Porcelained out? Carve your niche with an alternative sink for soaking up greener materials like certified teak, bamboo, recycled metal and glass and friendly painted ceramics. You can even experiment with poured concrete with 50% recycled fly ash, as seen in the striking orange basin by Jeremy Levine Design.

Here is a handful of other options we rounded up:

From William Garvey’s Fusion Line of handmade sinks from certified teak grown in the mixed deciduous forests of South Asia.

Spotted at the Story Hotel in Stockholm, these decorative ceramic bowls make brilliant bathroom basins.

Recycled aluminum and brass vessel sinks from ECO round out the eco bath and are paired well with a bamboo plywood or stone tile counter top.

Handblown recycled glass emerges as sensuous craft for the bath with the clear tortoise trim Classic design (above) and Ocean shell (below) from Bear Creek Glass.

Main Image: Jeremy Levine Design

It’s Saturday and you know what that means!

We’ve given you a best-selling wrap dress from Mountains of the Moon and a statement necklace by muichic crafted from tagua nuts and braided hemp. Today we’re bringing you a grab at something sweet and perfect for lounging from the designer Meadow.

Made from bamboo and organic cotton with cotton twill tape as trim on the boy shorts, you can tie the top’s shoulder straps and throw a cardigan over it in colder weather or wear as a stand alone top in warmer months.

The set is perfect as sleep wear, too, and the boy shorts can be worn as comfy undies.

A multi-tasking lounge act? You got it baby, but in this venue, you get to be sustainably sound and cozy at home rather than stuck listening to bad Barry Manilow covers in a smoke-filled room.

The set comes in black and cream for those of you feeling more copa than cabana.

For more styles and information on Meadow designs go to her site: meadow-designs, or see the Etsy page.

I love that designers are creating new road rules.

WWD recently printed a study saying a Mintel survey of 2,500 adults found that 54 percent said they would buy more green products. The report concluded that even in a period of reduced consumer spending, competitively priced green merchandise may do well because it stands out. Still, sustainably-focused designers realize they’re not exempt from the recession. And in an eco-pool so full of talent and expertise, is there really room for everyone to survive?

A handful of designers have some amazing takes on making their lines not only stand out but thrive.

We’ve written recently about Sustainability Across America and their cross-country drive to inspire and be inspired by the green community. Other new collaborations in the sustainable design world keep popping up, as well, like the NOW Showcase this September 20-21 in New York City as well as Content 09 October 18th in Portland, Oregon.

The NOW Showcase will feature 20 eco-designers in thelab, an integrated production studio and sustainable space powered by wind energy from upstate New York. The Now venue will feature a well-appointed collective of womens’ and menswear, accessories, organic body care and lingerie for wholesale viewings.

These men and women are opting for more transparent marketing targeting loyal buyers and lovers of their lines, reacquainting them on a more personal level.

For its inaugural CONTENT 09 event, 31 of Portland’s finest independent clothing and accessory designers will inhabit 28 rooms in the city’s Ace Hotel. Attendees will explore at their leisure while enjoying live music, libations, art installations and more. Founding group How We Develop intends on expanding CONTENT annually, with hopes to include the best national independents under one roof. Both venues will provide to buyers the ability for more personalized, one-on-one time with the designers and their Spring/Summer 2010 lines.

The natives are getting restless with the same old, same old. They have aggressive ideas that go beyond finding safety in three-season color palettes and cuts.

And we can be inspired to see egos put aside as designers embrace the reality that a powerful sustainable design market requires more than an organic cotton or bamboo tag.

A short walking distance (yes people do walk occasionally at their own peril in L.A.) from the Hollywood sign, Mann Chinese Theater and Griffith Park, the Hollywood Pensione is a green boutique lodge housed in a 1915 Craftsman dwelling.

Can Hollywood glamor be paired with good eco ethics? Naturally. They go together like J-Lo and Brad Pitt. Can’t you see that duo cast in a romantic feature? Perhaps Marc and Angelina can visit the set. But if they want to stay here they better book soon. This hotel only has three guest rooms, all with modern green amenities.

