There’s no denying that leather is controversial in eco-circles. Some people only wear vintage leather, while others avoid it altogether. However, flooring company TORLYS has found a way to recycle leather from jackets, upholstery, belts, shoes, handbags and other items that would have landed in landfills, and turn it into leather flooring. And we have to admit: the results are pretty sleek.

TORLYS leather flooring comes in a variety of hues and textures, so it’s an intriguing alternative to hardwood or carpeting and can add some eye-catching textures to your floor. It’s available in planks to create a feeling of roominess and unity or tiles to play off the textures of the leather. We can picture a rich chocolate brown leather in a formal dining room or maybe a sophisticated black flooring in a modern living room.

TORLYS uses cork backing to minimize noise and add extra insulation. It also offers a 25-year residential wear warranty (during which your floors can be re-installed and re-used up to three times). According to the company’s press release, there’s no VOC emissions or added formaldehyde in the product either. Not to mention, they’re also keeping leather out of landfills.

What do you think? Are leather floors a do or a don’t?

The post Leather Flooring: The Next Eco Home Trend? appeared first on EcoSalon.

I’ve made peace with housework, but I still loathe mopping. I save that dreaded chore for last, when the kitchen floor is just too dirty to keep ignoring.

So what do I use to mop? My broom closet features an old fashioned string mop, but since I have to squeeze out the excess water by hand, using it becomes up becoming wet and unwieldy.

Method gives us the Omop, and though it is ergonomic and uses corn-based, compostable sweeping cloths, I see it as just another plastic product. The essence of green means creatively using what we already have instead of producing and buying new stuff all the time.

Speaking of creative reuse, we were given a Swiffer, which has a goofy name but works well. Once all the spare Swiffer pads ran out, I used it to push a wet rag around the floor, which go right to the wash. If you’re crafty, check out these ideas for DIY reusable Swiffer pads. Very green and very sustainable.

If you don’t mind being old fashioned, consider getting on your hands and knees for those tough spots. I know, this sounds like a flashback to Cinderella, but if your kitchen isn’t too big (and mine isn’t), then it’s really not a big deal to use your body and put some elbow grease into it. I certainly wouldn’t want to become a slave to my floor, but for occasional cleaning, I don’t mind.

What’s your mopping method? How do you deal with this arduous chore?

Image: hive

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Recycled from the cork stopper industry’s byproduct and fashioned into penny size patterns on hand-mounted paper mesh sheets, cork mosaic tiles are a chic renewable resource. We’ve seen the large sheets of cork flooring, but when adopted as mosaic tiles this green choice quickly becomes a classic.

The designs from Habitus New York City even come in custom colors that are current and design friendly, like the green, red or white. The natural is appealing to purists. I wish I had opted for this rather than the ceramic mosaic on the floor in my kids’ bath remodel because it insulates and is water resistant, making it ideal for high traffic areas (kitchen, baths and dens) and suitable for the surfaces of baths and showers. Cork flooring also repels allergens which is handy with dogs and cats and all the other stuff in the house.

The post Put a Cork in It appeared first on EcoSalon.

I have a major rug fetish, and no designer has impressed me more than the renowned Christian Rathbone. In fact, his work does more than just impress beholders. It dazzles us. Taking this craft beyond the basics, he is the master of creating fine art for our floors. Plus, all of his pieces are completely handmade to ensure the highest quality and colored with vegetable dyes for an eco-friendly appeal. Are you an abstract addict? Then, you’ll consider the Decline rug one of this talented artist’s most evocative works. Want some insight into Rathbone’s impeccable eye for style? Check out his five favorite decor items as well. (Available at Vivavi for $5,300.)

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It’s no mystery to any of you that I love to brighten my home with as many flowers as possible, which, of course, means plenty of eco-friendly and vintage vases. I’ve featured stylish varieties made from sculpted ceramic, frosted recycled glass, bamboo shaped like a flask and more, but, I’ve never posted about one like this: the Square Tapered Water Hyacinth vase. Instead of adorning your tabletops with colorful buds, you can fill these extra tall pieces with branches or stems and group them together in a lonely corner. Not a fan of these? Check out the sleek stem vase, a collection of mango wood vases and the hanging vase that Mike, Susan and Kim discovered. (Available at Natural Territory for $220- $300.)

The post A Tall Pair in a Quiet Corner appeared first on EcoSalon.

While naked floors may have sufficed during the summer, the change in seasons calls for something a bit more cozy underfoot. The plush Striped Organic Prarie rug both looks and feels a lot cozier than hardwood or tile. Handmade by skilled Indian weavers, this 100% eco-friendly piece is made from recycled organic cotton and colored with all-natural vegetable dyes. Plus, this fairly traded item helps support local artisans and their families. (On sale at VivaTerra for $19- $49.)

The post Garnish Your Floors and Warm Your Feet appeared first on EcoSalon.

This morning I came in from fetching the paper and realized something: my doormat is seriously ugly. And since that’s the first thing people see when they come over, why hadn’t I chosen something nicer by now? I’m ordering the flip flop door mat – even if no one notices, at least I’ll have something colorful to look at every morning.

Made from recycled flip flops, this fun, squishy piece will easily withstand the winter weather that’s just around the corner. I think this mat could easily work in the kitchen or mud room, too. Not quite your style? The Vintage Belt floor mat, the Rolling Meadow rug or the Series of Eight rug may suite your taste. ($29-89, various sizes.)

The post Flip Your Doormat appeared first on EcoSalon.

The title should look like this: The Bamboo Grass Mat That Would Be Really Cool If It Were Bamboo Grass.

Say it isn’t so. Call the eco-police. My list of clever household items that should be eco but aren’t, just got bigger. Here we go again.

Why make a doormat printed with a photo of something natural, only to make it out of a material as un-natural as polyester? If I sound like a broken record, that’s because I am.

Cute idea? Yes. Worth the money, time and resources to manufacture, package and ship? Not even close.

The post For Title, See Content appeared first on EcoSalon.

Have you ever stood at the edge of a river bed, admired the smooth stones beneath the flowing waters and wished that you could bring a piece of this colorful vision home with you?

Sustainably gathered from the marvelous banks of Mother Earth, the Ochre River Stone mat is just the memento you’ve been seeking. The neutral tones and slight gleam of this mosaic masterpiece make it the perfect segue from the nature’s beauty into your fall living space. If this hue doesn’t quite complement the color scheme of your front porch, there is also black, white and multi. (Available at sponsor VivaTerra for $59.)

The post Sustainable Stepping Stones appeared first on EcoSalon.

Your favorite leather belt has seen better days. It’s looking pretty shabby, and you have to hold your breath in order to get it buckled just so. If you’re thinking about tossing it in the trash, resourceful designer Inghua Ting would have none of that. When your old belts no longer fit around your waist, it’s no excuse to simply discard them as waste.

With the recycled Vintage Belt floor mat, these once tired accessories find a new gig. When combined, they create a faux wood floor wonder with sophisticated stripes in an array of rich hues that are perfect for adorning your entryway. (Available at Branch Home for $688.)

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