Thursday’s New York Times story will have a profusion of contractors and granite dealers crying the blues, not to mention homeowners who have already coughed up the cash for their granite countertops.

The article, titled “What’s Lurking in Your Countertop” has sent a frenzy of worry across the nation, leaving people to contemplate whether they should be buying new napkin rings or a sledgehammer.

Writer Kate Murphy reports on the excessive amount of radon being found in granite countertops. She said that the E.P.A. recommends taking action if radon gas levels in a home exceeds 4 picocuries per liter of air - about the same risk for cancer as smoking half a pack of cigarettes a day.

To put this in perspective, Murphy said, airline passengers get 3 millirem of cosmic radiation on a flight from New York to Los Angeles.On the flip side, a new study released by the Marble Institute of America insists that granite counters are safe. The research and report was done by the Department of Geology and Environmental Science at the University of Akon.

Now if you’re in the market for a new counter for whatever reason, and choose to opt out of granite, there are many other options available, said Mariette Barsoum, founder ...Read More

Deux fm has quickly made a statement in the eco-fashion world. With a creative spin on organic basics, Anna Gilkerson has developed a chic collection we’re all flocking to. The Canadian fashion brand’s designer/founder believes in implementing sustainable action through innovative design ...Read More

When it comes to jewelry, chunky statement pieces are more my style, but I do admire the understated beauty of a simple necklace, bracelet, or ring. If you prefer your accessories uncomplicated (and eco-friendy, of course!), Jennifer Dawes is your woman.

Jennifer put her knowledge of metalsmithing to work and created ...Read More

Most of my youth was spent searching - for something easier, cooler, smarter, sexier - anything better than whatever was boring and right in front of me. I was convinced there was something better out there just out of my sight. Maybe this belief motivated me to reach higher. Or maybe it left me in a constant state of flux. (Most likely, a bit of ...Read More

I would never have thought that watering cans would become chic, let alone eco-chic...but that's what's happening.

Invented in England in the 17th Century (a mystery: why invent artificial watering in a place where it rains all the time?), the traditional watering can is functional, unadorned and slightly eco-belligerent, containing ...Read More

Saifon Lertromyanant grew up in a small village in Thailand
watching her father create beautiful designs on the furniture he made. After earning her degree and marrying, Saifon decided to open a business of her own.

"My father is an ...Read More

...Read More

Placemats offer a great alternative to tablecloths because they only need to be wiped off (or perhaps hosed down on pasta night) and not constantly thrown into the wash. Eco designs made with bamboo, raffia or recycled materials make both a stylish and sustainable statement at your table. They also help protect the table top, which I like, ...Read More

During my days of hunting goodies at the mesmerizing Butterfield Estate Sales, I was thrilled to locate a set of vintage Pimpernel coasters decorated with old San Francisco scenes, including cable cars on Hyde Street and the original Gump's store.

Old coasters with evocative scenes and motifs can add a lot of charm to a ...Read More

With the whirl of stories we've sent your way, we need a few moments to catch our breath. So grab a green tea and have a look at these, and we'll enjoy a quick break. Thanks!

As passionate advocates of ...Read More