It is rare to come across a one-stop design resource with a finger on the pulse of all things cool, but it does happen. Better Living Through Design (BLTD) is one such spot. They feature products in categories ranging from travel and home renovation to furniture, books and accessories. And they tell you where to buy them online, because there’s nothing worse than drooling over something and being told, “Sorry, you can’t have it.”

I visit the site almost daily, to get a glimpse of what’s out there, for creative inspiration, and even to find a last-minute gift for someone who has everything. “Your Design Guide to Home, Style, Travel” – BLTD should definitely be on your short list of design resources.

Katie Hagar (above left) and Kris Bernard (above right) co-founded BLTD in 2005. Hagar, editor-in-chief, works full-time for BLTD and lives in London. In her past lives she was a product and textile designer, an art restoration specialist, and an interior designer. Kris Bernard, editor-at-large, currently lives in Los Angeles and works full time in a technical field. She has taught college-level architectural drafting, auto-cad for interiors, and kitchen and bath design.

Recently I had a chance to chat with them about their site.

How did BLTD come about and why?

Hagar: Kris originally thought up the idea for BLTD, as she felt the majority of design blogs (at that time) really didn’t focus on providing purchasing info, or for that matter, even feature items available in the marketplace. Lots of sites gave great coverage on prototypes and exciting new stuff, but they weren’t really usable for finding things you could buy for your home immediately. We had just become friends and since we shared a similar design aesthetic, she asked me to help her with building/writing BLTD.

Bernard: I registered the domain after having a long conversation with a friend about design while I was on vacation in NYC. I sat on it for about a year, then decided to start a blog. Katie and I met around the same time, and I asked her to join me in writing for the blog. At that point, we didn’t even really know where it would take us. We were running blind for a while. We’re always pleased when people tell us that it’s a great resource for creating their homes. It makes our day!

I read that you enjoy “making stuff.” What is your most recent creation?

Hagar: Hmm. I made a sweatshirt based on sweater pattern I liked…the  jury is still out how successful it is as I played around with the proportion quite a bit and the materials were so different that it didn’t fit as expected. Before that I was working on altering some small cork landscape sculptures, adding tiny train figurines and electrical lights and such. I’ve got the supplies to do a few more, I just need to take the time to sit down and figure out what I want them to look like.

Bernard: I am currently in the planning stages of remodeling my home. I spend most of my free time either searching the internet for images or in Google sketch-up editing my floorplan. I will eventually hire an architect, but I really want to flesh out plans myself so I know what my needs are before meeting with the architect. I feel like after living in the house for two years I have a grasp of how the house can be improved and while I value the input of an architect, I really want to make sure he/she doesn’t talk me out of my “must haves.”

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Hagar: When PR companies (or designers themselves) send form emails and forget to change the ‘to’ names. Also, when someone emails multiple times (excessively) hoping we’ll feature their event/product. Drives me crazy as it makes our inbox a haystack. Also, too many exclamation points can get tiring.

Bernard: My biggest pet peeve? Poorly made, disposable products. I know everyone needs furniture but I don’t think if it ends up in a landfill in three years [that] it’s worth the low price.

What are your top three new favorite products?

Hagar: There are so many, but if I had to choose just three…or four… Daniel Emma Desk Accessories, for sure, as they’re just so lovely in person. Although I’ll have to save up for them, I think they’d inspire me to keep my desk tidier than it is now.

Endy Stool by Studio Ve – I love how the color codes of lumber have been used as a design element. And at $150 it’s so affordable.

Element Planters – If these had an option to ship to London, I’d have a few of these. The angled surfaces and rusty (recycled) metal would be just the right contrast to a bunch of green plants.

Crumpled City Maps – Genius! no folding!

Bernard: Henry Built kitchens, the Jawbone Jambox and Another Country’s Daybed One.

You are the happiest when…

Hagar: Painting, making or fixing something. Also, when my husband makes dinner (which is all the time, I should say, but I tend to enjoy it very much).

Bernard: When I have the luxury of creating and not worrying about the mundane parts of the day, such as paying bills or running errands.

Current favorite site(s) to visit for inspiration?

Hagar: Ffffound! and OWI // Office for Word and Image for architecture shots.

Bernard: I’m loving all the sites targeted towards more eclectic homes. While I prefer sparse and minimal, I live in an old craftsman so I’m learning to love my home’s old quirks. These sites help me wrap my head around refurbishing an older home: doorsixteen, brick house, style files and desire to inspire.

So there you have it! Some great ideas and inspiration from the two style gurus of BLTD.

The post Bookmarked: Better Living Through Design appeared first on EcoSalon.