Listed in the top 10 of the best L.A. Inns and B&B’s by Resorts and Lodges, each guest room comes with a private bath, a common lounge with a balcony, and a fully-equipped guest kitchen.

Check in and take a nap on the comfy organic mattresses with fluffy wool toppers and fine organic bedding by Anna Sova. The hotel also offers spa-like bath luxuries with state of the art in-room technology like a flat screen TV and cable – so you can watch your favorite HBO and Showtime shows instead of chasing down stars in Beverly Hills.

The hotel boasts air and water purification throughout (a must in smoggy LaLa town) as well as complimentary organic wine, dark chocolate truffles, organic bamboo towels and Zen alarm clocks. You bring the vibe, they provide the rest!

Rates are $165 to $495 depending upon which room you select and when you are staying. Don’t forget to make reservations at the local organic cafes. For a list of some of them, check out L.A. City Search.

Images: Hollywood Pensione

True, we are still living in a material world, but cotton grown with pesticides is no longer the fabric of our lives.

The green movement is making huge strides replacing toxins and waste in the marketplace with organic fibers like bamboo and hemp, as well as good old corn starch, throw-away cork and used paper.

The brave, new soldiers of eco industry believe enough is enough when it comes to creating more waste and adding to our grossly overflowing landfills and plastic islands. Bet you do, too!

Instead, the trend has been to meet a growing consumer demand for renewable and reusable resources, seeking out the scraps of industry (glass, cork and plastic bottles) and growing plants without pesticides to make healthy fibers with no trace of petroleum.

Here is a go-to list of the friendliest materials that have our planet covered.

1. Bamboo Fiber

The eco fiber option of choice, bamboo is woven into everything from fashionable dresses like those made by Spun in Seattle and other respected labels, to towels, totes and interior elements such as window treatments. This natural textile is made from the pulp of the bamboo grass and is best in the organic form – pure and unbleached. It is a strong fabric, considered more durable and sustainable than conventional textile fiber.

2. Bamboo Hardwood

Considered a renewable resource, bamboo is a grass that thrives quickly. Oak trees can take 120 years to grow to maturity while bamboo can be harvested in three. it also regenerates without need for replanting, and requires minimal fertilization or pesticides. The jury is still out on whether or not bamboo flooring is as durable as traditional European hardwoods. As Tree Hugger points out, now all bamboo products are alike. Since it  is mostly shipped from China, you have to determine if the product is treated according to environmental standards. Companies like Teragren are careful about adhering to strict environmental specifications.

3. Cork

Got a surface that needs covering? Put a cork on it. Whether molded into mosaics for floors by Mod Walls or adapted as a textile for chic handbags by Shop Cork Design, cork is a renewable resource from the industry’s by-products. It can be waterproofed to extend the life of the surface and also applied to walls as an unexpected modern surface.

4. Plantation Grown Teak

Teak is a deciduous hardwood tree from the highlands of southeast Asia and is considered a sustainable timber for indoor-outdoor furniture, as well as decking. The Maku Chaise, below, is an example of outdoor designs sold by Design Public and other vendors. Teak has a naturally high oil content which makes it both stable and resistant to rotting when exposed to extreme climates. Much of it comes to us from the island of Java. The Dutch started plantations there about 150 years ago. The Indonesian government agency, Perum Perhutani, now manages the plantations, enforcing a strict policy regarding the size and quantity of trees felled each year together with annual replanting.

5. Corn Starch Biocompostables

Corn: it’s what’s for dinner and so much more. These utensils from the Biodegradable Store made of sugar cane fiber, corn and potato starch are the green alternative to petroleum-based plastics and styrofoam materials which take thousands of years to degrade. Thankfully, the new biocompostables are not restricted to the home pantry but are showing up at shopping mall food courts and school events where large crowds gather and consume disposables in bulk. Corn has also been used for library cards in San Francisco and ringtone downloader cards. And don’t forget ethanol, a fuel helping to reduce greenhouse emissions and slow global warming.

