love for the company soars even higher.

Why It’s Green:

• Made of FSC-certified Walnut
• Handmade in Los Angeles
• Amenity is committed to making environmentally-friendly products

Price: $12-65. Get 20% off ALL items in the Amenity store with coupon code “fall20.” Exp. 11/15/09.

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

It’s in the Details: Arroyo Collection by Amenity

My husband and I are certified candle connoisseurs. OK…maybe we’re not certified, but we have a thing for candles. Natural, nontoxic ones, that is. So when Soy Delites contacted me to send samples for my review, I couldn’t say no. And let me tell you, I wasn’t disappointed.

Not all soy candles are created equal. Typically, they have to burn for a while before you really begin to smell the candle’s fragrance, and you can barely smell some of them at all. Not the case with Soy Delites. The fragrances were exceptionally potent, even before being burned. And even after the candles were extinguished, the beautiful fragrances stuck around for hours afterward. On top of that, the 9 oz. glasses used to contain them are beautiful. We’re thinking of using them to make our own soy candles to give away as gifts. And did I mention that these candles are handmade in Austin, TX? Every time I have to give someone a gift, I try to come up with great eco-friendly gifts they’ll actually use. Soy Delites are now on my list of go-to options.

Why It’s Green:

• Made of soy wax with natural fragrances
• Handmade in Austin, TX

Price: $6-12 for single candles, $20-21 for sets of 2 candles

(review)

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

Who Needs Air Fresheners When You’ve Got Soy Delites?

If there is one thing I have learned throughout this journey toward green living, it is that all products are not created equal. Some people think I am crazy when I refuse to use a product that looks as innocuous as a typical candle. After all, if they smell good, they must be cleaning the air in your home, right? Wrong, actually.

Most traditional candles are made of paraffin wax. Sounds innocent enough, until you find out that paraffin is derived from petroleum, an obviously non-renewable resource, and offgasses toxins whenever you burn it, not to mention the lead that could be present in candle wicks. Not worth it when you could make your home smell just as nice with higher-quality, all-natural candles that won’t pollute indoor air. And when it comes to style, BsaB Candles will take your decor to a whole new level.

I’ve seen lots of soy and beeswax candles. They are all natural, and most of them smell wonderful, but they typically aren’t much to look at when unlit. BsaB has a handy solution for that problem: beautiful, unique, artisan candles that will literally knock your socks off and put your other candles to shame. From their beeswax coral candles to their bamboo pillar candles and coconut shell candles, all are exotic-looking and impressive.

What I also love is that BsaB also offers a soy wax refill kit. When your candles are burned out, leaving an empty vessel, you can use the kit to refill them yourself with soy wax — the ultimate, ideal reuse of a candle container. The kit is available in a variety of scents, but you can also get it unscented if you so choose. It seems like BsaB has covred all the bases. I’m really impressed by their commitment to sustainability, which extends beyond their product line to their company policy, facilities and manufacturing process.

Next time I need artisan candles, I’ll know where to look first. I definitely want to give these a try

Why It’s Green:

• Candles made of 100% natural beeswax or soy wax
• Real bamboo pillars are re-fillable
• Fragrances come from essential oils
• 100% cotton wick
• Packaging entirely made from plant material

Price: $14-45

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

Fragance at It’s Finest: BsaB Soy & Beeswax Candles

My husband loves incense and uses it all the time, in every room and even in the car. I’m not quite as partial to the musky fragrance, but I know he loves it. The problem is that the ashes end up everywhere, particularly because he has a habit of putting the incense sticks in random nooks and crannies, like the window frame or the air vents in the car. Ashes end up everywhere and I’m never happy about it. So one of the things I wanted to do this year is get him a unique incense holder that would catch the ashes and look great when its displayed.

This Zen Incense Holder from Gaiam definitely fits the bill, and it is very affordable. It is made of natural stone and can hold up to three incense sticks. And because they stand upright, the ashes fall on the tray below instead of winding up all over the floor. He will also love the look of the stone, which is very zen and will lend to the relaxation that the incense creates.

A Christmas gift my husband will love for less than $10? Sounds like a plan!

Why It’s Green:

• Made of natural stone
• Gaiam is a company that is built on sustainability

Who Would Like It:

• Anyone who loves incense
• A friend or family member who practices yoga

Price: $5.99 (down from $20) (aff)

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

Great Green Gift: Zen Incense Holder

My husband can, and will, attest to my undying love for candles. So when I first found out about the toxins that are realeased when traditional, petroleum-based paraffin candles are burned, I was more than a little disappointed, not to mention worried about the number of candles we’ve burned over the years.

Lucky for me and my eco-savvy readers, companies are taking notice to green consumers’ concerns and developing healthier alternatives. The Chesapeake Bay Candle Co. is one of these companies. In addition to their standard offerings, they have created Pure & Natural candle line that uses soy wax, lead-free cotton wicks and recycled packaging.

