If you like a taste of the exotic, consider Moroccan style home decor. Cultures come together in this northeastern African country which is a blend of European, Arabic, and African influences. It’s a country rich in art, architecture, pattern and colors and offers so many rich choices as inspiration for home decorators around the world. 

Moroccan home styling has become a popular trend in home decor and design. Books (like Marrakesh By Design) and blogs (like the popular My Marrakesh) have popped up and magazines have even devoted pages and pages to the trend (like this gorgeous Moroccan spread in Elle Decor).

Patterns, colors, rugs and textiles are an important part of Moroccan design and it is these aspects on which home decorators want to focus the most. Patterned tiles are also integral in Moroccan styling and can be utilized in back splashes, as flooring or even used as decorative coasters. And while it easy to spread a pretty penny creating this style, if one has the means, it is also just as easy to add some Moroccan style to your home without breaking the bank.

Here are some inspirational ways to add Moroccan flavor to your home decor.

Mason Jar Lanterns

Image: LIT decor

Make your own Moroccan style glass jar lanterns utilizing Mason’s Heritage blue jars,  glass paint markers (available at craft and home improvement stores) and search Pinterest for Moorish pattern inspiration. Add a handle for hanging or leave the handle of for tabletop candle holders for on your coffee table.

Mirrors

Image: Wisteria

Add some North African flavor with a Moroccan-inspired mirror (mirrors are an important part of this style) like this gorgeous antiqued example, or make you own for a lot less with this tutorial at Apartment Therapy.

Rugs

Image: West Elm

Rugs are an integral part in creating Moroccan style, both to create warmth and to incorporate pattern and color. Bold, colorful patterns are the way to go in creating a modern Moroccan style room and this example inspired by Moorish tile is the perfect example.

Pillows, Poufs and Throws

Image: MARAUTHENTICS

In creating Moroccan inspired interiors, comfort must play a key role. That means lots of pillows, poufs and comfy throws in bright, colorful patterns.

Image: Wilmalong

Throw these handmade pillows on your couch for a quick burst of Moroccan style.

Top Image: One Kings Lane

Related on Ecosalon:

7 Graphic Patterns For Home Decor You Don’t Know the Names Of—But Will Now!

Master Bohemian Style for Your Home with DIY Projects

The post Create a Moroccan Style Home with These Gorgeous Destination Accessories appeared first on EcoSalon.

Each week, I beg my favorite bloggers and designers to hand select a beloved green product, whether it’s a finish, furnishing, or accessory. The end result? An endless anthology of aesthetically perfect products for your perusal.

This week Kelle Dame has been gracious enough to share her immaculate taste and charming creativity. Kelle has a namesake blog where she notes her inspiration, design musings, and dispenses enchanting and pragmatic advice.

Kelle handpicked a gorgeous Wooden Ammunition Crate from Hindsvik (one of the best sources for vintage treasures). While the product itself is entirely gorgeous, Ms. Dame loves vintage crates for their endless function in addition to their lovely form, “I love them and they have so many uses.” Scour your neighborhood antique stores, flea markets, and garage sales for your own versatile and delightful crates.

Kelle has sprinkled these classic gems throughout her own house (click here to drool through some creative crate ideas and a peak into Kelle’s home).

You can find Kelle sharing her real life projects on her blog (the inspiration is deliciously palpable) and sharing her bits of nesting on Facebook through her design and organization service.

The post Handpicked: Kelle Dame appeared first on EcoSalon.

Each week here at EcoSalon, I beg my favorite bloggers and designers to hand select a beloved green product, whether it’s a finish, furnishing, or accessory. The end result? An endless anthology of aesthetically perfect products for your perusal.

This week we are graced with the presence of Francine Gardner, from Art De Vivre and Interieurs. Art De Vivre is “a blog dedicated to the full enjoyment of life and all it has to offer.” Interieurs is a design studio and lifestyle store that will make you drool, brimming with style – a mixture of modern and found industrial gems. The eye candy is almost unbearably gorgeous.