6. Hemp

Hemp is grown without pesticides or fertilizers and is rapidly replacing plastic-based materials for clothing and home decor. A member of the Cannabis Sativa plant family (don’t worry, it won’t get you high – other than environmentally!), it yields 250% more fiber than cotton per acre plus 500% more pulp fiber than forest wood. Sold by the yard or already woven into bedding, curtains or fashion garb by brands like Eco Fabrik, hemp dates back to more than 10,000 years ago with a myriad of uses such as paper making, cloth weaving and extracted oils for medicinal products and skincare.

7. Soybean Fabric

Soy fabric is friendly and soft and similar to cashmere or silk in texture. It is found in luxury items, such as these cushy robes from Eco Body wear, and scrumptious baby rompers from Baby Soy USA. Soybean protein fiber is a sustainable and botanical textile fiber made from renewable and biodegradable natural resources – the leftover soybean pulp from tofu and soy milk production. Its 16 amino acids are healthy and nutritional for our skin.

8. Organic Cotton

The Organic Trade Association tells us organic cotton grown by farmers worldwide increased 152 percent during the 2007-2008 crop year. Organic cotton is grown without harmful toxic pesticides and synthetic fertilizers meaning the farming methods and materials have a low impact on people and the environment. Production replenishes and maintains soil fertility to build biologically diverse agriculture. Genetically engineered seed for organic farming is strictly taboo, and all cotton sold as organic in the United States must meet strict federal regulations covering how the cotton is grown. In terms of products, it is much easier to find now in upscale and everyday clothing and underwear,  stylish bedding like this soft set from Pottery Barn, rugs, bags – you name it.

9. Recycled Glass

Companies like the inventive Vetrazzo are sparing landfills of post-industrial glass scraps, while giving new life to post consumer glass such as Corona Beer bottles which are made into countertops. It all goes into the mix of making a sustainable recycled product that adds great beauty to the environment. The same reusable resource is being molded into jewelry or new tumblers for entertaining. One man’s junk…you get the picture.

10. Low VOC Paint and Finishes

You’ve probably heard of VOC’s, the solvents in paint which evaporate easily at room temperature. They smell bad bad and are bad for people and other living things. They contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer as well as  poor indoor air quality. That’s why companies like Benjamin Moore and  YOLO Colorhouse® are offering us alternatives. The scientists and artists at YOLO produce a premium zero-VOC paint with an appealing designer palette of 40 hues for interiors, inspired by the natural world. It seems to be the direction more makers of finishes are going. Let’s follow this path and refuse to buy anything less healthy for our homes.

11. Recycled Polyester

Yes, rPET is the new polyester! PET stands for Poly Ethylene Terephthalate, a plastic resin and a form of polyester. PET is a polymer that is formed by combining two monomers called modified ethylene glycol and Purified Terephthalic Acid. PET is labeled with the #1 code on bottles and containers used to package soft drinks, water, juice, peanut butter, salad dressings and oil, cosmetics and household cleaners. PET is a popular package for food and non-food products because it is inexpensive, lightweight, resalable, shatter-resistant and recyclable. To source the post consumer bottles, they are sterilized and then dried and crushed into tiny chips. The chips are heated in a vat and forced through spinnerets (as with virgin polyester) and then are spun into yarn and dyed without toxic properties. What can you make with the Eco-fi material? Everything from carpets, bags and clothing to wall coverings, furnishings and craft felt.

12. Recycled Paper

Did you know 57 million trees are killed each year to produce the paper catalog companies crank out to market their stuff? The catalog industry floods our mailboxes with over 17 billion catalogs a year in the United States, many produced on paper that comes from endangered forests, including those in the Canadian Boreal forest. But businesses, such as Norm Thompson Outfitters of Portland, Oregon, are setting new standards by using recycled paper for their catalogs. Many other companies are getting on the recycled paper bus, including card and stationary designers such as Papel Vino in Vancouver and Bird Dog Press. Magazine strips are also coiled for trays and meshed into placemats for chic home decor. For every ton of paper that is recycled, 17 trees are spared. You can recycle most paper, including white office paper, newspaper and mixed-color paper, through a local curbside recycling program.

