Make your bed. Lounge in it.

We’re still thrilled that our Shelter section is being sponsored this month by VivaTerra (uh hum, contest!), not only because of their 100% certified commitment to eco-friendliness, but also because it gives us an excuse to mentally assemble the boudoir of our dreams. A dream that can now be fully realized due, in no small part, to a certain bed and bath event going on right now.

Ah, to bed down in one of these three beds, made six ways.

The Mosaic Bed (pictured above)

About as rustic as you can get. Made from reclaimed barn wood composed to look like a Mondrian painting. It’s finished in an eco-friendly matte lacquer to prevent chipping. The look is vintage and handsome, but can be fully femmed up with the following pairings.

There are two patterns in this Bedding Bundle, in blue. We see a visual rhapsody of textures with subtly striped pillowcases and a floral print sheet, plus solid knit throw.

Or,

Embrace your quirkier side by coupling the complexity of a mosaic pattern with a colorful, vibrant Velvet Patchwork Quilt made from totally touchable and exotic Indian textiles.

Tree of Life Bed

A bed frame, made from sculpted and recycled iron, that recalls this leafy love nest readers responded so well to last spring. Also hand welded and bent, the result is inspired and lyrical, like the film of the same name.

Pair with…

Down-filled, linen Papillon pillows accented with sprightly iridescent butterflies.

And,

Tuck-Me-In-Bedding, organic cotton shams and duvet cover with three-dimensional pin-tuck detailing in a fluffy cloud motif.

Or,

The Ghanaian Duvet Set made using a batik-like process. These wax print cotton duvets are from an arts-based women’s cooperative in Ghana. Revenues garnered from the purchase of one of these goes to medication, testing and education for HIV/ AIDS.

The Vintage Fir Bed

A staggering amount of municipal waste comes from wood construction and demolition, in fact, an estimated 25% according to the California Integrated Waste Management Board. Instead of being trashed in landfills, those hardwoods could be used to make furniture, like this American-made vintage Douglas Fir Bed made from reclaimed wood.

The Papillon pillows work well against the minimalist backdrop of the Vintage Fir, which could really be dressed up in one of two ways.

Keep it textured but neutral with this Bedding Bundle in sandy tones. Like the blue paired with the Mosaic Bed above, this bundle also features stripe and floral patterns.

Or,

Offset the unobtrusiveness of the frame with an opulent Raw Silk Coverlet and Shams in eggplant, persimmon and taupe.

Purely for the purposes of getting in character, i.e., full-on uninterrupted languishing about said fantasy bedroom, pair any combination of the above with:

This ultralight and cheerful Geisha Flower Silk Robe, perfect for recording your memoirs barefoot or in these…

Fez slippers, made from soft naturally tanned leather.

Lap it up. You’re now a lady who lounges.

The post Sweet Dreams With VivaTerra appeared first on EcoSalon.

Dramatic, nature-inspired cutlery that is seasonally perfect. 

These twiggy utensils from eco retailer VivaTerra are seasonally right on time. They’re melded from stainless steel and offer an inspired divergence from conventional flatware. At once comfortable to hold and distinctly modern, a five-piece place setting costs $39. Ideal for winter stews and perfect for Thanksgiving table conversation pieces.

Look for Lustables daily at EcoSalon. 100% gorgeous green finds, and never sponsored. Submit your favorite to tips@ecosalon.com

The post Lustables: Twig Flatware appeared first on EcoSalon.

When it comes to home decor, pebbles rock.

Pebbles are a subtle way to decorate and bring calm to a home filled with mostly unnatural things. Luckilyy for you, peace is just a stone’s throw away.

This marvelous floor mat by Stonemat in New Zealand serves up some serious Zen. As an added sustainability bonus, the government allows the harvesting of the pebbles as long as they are collected manually with no machines involved.

Lounge around on these pebble shaped cushions by Iglooplay. Upholstered in a 100% wool slipcover over a bamboo/poly fill and encased in an all-cotton liner, their sculptural shapes make for fun accents to any home, plus no bones will be broken when throwing these around.

Surprise your guests by setting your table with smooth stone placemats from VivaTerra that will compliment any dishware.