This particular piece of aesthetic overload, the Industrial Credenza/Console, is a functional furnishing made of reclaimed components. The furniture, accessories, and lifestyle products from Interieurs are lovely – and they’re just the beginning. Salivate through the Interieurs Project Portfolio, or peruse the Inspiration Gallery (click on “View all inspirations” to linger through the stunning images).

(A special thank you to Ania Palermo from Interieurs for her keen eye and beautiful product suggestions.)

The post Handpicked: Art De Vivre & Interieurs appeared first on EcoSalon.

Fields of carpet, a sea of leather: It’s becoming as endangered as the polar bear as we embrace less is more (less indulgent, more power to you).

Forward green design is radically shifting the kind of statements we are making in our dwellings. How do you know you have arrived? Once it was a clear site line from the entryway to the Olympic-sized pool, or finding yourself diminished by a great room the size of a hotel lobby, that you figured you could squeeze your entire house inside.

Scaling down has produced a new kind of house envy. We covet sleek, modern utility. In this era of the understatement, these luxury spots are being subtracted:

The Wrapping Room

Candy Spelling and the housewives of Beverly Hills and Menlo Park were all taken in by this “bonus room” suggested by Martha Stewart as a place for wrapping all of those holiday gifts. Sorry ladies. Stick em in reusable bags or boxes and call it a day.

The Powder Room

No need to impress with a fancy shmancy bath just for visitors. In a prefab or other low energy dwelling, guests use the main floor bathroom like everyone else. Just keep it pretty with flowers and clean towels when you entertain.

Three Car Garage

Even two car garages might suffice for families using public transit. This McMansion feature is as tacky as it gets and usually includes plenty of cabinets for box store bulk and other evidence of affluenza.

Au Pair Room

Who can afford live-in nannies anymore?

The Guest Room

This is not a necessity as it once was. Anyone willing to stay at your house rather than a hotel is willing to sleep on a sofa bed. Grandmas can crawl in with the kiddies and good old air mattresses do just fine for sleepovers.

The Dressing Room

As we continue to clean out our closets and espouse the notion quality over quantity, there is little need for massive closets or spare rooms for getting dressed.

Fitness Center/Gym

Most efficient spaces might see an elliptical in the bedroom or multi purpose room rather than an entire space devoted to machines. Ride your bike to the gym. What a concept.

Walk-in Pantry

If you are endorsing fresh, local, organic and slow, then you aren’t stocking up on processed foods, and a few good shelves should do the trick.

Home Theater

Okay, we all like having friends over to watch the Oscars or favorite films, but only suits in the biz and the tenacious nouveau riche are building screening suites in their cribs with the works: Ridiculous sound systems; mohair chairs and massive screens, popcorn machines and bars. It’s the epitome of 80s gross. Come on, plug in the crockpot and gather round the LG in the den. It’s so much warmer.

Cabana

Keep the cabana boy but ditch the pool house, unless you are renting it out to buy groceries during the recession (which really isn’t over). Pools suck energy and this resort inspired space is practically extinct.

Images: gsloan, Candacerose; Elan Interiors; largerich; Patriotweb; HFB; Oak Hampton Park; HTN

The post Don’t Make Room! 10 Spaces Sustainable Design is Making Extinct appeared first on EcoSalon.

Each week here at EcoSalon, I beg my favorite bloggers and designers to hand select a beloved green product, whether it’s a finish, furnishing, or accessory. The end result? An endless anthology of aesthetically perfect products for your perusal.

This week we will meander to India with Gagan from Of Peacocks and Paisleys. Gagan was born and raised in India, where she grew up with an innate sense of appreciation and value, and an early distaste for waste upon moving to the United States (in India, nothing that can be repaired or salvaged is ever thrown away).

