A pillow and throw that tell the people in your life what you need.

If only the men (and women) in our lives were as expressive as this blanket and pillow. Like the pillow(talk)cases we lusted for in the fall, we are once again depending on our linens to convey amorous desires. 

This pairing from VivaTerra is made from soft lamb’s wool, appropriate given the vulnerable nature of their communiqués: “HUG ME,” and “WRAP ME AROUND YOU.”

Love me. Want me. Buy me for $39 and $129, respectively.

Look for Lustables daily at EcoSalon. 100% gorgeous green finds, and never sponsored. Submit your favorite to tips@ecosalon.com

A sleep well-traveled.

These bright and worldly pillow cases are handmade by artisans in Southwest India using Batik, the traditional Indian art of creating patterns on fabric. A set of three pillows spans the globe from the Americas to Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. At $95, that’s a much better bargain than an around the world ticket, in coach.

Look for Lustables daily at EcoSalon. 100% gorgeous green finds, and never sponsored. Submit your favorite to tips@ecosalon.com

Lounging on these is like escaping on your own personal lily pad.

These pillows, designed by Jenny Lee-Katz, are consciously printed with environmentally friendly pigment inks, hand cut and sewn in Pennsylvania, and available in linen, organic denim or a combination of hemp and organic cotton.

Lee-Katz says on her site: “My fascination with textiles, my love for color and cloth and the enjoyment and satisfaction I experience through working with it, has always been a big part of my life.”

These pillows will bring her love for design into your home.

Prices range from $140 on up, depending on the fabric.

It’s tough to re-feather the nest during hard times. That’s why the home design industry is struggling not to be nailed shut while weathering the storm. But you can make subtle changes to your decor that won’t add up to big spending. Here are a few tips we recommend:

1. Reface Rather Than Replace Cabinets

Innovative companies can work with your existing wood and reface those cabinet doors with sustainable woods rather than trashing and starting anew. Read this post for more tips for the kitchen cabinet facelift.

2. Swap Decor with Family and Friends

You don’t need a piano and I don’t need that daybed in the TV nook, so let’s trade and recycle our stuff and get what we really need. It’s a match made in eco heaven when it doesn’t cost you a dime to swap decor, especially with people who have a good eye like you do, and are low on storage space. It’s how they did it in the olden days before widespread consumer waste and climate change. Here’s more.

3. Baby Steps Can Equal Full Grown Changes in a Room

Rearrange the furniture, buy a few new pillow covers, paint a wall. These easy fixes will refresh your pad without sinking lots of cash. As you’ll discover in this handy how-to post, it can all be done for under $30.

4. Repurpose Excess Upholstery Materials

Those fabric rolls are not doing anyone any good just sitting in the closet. Cut them up and redirect them to your interiors for pillow covers, framed art, bedding, even wall coverage like the picture shown above, if you have enough for adequate padding. See these great ideas for repurposing your excess.

5. Clean Before You Replace

Perhaps that rug can come clean with eco spot remover techniques. Why rip it out if it’s still useful? Another option is to cover a damaged section of the carpet by layering with a small, affordable area rug, one made of eco fibers that won’t cost the same as new carpeting or a large are rug. Go shagging for answers here.

6. Seasonal Accents Make Great Distractions

A collection of seasonal organic blooms and greens from your garden, lanterns, greeting cards, photos and tablecloths – they all can act as happy distractions in a room that is begging for a redux. Don’t have a garden? Head to the farmers’ market, the flea shop, the vintage shop in your hood, and spend little to stage your spaces with renewed charm. Head over here for inspiration.

7. Paint can Perk it Up

Even a dingy clawfoot tub can look ultra modern and cool by finding the right low VOC paints and giving the bath a new coat. You will find sprucing up furniture with paint can be a great cheap fix that refreshes your spaces.

