A look back at what made Shelter feel like home this year.

Shelter is a section where we deal with varied topics like interior and exterior design, architecture, art and truly pretty things. But there’s also a philosophy behind it. In our eyes, shelter is a refuge and a place to store more than your stuff – it’s your home.

It needn’t always be perfect like a box store catalog. Home is a messy, motley forum in which we debate, luxuriate, walk around naked and burp out loud. It’s a sanctuary for our memories and a think tank for our ideas. It’s a special place, and here are ten stories that set Shelter at EcoSalon apart from the rest in 2011.

Cleaning and Detoxing, The Green Way

One of our first orders of housekeeping business this year was identifying contaminants and other toxins in our houses that are making us sick. Then we got our hands dirty with greener ways to clean it.

(Un)Decorating

The release of Christiane Lemieux’s book Undecorate: The No-Rules Approach to Interior Design inspired us to reconsider the art of not decorating, which we did in a three part series. We went with our instincts here, here and here again, which you then tweeted, “liked” and Stumbled a thousand times over.

Slow Furniture, Artisanship and DIY

Per the Chinese calendar, this was the year of the burrowing rabbit. For us, it was also the year of the new artisan, the down-to-earth do-it-yourselfer and slow furniture maker.

Home-studding

We knew you wouldn’t be able to resist these guy gardeners, a.k.a. manscapers. They showed us the fun side of homesteading, unlike a certain lot who shall remain nameless.

Nostalgia for Nostalgia’s Sake

We pondered beautiful staircases, admired the A-frame, and studied the tragic beauty of Detroit’s abandonment problem. Above all, however, we longed for a simpler time: when yesteryear’s Brangelina were a pair of sweethearts named Eames who starred in America’s first truly contemporary design movement.

Terrariums!

This year you couldn’t toss a stone (or read a design blog) without crashing into the glass walls of a terrarium. We spoke with our favorite terrarium makers, Twig in Brooklyn. We later lusted for more.

Art That Made Us Blink

Curator, blogger and EcoSalon columnist Dominique Pacheco premiered her weekly feature, heARTbeat this year and wowed us with her stunning and at times provocative finds, exploring the intersection of eco and art. From confronting images of smoking children to Miru Kim’s nudes, heARTbeat was as much about the gritty as it was the pretty.

We Reused, and Reused Again

We gave you twelve reasons to never throw another cup away again, and if you were still short of ideas a dozen more ways to repurpose a glass bottle. Any questions?

We Changed Your Urban Outlook

We lent some perspective on cities way more expensive than your own (Oslo, anyone?) and some astrological data to consider for your next move.

We Globe Trotted

Our series Places & Spaces took us all over the globe, most memorably beaming us up into a tree house in Sweden.

In all, 2011 was an inspiring year to be home curled up next to EcoSalon on a screen of your choosing.

We’ll strive to do the same in 2012.

SEE ALSO:

2011 in Review: The Most Offensive Ad Campaigns Of 2011

2011 in Review: How Small Spaces Trumped McMansions

Images: Nurse Kate

The post The 10 Stories That Defined Shelter in 2011 appeared first on EcoSalon.

Great stories this week from EcoSalon you may have missed.

Is the adored American aesthetic a la Ralph Lauren a joke? In Part 2 of our exclusive series, Made in America, fashion industry insider Louise Lagosi investigates the harmful environmental and economic consequences of our love for both “American” style and cheap prices.

Representative Weiner is only the latest in a string of political scandals. Do we have the right to know the details of our legislators’ personal lives – and further, to judge their indiscretions? News editor Andrea Newell argues that the answer is yes. Hell, yes.

Avocado slicers. Apple corers. The Rachael Ray garbage bowl (yes, really). Will our affection for single-use kitchen tools never end? Columnist Vanessa Barrington takes a look at the most ridiculous cooking gadgets.

Single? How fabulous, honey. Sex and relationship columnist Abigail Wick thinks you’re pretty lucky, sharing six smart, sexy reasons it’s great to be on your own.