They sent me a sample to try in the Cardamom & Clove fragrance, and I love it! It fills the room with fragrance after about 20 minutes, and the smell lingers. We will often light candles in the evening just to freshen up the smell of our room, and these are great for that purpose. And since I am such a lover of design, I have to mention the beautiful packaging. The cover is simple and understated, but once you remove it, the bottom of the box is so beautiful you’ll probably want to keep it on your dresser for jewelry or other small knick knacks. Even though it is recyclable, something tells me it will find a second life before winding up in the recycling bin.

They are also an inexpensive green gift that your loved ones will appreciate, and something like this is also appropriate for co-workers and acquaintances. Show them that going green is not only easy, it’s fragrant, beautiful and inexpensive.

Why It’s Green:

• Made of soy wax
• Uses lead-free cotton wicks
• Comes in recycled, recyclable packaging

Price: $9.99/ea. Also avaialable exclusively at Target.

Want to win?

I’ve also got two great Pure & Natural candles to give away to one lucky reader. The winner will receive 2 candles — Cardamom & Clove and White Ginger & Ivy. Simply visit the Chesapeake Bay Candle website and leave a comment here about something you liked or learned. Do this by 11:59 p.m. EST on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 to enter.

Want to enter more than once? Boost your chances of winning by completing one or more of the tasks on this list. Please leave a separate comment for each entry:

1. Just like you, I love entering giveaways. I’m trying to win a Wii from Classy Mommy (Mama wants Wii Fit to help her get in shape!). Visit the giveaway page and vote for me — Jennae Petersen. Then leave a comment letting me know that you voted and you’ll get a whopping FIVE additional entries in my candle giveaway! Yeah, I want to win that bad!
2. If you haven’t already, sign up for Green Your Decor’s email updates by 11:59 p.m. EST on Tuesday, November 25, 2008. You must verify your email subscription to be eligible. After you sign up, FeedBurner will send you a verification email. Please do not ignore it — your entry will be invalid if you do not verify. All current subscribers are eligible to win. And there’s no need to leave a comment letting me know you subscribe by email. I’ll know you’re a subscriber
3. If you’d prefer to receive your updates via RSS, sign up for the GYD feed. Then please leave a comment letting me know that you’ve done so, and be sure to include your email address. RSS subscribers are anonymous otherwise.
4. Blog about GreenYourDecor.com and post a link to your blog entry here.
5. Stumble or give a thumbs up to any page at GreenYourDecor.com via StumbleUpon and post a link to your SU profile to verify your thumbs up.

So that means every participant can receive up to 10 entries. You have until 11:59 p.m. EST on Tuesday, November 25, 2008, to enter. A winner will be chosen via Random.org and contacted via email. Good luck everyone!

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

Great Green Gift: Pure & Natural Candles (+Giveaway)

I have long touted the benfits of using candles made of soy and beeswax. they are much healthier than paraffin, which is derived from petroleum, and they have the added benefit of cleaning the air in your home when you burn them. However, thanks to a great company called Elite Essentials, I now know they aren’t the only option when you’re looking for eco-friendly candles.

Elite Essentials candles are made of sustainable palm wax, and their fragrances come from essential oils. They sent me a few samples to try out, and I was pleasantly surprised. Because there are no artificial dyes, all the candles, regardless of their scent, features a beautiful crystalline texture and surface that makes them instantly recognizable. The wicks are also made of cotton, which is environmentally preferable to traditional wicks. What’s even better is that a portion of every Elite Essentials sale is donated to Sustainable Harvest International, and organization that is dedicated to creating sustainable farms and forests to help end poverty.

But how did they perform?

As soon as I opened the box, I was greeted by wonderful fragraces like Lavender Balsam, Citrus and Thyme and Peppermint Eucalyptus — definitely impressive. However, the candle isn’t as fragrant as traditional paraffin candles when burned. It took a while for the scent to envelop the room, but once it did, it was wonderful. There was no smoky trail from the flame, which was great, and what I also liked is that there was no drippy wax trailing down the sides of the pillars. Because of the size of the candles, burning them created a cavity in the center instead of a dripping mess. I used a small saucer as a candleholder, but I really didn’t need it.

Overall, they were great for intimate lighting and ambience. And though the fragrance wasn’t as strong as I would have liked once burning, it did give the air a subtle sweetness that was pleasant and not overpowering.

Why It’s Green:

• Made of sustainable palm wax
• Uses cotton wicks
• Portion of proceeds donated to Sustainable Harvest International

Price: $3.99-$11.99

What to win them?