13. Felt

No longer just the craft stuff of school kids, if you’ve got an eye like Josh Jakus (bags and coasters) and Ronel Jordaan (modern stones) there is nothing you can’t glue together with this delightful, ecological textile. Felt can come in many forms, from recycled wool from PET bottles to made the old fashion “wet felting” way by nomadic peoples in Central Asia. The non-woven cloth is made by matting, condensing and pressing organic fibers while they are wet. While some types of felt are very soft, some are tough enough to use on construction materials such as a tar paper called roofing felt.

14. Solar Cells

A solar cell is a device that converts light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect. Assemblies of cells are used to make solar panels and solar modules to produce energy for practical use. Harnessing energy from the sun is a major goal in slowing global warming. Prefabricated solar panel systems for roofing usually range in capacity from 3 to 120 kilowatts. According to Technology Review, solar roofing materials can “cut the cost of household solar installations by doing double duty, generating electricity while protecting buildings from the elements.” Scientists tell us that on a bright, sunny day, the sun shines approximately 1,000 watts of energy per square meter of the planet’s surface. Collecting all of that energy would allow us to easily power our homes and offices for free.

15. Aluminum Bottles

A question that might be posed by Dwight Schrute of The Office is “which water bottle is best?” Many athletes, backpackers and soccer moms who used to quaff from leaky plastic will tell you the Sigg aluminum is best when it comes to bottles free of Bisphenol-A (BPA) found in polycarbonate plastics. Sometimes called Lexan, BPA is an endocrine disruptor that has been shown to affect reproduction and brain development in animal studies. It can leach into foods and liquids and mimics estrogen when absorbed by the human body. Sigg bottles are made from a single piece of aluminum (no leaks) and have a water-based, non-toxic interior coating. The liner’s finish keeps out bacteria and mold and is neutral and resistant to fruit acids and energy drinks.  SIGG bottles have been independently tested to prove they are completely leach-free and are 100 percent recyclable.

16.BPA-Free Plastic

While plastics have been shunned by environmentalists since The Graduate debuted, the new Better Bottle produced by  CamelBak is a move in the right direction. The company switched its 2008 Better Bottle line to Eastman Tritan copolyester, a new BPA- and phthalate-free material. BPA-free bottles started shipping to retailers in January of 2008 and are popular choices for children following required packing lists for summer camps and school field trips. Camelbak also makes stainless steel bottles, which are a close rival of aluminum in popularity and purity. You can buy them at outdoorsy outlets such as REI.

17. Cardboard

Recycling old cardboard to make recycling containers? Sure, that’s what the inventive set, such as Amazing Recycled Products, is doing and much more. Savvy products on the market include coasters, DIY speakers and journals. The two types of cardboard that can be recycled are flat cardboard, which is typically used in cereal and shoe boxes, and corrugated cardboard, which has a ruffled layer between the two flat pieces of cardboard and is often used in packing boxes. Both can usually be recycled through your local curbside recycling program.

18. Reclaimed Rubber

Tired of tires sitting in landfills for indefinite periods of time? So are companies like Rubber Sidewalks, which use shredded tires to compose panels that fit together to form a rubber sidewalk. The rubber is even good for trees, letting the sidewalk raise and bend around the roots. You no longer have to remove entire trees to keep concrete from being torn up and replaced. In 2006, 60 cities from 15 different states tested rubber sidewalks. Residents find the rubber feels good under their feet and sound is reduced, as well. It’s safe and non-toxic. Rubber sidewalks also comes in different colors. While the main motive is to save trees, recycled rubber also reduces the waste from tires each year. In California alone, tires create an estimated 408 million pounds of waste rubber.

19. Rice Hulls

Green Pots are made from rice hulls and break down much quicker than traditional planters. No pollutants are used or produced at any stage of the manufacturing process of the containers and there are no wasted materials because scraps are recycled back into the production process. Consumer rice also enjoys afterlife as durable messenger bags that look pretty and help us conserve.