8. Be a Thrift Shopper

It’s no wonder second hand shops in cities nationwide do well during hard times. These are outlets that actually offer discounts while more upscale sights like 1st Dibs are peddling vintage treasures that cater to those with lots of spare cash. Do some research and check out the shops in various neighborhoods to find out where nifty castaways are being parked.

9. A Room of Her Own

Sometimes just carving out one room of your own in your dwelling can suffice until you have a bigger budget to fix up the place. Are you craving that Project Runway sewing room? How about a closeted dressing room out of a spare bedroom? Having a blast doing just one space for yourself can be very rewarding, even if it is a multi-use corner for working, painting and reading. Own it with visuals on the walls and a fun rug that speaks to you. Experts say you will accomplish the most in a space you gravitate towards.

10. Spa Makeover

So you can’t afford to tear out the old tile and tired tub to make way for stone and steam. Use zen decor touches and nurturing elements to turn your blah bath into spa bath: Ideas include indulgent, organic towels; sensuous beeswax candles in an array of holders; yummy creams and oils displayed in a vintage tray; and my favorite Nob Hill Day Spa element – a large pitcher of spring water filled with sliced cucumbers or lemons and a pretty glass.

Each week here at EcoSalon, the editors choose a post from the archives that we think you’ll love. The original post can be found here.

Image: Elle Decor

Much as we love colors and textures inspired by Mother Nature, we also can’t resist industrial-inspired forms like the recycled steel chandelier pictured below. Why not get the best of both worlds by mixing and matching the earthy and urban? Here’s what’s on our wish list this week.

1. Felted Wool Outdoor Stones from VivaTerra ($395-695, pictured above)

   We’ve covered wool-covered stones in the past, but nothing on this scale. VivaTerra, our sister site, suggests using these felted stones as outdoor seating. And when they’re not in use, they’ll blend in seamlessly with your backyard.

   

2. Teak Root Basket from Redefine Home ($89)

   We love the versatility of this teak root basket, which is made from reclaimed wood. Whether mounted on a bathroom wall or resting on a hallway table, this basket creates an instant conversation piece.

   

3. Birdie Doormat from Chia’sso ($38)

   With its cheerful colors and modern design, this doormat welcomes you and your visitors into the space. It also features a recycled, non-slip rubber backing.

   

4. Amenity Cove Pillow in Cream and Moss ($93)

   We’re borderline obsessed with the calming, earthy colors found in Amenity’s pillows. This one comes in three different sizes and is made from organic cotton blended with hemp.

   

5. Shaken Dining Chandelier from Varaluz (price not listed)

   Recycled steel and opal layered glass create a strikingly modern piece that’s part sculpture, part chandelier. We totally picture this baby illuminating a glass-top dining table and a set of black leather parson’s chairs.

Which piece(s) make you drool? Anything you’re not so keen on? We’d love to know!

No matter how cozy and inviting the rest of your bedding is, you won’t get a good night’s sleep unless you’re resting your head on a comfortable pillow. There are all kinds out there to choose from, so let’s take a look at the options so you can find the best cradle for your noggin.

Foam – Memory-foam pillows are a pretty cool concept. They mold to your head and momentarily retain their shape when you move around, so you kind of feel like you’re sleeping on a custom-made headrest. On the other hand, they don’t have the immediate pliability of down or cotton-filled pillows, so if you squirm around in your sleep, they might drive you up the wall. Foam pillows are typically made of synthetic filling and give off a chemical smell that some people find irritating. Shop around to find ones that are made of natural, plant-based ingredients like soy, latex or rubber.

Down – From an allergen standpoint, goose down is your best option if you’re looking for a feather-filled pillow to snooze on. They’ll set you back a lot more than pillows filled with chicken or turkey feathers, but are also less likely to cause an allergic reaction to those with sensitivities.

Kapok – This tree-based fiber fill is reminiscent of down, but without the potential allergy problems associated with animal feathers. Kapok is harvested in rainforests, so if you go this route, make sure you’re buying from a company that’s committed to environmental responsibility.

