Well, not quite. It was more like pondering: What was the purpose of this S? Psychoanalyzing: Was I marking my territory? Journaling: Did I have nothing more interesting to display than a letter? (Yet again that master’s degree in liberal arts proves useful.)

Stick with me here, R. The letter as decor is a popular motif. But is it a classic element of style, like Danish chairs – or is it a bland substitute for a more original statement? I don’t know about you, but I’m starting to feel like the world of wall decor is going to turn into one big L.L. Bean towel if we don’t nip this thing now.

Let’s take a scroll and decide:

Yeah, it’s not looking good.

Damn, that’s cute. Maybe we’re going to be okay.

I’m not sure why but I find myself wanting to draw a squiggly red line on that wall.

Words are useful. A little obvious maybe, but useful. I get it.

Although I admit this one does remind me of that Far Side “school for the gifted” cartoon.

As seen on Apartment Therapy, an advertisement for wooden letters. Which means there is a whole marketing department for this somewhere. Uh-oh. (Maintaining editorial credibility, AT points out that we are witnessing the beginning of the end, and it is not good.)

Then again, letters are less silly than, oh, I don’t know, pink plastic ducks flying across your wall.

A letter is nice.

Really nice.

Super, duper, freakin’ nice.

What a nice G.

Nicest and perhaps most literal display of narcissism ever.

For nice little girls. Complete with an ehow-to-do-it.

Also nice.

Still pretty much nice.

When nice attacks!

There are places where a bold letter creates a statement, adds drama or lends a warm touch (especially if it’s a full name or an inviting word). But doesn’t it seem like a lot of the time, sticking a letter on the wall is just filling space rather than defining it?

Images: diaperchest, make-baby-stuff, Oh Joy!, Centsational Girl, blueantstudio, HGTV, visualize/designsponge, Amelia M Bell, Apartment Therapy, Design*Sponge, Living Etc, ehow, lovemyearth, tinydecor, countryliving

The post The Letter as Decor: No Font of Creativity appeared first on EcoSalon.

Here’s today’s Mother’s Day giveaway: these dazzling quartz tealight holders. Light your favorite scented soy candles and watch as these stunning pieces of objet sparkle brilliantly against the flickering flames. Set the mood by adorning bare shelves and tabletops in ultimate style with romantic illumination. Leave a comment to enter to win. Good luck!

The post Mother's Day Giveaway #8: Quartz Tealight Holders appeared first on EcoSalon.

Today’s Mother’s Day giveaway: this elegant recycled glass terrarium. Beautifying bare surfaces is a cinch with this charming pear-shaped piece. Tillandsia (air plants) are able to thrive on just a little bit of water, so this natural accent is ideal for eco-friendly decorators whose thumbs aren’t quite green. A $79 value. Leave a comment to enter to win!

The post Mother's Day Giveaway #4: Recycled Glass Terrarium appeared first on EcoSalon.

Today’s Mother’s Day giveaway: these delicately beautiful papier mache birds. Talented artisans from Haiti transformed recycled cement bags into elegant objet to embellish tabletops in cheerful spring style. Spread the love with these graceful pieces’ heart-shaped tails and endearing charm. A $49 value, yours to win from VivaTerra. Leave a comment to enter to win!

The post Mother's Day Giveaway #2: Perching Papier Mache Birds appeared first on EcoSalon.

Editor’s note: our lovely eco sponsors at VivaTerra are giving you lucky EcoSalon gals (and guys) a chance at a green giveaway each day this week. If you’re not sure what to get Mom for Mother’s Day, be sure to drop a line in the comments for a chance to win a beautiful product from VivaTerra. One comment per person per day, please. Winners will be notified next week. Good luck!

Today’s Mother’s Day giveaway: these gorgeous glass bird vases. Skillfully mouth-blown to resemble the delicate forms of a dove and a chickadee, this elegant set is the perfect way to display the blooming buds of spring and adorn tabletops, windowsills and shelves with a splash of color. Pretty, aren’t they?

The post Mother's Day Giveaway: Win These Gorgeous Glass Bird Vases! appeared first on EcoSalon.

Your search for unique decor has racked up some serious miles, and what do you have to show for it? You’ve been to IKEA, Pier 1, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Target and the list goes on, only to discover that one chain’s selection just seems to imitate the next and you’ve emitted enough carbon to warrant a very generous click at Terrapass.