Pebble flooring creates a spa look when used for bathroom flooring.  It feels good on your feet, is affordable and easy to clean.

These soft cushions look so much like real stones, they might fool you. Inspired by nature, socially conscious textile designer Ronel Jordaan uses felt to create them. She has set up a shop in Gauteng, Johannesburg where her personally trained artisans work. You can sit or lean on them for extra seating. They are both beautiful and functional.

The post Rock This Look appeared first on EcoSalon.

I don’t know how to knit, but if I did, these would both be born (by way of knitting needles) in my living room. Until the unlikely event that I take up knitting and knotting, I will capitalize on the good fortune that I can purchase these gorgeous confections of yarn. On the left, the Six Cord Knitted Necklace by A Alicia is a “messy plait” of yarn braided into the perfect winter statement necklace. On the right, the Knitted Pouf by CB2 is hand knit and versatile – think ottoman, coffee table, casual seating, winter snuggle, etc.

Craving more cable knit? If you simply cannot get enough cable knit delights, cozy up with this throw from VivaTerra.  And if you already have too much cable knit in your closet, use this simple tutorial to upcycle a sweater and whip up a scarf.

The post Knits & Knots appeared first on EcoSalon.

The world’s most amazing necklace is here! Repeat, world’s most amazing necklace!

Coming to you straight from eco-catalog pioneer VivaTerra, this tiered necklace is made from vintage silk scraps covering wood beads.

Fully adjustable to wear long or short, this piece gives maybe too much interest to plain t-shirts and little black dresses. (Wait until you see how many people stop and ask you where you got it).

Comes in an on-trend for spring turquoise blue, or a rich raspberry.

Inspired by their dedication to living in harmony with nature now and for future generations, VivaTerra has sourced this show stopper in accordance with their desire to provide “the finest goods that uniquely fuse exceptional quality and design with eco sensitivities.”

This writer agrees that they’ve done just that.

Leave a comment below to win the necklace. (For complete giveaway info, go here. And for FTC compliance info, here.)

The post VivaTerra Silk Scrap Necklace Giveaway appeared first on EcoSalon.

Reduce, reuse, recycle”¦ and re-invent! Going green is often a creative process, and we green gals are always brainstorming new functions for an assortment of old items, from wine bottles to sarongs and everything in between. Well, how would you like to win a $500 gift certificate for your eco-friendly ingenuity? Just e-mail your ideas and accompanying photos to ideas@vivaterra.com by this coming Tuesday, September 1 to enter in the drawing for sponsor VivaTerra’s fabulous fall re-invention contest. Can’t choose just one? No problem! Though only one entry is allowed per person, there’s no limit to how many ideas you can include. So, take a look around your home with pen, paper and camera in hand and submit your entry today.

Image: VivaTerra

The post Psst! Enter the VivaTerra Re-Invention Contest and Win a $500 Gift Certificate appeared first on EcoSalon.

Though it’s still spring, I can’t help but dream of warm summer days: lounging lazily in hammocks, taking in the ocean breezes and hitting as many cocktail parties and barbeques as humanly possible.

But what to wear? Well, first, take into consideration that this is your season to shine in sheer and floaty, draped and dreamy and get away with it.

This summer I’ll be wrapped in sea and sand tones from head to toe. My own way of communing with Mother Ocean.

There are outfits for all and I’ve rounded up some of my favorite ocean-themed pieces for you to be casual but nevertheless stylish as you go seaside, poolside or ringside to your favorite summer soiree.

The Under The Sea Dress made of 100% silk by Covet will flatter as it flows in the summer breezes.

Up top, recycled silver seashell rings by Kirsten Muenster.

And a hemp/silk slouch bag from VivaTerra to hold all the  sunblock, water and lip gloss a girl could need.

An Ostrich Egg Shell necklace from the San women of Namibia for natural adornment.

The Noraha by Charmone to slide your way through a casual cocktail party.

A Beaumont Organics Beaded Halter Neck Top to dress up or down with fitted shorts or pencil skirt.

The best bathing suit ever. Mociun’s soy organic one piece.

And a versatile organic cotton sarong to wear a million different ways.

The post Summer Fashion Ahoy! appeared first on EcoSalon.