20. Natural Earth Clay and Plaster

A friendly alternative to cement, gypsum, acrylic and lime plasters, products like American Clay Earth Plaster are pure and breathable, a popular choice in the new construction of walls and remodeling of old buildings. As Countryside Magazine points out, using earth to make walls and houses has been done for thousands of years. Uncle Sam invested in testing Rammed Earth construction from the 20s through the 40s as a practical way to achieve affordable housing. Even Frank Lloyd Wright was said to be a fan of using adobe and other natural earth sources. He drew up plans for a multi-family cooperative but due to the war that project was never fulfilled. The process of making rammed earth involves the mixing of raw material from gravel, sand, silt and clay.

*BONUS MATERIAL

21. Elbow Grease

Susie Homemaker is not staying slim these days by downing diuretics (that was my mother’s trick) but by spinning her salads, washing and wiping dishes by hand, hand washing and line drying clothes, riding her bike to the market, walking to her volunteer meetings and other steps that burn calories while leaving a lighter carbon pump print. The more we use our own body’s energy the less we rely on oil, electricity and other sources that drain the planet. And by the way, the exercise of cutting some of your pretty hair also can help the planet in the mopping up of oil spills in the form of hair mats. Human hair has not caught on as fabric for clothing yet, as far as we can tell from Project Runway.

I say throw in the towel, as long as it’s a softy and measures up when it comes to the green ABC’s of terrycloth: Absorbency, beauty and certified organic.

Here’s s an eco stack that will dry you off in comfort and style.

Schlossberg Sensitive Towels

(shown above)

Not only are the colors yummier than Italian ices, the SENSITIVE towel by Schlossberg USA is the world’s first and only towel line to be certified “Cradle to Cradle”. Each towel is made from biodegradable ingredients (even the label, yarn and thread). Sold under the Bonjour label, you can buy these soaker-uppers from dealers nationwide in a variety of sizes (small to XXL) to suit your apres bath needs.

Tropical Punch Floral Fiber-Friendly Beach Towels

Personalize these PBteen flower-powered beach towels, $20, with the names of your surfer dudes or divas to keep them from getting lost in the pile. Great for poolside and summer camp, too. I have a friend who gave these as party favors, personalized with the names of each of the guests. It’s great to give a gift that keeps on giving…in terms of warmth.

Organic Cotton Spa Towels

From VivaTerra, this thick and super soft oversized towel indulges you like a day at the spa. Safely dyed without synthetic finishes, it features an airy waffle weave texture that keeps moisture off your body while wrapping you in comfort. Now 15% off the regular pricing of $9 to $44.

Under the Canopy Organic Towels

Pretty, soft and affordable ( $19.99 to $29.99) these bath towels from Target are part of the chain’s commitment to going green. You can qualify for free shipping when you spend at least $50 on a set.

Life is Good Round Beach Towel

A cotton invention you might call the lazy snoozin, you never have to get up to move into the sun, just roll around the round towel. $40 at Running Giraffe.

Organic Hooded Baby Towel for Post-Bath or Swim Snuggle

Handmade from Etsy with pretty blue grosgrain ribbon dragonfly border, this hooded towel for baby is fabricated in organic cotton for no harsh chemicals against tender skin, $35.

Bamboo Towels Keep it Fresh and Pure

These thirsty bamboo towels from Good Night Naturals are produced by combining 100% bamboo fiber with pure cotton making it exceptionally soft and absorbent. I love the soft shades created by using low-impact dyes. And really, what is better than bamboo for renewable resource? $18 to $59.

Plush Multi-Stripe Pool Towel

From Willow Natural Home, $56, this beautiful organic beach towel measures 35″ x 65″ for cozy coverage after a refreshing dip.

Coyuchi Organic Cotton Bath Towels

Any thicker and these luxurious towels in a gorgeous shade of juniper blue would be blankets! The twill weave is so comfy and I love how they wash. $26 to $42 at Are Naturals.

Bold and Beautiful Beach Wrappers

As cool as you can get for beach loafing, the Dream Sacks Lilypad towel, $29, is spun of 70% bamboo and 30% organic cotton. Soft and groovy, they also go great at pool side and picnics.

