Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Celebrate Earth Day in the outdoors!

























This is a really exciting time for me now; this month marks the 2nd anniversary of my design blog on my website. I first started blogging the week of Earth Day, how apropos. Even though it's cold and rainy here in Chicago, almost all of the snow that fell the other day has almost disappeared and the first flowers of the season are optimistically trying to lift from the ground. The season of lounging around outdoors in the sun is looming ahead. Thoughts of entertaining friends and family, eating delicious grilled food, sipping festive drinks and the music of chirping birds fills my mind. Whether acres of land surrounds your home or you live in a dwelling with a small patio or deck, there are so many ways to celebrate spring and decorate your exterior sustainably and comfortingly. The white furniture shown above is newly introduced and
available through the company Trex. You may be familiar with this company, as it's known for it's outdoor decking products. Recently, they've introduced outdoor furniture into the marketplace. It's made of 90% recycled content, incorporating the use of recycled milk jugs and laundry detergent bottles.





Shown above is a rug to add pattern and color to your deck or patio, giving a warm feeling of indoor coziness. It's offered in two colorways; Rust (as shown) or Aqua. These decorative rugs are reversible, handcrafted by Thai artisans who receive fair wages for their craft and made 100% of recycled soda bottles. They're durable, just need to be hosed down to clean and come in sizes 4' x 6' or 6' x 9'. They are available through http://www.gaiam.com/









Also through Gaiam, is a line of furniture which is actually made from recycled wine barrels. The chair shown here is part of that collection.


Who wouldn't want to be enveloped in the hammock shown above? (OR any other hammock for that matter) This hand-woven option is available through The Hammock Company and is called Pawleys Island Presidential Size Hammock. This, along with other eco-friendly styles, can be seen at http://www.hammocks.com/ I would love to be resting here right about now!




How ever you choose to decorate the exterior of your home, whether it be a living area, fully furnished with furniture, rugs and a hanging light fixture, or it includes an outdoor kitchen, fully equipped with a stove, or you simply use a grassy area and punctuate it with a small bistro table and chairs, it's the season to be outdoors and celebrate time with friends and family.




Are you into gardening? A great book titled "Organic Garden" authored by Christine and Michael Lavelle (shown in photo above) offers great tips on this topic. It also makes a great coffee table book!



What ever way you choose to celebrate Earth Day, I hope it includes some outdoor activity or something that includes being kind to our earth. Please share your ideas, questions or thoughts on how you'll be celebrating it.


Until next month, CHEERS!




~ Stephanie

















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