I can learn a lot from Friday night dates with my husband.

For starters, I learned I can convince him to change out of his crumpled work clothes into something chic if I smile real big and hand him a martini when he comes through the door. Once the babysitter arrives and we are ready to roll, we don't just have to walk down to our neighborhood haunts on West Portal, but can actually venture out to new places in the City. Like...the de Young Museum at Golden Gate Park. Yes, on Friday we explored Friday Night at the Museum which a friend had told me about during a morning workout. From 5pm to 8:45, all exhibits are open, including the amazing glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly, which we explored after a glass of wine and observing some very serious tango dancers closing their eyes and strutting across the lobby.

But what is a date without shopping, you ask? Naturally, I had to do my EcoSalon homework (what an excuse) and hit the museum gift shop, where I was blown away. One standout: The baskets woven from telephone wire by Zulu weavers from Aita Design ($300 for the large one). Apparently these fabulous spiral baskets are crafted with methods passed down from generation to generation, including weavers recognized internationally for their work, which is largely done at home. I also learned just because I drool over something and find it fabulous doesn't mean my husband will buy it for me, even if my birthday is just around the corner. Maybe next week I should deliver that martini in baby doll pajamas. What do you think?

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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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When I think of felt - I think of 5th grade. That’s the year my best friend, Eden, and I created a 2-foot-high UCLA basketball player out of papier-mache. We captured him mid-stride with an orange Styrofoam basketball hanging from his hand. The light blue and yellow uniform, socks and shoes were made with felt.

Back then, I had no idea I was working with an organic textile. (We won’t discuss the Styrofoam ball or the loads of toxic glue). I also didn’t think of felt as aesthetically pleasing in any way.

But times have changed. And Selina Rose has changed the way I see felt. The British designer runs her own design studio, working with industrial and 100% wool felt colored with environmentally-friendly dyes. Her intricately-designed textiles - rugs, window panels, table runners, room dividers and more - are created using an innovative watercut technology, non-PVC decals and water based non-toxic inks.

Check out her newest collections - Bloom and Botanica. Simply spectacular, stylish and chic. I adore the panels (available by commission) - I’d hang one or two to break up my open space plan apartment in a subtle way.


The bloom rug with floral cutouts measures 4’ x 4’ ($900). There’s also a 4’ round botanica rug ($900). See her cushions ($150), table runners ($195) and lampshades ($168) at the online shop.

Selina Rose textiles can also be purchased in person at Eco Age, the new London eco-shop owned by British actor Colin Firth, his wife and brother-in-law. Their online store is coming soon. Or order by telephone +44 (0) 7803 147898 or via email.

I've never felt so green.

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Recently we've spotted a new trend in eco-chic decor. Let's call it Things That Make You Slightly Uneasy. (Like this, for example).

The latest items to raise the hairs on the back of your neck are those of the Witches' Kitchenware range. No doubt about it - the sustainable two-tone Guatemalan wood looks gorgeous, and reaffirms my belief that plastic kitchen utensils are thoroughly last-century. But....it's the prongs, the spikes, the tangs. The dagger. There's also a gorgeous-looking cauldron - sorry, casserole dish, and a set of witch-inspired gloves and aprons.


If you're happy with feeling like your kitchen belongs in the world of a certain boy-wizard (or, more likely, if young children have out-voted you on this matter), keep an eye on Artecnica's site - they seem to be looking for a new distributor at the moment. And when you're equipped, you could even try out a few "authentic" recipes from Kate West's book here.

(Disclaimer: Ecosalon does not take any responsibility for anyone accidentally being turned into a toad. Thank you).

Images: Artecnica

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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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When a client said she wanted to do Swedish fabrics in the bedrooms of her remodeled vacation house in Tahoe, I went searching for sources other than IKEA for textiles that could translate into gorgeous bedding. While I think some of IKEA's ready-made bedding is cheerful in that whimsical Scandinavian fashion, the texture is too rough for my taste. Bedding needs to be not only visually inviting but soft to the touch.