The Box. $600 of designer eco-friendly goodies, from sunglasses to beauty products, for just $99. No wonder it sold out in only 11 hours. But fret not: there’s one Box left, and you can win it free by entering the contest at Refinery29. Go on, get!

The post The Friday 5, Vol. 19 appeared first on EcoSalon.

While the New Year has provided the typical fashion media’s pause for reflection, coverage for the sustainable fashion movement is enjoying a few more toasts and moments of celebration.

Champagne Lifestyles. Don’t you think the Golden Globes’ red carpet fashion could have used a little more green? And I’m not talking about the emerald dresses sported by Angelina Jolie, Catherine Zeta Jones, and Elizabeth Moss. The best news about Colin Firth’s win for the Kings Speech? The spotlight will be more brightly focused on his dedicated green-living wife, Livia Firth, and her Eco Age store which offers sustainable fashion and domestic solutions.

Congrats! Along with mentoring the newly launched Awamaki Lab Initiative, Study NY designer Tara St. James won the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Award for Sustainable Design. Along with seven New York-based designers who will each receive the $25,000 grant towards production of their runway show at February’s New York Fashion Week.

Hitting the big TIME. Discussions about the need for greener fashion are increasingly penetrating the mainstream media. Levi’s Water Less Jeans have garnered a steady stream of discussion-provoking coverage since the advance news of their launch hit the airways culminating in this week’s issue of TIME.

Bottoms up! Three U.K. mass market chains are broadening the reach of ethical fashion. After the well-received upcycled line From Somewhere, the popular supermarket chain Tesco announced the launch of a capsule collection from Goodone, made from factory surplus and off cuts.

Pharrell Williams’s sustainable Fabric company, Bionic Yarn, is teaming up with retailer Topshop to launch a three-piece denim collection with this season’s 70s style detailing. Retailer M&S is also launching a 70s influenced sustainable line, Indigo Green. The 15-piece collection will be made from organic, fair trade and sustainable sourced fabrics.

Image: Matt From London

The post From Niche to Mainstream: A Toast to Sustainable Fashion appeared first on EcoSalon.

Here are some links we liked and recommend for your Wednesday lunch break!

• How to Meditate In 10 Easy Steps – Guardian
• A Polar Bear Swims for 9 Days Straight Looking for Ice – Treehugger
• Try Imaging a World Without Cars – More Intelligent Life
• 20 Things I’ve Learned From Traveling Around the World for Three Years – Four Hour Workweek Blog
• Breast-Feeding Debate Closed? Brain Science Weighs In – Huffington Post and BBC

The post Around the Web Wednesday appeared first on EcoSalon.

Here are some links we liked and recommend for your Wednesday lunch break!

• 9 Surefire Ways to Sabotage Your Weight Loss – Summer Tomato
• The Key to Happiness: A Taboo for Adults? – The Huffington Post
• No Yard? Here’s How You Can Still Make and Use Compost – Planet Green
• Could we see fuel rationing by 2020? – Treehugger
• Focus on Immediate Instead of Long Term Exercise Benefits for Better Motivation – Lifehacker

Image by Tomas Sobek

The post Around the Web Wednesday appeared first on EcoSalon.

Rather than raise our voices, we girls at EcoSalon prefer to write about it, because if you need to scream, my guess is you aren’t so certain what you have to say is worth hearing.

And really, who wants to hear a grown woman roar?

In the past few months at EcoSalon, women have taken center stage with subjects ranging from brazen to, well, more brazen. If only we could change the world with our steadfast, unwavering commitment to talking about what matters.

Oh yeah, we are.

So what have we been discussing lately with regards to women? The question should be, what haven’t we?

We talked about getting older – why welcoming 30 and reaching for 40 with gusto is a reason to celebrate. Although with age comes the need to decide short versus long…hair, that is.

Is there ever a good time to talk about infertility? But we did. Then we tossed around the wild proposition that we don’t need a baby to feel happy and fulfilled. The horror! Which brings us to contraception and the dirty, sexy pill.