“Can you do a diatribe on dry-clean-only labels?” asked my editor friend, Tam, citing the numerous times she threw caution to the wind and hand washed a garment despite the dry-clean-only instructions.

Yes, Tam, we can do that. We at EcoSalon are here to please the frugal green crowd looking for ways to avoid high cleaning costs, as well as the toxic detergents regularly used by conventional cleaning companies.

For some answers, I turned to Karl Huie of Eco Dry Cleaners in the San Francisco Bay Area which goes by the motto: “We are not business people capitalizing on the green movement, we are an established dry cleaner changing an industry.” Huie won the 2009 Francine Levien Activist award, which recognized him for taking a leadership role in promoting the health of the community.

Huie’s parents first opened a cleaners in 1969 which he and other family members converted into an eco company in 2007 with stores in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of the city and across the Bay in Sausalito, Calif. (Marin’s first and only certified green cleaners). The Pacific Heights Cleaners is seen as a demonstration site for a statewide program.

They are what’s considered a wet cleaners, which means they use a water-based solution made of natural soaps and conditioners; and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Cleaning, which uses compressed liquid CO2 with detergents.

In other words, they really know how to handle wet clothes, which according to Huie, is the criteria for cleaning your own garments without professional help.

Luanne: Which fabrics are safest for DIY cleaning at home?

Karl: I think polyester and nylon are probably the safest, including recycled polyester from PET bottles, because the plastic in it will hold everything together. Bamboo is an organic product that cleans very nicely and is easily accessible if handled correctly, but you have to be careful not to put too much agitation to the rayon because that will cause it to break or get fuzzy.

Luanne: What about cotton fabrics? You would think you could clean those yourself.

Karl: The risk is shrinkage. That can happen with leather, too, when people try to clean it themselves. The other day a customer brought in a leather jacket they shrunk wanting to know if I could stretch it back out. I also get customers bringing in cotton clothes with stains they tried to remove. They bring them in still wet in plastic bags. You have to have some experience with material and know how to handle it when it is wet.

Luanne: I’m always surprised when I hear friends wash their own sweaters. I’m always afraid the texture will get ruined.

Karl: Generally, silks and cashmeres are not easy to handle. It doesn’t so much have to do with getting them wet but the pH balance of the water and the detergent you use. The wrong balance can alter and shrink the wool and strip off oils  that can cause the texture to change.

Luanne: I never go near any garments with hand beading or special stones but people question why they can’t be hand washed with care. What’s the best thing to do if you aren’t sure?

Karl: Any time not sure how to handle something it is best go get advice from a pro. If you are a regular customer of mine I’m happy to tell you how to take care of it. All the time people bring in items for me to fix after the damage is done.

For some great tips on hand washing or dealing with stains, such as salad dressing spills or chocolate messes, you can go to Karl’s blog, Your Green Dry Cleaner. On the site is a section about cleaning items yourself.

Karl advises:

“Just because something is washable doesn’t mean that’s the best way to handle it. If you’ve got good quality jeans, sweaters, linens, bedding, etc. you want to protect them. Dry cleaning your fine things extends their longevity, keeps color from fading and prevents shrinkage. Plus you get a professional’s skills in stain removal. Talk to your dry cleaner to determine the best way to protect and preserve all your fine things.”

Image: sfllaw

The concept of letterpress first surfaced more than a thousand years ago when woodblock printing became a medium for expressing spirituality in Eastern civilizations. After Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press, this technique evolved and became the standard method throughout the 19th century. Although less widely used today, letterpress printing has emerged again as an art form. Fortunately, there are green options.

Here’s a list of the five fabulous resources to help spread the word.

With extensive customization options, Bella Figura is a great place to shop for eco-friendly invitations, save the date cards, baby announcements and more. Powered entirely by wind energy, this green company uses vegetable-based and low-VOC inks and cotton paper, donates a percentage of profits to environmental causes and is a proud member of the Co-Op America Green Business Network.