Organic cotton – Cotton pillows are comfy, firm, and can withstand nightly use for a long time without needing to be replaced. Available in a wide price range, you should be able to find a good chemical-free, organic style to fit your budget without sacrificing your commitment to live responsibly.

Buckwheat – Made from buckwheat hulls leftover from the milling process, this is the perfect choice if you’re always flipping your pillow back and forth looking for the cool spot. Beware, though, all those hulls rattling around next to your ear all night are kinda noisy. Millet hull pillows offer the same benefits as buckwheat but don’t sound like a thousand Mexican jumping beans moving around under your head. Or, if you can’t bear to part with buckwheat, get a thick pillowcase to muffle the sound a bit.

Hemp – If you want to catch 420 winks on a hemp pillow, look for 100 percent hemp fill, not just a standard pillow with a hemp cover. The weight of your head will tamp down the filling over time so this is the way to go if you like a slim, flat pillow over a cushier alternative.

Wool – Most wool-stuffed pillows are made from sheeps’ wool, but alpaca wool is becoming a hot trend as well. Alpaca wool is more breathable that it’s sheepy counterpart, and therefore cooler to rest on during a hot summer night. It’s also softer and won’t mat as easily as sheeps’ wool, so give an alpaca-stuffed pillow a second look if you like wool filler but have had issues with it in the past.

Image: quinn.anya

We have choices. When buying a stunning pillow or quilt for our nests, consider going the route of a company like Gianna Fair Trade – which literally rescues artisans in India, Laos and Thailand from a destitute life of poverty, prostitution or being sold as mail-order brides. Filling our homes with the stylish fruits of their labor takes decor to a deeper level, don’t you think?

Feast your eyes on the exotic bo-ho products they lovingly craft. Our favorite: the neckroll pillows ($58) in soft earthy shades and patterns, studded with swirls or embroidered with cotton leaves.

The founder, Gianna, knows from a challenging life, raised by a mother who was a mail-order bride from the streets of  Manila. After a brief marriage to a cattle farmer Texan, her mother moved to a women’s  shelter where Gianna spent her childhood. Her workshops offer artisans a way to make a living and thrive, and the products are responsible, hand-crafted of organic cotton and other good fibers.

Other fetching finds at the site: metal serving bows and platters, naturally-dyed quilts, spun cotton navy print napkins and rings and woven place mats. Think wedding and housewarming gifts! It’s a gift that goes a long way.

From the pages of our favorite design mags to PANTONE’s spring color report, yellow is in for spring and summer. And throw pillows are a great, low-commitment way to incorporate this color into a room, because they instantly add a summery accent that evokes the sun.

We’ve uncovered five eco-friendly throw pillows in various shades of yellow:

1. Paper Cloud Poppies Square Pillow (pictured above)
   With a fun, quirky design by Paper Cloud, this pillow is hand-printed on linen using water-based inks.
2. Organic Cotton Austere Pillow
   Handmade by fair trade artisans in India, this organic cotton pillow uses eco-friendly natural dyes to complement your couch, bed, or favorite chair. It’s available in several other colors, too.
3. Pure Sunshine Feather Pillow Etsy seller OceanBottega uses new and reclaimed fabrics in her creations. This pale yellow pillow is made of cotton polyester with a feather insert. It’s even machine washable!
4. Primose Kapok Pillow
   Buttercup yellow linen and cream linen flowers create a cheerful combination. This pillow is stuffed with kapok – a natural, fluffy alternative to synthetic stuffing or down.
5. Gold Waves Throw Pillow
   We love how the color-coordinated pom-poms add a playful, yet polished touch to this pillow, which is made from organic cotton sateen and is printed by hand.

It’s tough to re-feather the nest during hard times. That’s why the home design industry is struggling not to be nailed shut while weathering the storm. But you can make subtle changes to your decor that won’t add up to big spending. Here are a few tips we recommend:

1. Reface Rather Than Replace Cabinets

Innovative companies can work with your existing wood and reface those cabinet doors with sustainable woods rather than trashing and starting anew. Read this post for more tips for the kitchen cabinet facelift.