Gagan has selected a handful of Indian handicrafts that she wants to bundle up and carry home with her during her next trip to India, “because they pack so much color in light, fold-able, and carry-able sizes.” These gorgeous items are handmade with materials on hand by Indian artisans. The gorgeous Wildflower Wonderland wall hanging (detail shown above) is woven of sari and kurta borders (click here for a glimpse of the full patchwork tapestry).

The lovely Gagan couldn’t leave India without a couple of Indian folk art paintings. Vidushini’s United Forever II depicts the union of the creative forces in the universe in the unique Madhubani style (on the left). Brajeswar Pattnaik’s Sailing II (on the right) is painted in the traditional Patachitra style (crushed stone colors on tussar silk).

If you want to peruse a little more Indian folk art, this website will satiate your craving. You can catch up with Gagan at her blog (don’t miss her graciously hosted, beautiful home tours).

The post Handpicked: Of Peacocks and Paisleys appeared first on EcoSalon.

Each week here at EcoSalon, I beg my favorite bloggers and designers to hand select a beloved green product, whether it’s a finish, furnishing, or accessory. The end result? An endless anthology of aesthetically perfect products for your perusal.

This week it’s the modern pacific musings of Isla Schmidt from Somace. Isla is charming, creative, and brimming with outrageous talent. She is one third of the inspired Somace trifecta (including Edward Macey and artist Kaypee Soh). The Somace blog and store have a few things in common – including fresh design, vibrant color, and sweet nostalgia laced with a dose of the Pacific (the team is located in beautiful Hawaii).

Isla has taken the time to handpick her favorite artwork from the swoon-inducing collection of Kaypee Soh. If you haven’t seen this brilliant collection yet, I dare you to pick your favorite – there are so many to love. Ms. Schmidt chose this gorgeous print of Diamond Head – the iconic Waikiki landmark, “Kaypee Soh is a genius when it comes to scale, color and texture. I just love the way he takes something we see almost every single day (which is already beautiful), and turns it into a piece of magic. His Diamond Head piece is one of my all time favorites, it’s exactly how I feel and dream Diamond Head to have been…”

Mr. Soh’s collection of artwork is already perfection – and he offers custom colors, sizes, and printing options; perhaps natural ink and dye printed on bamboo paper and framed with recycled wood suits you? It certainly suits me – I am the satisfied and gushing owner of two Kaypee Soh wonders (so you can believe me when I tell you his artwork makes me weak in the knees). Don’t even get me started on the pillows, fabric, wallpaper, and store full of lifestyle delights.

Catch up with Isla (and Somace) through their blog, on Facebook or Twitter, or even while perusing the latest issue of Sunset magazine.

The post Handpicked: Somace appeared first on EcoSalon.

“I will sell this house today!” affirmed a manically confident Carolyn Burnham in American Beauty. Donning rubber gloves, the anal agent spruced up the Formica and tile, trying to get the hopeless dud she was saddled with to sparkle.

These days, agents still mired in the recession also contemplate how to simply get buyers in the door, and curb appeal is everything when it comes to this lure. These five fixes can make a big difference:

1. Leaner and Cleaner Landscape

If the entrance has a patch of grass, make sure it is manicured. Too many agents and homeowners simply let the grass grow under their feet while waiting for a home to sell and the once landscaped lawn becomes a major turn off to potential buyers, unless of course they are hippies who like overgrown grass. It also helps to replace some of the water sucking plants with drought resistance cactus, and other xeriscape choices that show off your conservation commitment.  It also spells low maintenance!

2. Fresh Coat of Exterior Paint

Paint is the one fix that goes the distance since buyers really do judge a listing by its cover.  Go with an eco brand like Benjamin Moore and select a popular neutral, cream, white, beige or taupe with pretty trims (greens, browns, reds, blacks).

3. Eliminate all Debris and Encourage Neighbors to do the Same

I fell in love with a charming Mediterranean cottage in a desirable hood of San Francisco and probably would have made an offer if it were not for the butt-ugly neighboring homes spilling over with car and lawn equipment and other debris. It was shocking how one side of the street was pretty well maintained and the opposite site was a blight. Make cookies to bribe your neighbors into helping you with the cause by cleaning up their acts. In the end it will boost the value and saleability of  their homes, as well.