If you are well acquainted with EcoSalon, you know we don’t shy away from controversial issues. In fact, we welcome them. Rarely is there one right answer, and remaining open-minded in the face of difficult discussions is what EcoSalon strives to achieve.

And 2010 was no exception. It was indeed a stellar year for serious and many-sided environmental discussions. We hope you enjoyed the controversy, I mean year, as much as we did!

Here’s our greatest hits list for 2010:

GINK (Green Inclinations, No Kids) – Want to help the environment? Stop procreating. Turns out, going childless is the greenest choice of all. GINK describes women who decide not to have kids for any number of reasons, but mainly they consider the childless choice a huge gain for the environment. And furthermore, did you know that women can find peace, contentment and even happiness sans baby? Amazing!

Gulf Series – The BP Oil spill last April was tragic and terrifying to witness from afar, but when one of our writers traveled to the Gulf of Mexico and reported back, we got much more than we bargained for, including the devastating details of the aftermath and cleanup.

Gyre Series – Plastic pollution is collecting in the earth’s waters. It’s a catastrophic problem and one that we followed first hand (well, almost) while sailing the South Atlantic Gyre. Actually, Stiv Wilson, one of our editors, went on the adventure and yes, he lived to tell us all about it. In fact, the saga continues.

Politics versus Science – It was a big year for politics and science, with solar panels reappearing on the White House, emails leaking with twisted facts and figures, and a newly elected Republican Congress and the resurgence of climate change denial. One battle after another. We faced the Global Warming deniers and naysayers but in the end it seems, Americans still trust science. Phew!

Fur? Leather? Vegan? Oh yes! – Debate and controversy ran rampant in the fashion arena this year, and no one came out wrong. The fur versus leather discussion continued, while vegans consistently said no to anything animal. But if anything artificial and man-made only adds to the mess we’re in, why not wear fur? So many questions, all sorts of answers. In the end it comes down to personal preference and hopefully, an earnest attempt to pay attention to the planet.

Gender & Sexism – 2010 was also a big year for the ladies, or wait – is it gals or women or dames? It was a big year, as in, we’re still not making as much, still being asked why we’re not married and having babies, and still can’t be both smart and pretty. Further complicating the matter, green itself has been accused of sexism! How’s that for progress, eh?

Apple – One of the most anticipated events of the year was the launch of the iPad. We also saw a plethora of eco-friendly iPhone covers, and others made of rosewood, plants and bamboo. But no matter how green our gadgets, will we always wonder whether we can live without them? Yep, probably.

Food Revolution – 2010 saw schools saying adios to junk food (and Sara Palin getting mad about it), urbanites saying yes to farming, and more discussion about the problem that is the global food system. In other news – the concept of being a foodie rose in our consciousness this year, as people became increasingly fascinated with culinary culture and great cuisine. From food carts to all things pork to urban wineries, the foodie has arrived – your table is ready!

Electric Cars – It was a year to remember for the electric car. With the new EPA fuel efficiency labels meaning business, car manufacturers did the same. It seems everyone who’s anyone had an entry into the electric lineup – Mercedes and BMW, the Nissan Leaf (which was already sold out in the U.S. by July) and the Chevy Volt. And it appears we’ll be seeing more charging stations in the next year as well. Good thing!

Gorgeous Green Living – 2010 was full of talk about prefab, small spaces and McMansions, but EcoSalon saw a subtler, deeper theme at play: how green, vintage and good taste combine to make gorgeous living. We immersed ourselves in all areas of art and design and garnered loads of green lessons from what we found. We researched and scoured the web to bring you design insights, ideas and inspiration. Because in these not-so-stable times – when we can control our spaces, our immediate surroundings, but not much else – a visceral dose of art and color and gorgeous is oh-so-wonderful.

and last, but definitely not least…

We decided that Green Needs to Grow Up – It cannot be coddled nor supported uncritically. We owe it to ourselves and our future generations to insist upon good standards and good products in green. So when things like deodorant and amusement parks announce they are green all over, we investigate. We’re tired of greenwashing and false advertising, and you should be, too.

Images: Deepwater Horizon Response, kevindooley, Stiv Wilson, NASA Goddard Photo and Video, jessjamesjake, xjyxjy, Robert Scoble, bokchoi-snowpea, Lisa Cohen (via Living Inside), CoCreatr.

The post Top 11 Hottest Topics of 2010 from EcoSalon appeared first on EcoSalon.

And 2010 was no exception. It was indeed a stellar year for serious and many-sided environmental discussions. We hope you enjoyed the controversy, I mean year, as much as we did!

Here’s our greatest hits list for 2010…

• «
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
• »

GINK (Green Inclinations, No Kids) – Want to help the environment? Stop procreating. Turns out, going childless is the greenest choice of all. GINK describes women who decide not to have kids for any number of reasons, but mainly they consider the childless choice a huge gain for the environment. And furthermore, did you know that women can find peace, contentment and even happiness sans baby? Amazing!