2. Swap Decor with Family and Friends

You don’t need a piano and I don’t need that daybed in the TV nook, so let’s trade and recycle our stuff and get what we really need. It’s a match made in eco heaven when it doesn’t cost you a dime to swap decor, especially with people who have a good eye like you do, and are low on storage space. It’s how they did it in the olden days before widespread consumer waste and climate change. Here’s more.

3. Baby Steps Can Equal Full Grown Changes in a Room

Rearrange the furniture, buy a few new pillow covers, paint a wall. These easy fixes will refresh your pad without sinking lots of cash. As you’ll discover in this handy how-to post, it can all be done for under $30.

4. Repurpose Excess Upholstery Materials

Those fabric rolls are not doing anyone any good just sitting in the closet. Cut them up and redirect them to your interiors for pillow covers, framed art, bedding, even wall coverage like the picture shown above, if you have enough for adequate padding. See these great ideas for repurposing your excess.

5. Clean Before You Replace

Perhaps that rug can come clean with eco spot remover techniques. Why rip it out if it’s still useful? Another option is to cover a damaged section of the carpet by layering with a small, affordable area rug, one made of eco fibers that won’t cost the same as new carpeting or a large are rug. Go shagging for answers here.

6. Seasonal Accents Make Great Distractions

A collection of seasonal organic blooms and greens from your garden, lanterns, greeting cards, photos and tablecloths – they all can act as happy distractions in a room that is begging for a redux. Don’t have a garden? Head to the farmers’ market, the flea shop, the vintage shop in your hood, and spend little to stage your spaces with renewed charm. Head over here for inspiration.

7. Paint can Perk it Up

Even a dingy clawfoot tub can look ultra modern and cool by finding the right low VOC paints and giving the bath a new coat. You will find sprucing up furniture with paint can be a great cheap fix that refreshes your spaces.

8. Be a Thrift Shopper

It’s no wonder second hand shops in cities nationwide do well during hard times. These are outlets that actually offer discounts while more upscale sights like 1st Dibs are peddling vintage treasures that cater to those with lots of spare cash. Do some research and check out the shops in various neighborhoods to find out where nifty castaways are being parked.

9. A Room of Her Own

Sometimes just carving out one room of your own in your dwelling can suffice until you have a bigger budget to fix up the place. Are you craving that Project Runway sewing room? How about a closeted dressing room out of a spare bedroom? Having a blast doing just one space for yourself can be very rewarding, even if it is a multi-use corner for working, painting and reading. Own it with visuals on the walls and a fun rug that speaks to you. Experts say you will accomplish the most in a space you gravitate towards.

10. Spa Makeover

So you can’t afford to tear out the old tile and tired tub to make way for stone and steam. Use zen decor touches and nurturing elements to turn your blah bath into spa bath: Ideas include indulgent, organic towels; sensuous beeswax candles in an array of holders; yummy creams and oils displayed in a vintage tray; and my favorite Nob Hill Day Spa element – a large pitcher of spring water filled with sliced cucumbers or lemons and a pretty glass.

Image: Elle Decor

For the record, in the US we call them pillows. Not that there’s anything wrong with cushions.

In fact, call them whatever you like. If they’re soft and cozy you have my attention; make them from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles (eco-fi felt), in cool and colorful designs and I’m sold.

These modern, graphic cushions, created by UK-based Annie Hart of Hartfelt Design, are anything but ordinary. The soft texture of the eco-fi felt makes them the perfect throw pillow.

Hart’s commitment to sourcing all things eco is impressive, as well. She uses 100% recycled fibre filling in her cushions; even her labels are recycled or organic. Read more about her green business practices on her website.

She fell into her cushion-making career, but it’s obvious she’s onto something hip and hot.

Choose from any of her designs, like this adorable Dorothy Red Shoes cushion, or contact her directly for custom orders.

via Josh Spear