While we’re on the subject of sex, we want our cake, and to eat it too. I mean, why should we have to choose?

Speaking of choices, why are being pretty and smart mutually exclusive? We can have it all! Right?

Wrong. It’s time to face the cold, hard truth. Our fantasy lover is not showing up to sweep us off our feet, because he doesn’t exist. Reality checks can be so annoying.

And so is the office flirt who makes her way to the top using her sexy. But it seems she’ll pay the price once she gets there.

Sticks and stones – but names can be controversial. Gal, chick, girl, lady or ma’m? You decide.

And finally, it’s a relief to know that there are at least nine things we don’t need in order to be happy, and that after all this talk, a little silence and a good book can be a girl’s best friend.

Images: squacco, sleepishly, Vivian Chen, quinn.anya, Samdogs

The post Women’s Roundup, Hear Us Roar appeared first on EcoSalon.

This week at EcoSalon we welcomed the brand new, shiny year with a week of charismatic home tours. To wrap up the inspiration, here’s a look back at five of my favorite home tours from 2010.

1. Blissfully Arranged Chaos

2. Not Fickle, Just in Love

3. Sex in a Convent

4. Gold Chairs and Bond Girls

5. Bohemian Rockers in Stockholm

Keep scrolling to see each home tour in its entirety.

1. Blissfully Arranged Chaos

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 view 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.)

2. Not Fickle, Just in Love

With time, things change. Not too long ago, I shared my (once) beloved interior – the home of Liza Giles. Ms. Giles’ home is still lovely, but no longer holds the title of my favorite. I’m not fickle, and I don’t use the word favorite frequently. Meet my new love – this ravishing home is wooing me with unique details and vintage embellishments. The combination of charismatic artwork and industrial elements is inspired. Totally my new favorite.

These beautiful walls enclose the dwelling of Virginie Denny and Alfonso Valles in Paris (in case you needed another reason to visit Paris). The vignettes of imperfection create a cohesive and deliciously livable perfection. There is something charming about a space that screams with personality and boasts vintage botanical prints. I would love to take a seat at this desk, stare into a wall of wire typography, and churn creativity daily.

These gorgeous photographs were captured by Petra Bindel for Elle Interior Sweden. The talented Emma Persson Lagerberg is the stylist and writer behind this feature. Is it too much to ask to have coffee with both of these artistic geniuses (preferably in Paris)?!

(Thank you for introducing me to this interior Pure Green!)

3. Sex in a Convent

Meet fashion designer David Delfin. Meet architect and photographer Gorka Postigo. Rest your eyes on the stunning space these gentlemen share. Once a convent, this audacious Madrid residence was conceived and designed by Postigo. Tina Komninou lent this space a compelling description, “The minute you enter this house you appreciate that its owners are comfortable with who they are and express it with no inhibitions.”

This isn’t the type of place you want to scour in a ten page spread; this is a home to be experienced in three dimensions. I want to walk through this space and soak in the details, study the exposed white structure, ponder each art piece, and peruse through each book lounging on every horizontal surface. The simultaneous adjacency of retro furniture and fresh modern artwork is delicious. The effort put into this perfectly curated collection of artwork is as palpable as the bondage ropes dangling from the bedroom ceiling.

The amalgamation of rhythmic ingredients like antiquated oversized industrial light fixtures, natural wood, dramatic details, and provocative photography combine in price proportions for sincere cohesion. Natural light floods each room with innocence and sultry shadows of masculine silhouettes.

(This space was captured through brilliant photography by Manolo Yllera. This gorgeous dwelling of drama and edge was discovered lingering at the lovely Wabi Sabi. If you are bold enough to covet any of the artwork in this stunning apartment, click over to this post by Tina Komninou on Yatzer for more information.)