Members of 1% for the Planet, Smock uses wind energy to print stationery, gift tags, invitations and more on sustainably harvested bamboo paper. Plus, you can find a plethora of information about eco letterpress by visiting their blog.

Offering a variety of handmade stationary and art prints on post-consumer recycled paper, Sweet Beets artisans use 100% post-consumer recycled paper to craft their eco-friendly creations. Check out their blog to find out more about this family-grown operation.

Bird Dog Press prints their paper goods on 100% post-consumer recycled pulp and makes their envelopes from recycled grocery bags. Visit their blog for the latest news, shop on their site or find their work at EcoEtsy.

The Bay Area Business Program considers Julie Holcomb Printers to be an environmental leader, and we can see why. This green company uses tree-free cotton paper for their stationery, recycled paper for their envelopes and recyclable steel-backed plates for printing.

Image: Birch SF

Okay, when I threaten to send my daughters to reform school, this is not at all what I’m talking about. This fanciful emporium at 3902 Sunset Blvd. (in the hip L.A. Silverlake neighborhood) is earning major gold stars, not demerits, for its forward thinking and commitment to responsible design.

Most girls would be thrilled to go to this ReForm School, a store and web shop founded by Billie and Tootie (see below) who met in high school and dreamed of opening a retail business focusing on the four R’s: reduce, reuse, recycle and rebel. Call it the Breakfast Club goes organic!

The irreverent duo peddles an artful assortment of hot home decor, including embellished vintage pottery by Esther Derkx, soft rocks and felted birds by Tanya Aguiniga and those hemp pillows we adore by mother-daughter team Shelly and Mary Klein of KStudio.

“Sustainable design is a huge focus for us and green living is important to us, not only in business but in our personal lives as well,” say the owners. “We wanted to be eco-friendly without being too in-your-face about it. The last thing we wanted was to be another shop selling all things hemp and bamboo (not that we don’t love hemp and bamboo).”

Featured Below: Improved Pottery by Esther Derkx, who screenprints quirky images onto vintage crockery in such a perfect manner; Handcrafted felted birds by L.A. artist, Tanya Aguiniga; Rain hemp pillow by KStudio; and a tea towel by Third Drawer Down, entitled Trivia’s Pursuit by Karla Pringle.

I also love the reclaimed wooden objects for home, such as the decorative stools by Zaishu made by various craftspeople around the world, and the seriously stylish retro-inspired Magno Wooden Radio by Singgih Kartono, who sculpts from sustainable wood.

Wait, the bell didn’t ring just yet. Class is not dismissed, you naughty kids! I want to let you know that this site also has some lessons to teach on pretty organic scarves, trinkets, bath products and books.

Just remember to bring your credit cards to class. You have to pay the price for the high quality and original design, but you will see, it is well worth the investment when compared to the cheaply made, mass-produced junk at those other schools. I give ReForm School an “A” for Atta Girl! Keep up the good work.

New eco-fabrics are constantly being developed all over the world.

One day, what we think is so forward now (organic cotton, bamboo and tencel) will be as normal to us as breakfast cereal.

Like Optimer Brand’s 2008 launch of Dri-release E.C.O. [Environmentally Correct Origins] which uses recycled polyester and organic cotton.
According to a recent Ecotextile News press release, “New Dri-release E.C.O. 2nd Nature will combine post-consumer recycled polyester with post-industrial recycled cotton made from garment manufacturing clip waste, yielding a product made from 100% recycled materials.”

To produce the new fabric, Optimer has teamed up with Ferre-Hickory, LLC, a joint venture between Hilaturas Ferre of Spain and North Carolina Hickory Throwing Company. The Ferre-Hickory duo will produce the yarn, incorporating 2nd Nature 100% recycled cotton which is said to significantly reduce the amount of waste in landfills, as well as the water, pesticides, dyes and electricity used to produce and process cotton. Of course, it’s all free of harmful chemicals.

As I said the other day to an eco-fashion friend, “Not buying eco-clothing is similar to me eating a plate full of high fructose corn syrup. Why would I even consider it at this point?”