You don’t have to start from scratch to give your home a contemporary appeal. One easy trick that I recommend to help modernize the appearance of your living space is to incorporate geometric shapes into a few visible elements - pillows, throws, even a painted stripe or block of color on a wall.

This simple yet effective method can apply to anything from wall art to bookshelves, and the Tivoli True Green pillow is a fabulous accent to effortlessly begin this transformation. Its maze-like design is printed on natural linen, making this piece an eco-friendly choice. Variations of this trendy pattern can be found at Dermond Peterson to spice up the couch in your living room.

For more tips, check out 3 Essentials for an Eco-Modern Home. (Available at Dermond Peterson for $185.)

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I’m always drawn to the creative appeal of ornamental accents handcrafted by small artisan groups. In the absence of mass production, artistic standards come before profitability, and this idyllic approach yields unique styles and high quality craftsmanship.

At Aid to Artisans, you’ll find a variety of such items that are both modish and eco-friendly. Handmade by dedicated artisans in Ilobasco, El Salvador, the Ceramic Round vase will adorn your tabletops with a touch of rustic charm. These striking pieces resemble laced-up leather, but they aren't. Rather, they are skillfully shaped from the abundance of red clay in El Salvador and laced with natural fiber, making them 100% green. (Available at Aid to Artisans for $45.)

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The stunningly unique Lotus Flower chandelier is a sparkling wonder that is a work of art all in its own. Artisans craft the petals of its glistening floral exterior from naturally collected capiz shells that are hand-cut.

Lit from within, this special chandelier is wonderfully crafted without being "crafty" - it's dazzling, isn't it? Choose from two sizes and between a smoke and pearl hue to complement your personal décor scheme. (My favorite is pearl.) We love sponsor VivaTerra today - you can snap these gorgeous chandeliers up there for $329- $649.

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If the walls in your home are in desperate need of a makeover, you’ll be thrilled to discover that your eco-options for this transformation go way beyond low or zero-VOC paint. If you’re ready to break through the standard bounds of your average wall, then OrangePiel has the edge on innovation when it comes to decorative wall space.

Their creative design team specializes in elaborate wall murals that are printed on PVC-free textiles using an environmentally-friendly UV-cured process. In addition, these technical fabrics don’t require adhesives to be applied; they are simply stretched taut and tucked. With their acoustic options, you can reduce the ambient noise level while embellishing your walls. Search the extensive selection of artist images or opt for customization with your own visual ideas to completely reinvent your living space. (Call OrangePiel for pricing.)

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One of my favorite parts of creating my personal décor scheme is choosing the accents to embellish each room. But, no matter how much creative objet or wall art I stumble upon, nothing beats the brilliant hues of Mother Nature herself.

With the Bamboo Wrapped vases, you can display the classic beauty of vibrant flowers in contemporary style. These hip pieces boast a unique feature: they can be hung on empty wall space as well as placed upon tabletops and mantles. Handmade from rapidly-renewable bamboo, which grows faster than any other existing plants, these gorgeous vases are of the highest quality craftsmanship and are eco-friendly as well.  (Love bamboo? For a unique piece of bamboo furniture with a modern flair, check out our recent post about the Spring chair.) Available at the Rainforest Site for $14.95- $44.95.

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If you ask me, when it comes to embellishing my living space, the only thing better than stylish objet is stylish objet with a story behind it. These stunning, hand-painted Bamboo boxes are much more than just home décor: They are the fruits of unrelenting artistic ambition and a brilliantly creative mind.

An only child raised by farmers on the island of Bali, Wayan Genep always aspired to become an artist. With the help of his fellow villagers, Genep learned to skillfully carve and paint. When he made the decision to partner with Novica, his eye-catching crafts became available to décor aficionados like us around the world. (Set of 3 available at Novica for $104.95.)

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Nature and her many uses! Crafted from salvaged tree limbs that had been discarded as waste, the Timber Block stool was made with the lush environment it reflects in mind. A natural look with smoothed surfaces makes this piece the perfect accent to achieve a rugged yet refined appeal - and I can think of a million ways to use it (end table, door stop for the door you never close, seating, magazine display...). If you’re looking for items with a similar style, take a look at the Tree Slice Table we recently blogged about. (Available at sponsor VivaTerra for $369.)

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I just can’t get enough of the lush, green scenery of nature. If it were a viable choice, I would simply move into a greenhouse. But, within the realm of realistic options, houseplants achieve the same desired effect. Not only do they clean the air in your home, they breathe vibrant life into every room.

Below are some helpful tips to find the perfect houseplants to suit your personal living space. Make sure to research how much light houseplants you select require to grow. While some can survive in darker corners, many need to be placed in areas that receive ample sunlight.


Choose houseplants based on your home’s décor scheme. You’ll find that, for every style, there is a houseplant to match. For example, bonsai trees perfectly complement rooms with a minimalist theme.


Pick houseplants based on areas in need of adornment. Tall houseplants, such as fig and gardenia trees, are ideal to embellish empty corners and wall space, while smaller ones, such as grass planters, make beautiful tabletop accents.


For more guidance, check out Houseplant Projects at Better Homes and Gardens.

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Image: digiyesica

Even though I do most of my lounging in my bed and on the cozy couch in my living room, my true relaxation zone has always been my bathroom. Treating myself to facials and deep-conditioning hair treatments helps me to unravel more than reading a good book or watching a classic film.

When you're in a décor frenzy, don't overlook this pivotal area. As you pamper yourself with bubble baths and pedicures after a long day, your surroundings should complement this peaceful method of unwinding. My latest favorite: unique accents that are both functional and charming, these Stone towel hooks are tactile and clever.

Flowing water smooths these earthly wonders lining the riverbeds and coasts of New England, and each one taken for decorative purpose is replaced with a rough stone for nature to take its course. (For more stone-embellished items, take a look at the Stone mugs and Cairn candle holders we have blogged about.) If you’re in need of ornamental hooks for the rest of your home, make sure to check out the Jiv Jiv hooks from Saldendro design that we recently featured as well. (Stone towel hooks available at sponsor VivaTerra for $49 each.)

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