Elite Essentials also sent me a couple of candles to give away to my readers. The winner will receive one 3″ x 6″ pillar candle in Citrus Thyme, and two 3″ x 3″ pillar candles in Peppermint Eucalyptus and Lavendar Balsam. Pay a visit to Elite Essentials and take a look around. Then come back here by 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, September 26, 2008, and leave a comment telling me one thing you learned or thought was interesting. That’s it!

Want to enter more than once? Boost your chances of winning by completing one or more of the tasks on this list:

1. If you haven’t already, sign up for the Green Your Decor newsletter by 11:59 p.m. Friday, September 26, 2008. You must verify your email subscription to be eligible. After you sign up, FeedBurner will send you a verification email. Please do not ignore it — your entry will be invalid if you do not verify. All current subscribers are eligible to win. And there’s no need to leave a comment letting me know you subscribe by email. I’ll know you’re a subscriber
2. If you’d prefer to receive your updates via RSS, sign up for the GYD feed. Then please leave a comment letting me know that you’ve done so, and be sure to include your email address. RSS subscribers are anonymous otherwise.
3. Blog about GreenYourDecor.com and post a link to your blog entry here.
4. Stumble or give a thumbs up to any page at GreenYourDecor.com via StumbleUpon and post a link to your SU profile to verify your thumbs up.

So that means every participant can receive up to 5 entries. You have until 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, September 26, 2008, to enter. U.S. and Canada mailing addresses only. A winner will be chosen via Random.org, and the winner will be contacted via email. Good luck everyone!

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

The Smell of Nature: Elite Essentials Candles (+ Giveaway)

It’s not hard to use candles to enhance your decor. Even if you don’t have a great candleholder to display them in, once they are lit, they tend to speak for themselves. There’s something about the twinkle of candlelight that creates an intimate feeling, even if you have to put it on top of an old lid from a jar (I’ve used these as makeshift candleholders in the past when I had nothing else).

But if you can find a candleholder that you love, it can take the candlelit effect over the top. I’m personally partial to clean, contemporary lines, sometimes with a hint of Asian influence. I can easily picture this tea light Candle Place in the center of my dining table, perhaps with wine cooler placed in the center. The seemingly random placement of the candles contrasts with its geometric shape for a look that is fluid and organic instead of stuffy.

And of course, you’ll want to use candles made of natural ingredients like soy or beeswax — no paraffin.

Why It’s Green:

• Handmade
• Made of MDF made from naturally discarded twigs

Price: $35

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

Lighten Up Your Space: Handmade Candle Place

I can’t say enough about the power of candles to not only make your home smell good, but to set a mood and create an atmosphere that is warm and cozy, even without a fireplace. There’s something about candlelight that makes you want to snuggle up with a blanket in your favorite chair, and if your candles are made of soy too…well, that just gives you something extra to smile about.

These Pacifica Soy Candles will undoubtedly stimulate your senses. With names like Caribbean Sugar Pumpkin, shown above, and Zanzibar Cinnamon Almond, how can you resist?  All of Pacifica’s candles are hand-poured with vegetable-based soy wax and use lead-free cotton wicks. Their fragrant smells come from natural essences and essential oils.

So take a cue from the pros (at least on TV): if there’s a room in your home that doesn’t look quite “finished”, add a few lit candles, perhaps in a group, to make your space look cozy and lived-in. And you’ll be table to tell your friends you know what “Tuscan Blood Orange” smells like.

Why it’s Green:

• Hand-poured using vegetable-based soy wax
• Use lead-free cotton wicks
• Fragrances come from natural essences and essential oils

Price: $4.95-19.95

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

Fragrant Air: Pacifica Soy Candles

When you make a conscious decision to go green, it is amazing the things that will tick you off that never used to bother you before. For example, it absolutely pains me to purchase any product that comes with an incredibly wasteful and unneccessary amount of packaging. Boxes inside other boxes, paper stuffing to make a purse appear full, plastic bags inside plastic bags — it literally drives me crazy.  

That is why I am so fond of these great aromatherapy candles from Big Dipper and the pretty little birdies that come with them. The glass jars the candles come in can be reused as drinking glasses, display containers or a variety of other ways. And the labels are made of recycled paper which is itself recyclable.   The candles are also made of beeswax, which is as organic as organic gets. And though the candles provide aromatherapy, no fragrance or synthetic scents are used — it’s all natural. It is available in Gingergrass Tangerine, French Lavender and Lemon Geranium.

The key to any recyclable packaging, of course, is to encourage consumers to actually recycle it. I say be an example. Give a few of these as a great green gift and encourage the recipient to reuse the beautiful glasses when the candles have run their course. These pretty birds do their part too — Who would want to throw away something so cute?