• «
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
• »

Gulf Series – The BP Oil spill last April was tragic and terrifying to witness from afar, but when one of our writers traveled to the Gulf of Mexico and reported back, we got much more than we bargained for, including the devastating details of the aftermath and cleanup.

• «
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
• »

Gyre Series – Plastic pollution is collecting in the earth’s waters. It’s a catastrophic problem and one that we followed first hand (well, almost) while sailing the South Atlantic Gyre. Actually, Stiv Wilson, one of our editors, went on the adventure and yes, he lived to tell us all about it. In fact, the saga continues.

• «
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
• »

Politics versus Science – It was a big year for politics and science, with solar panels reappearing on the White House, emails leaking with twisted facts and figures, and a newly elected Republican Congress and the resurgence of climate change denial. One battle after another. We faced the Global Warming deniers and naysayers but in the end it seems, Americans still trust science. Phew!

• «
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
• »

Fur? Leather? Vegan? Oh yes! – Debate and controversy ran rampant in the fashion arena this year, and no one came out wrong. The fur versus leather discussion continued, while vegans consistently said no to anything animal. But if anything artificial and man-made only adds to the mess we’re in, why not wear fur? So many questions, all sorts of answers. In the end it comes down to personal preference and hopefully, an earnest attempt to pay attention to the planet.

• «
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
• »

Gender & Sexism – 2010 was also a big year for the ladies, or wait – is it gals or women or dames? It was a big year, as in, we’re still not making as much, still being asked why we’re not married and having babies, and still can’t be both smart and pretty. Further complicating the matter, green itself has been accused of sexism! How’s that for progress, eh?

• «
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
• »

Apple – One of the most anticipated events of the year was the launch of the iPad. We also saw a plethora of eco-friendly iPhone covers, and others made of rosewood, plants and bamboo. But no matter how green our gadgets, will we always wonder whether we can live without them? Yep, probably.

Food Revolution – 2010 saw schools saying adios to junk food (and Sara Palin getting mad about it), urbanites saying yes to farming, and more discussion about the problem that is the global food system. In other news – the concept of being a foodie rose in our consciousness this year, as people became increasingly fascinated with culinary culture and great cuisine. From food carts to all things pork to urban wineries, the foodie has arrived – your table is ready!

• «
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
• »

Electric Cars – It was a year to remember for the electric car. With the new EPA fuel efficiency labels meaning business, car manufacturers did the same. It seems everyone who’s anyone had an entry into the electric lineup – Mercedes and BMW, the Nissan Leaf (which was already sold out in the U.S. by July) and the Chevy Volt. And it appears we’ll be seeing more charging stations in the next year as well. Good thing!

• «
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
• »

Gorgeous Green Living – 2010 was full of talk about prefab, small spaces and McMansions, but EcoSalon saw a subtler, deeper theme at play: how green, vintage and good taste combine to make gorgeous living. We immersed ourselves in all areas of art and design and garnered loads of green lessons from what we found. We researched and scoured the web to bring you design insights, ideas and inspiration. Because in these not-so-stable times – when we can control our spaces, our immediate surroundings, but not much else – a visceral dose of art and color and gorgeous is oh-so-wonderful.

• «
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
• »

…and last, but definitely not least…

We decided that Green Needs to Grow Up – It cannot be coddled nor supported uncritically. We owe it to ourselves and our future generations to insist upon good standards and good products in green. So when things like deodorant and amusement parks announce they are green all over, we investigate. We’re tired of greenwashing and false advertising, and you should be, too.

Images: Deepwater Horizon Response, kevindooley, Stiv Wilson, NASA Goddard Photo and Video, jessjamesjake, xjyxjy, Robert Scoble, bokchoi-snowpea, Lisa Cohen (via Living Inside), CoCreatr.

The post Top 11 Hottest Topics of 2010 from EcoSalon appeared first on EcoSalon.

Slumber Designs is a place of sweet dreams. Jen is the creative mind behind this creative blog bursting with consistently lovable posts. I swoon for the daily quotes. If you really love inspirational words, don’t miss Jen’s other blog, Bits of Truth (I am yet to meet a bad day that a few posts from this site don’t cure). Here are a couple of quotes lingering on Slumber Designs that are begging to be shared.

The “Tuesday Crushes” posts are always full of eye candy. Here is just a small handful of the beauty that pops up at Slumber Designs every Tuesday.

Slumber Designs is more than just a blog – it’s also a clever shop that sells thoughtful headboards and bedding with integrity.

The post Slumber Designs appeared first on EcoSalon.