4. Gold Chairs and Bond Girls

Confession. I don’t always buy organic (gasps abound). But today I found something organic that was literally irresistible; it looked fresher, toxins were nowhere in sight, and it certainly left a delicious flavor on my taste buds. I am talking about the supple and fresh Organic Interior Design. Kelly LaPlante is the genius behind this firm. Yes, genius. And no, I don’t use the word genius lightly. Ms. LaPlante’s biography and resume are gleaming with a shine that rivals her gold dining chairs. I can’t decide if I am overwhelmed with awe and esteem or choking on my jealousy. Either way, there’s no debate about the gorgeousness of LaPlante’s Los Angeles Loft. Devour these images by Thomas J. Story.

Visit the original article on Sunset for more information, including thirteen ways this space is green.

The wildly talented LaPlante is in the midst of creating Standard, a periodical publication. The magazine is based on LaPlante’s thought that, “green is a standard, not a style.” I wait with baited breath.

(Thank you Automatism for introducing me to Kelly LaPlante.)

5. Bohemian Rockers in Stockholm

My heart belongs in Stockholm along the streets of Södermalm. This lovely little place in the northern hemisphere is considerably more charming because the influence of the southern hemisphere is all over the walls. The Moroccan details lounging in this Scandinavian home are the perfect influence of crisp, clean, ethnic, and complicated.

Amelia and Andrew Lonngren Widell are a stylist and photographer duet, so it shouldn’t be surprising that their home is full of delicious little vignettes, perfectly composed and perfectly styled. The global influence in the furnishings comes from travel and shopping trips to Morocco. What makes this home different from a home bursting with souvenirs from foreign bazaars? Amelia shares that the couple has, “a personal relationship with everything in the home, it is not a tourist hop.” It is clearly a flawless collection of deep travel, love, and interest in interior design.

Amelia and Andrew have coined their aesthetic Rock Bohemian. Their style is composed of individual items they inherently love, not items they find that fit their style. Their design philosophy is, “to build on what exists and make the best of it.”

Get acquainted with Google Translate and sift through the original article on Skona Hem.

If you love the mixture of Scandinavian and Moroccan elements, you’ll adore our recent Style Clash Series by Kim Derby.

(Images from Lonngren Widell Photography.)

Have a peek at the archives of home tours. What’s your favorite?

Oh, and Happy New Year!

The post Hindsight Is 20/20 appeared first on EcoSalon.

To help you ring in the New Year, here are some EcoSalon treasures to get you thinking about your past, present and future – because ultimately, isn’t that what this day is all about?

Happy New Year!

• Top 10 Trends We Loved (And Hated) From 2010
• Top 10 Environmental Stories of 2010
• Top 11 Hottest Topics of 2010 from EcoSalon
• A Letter to My 20 Year Old Self
• 10 Best Reasons to Turn 30
• 10 Best Reasons to Turn 40

Image: 1suisse

The post Oh Hai 2011 appeared first on EcoSalon.

• 5 Hot Cocktails to Cozy Up to This Holiday Season
• Foodie Underground: Celebrating Tradition
• 3 Green Holiday Dinner Conversation Starters
• Yule Logs You’ll Love
• 5 Common Arguments You Have During the Holidays

The post Holiday Cheer appeared first on EcoSalon.

Here’s a bit of melody and merriness to soak in.

First, set the tone with this tune. Play this song and relish the nostalgic classic masked in fresh whimsy. Later you can absorb the entire list of melodies from this play list (endless gratitude to Jason Hudson!).

Second, get a drink of festive spirits. Peppermint candy canes make a great last minute infused vodka:

Peppermint Infused Vodka

Add six peppermint candy canes to one pint of vodka.

Let stand at least three hours (the longer, the better).

Enjoy this colorful liquid on the rocks or with hot chocolate.

Third, take pleasure in the simple winter wonderland of these lovely vignettes of calm texture from Walther & Co.

And finally, if you still need a little dose ‘day of’ inspiration, here are 485 pages of red and white festive bliss from What Katie Ate (click here for an introduction to What Katie Ate). Or you can peruse the special Holiday Issue of Lonny (as you know, we love Lonny).

The post Peppermint Melody appeared first on EcoSalon.