Why It’s Green:

• Candles made of beeswax
• Natural aromatherapy used. No synthetic scents
• Eco-friendly packaging includes reusable glass jars and labels printed on recycled paper

Price: $19.99

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

Pretty & Useful: Big Dipper Beeswax Aromatherapy Candles

I love the soft glow of candles in the evening. But as much as I love plain candles in all their beeswax or soy glory, I also enjoy the look of a stylish candleholder that can bring an added layer of style to my room. This Square Pillar Candleholder by Pangaea Home and Garden is nothing if not stylish. It has an Asian flair that would work well in an mid-century modern decor or take your quest to Feng Shui glory to another level.

The candleholders are handmade, and the grid pattern allows it to provide a graphic light pattern of shadows and light that will give your room that extra “something.” The added bonus is that the finish is powder-coated, which means it has year-round weather resistance and won’t rust. The removable glass is also wind and waterproof. So Take them out to your patio for some extra light after dusk and watch the flame flicker in the soft summer breeze. Doesn’t that sound like a good, relaxing time?

Why It’s Green:

• Manufactured from recycled wrought iron
• Handmade
• Paint finish is powder coated. Powder coatings emit zero or near zero VOCs, and any overspray can be recycled, thus reducing waste. It also produces less hazardus waste than conventional liquid coatings

Price: $39 (aff)

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

Grid Glory: Square Pillar Candleholder

You can’t beat candlelight for setting an intimate mood or creating just the right amount of soft lighting. And when the candle is made of natural ingredients, you are also improving your indoor air quality while infusing your home with aromatherapy. The Front Porch Swing candle by Beeluxe combines the juicy scent of Southern peach, with fresh mint and natural ylang ylang oils. In fact Beeluxe candles are made of 95% certified organic ingredients, include a natural beeswax blend that has not been genetically modified (hence the name of the company). The wicks are also made of 100% cotton with a natural beeswax coating, so it’s natural from start to finish. There are lots of other scents available, so you can find something that stimulates your senses and makes your house feel like home.

Why It’s Green:

• Main ingredient is natural beeswax
• Fragrance additives are all-natural essential oils
• Certified 95% organic

Price: $14 (aff)

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

Common Scents: Front Porch Swing candle by Beeluxe

Plantation style is very popular these days. Wooden shutters and rattan or ornate wood furniture can begin the look, and these great recycled glass hurricanes can complete it. The largest of the vessels is big enough to hold a soy or beeswax pillar candle, or just about anything else your your heart desires: a handful of river rocks, freshly cut (organically grown) flowers, a moss ball or two…or whatever else you can come up with. And because they come in three sizes, there is real potential to group them for a dramatic effect. Picture two hurricanes paired artfully on a mantel, or a larger group used as a simple centerpiece in your dining room. They reflect light beautifully, and they are made of recycled glass. I’d say that makes them pretty much the perfect green accessory.

Why It’s Green:

• Made of recycled glass
• Sold by the Wedge Co-op. Wedge Co-op is an advocate for organics, fair trade and consumer health issues, and has promoted education about food and environmental responsibility. A percentage of profits is regularly donated to worthy causes through their WedgeShare Program.

Price: $8.99-27.99

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

Reclaimed Style: Recycled Glass Hurricanes

I am always on the hunt for unique, eco-friendly accent pieces that will make a room come alive. And all the better if it hangs on the wall and can create a focal point without taking up floor space or siting in my kids’ reach. This creative wall-hung candleholder by One Eighty Design is made from reclaimed metal washers directly from the waste stream. The green votive candleholders are made from beer bottles.

Why It’s Green:

• – Metal comes from reclaimed washers
• – Glass used comes from recycled, repurposed beer bottles

Price: $55

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

Modern Candleholder by One Eighty

Don’t let the name fool you — there’s nothing dirty about these candles. In fact, they are cleaner than most. Dirt Candles are made from 100% natural soy wax. And there’s sure to be at least one that will suit your discerning sense of smell since they are offered in 20 unique aromas in one 10oz boxed size. There are no fillers or dilution oils, which means that the product is pure, clean soy. And because Dirt is dedicated to using organic ingredients and environmentally sound business practices whenever possible, you can rest assured that you are patronizing a company that is doing all it can to protect our planet. They also donate a portion of the proceeds from each candle to charity.

Why It’s Green:

• - Candles made from 100% natural soy wax.
• - Soy candles burn clean, and jars can be reused as drinking glasses or as decorative items.
• - Manufacturer is dedicated to environmentally friendly practices
• - Portion of proceeds from every candle donated to charity

Price: $24

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

Dirt Candles

I’ve always liked a little bit of Asian flair. These Zig Zag Pillar Candle Holders are a great way to add a little bit of that flavor to your decor. Each of these pillar holders are made of pieces of bamboo, which is not only eco-friendly, but can help create a Zen-like ambience. Group several of them to really make a statement.

Why It’s Green:

• - Made of bamboo

Price: $13.99

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

Zig Zag Pillar Candle Holder