4. Patch broken Concrete, Bricks and Tiles

Unless you are marketing a diamond in the rough, it pays to invest in repairing broken chimney bricks, cracked concrete drive ways and flagstone steps. It makes a statement about how you have maintained the inside of the home, just as a well groomed physical appearance often spells a healthy internal system.

5. Clean Windows

You can do this yourself with a sizeable ladder and the right materials or hire a neighborhood service to come out (they usually charge per window) right before you put the house on the market. Weather will dirty them again, but the cleaning should last a couple of months and add also make a statement about the condition of the home. Filmy windows are a deterrent for getting curious lookers inside, unless it is Halloween.

Photo credits: Main image of “Painted Ladies” opposite Alamo Square in San Francisco, licensed for commercial use under Creative Commons by Marit and Toomas Hinnosaar on Flickr.

The post 5 Fast Fixes for Improved Curb Appeal appeared first on EcoSalon.

Each week here at EcoSalon, I beg my favorite bloggers and designers to hand select a beloved green product, whether it’s a finish, furnishing, or accessory. The end result? An endless anthology of aesthetically perfect products for your perusal.

This week we are graced with the presence of Alissa Swedlow, founder of The Goods Design and Swedlow Design. Alissa is just as genuinely sweet as she is wildly talented. Her blog is full of unimagined glamour mixed with practical interiors. I have a soft spot for Ms. Swedlow – I started blogging immediately upon reading her encouraging words in a national design publication; she is just that inspiring. I will forever owe her endless gratitude, as you will for the generous ideas she shares on The Goods Design.

Alissa’s favorite sustainable furniture line is (drum roll, please) Cisco Brothers. She is lucky enough to live in the Los Angeles area where they have two showrooms (go ahead, be envious). Her flawless taste has pointed toward one of my current obsessions – the pouf. This Moroccan inspired tufted dream comes in various sizes and always provides visual pleasure. Ms. Swedlow reiterates her adoration of Cisco Brothers, “What I especially love about this company (they make gorgeous furnishings, accessories, lighting, etc.) is that their furniture is beautiful. Not “˜beautiful for an eco-conscious line,’ but just straight beautiful. It goes to show that you don’t have to sacrifice style to go green.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Alissa is one to watch – be sure to visit The Goods Design for gorgeous musings and Swedlow Design for heaps of stunning interiors. And if you need a few more sprinkles of Cisco Brothers delights, try this or this.

The post Handpicked: The Goods Design appeared first on EcoSalon.

In the 1950s, Airstream trailers were the pinnacle of luxurious travel: roomy, comfortable and futuristic, resembling nothing more than a Jetsons-like flying vehicle ready to take to the skies. Today, Airstream aficionados drool over the rounded aluminum bodies and mid-century modern interiors. While many still function as campers, others have been transformed into homes, studios, traveling boutiques and even bowling alleys. These 10 Airstreams and other tiny mobile dwellings prove that small can be stylish and surprisingly multi-functional.

Kristina Spaulding’s Dreamy Curves

Can this Airstream get any dreamier? Pale birch, linen and chrome adorn the curvilinear interior of Kristina Spaulding’s 1967 Tradewind. Spaulding wanted the inside to have the same feel as the iconic exterior, cutting many of the curved shapes herself with a jigsaw. The postcard-covered kitchen counter is a nod to the many journeys Spaulding has made in her traveling home.

Masculine Wood MObi

Modern minimalists who still crave organic textures will love MObi, a restored Airstream with lots of wood and white. Packed with a surprisingly large kitchen, a sleek bathroom and a flat screen television with surround sound, this more masculine version of the tricked-out classic camper has all the necessities and more.

Tiny Modern Airstream Abode

Imagine waking up every day in a bright and cozy Airstream trailer that serves as your home, and then heading to work – in the converted cargo trailer that’s towed behind your truck. That’s reality for architect Andreas Stavropoulos, who has converted both from run-of-the-mill prefab boxes into comfortable, livable spaces.