Besides, it’s so difficult to find sustainable items in these massive stores. Curb your car. I’ve found the perfect cure for your cookie-cutter décor headache: the Molave Ring vase. Made from rich Filipino wood of the same name, this exotic piece may draw more attention than the brilliant blossoms you put inside. (Available at sponsor VivaTerra for $59.)

The post Anything But Ordinary appeared first on EcoSalon.

Has your group of gal pals run out of things to talk about? (Not likely!) But for mixed company at your next holiday gathering, get the ball rolling with these unique artisan creations. Made from sustainable monkey pod wood, the Conversation Balls are sure to keep the witty banter whirling so you can avoid resorting to the dreaded topic: weather.

Plus, they make chic decorative tabletop accents. Skilled artisans carve each piece by hand and follow the lead of the wood’s natural grain pattern to create organically beautiful swirls. Interested in similar decor to adorn more bare surfaces? Check out my post about the Cast Bronze antler and Marble spheres. (Available at sponsor VivaTerra for $98- $198.)

The post A Little More Conversation appeared first on EcoSalon.

Are you thinking of a local, organic Thanksgiving this year? Well, thanks to the Eat Well Guide and the Consumers Union, it’s a piece of cake (or pumpkin pie). These two groups have teamed up and created the Thanksgiving Local and Organic Food Challenge that’s aimed at helping people shop and eat more locally grown produce. Here’s how the challenge works.

First, check out the interactive Eat Well Guide to find out where to shop for a locally-produced turkey, fruit, vegetables, baked goods, dairy, meat and more in your neighborhood. Then incorporate these products into your traditional Thanksgiving recipes.

And finally, share the recipe with the rest of America by submitting it to the Local Food Challenge. If you’re anything like me – with a few recipes short of a Thanksgiving dinner – you can check out all the great recipes already submitted. You’ll find everything from Pomegranate Vinegar to a Vanilla Sweet Potato Pie with Pecan Crust. Of course, you’re not expected to use only local, organic food for the whole meal. The idea is simply to encourage more people to use at least one local and/or organic food item for the Thanksgiving feast.

Image: dichohecho

The post Thanksgiving Local Food Challenge appeared first on EcoSalon.

I remember wandering into my aunt’s kitchen as a small child and attempting to sneak a bite of a juicy pear, only to discover that it was anything but the edible treat I had been craving. It’s hard to believe that anybody ever adorned their tabletops with bowls of plastic grapes, bananas and oranges, but this failed attempt at stylish objet doesn’t mean that fruit can’t successfully serve as an ornamental inspiration.

With their creation of the Hand-Blown Glass Pears, ingenious glass workers transformed this decorative faux paux of the past into spectacular artwork for bare surfaces. For an opaque alternative, check out the Hand Crafted Onyx Pears as well. (Available at sponsor VivaTerra for $52.)

The post The Fruits of Renewed Creativity appeared first on EcoSalon.

Anything that burns creates airborne byproducts. Do you need to feel green guilt when you light those wax tapers for a romantic dinner?

The typical paraffin candle creates lung irritants when it burns because paraffin is derived from petroleum. Fortunately, a greener option has been brought to us by bees and used to light our interior spaces for hundreds of years.

When you burn beeswax candles, you are actually creating a convection effect that cleans the air: beeswax is a natural deterrent to molds, odors, dust, bacteria, and viruses. (Here’s Elaine’s guide to beeswax candles.)

Beeswax is an all-natural and renewable material, appropriate for those sensitive to perfumed candles which release toxins and mask odors rather than neutralizing them and carrying the gentle scent of honey through your home.

In the Middle Ages, beeswax replaced reeds and molten tallow as the burning medium of choice, for it was found to burn cleaner, longer and more evenly than other waxes while producing a warm light with minimal smoke. The industrious insects have given humans a superior medium for burning the midnight oil: beeswax is naturally dripless, sootless, hypoallergenic and renewable.

To illuminate my home with an intimate glow and get a warm herbal-scented buzz, I use the aromatherapy pillars from Big Dipper Wax Works.

Perin-Mowen creates hive-shaped pure beeswax candles so you can pay homage to the creatures that created this superior substance while you bask in their golden light.

And sponsor VivaTerra sells these gorgeous beeswax bougainvillea "honey pots" meant to hold your favorite beeswax votive. ($22-48.)

The post The Many Wonders of Beeswax appeared first on EcoSalon.