Before branching into bookshelves designed by Oliver Dollé, an old dish-rack will do. 

Someday…

I would love to bring this branch-inspired bookshelf by French designer Oliver Dollé into my studio. It is composed of over 80 pieces of birch plywood and veneered oak wire. Both functional and sculptural, the shelf would add a modern touch to any room. I love how the books perch upon the shelves like birds.

Today…

I can use an old dish rack as a bookshelf. Since I don’t have an antique collection of dishes I want to display, how about books? It is an unpredictable addition to an office. It would look stylish in a modern office, too.

Images: Shells on the Beach

Someday/Today is a weekly column that inspires you to dream big for your home, and scale it to your lifestyle, always keeping sustainability of the planet – and your wallet – in mind.

The post Someday/Today: Boutique Branches Vs. Repurposed Dishracks appeared first on EcoSalon.

Someday, a fully sustainable bathroom. Today, an entirely salvaged one. 

Someday…

I hope to have a bathroom like this in the sustainable Concord Green Home. The designer, Lisa Kauffman Tharp has taken care to create a small footprint using natural stones and finishes. I love how the spacious, open design has such a calming feel. Please note: it’s also wheel chair accessible.

Water is one of the biggest factors when creating an eco friendly bathroom. An old toilet can use up to 200 gallons a day. Water saving toilets and low flow showerheads are an easy fix. If you want to go all out with accessories, you can use organic towels, recycled toilet paper and eco cleaners.

Today…

I can use some salvaged mismatched cabinets to create an eclectic vanity, the idea being to re-purpose and re-use instead of buying new. Substitute a vintage or antique furniture piece to do the job. The owner of this particular bathroom has salvaged wood side tables and cabinets of different heights and finishes and placed them under a modern sink. Such a great idea and so affordable.

Images: Buddha Interiors

Someday/Today is a weekly column that inspires you to dream big for your home, and scale it to your lifestyle, always keeping sustainability of the planet – and your wallet – in mind.

The post Someday/Today: Eco Bathrooms appeared first on EcoSalon.

Give your bathroom a rustic makeover with a found luggage case.  

Someday…

I would love to remodel my bathroom and use this steel Pharmacy Medicine Cabinet from Restoration Hardware for wall storage. It’s hard to find an industrial looking cabinet and this one looks like it’s straight out of a 19th Century doctor’s office. Love the aged patina and apothecary feel.

Today…

I can add some well-traveled flair from a cabinet made from an old suitcase. The owner of the one pictured below has added two shelves, a jewelry drawer and a handy mirror on the front. I love how she even kept the travel tags on the handle. Well-worn leather suitcases can be found in flea markets and garage sales for a steal. I picked up three the other day for one dollar each at different garage sales. Just add a little DIY and you can add some personality to any bathroom. Found on Etsy.

Someday/Today is a weekly column that inspires you to dream big for your home, and scale it to your lifestyle, always keeping sustainability of the planet – and your wallet – in mind.

The post Someday/Today: A Salvaged Medicine Cabinet appeared first on EcoSalon.

I heart this mirror from Grain, but my budget can afford only DIY decor right now.

Someday…

I hope to hang one of these modern mirrors in my bedroom. Grain uses string to wrap the edge of the mirror and the colorful combination they have chosen reminds me of South of the Border. Pass the margaritas, please. And let me borrow $1,100.00 while you’re at it. No? Bummer. A girl can dream, but she must also learn to improvise.

Grain was founded in 2007 by a group of RISD graduates, and it’s based on Bainbridge Island in Washington. Its mission is simple: to create beautiful and sustainable designs and support artisans everywhere. Something to aspire to, for sure. In the meantime:

Today…

I can make this simple sunburst mirror and still make a statement. With a few inexpensive items, I can put this mirror together myself. With a $5 mirror, dowels, silver spray paint, glue and some wire, it’s easy to create something fabulous. You can find the full details on Beach House in the City.

Someday/Today is a weekly column that inspires you to dream big for your home, and scale it to your lifestyle, always keeping sustainability of the planet – and your wallet – in mind.

The post Someday/Today: Mirror, Mirror appeared first on EcoSalon.

One is created from the base of a salvaged tree; the other was salvaged from a local thrift store. 

Someday…

I would love to own a Bryan Nash Gill tree stump relief. He uses a brayer to roll ink onto a Hemlock tree stump. He then laboriously rubs a piece of handcrafted washi paper on top translating the texture onto the paper. The result is a stunningly simple, beautiful piece of art. The tree stump is salvaged from an old mill and would have otherwise been discarded. I will have to save up, though: Bryan’s Hemlock 82 is $4,000 from Ashes and Milk.

Today…

Instead of staring a blank wall, I can adorn it by adding a thrift store portrait transformed into a modern day piece of art. The original frame for this George Washington portrait was gold and dated. Acrylic paint was used to mimic the painting giving it a subtle change that is so clever and stylish that George would be a welcome addition to any hip home. His makeover is care of Tyler Goodro of Plastolux.

Someday/Today is a weekly column that inspires you to dream big for your home, and scale it to your lifestyle, always keeping sustainability of the planet – and your wallet – in mind.

The post Someday/Today: Salvaged Art appeared first on EcoSalon.

Someday a luxurious transformer sofa from Die Collection; today, we’ll settle for twin beds. 

Someday…

I would love to lounge on this Vento sofa that transforms into a bed from Thomas Althaus for Die Collection. Traditional sofa beds, where you have to remove all the cushions and unfold the bed, are inconvenient and backbreaking. For smaller spaces and studios, transformers can save a lot of space and serve multiple functions. This Vento transforms into a double bed by simply rotating one of the larger cushions next to the other large cushion. Genius! Great for guests, and I love the modern feel.

