Green Steals of the Week

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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.

Mothers will tell you that there’s nothing quite like sitting in a rocking chair cuddling with a sweet-smelling infant. It was one of my favorite things to do back when my daughter was young enough to sit still for more than a few seconds at a time (ie. before she started walking). Now that she loves having stories read to her while on my lap, I wish I still had access to my rocker so we could spend some quality time there.

The world of eco-friendly window treatments is still fairly small. A handful of larger retailers — most notably West Elm — have gotten into the market with some stylish, affordable options. But for the most part, unless you’re willing to shell out $75-150 per curtain panel, your best bet is still to make them yourself from sustainable fabrics like hemp, organic cotton or even plain old linen.

Given that bath towels are typically exposed to our entire bodies — even those unmentionable places — I’d hate to be exposed to the pesticides and chemicals that traditional cotton is laced with. But organic toweling can get pricey, with a washcloth alone sometimes priced at more than $10 apiece, and bath towels averaging about $20 when they aren’t on sale. Considering the typical costs, this 6-piece towel set is a steal. Made of 100% certified organic cotton, the set includes 2 bath towels, 2 hand towels and 2 washcloths. Not bad for $50.

Frequent readers will know how much I love black and white. It is a color palette that is sexy, sophisticated and easy to customize to your own taste with the addition of your favorite solid color or two. I used this concept a couple of times in the Green Rooms in a Box series, including the sophisticated girl’s nursery and the bedroom on a dream budget.

I’ve been seeing Ikat patterns everywhere lately: rugs, throw blankets, pillows, wall art…literally everywhere. If you’re not sure what Ikat is, it is a beautiful style of weaving, and I’ll point you in the direction of Wikipedia for a more detailed definition. Because of the process used to create it, it tends to be quite expensive. But as much as I like to fawn over pricey, luxury items, I know we all like a good deal.

I’m generally not a huge fan of big box stores or chains. They aren’t known for being very environmentally friendly, and their profit-first mentality often leaves green shoppers with no product options, and many of their products are produced overseas with no regard to Fair Trade. There’s one store that consistently adds products that make me think twice about my position: West Elm.

As much as I love bold black and white patterns, I used to be afraid of solid black. The idea of black furniture, bedding, fabrics or rugs was too much for me. Let’s  just say I wasn’t very open-minded about it. But one thing I have learned in my quest to become a savvy decorator is that any color can work in a room, when used properly.

This black bamboo rug from CB2.com is a great example of how to use a color effectively.  On the floor, black can help to anchor a space. And if you’re not fond of the rustic look of natural bamboo, this is a way to incorporate this eco-friendly material without sacrificing your modern aesthetic. Just check it out in this room!

When we are decorating our homes, it can be easy to forget about curb appeal. After all, you don’t see the outside of your home once you get inside and get comfortable and cozy. You also see your own house every day, so it isn’t uncommon for us to neglect little things that can make our homes look great from the outside — like chipping paint, an old door, or a dirty (or missing doormat).

Overstock.com is generally a great site for finding buys on the cheap. You can find anything you want, from bedding and artwork to clothing, computer parts and electronics. A virtual discount superstore, if you will. That said, Overstock in the past had not proven to be a very good source of green products. You might find an organic cotton sheet here or there, or a vase or 2 made of bamboo. So when I found this furniture, it almost bowled me over.