Dark blue has been on my “must have” list lately. Although I’d originally planned to find something to paint, I may have to reconsider. The Organic Indigo Collection from Zen Deluxe is like something from a green dream. Finding gorgeous, eco-friendly linens in indigo isn’t impossible, but it’s definitely a challenge. This collection single-handedly changed that.

Each piece is available separately, so you can go subtle with a pillow cover, rug or lamp shade, or combine several of these elements for a look that is both cohesive and eclectic, as seen in the first photo. Personally, I think having all of them in one space would be overkill, but the ability to mix and match to your desired saturation is awesome.

Available pieces: Duvet cover (king, queen or twin), 4 different pillowcase styles, rug (small or large), accent pillow cover, kimono robe, curtain panels, beehive lamp shade, and Euro pillow cover.

Why It’s Green:

• All textiles made of organic cotton
• Dyed with natural Indigo
• Fair Trade

Price: $22-272

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Have you ever spent 6 months looking for the perfect pillows? I’m almost ashamed to admit that I have, and I’m really hoping someone else answers yes so I don’t feel like a complete nutjob. Ever since we moved into our apartment in September, I had been looking for two orange accent pillows to go in our living room. It seems sort of ironic that I would find them now, almost a month to the day before we are moving. Again. But still, these pillows from Gianna are everything I wanted and more.

These days, it’s not tough to find housewares that are either organic or Fair Trade. Finding options that are both, however, is a little bit harder. These pillows, in addition to being absolutely gorgeous, are handcrafted by women in India who are fairly compensated for their work. But Gianna goes further than simply telling customers that the pillows are Fair Trade.

The company actually highlights individual artisans so you can read about them and their lives, and even see photos of them at work. The woman shown above, Surekha, is one of those artisans, and according to the Gianna site:

Surekha works outside the doorway leading to her home and finds the rhythmic in-and-out motion of her embroidery needle meditative.

Stories like this are the reason I think it’s so important to be a conscious consumer. It’s not often that we get to see the faces behind the products we buy, and opportunities like this should be embraced. This philosophy is behind all Gianna products, so it is a retailer you can feel god patronizing.

Why It’s Green:

• Handmade of organic cotton
• Fair Trade (from India)
• Colored with natural dyes made from berries and other local plants

Price: $52-68

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As if I haven’t been obsessed enough with all things outdoors as permanent warm weather approaches, I had to go and find these beautiful capiz shell wind chimes at Celery Street. Typically, I’m not a fan of wind chimes. Some people find the sound of chimes blowing in the wind to be soothing, but I tend to think of chimes as the equivalent of ugly, noisy, gaudy, 80s-style earrings for your home. But these? Nothing short of beautiful.

I have always loved capiz shells and their high-end, sophisticated look. But I admit I never would have thought to take them outside. I am a firm believer in making outdoor spaces an extension of the indoors and paying just as much attention to the details there. It’s easy to buy patio furniture, but it’s a lot harder to make your patio look like an outdoor room. Details like these wind chimes will help you do that.

They are available in a dizzying array of sizes and shapes and shades of white, blue and green — perfect spring and summer colors. And if you need a further incentive to accessorize your outdoor space, first-time customers get 10% off their first order from CeleryStreet.com. The discount is applied automatically when you check out.

Why It’s Green:

• Made of natural capiz shells
• Handmade
• Fair Trade

Price: $16-52

UPDATE: I used one of these in my daughter’s room. Want to see how it turned out? Click here!

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Pillows are one of my favorite ways to refresh the look of a space. I know I’ve said before, but I really mean it. You’d be surprised how switching the pillows on your neutral sofa to a new color scheme can totally reinvigorate the look of your room. Short of painting, replacing pillows and curtains can give you a whole new look.

And these pillows from Les Indiennes are high atop my wish list. I love the Indian-inspired prints and the way the natural dyes create beautiful uneven coloring. I’ve shown 3 of the pillows above, but there are 11 patterns to choose from, all made of organic cotton. The Anais pillow in a lovely shade of buttercream yellow is my personal favorite, and it would definitely satisfy my latest color palette crush — yellow and gray.

What I also love about Les Indiennes is that the process used to create the fabrics is as traditional as their designs.  From the website:

“The production of our fabric does not cause pollution nor does it disrupt the traditional lifestyle of the village where it is made. Les Indiennes provides fair trade employment for over 50 families, raising the standard of living for the entire community, and all the while leaving no environmental or social footprint.”

Now those are standards I can appreciate.

Why It’s Green:

• Covers made of organic cotton colored with natural dyes
• Fair Trade

Price: $72

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I am once again here to tout the benefits of buying products that are not only eco-friendly, but also Fair Trade. The Rwanda Path to Peace Collection from Macy’s includes gorgeous baskets that are handwoven by Rwandan women, providing them with a source of sustainable income.

That means these baskets are not only beautiful — they support a cause you can feel good about that carries a meaning much deeper than the beauty of the product. For many of these women and their children and villages, the sale of their baskets means clean water, more nutritious food, better access to HIV/AIDS medications and collaboration between members of the Hutu and Tutsi tribes, the two groups at odds during the 1994 genocide that left nearly 1 million Rwandan citizens dead. If that’s not a cause worthy of your money, I don’t know what is.

The baskets are available in several styles and colors, each equally beautiful. Each basket includes a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

Why It’s Green:

• Made of 100% natural raffia palm thread with organic dye
• Hand-woven in Rwanda using traditional coil sewing techniques
• Plant-based fibers with natural preservatives mean no chemical processing is required
• Supports Fair Trade

Price: $35-120

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