Today…

I can use two twin beds to create an inviting area to lounge on. Just arrange the beds in an L shape and add pillows, bedding and a coffee table. You can relax and guests can spend the night comfortably. Change the mood on a whim by swapping out the bedding. Simply stunning. I can’t wait for a nap. Special thanks to Buddha Interiors.

Someday/Today is a weekly column that inspires you to dream big for your home, and scale it to your lifestyle, always keeping sustainability of the planet – and your wallet – in mind.

The post Someday/Today: Sleepover Sofas appeared first on EcoSalon.

Someday, an exquisite wool rug that puts your favorite sweater to shame. Today, tee-shirts will do.  

Someday…

I hope to own this exquisite, irresistibly modern rug by Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola for Gandia Blasco. This hand tufted wool beauty is from the Mangas collection. Mangas translates to “sleeves” in English. It is a patchwork of different wool knits that give the concept of your favorite sweater some playful nuance, while adding warmth and texture to any space.

There is a series of eight shapes that you can purchase to make one long runner. There are three poufs available, too. Prices range from $3,225 to $7,000 on 2Modern.

Today…

I can make a shag rug out of old t-shirts. Everyone has an abundance of t-shirts that they got as freebies to gifts gone wrong. Admit it. It does take some time to make this rug but the results will be a soft, cozy landing that you can toss next to your bed or tub. All the more reason to love them, they are machine washable. You can find the instructions from Xoelle. Or you can purchase one from Talking Squid starting at the respectable price of $60. They are 100% recycled and handmade from discarded t-shirts sewn on a durable canvas base.

Someday/Today is a weekly column that inspires you to dream big for your home, and scale it to your lifestyle, always keeping sustainability of the planet – and your wallet – in mind.

The post Someday/Today: Spanish Wool vs. Tee Shirt Rugs appeared first on EcoSalon.

Someday a luxe table from a reclaimed urban tree. Today, a funky table made from shipping pallets. 

Someday…

I would love to add a touch of nature to my home with a luxurious table from Urban Hardwoods. They offer furniture that are works of art made from reclaimed urban trees. These one of a kind pieces are rich in character and have unique organic forms. However, with prices that range from $1,000 – $10,000, nature doesn’t come cheap.

Urban Hardwoods is part of a growing movement across the nation to help harvest urban trees. In May, the Friends Of the Urban Forest hosted the first California Urban Wood Conference in San Francisco. It brought together forestry experts, cities, and woodworkers to educate them about the urban forest and alternative uses for wood gathered from city landscaping and local yards.

Trees in cities that are cut down are usually cut up and mulched right away. These trees are often very well taken care of and grow to be quite large. Although mulch is used, making a table from the tree can have more value.

Urban Hardwoods is a beneficiary of this new industry specializing in wood from urban trees.

Today…

I can make a funky table constructed from shipping pallets. Pallet furniture is everywhere these days because pallets are easy to find and cheap if not free. I adore the recessed areas for plants. This table would be perfect outdoors for a summer dinner.  You can find the directions on ReadyMade.

Someday/Today is a weekly column that inspires you to dream big for your home, and scale it to your lifestyle, always keeping sustainability of the planet – and your wallet – in mind.

The post Someday/Today: Home Grown and Home Made Tables appeared first on EcoSalon.

These Tunisia-inspired birdcages from Roost are an investment to save for – but a flea market find is something to sing about. 

Someday…

I would love to have this Tunisian-inspired birdcage lamp by Roost, available for purchase at Velocity.

The birdcage lamp, pictured here, is woven from buri–the center stalk of a palm frond–and features a light diffuser with a bird stenciled on it. They come is three shapes, but hark, they are an investment at $275 a pendant.

Today…

I can wire a found birdcage with a bulb to create a whimsical, hanging light fixture. Vintage birdcages can be found at flea markets and garage sales. If you don’t feel handy with electrical wires, just add candles to set the mood. This birdcage lamp was found on the Fabulous World of Design blog.

Someday/Today is a weekly column that inspires you to dream big for your home, and scale it to your lifestyle, always keeping sustainability of the planet – and your wallet – in mind.

The post Someday/Today: Lighting Inspired by Birdcages appeared first on EcoSalon.

The latest addition to the Urbandig guides, Eco Cool, offers a guide to sustainable interiors in L.A.

Everyone I know has an app these days, from my friend’s TubeTap (premise being that if London’s Tube makes you late, you can get your money back), to another’s guide to Budapest. Naturally, I have to share Urbandig’s newest addition to the app pack, an eco shop tour of Los Angeles called Eco Cool. It’s written and curated by our own Sofie Sausser, who pens the Shelter column Someday/Today.

The popular (and free!) app from Urbandig.com offers off the beaten path city, shopping and eating guides for San Francisco and Los Angeles, with plans to expand to New York, Portland, Austin, Chicago and DC in coming months. You can tap into happenings like beer crawls, street art walks, locavore tours and now eco-friendly shelter shops.

It’s hyper-localized, but stands apart from crowd-sourcing favorites like Yelp and foursquare because it’s curated by local bloggers, like Sausser. She’s a DIY fiend, so look for lots of thrift stores (you know, LA has the best ones) and green home showrooms like Croft House and RC Greenhome, both on La Brea, and Environment in Culver City.

Find it in the iTunes Store under “New and Noteworthy,” “Staff Favorites,” “What’s Hot,” and “New” in Travel.

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