Sarah’s Airstream Studio

Of course, Airstreams aren’t just for livin’ on the road. They make ridiculously adorable work studios, as proven by this extreme makeover by crafter Sarah of 26 Letters. Sarah’s eye for design is obvious, with carefully chosen modern furniture and accessories and pops of color against a bright white ‘canvas’.

Airstream, or Bowling Alley?

Of all the wacky things you might come across in Vegas, would you ever expect a bowling alley in an Airstream? The trailer – located at the Silverton Casino – seems to have been widened to accommodate two lanes of fun.

Adelante Boutique’s Airstream ‘Curb Service’

Austin, Texas boutique Adelante has repurposed an Airstream into the chicest little mobile boutique you ever saw. The customized 1976 model will roll up to any curb for private parties including bridal showers, with partygoers sipping on “streamtinis” while perusing racks of clothing, shoes and accessories.

Eye-Popping Airstreams at Grand Daddy Hotel

Need someplace to stay while traveling in South Africa? It would be hard to find a more unique experience than the curious gaggle of rentable Airstreams at the Grand Daddy Hotel. This one, designed by Sarah Pratt, was inspired by the blue dress of a certain heroine in The Wizard of Oz.

Contemporary Prairie Schooner

A young couple named Libby Reinish and Tristan Chambers made this ‘contemporary prairie schooner’ in a span of just a few months and now live in it while traveling cross-country. Inspired by gypsy wagons, this tiny portable home packs in plenty of creature comforts, but perhaps none quite as unexpected as the little caged lookout for their cat.

Woodie Love Bug Custom Trailer

The small and shiny ‘Woodie Love Bug’ is like a homemade cross between an Airstream and a teardrop trailer. Custom-made by Dayton Taylor and Vintage Trailer Crazy, these trailers are 12-feet-long fully customizable mobile homes crafted from oak, birch and metal.

Protostoga: 21st Century Wagon

Another project taking a cue from the shiny metal of Airstream exteriors is the ‘Protostoga‘, built as an extension for the owners’ more traditional-looking – but still highly unusual – tiny house. “It will function as a flex space,” creator Ann Holley told Tiny House Blog. “It can be a guesthouse, vacation cottage, dining room, mobile studio, escape pod, reading room and much more.”

Main image: Grand Daddy Hotel

The post 10 Cool Airstreams and Other Alternative Mobile Housing appeared first on EcoSalon.

Lacquered coffee tables, basket globe pendant lamps and revamped vintage dining chairs have joined the green home furniture brigade thanks to San Francisco designer, Kendall Wilkinson.

Her Green with Envy furniture line was conceived with high style and sophistication in mind – adding to the dramatic assembly of gorgeous original pieces and antiques at Kendall Wilkinson Home at 3419 Sacramento Street in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco.

“It was a wonderful way to defy conventional thinking on what green looks like,” says Emily Uridel of the upscale showroom. “The installation was conscious, but still glamorous, and many of the pieces have already sold.”

Here’s a peek at the some of the new eco and vintage treasures fabricated by her local workroom:

The Orson Game Table was a vintage piece given new life in the workroom with a low-VOC paint color adding sheen and modern flair.

The Maltese Chair was reworked and reupholstered in remnant fabrics and finished with a low-VOC paint.

The Charlotte Coffee Table is a sleek table constructed from a combination of reclaimed and FSC Certified wood.

The Globe Lamps ($325) were also restored using eco-friendly finishes and energy-efficient bulbs.

Kendall is teaming up with veteran New York designer Bunny Williams to represent Williams’ new Beeline Home collection at the Sacramento store. The line is mostly reproductions of Williams’ favorite furniture and antiques form years of hunting around the globe. While there is no word of eco in the line, we are all still buzzing about the possibility that Bunny will greenify some of her savvy pieces in the near future.

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