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Brrrr. Whether snuggling up on the sofa, in front of a fire, or tailgating before the game, cozy throw blankets are a necessity.

Just because you are super focused on function when using throw blankets does not mean you need to sacrifice form. Practicality does not require that you throw (pun intended) aesthetics out the window–at least not in our book.

Get warm and toasty with these throw blankets that combine just the perfect amount of warmth and fun design. By the way, the Danish have a word special word for getting cozy. They call it hygge, and it’s pretty much a national pastime, particularly during the winter. It sounds like the rest of the Northern Hemisphere could learn a thing or two from the Danes.

Get Cozy with These Comfy Throw Blankets

1. Open Market Throw

From the All Roads Design studio, this throw combines texture, everyday comfiness, and luxe design in a one-a-kind piece that really catches the eye.

2. Fair Isle Colorblocked

Get warmth and classic patterns in one, but with updated styling, with this throw. You will want to wrap yourself up in it all winter.

3. Living Squares

From the Danish design brand Ferm Living, this optical illusion jacquard knit blanket is super cool–er, warm. Get toasty and be stylish at the same time.

4. Kiryu Throw

Color and texture combined, what could be better? The pattern is reversible! From Osamu Mita, a third-generation textile designer known for his use of unique finishing techniques that achieve novel patterns and textures.

5. Humbert Throw

Throw this colorful, patterned blanket on your legs while curled up on the couch and binge-watching the latest on Amazon Prime or Netflix.

6. Handwoven African Mud Cloth Throw

This throw is handwoven from authentic West African mud cloth, which is cotton fabric that has been mud dyed and embellished with distinctive tribal patterns.

7. Labyrinth Blanket

This bright and colorful throw is part of the Bitmap Series by Zuzunaga where a digital image is enlarged to become pixelated to create unique and playful patterns.

Related on EcoSalon

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Fireplaces are traditionally symbolic, conjuring up memories of togetherness, warmth, and holiday customs, especially during the fall and winter months. Their mantels are the perfect backdrops for festive garlands and their ledges just right for family photos. And whether you already have a fireplace in your home or you’re interested in acquiring one of these units, with the rampant health hazards of the customary hearth, an eco-friendly fireplace is one we strongly encourage you to consider. 

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the smoke from wood burning fireplaces is made up of gasses and fine particles, also known as particulate matter. The microscopic particles have the ability to get into your eyes and lungs where they can cause health problems including burning eyes, runny nose, and bronchitis.

Furthermore, on top of particle pollution, the EPA believes that wood smoke also contains toxic chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde, acrolein, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Exposure to these toxins creates a host of problems, especially in individuals with preexisting conditions, like asthma and heart disease. Believe it or not, the chemicals in the smoke are harsh and distressing enough to cause death due to exacerbation of certain illnesses.

Fortunately, though, you don’t have to swear off sipping hot cocoa by the fire forever because now you can have the same ambiance and look without the accompanying health hazards or hassle. EcoSmart Fire is on the cutting edge of eco-friendly fireplace design and installation. Not only do these units generate heat, but they are also fuelled by bioethanol, which, according to the website, is “a renewable liquid fuel produced from agricultural by-products which burns clean – no smoke, no sparks, no fuss.”

In addition to creating some visually stunning fireplaces from the EcoSmart Fire product line, you can also easily convert your existing hearth with very little effort.  The smokeless fireplaces are designed for homeowner installation, do not produce any soot or embers, and don’t require ventilation – it seriously doesn’t get much better than this!

1. Outdoor EcoSmart Fireplaces – Bust out the vegan marshmallows and veggie dogs, because now you have the environmentally friendly answer to your future outdoor parties. Go wild in the great outdoors, or at least your own backyard with these beautiful fireplaces designed to be free of gas lines, wood, embers, and smoke. Choose one or several of these units to add ambiance and sophistication to your patio, by your pool, or under the gazebo.

2. Grate Fireplaces – Drinking eggnog by the fire is so close we can practically taste it! These fireplace grates present a quick and simple way to convert your existing hearth into a safe, healthy, and beautiful focal point just in time for the holidays. The fireplace grate is nontoxic so it can be used with or without an operational chimney. And if you want more space heating efficiency, then all you need to do is close the dampener or block the chimney with a metal plate.

3. Designer Fireplaces – From ultra-modern to eclectic, it’s possible for these fireplaces to work within a range of décor styles, especially considering the product’s versatility and sleek appearance. So if you prefer predesigned fireplaces, then check out EcoSmart Fire’s designer range that the company claims is as simple to install as opening the box.

4. Custom Fireplaces – In addition to the suggestions already listed, homeowners also have the option to take things one step further and design their own fireplace. The selection of bioethanol burners and fireplace inserts are exactly what you’ll need to help your creation come to life. Whether it’s for your home, your porch, or even your business, this is the simple and practical way to maintaining ambiance throughout the holidays and all year long.

5. Fireplace Accessories – Don’t forget your accessories! Create the illusion of weightlessness and transparency with the plasma, wind, and ghost fire screens. They are beautiful additions to your new EcoSmart Fire fireplace décor and allow you to get excellent views of the flames as they dance about.

Now that you’ve gotten the lowdown on the negative consequences that arise from traditional wood burning fireplaces, we want to know what you think about our post. Are you ready to invest in one of these heat generating hearths? Or would you rather continue on with the old-fashioned method of burning wood? Why or why not? Let us know your thoughts on the EcoSalon Facebook page!

Related on EcoSalon

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Image of Fireplace via Shutterstock

The post Eco-Friendly Fireplace Ideas Perfect for the Holidays appeared first on EcoSalon.

Brace yourself. Your eyes are seconds away from falling on an interior simultaneously wearing composed white walls and a chaotic chromatic rush – radiant pockets of vivid hues embellishing a blank shell. This bold serving of design is the London flat of Liza Giles. Ms. Giles has borrowed brilliant color and feminine details from her profession as a senior designer and stylist for Designers Guild.

Ms. Giles has arranged isolated tufts of seemingly unrelated elements that coalesce for a sense of overwhelming cohesion. Each vignette is a gathering of shiny new objects and flea market charms (which, by the way, has me yearning to locate her blissful flea market resources). Once again, James Merrell‘s photography has flawlessly captured endless design details with his talented lens.

This flat literally sings to me; gushing and admiring comes easily when the space is this perfect. I still remember the first time I set eyes upon this interior. Love at first sight. Every time I devour these images I find a new detail that makes it even more endearing (like the unassuming charcoal lace quietly dangling over the living room window). I would move in immediately, forsaking all personal possessions and arriving with only one suitcase and one husband. I have adored this space on my personal (humble, little) blog more than once. I still love it.

I am smitten with the sense of unintentional variety laced with deliberate eclecticism. The subtle whispers of color (through muted artwork) adjacent to the not-so-subtle shouts of color (reflected through gleaming metallic teal wallpaper) form a palatable, delicious tension. All this contrast is balanced into tranquility by the overwhelming silence of stark white walls, floors, and ceilings.

Still craving more? Gain a little more insight (or at least an additional opinion) with these features on {this is glamorous} and decor8.

(Photography by James Merrell via decor8.)

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