The Northern lights led me to Textile Arts and its line of appealing eco-friendly fabrics,  including Traditions, a folk art brocade, and the ultra-modern Louisa's Squares. The fabrics in this collection are all comprised of organic cotton, linen, hemp and bamboo, grown without pesticides and bleached with hydrogen peroxide instead of the usual toxins. This wonderful source for fabrics (as well as other modern decor) gives discounts to trade members who register. In addition to the eco line, the company offers a large assortment of  printed cottons and oil cloths in traditional and retro patterns.


For anyone seeking vintage Scandinavian textiles, such as the Josef Frank designs of the 1940's, check out Just Scandinavian and the stunning botanical motifs of the designer who died in the mid-1960's but whose designs are still printed (show here and above).


And at Scandinavia Design Center you will also find a range of lovely Nordic upholstery fabrics to suit your Viking hunger for all things Swedish.

Now, here's a tip for customizing bedding: I seek out local upholstery sewers, like Dreams in San Francisco, and ask them how much yardage I will need for a queen or king duvet. Usually, I take the down comforter into the work room with me to get the exact fit. I also love to customize bedskirts since generous ready-made ones are hard to find. This requires measuring the drop from the top of your box spring to the floor. If you have a carpet, the drop will be shorter than on hardwood. I like the skirt to extend to the floor without about a half-inch extra to puddle. Look for a work room in your city and customize your own Scandinavian ensemble.

Matching sheeting is easy with all that's on the market. My favorite retail source: Cuddledown. I really love the eco-friendly, 400-thread-count Sateen Hotel bedding with simple embroidered stitching which coordinates beautifully with busy prints.

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In the current economic climate of massive corporate lay-offs and gas prices nearing $5 a gallon, it would seem risky to open a posh green home design store peddling eco fireplaces ranging as high as $12,000. But Fred Segal is banking on its reputation as the hippest L.A. store around since 1976. If the brand could invent the first fashion jeans it can certainly market ultra cool fireplaces fueled by renewable green energy.

So two months ago, it boldly opened the doors of Fred Segal Green at the tony address of 500 Broadway in Santa Monica, where Segal opened its second fashion store years ago. The 1,200 square-foot green decor showroom featuring a stunning array of furnishings, accents and books, has already drawn in the celebrity crowd, including Robin Williams and Meryl Streep.

"David Caruso bought some recycled can top bags by Dalaleo for a friend," shares salesman Phillipe Dubois in a lovely French accent that must work quite well in the pristine, upscale setting. Dubois tells me the response has been excellent from not only the loyal Hollywood clientele that has been buying designer jeans and trendy frocks from Segal since 1976, but from all over the world since the Santa Monica retail mecca is already packed with summer tourists.

What will you find at the new, sustainable Segal's? Those stylishly surreal felt rocks by Ronel Jordaan; The efficient and low carbon Ecosmart Fireplaces from Australia which run on denatured ethanol; Laptop bags by Monacca and throws and cushions by a variety of pure wool and cotton textile brands. Dubois adds there's a great selection of architecture and design books, as well as fun toys for rich kids, I mean, for cute little green kids of all ages.

The store is currently designing its new web site but has one page up at fredsegalgreen.com. If you are visiting L.A. soon, you won't want to miss this new eco haunt. (310) 395-5699.

And don't feel bad if you don't buy anything. According to Dubois, even Meryl was "just looking."

Image: Hello Dollface

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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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I like to think that if Donna Reed married Al Gore they undoubtedly would have settled on a Big Chill refrigerator for their suburban kitchen.

That's because the retro appeal of these babies would please any fan of 50s chrome and Formica. But on the inside you won't find frozen TV dinners or a power source that sucks up too much energy. These stamped metal throwbacks are designed with modern function and efficiency, including moisture control and temperature management systems that appeal to our energy-saving sensibilities. You could call it a hybrid appliance.

Of course, we designers are all about color, and I'm a sucker for anything this cool and cubic that comes in a shade called lemonade pink, the color selected for a spread in Martha Stewart's magazine. Can't you just imagine the fun of decorating around that? Other options include orange, jade green, beach blue, buttercup yellow, cherry red, black and white.


These appliances fit seamlessly into the cottage, beach and urban retro kitchens and are available in two sizes, the larger retailing for $2695 and the smaller studio series for $2495. You can buy direct from the company or find a dealer in your hood. The line also includes stoves and dishwashers with the same retro packaging.

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