Whenever I go shopping for linens, I always have a very specific idea in mind of what I want – flowers just so, or the perfect teal green. The problem is that even after scouring every store in the county, nothing I find ever really matches my mental image. So, taking inspiration from the methods of my favorite designers, I’ve begun to entertain the notion of creating my own. I’m no artist, so I was a little nervous about taking on such a project at first. But with a bit of research I learned this is definitely within the realm of DIY.

If you want to give color-blocking a try, just follow these easy steps:

1. Sketch a pattern onto a large piece of cardboard with a pencil. For the best results, avoid overly elaborate designs and stick to something simple until you’ve done a few pieces.

2. Once you’re satisfied with your design, cut it out with an exacto knife, including any details within the basic outline.

3. Iron the fabric and stretch it taut onto a smooth surface.

4. Fill a tray with eco-friendly fabric paint and use a roller to apply it generously and evenly to one side of the cardboard block.

5. Lay the cardboard block face down onto the fabric and gently cover it with newspaper. You may want to try a test run on a piece of scrap fabric first to make sure you’ll be satisfied with the outcome.

6. Apply pressure to the cardboard block while holding it firmly in place.

7. Pull off the newspaper and gently peel away the cardboard block.

8. Repeat the process until your once plain curtains, tablecloth, duvet cover or cloth napkins are pieces of handmade art. Before you know it you’ll be taking orders, girl!

9. One final note: before you wash your new and improved linens, make sure to set the design according to the instructions listed on the can of fabric paint.

For additional helpful instructions, visit Design Sponge.

Image: geishaboy500

We’ve all woken up in a funk before, and it’s no mystery that how you sleep at night has a huge impact on your attitude for the day. That’s why your bed is one place where you shouldn’t hesitate to splurge. With the perfectly plush 10,000 Foot Organic Cotton bedding, there is no such thing as the wrong side of the bed.

Soothing earth tones and natural textures will lull you to sweet, refreshing sleep. The inspiration behind these brilliantly simple designs? A bird’s eye view of California’s stunning San Joaquin Valley. If you’re looking to rebuild your sweet dream zone from scratch, don’t forget all of the key eco-friendly elements. (Available at sponsor VivaTerra for $149- $569 – that’s 15% off until February 5th.)

I’m tickled pink that the Bay Area company Serena & Lily – which names its collections with offbeat girl and boy names (Maggie, Hazel, Rye, Lulu) -  has now introduced a new organic line, climbing on the green bandwagon and responding to what customers want in the nursery.

“It’s about making healthy, responsible choices for us, our children, for our families, and for the planet,” says the growing home design company. “People need to know the story behind each product – where it comes from, how it’s made and why it’s made that way.”

The highly successful duo promises that the organic options will contain the same signature quality and style, which really is unparalleled in the baby decor market. That’s why the company that began selling out of  a small warehouse has moved into major department stores, including Bloomies, where it caters to the grownup bedding market.

The certified organic cotton products thrown into the lovely variety of kids’ bedding include a quilted innerspring crib mattress $425, a spring shaded Maggie Collection of crib linens ($569 for 3p set), an ultra chic, hand-embroidered, Market Sling, $129, in earthy shades of grass, cloud and flax; and a 5′x7′ Potholder rug, $589, made from 100% recycled clothing and other textiles, available in grass or oatmeal.

If these organics are too green for your nursery, check out the other new organic collections, including Hazel (orchid and brown florentine-pattern) or Rye (blue bandanna print), at the site. All of the collections have coordinating low-VOC paint in 20 shades, as well as matching rugs, slipcovered gliders, and lamps with fabric shades. It’s basically one-stop shopping for the nursery, and now shopping that is sustainable for the price.

When you break open a new package of traditional cotton sheets, the chemical scent can blow you away. Why spend your precious R.E.M. hours enveloped in these chemicals when there are so many soft and stylish organic cotton alternatives surfacing in home stores and catalogs?

Recently, I strolled into a Pottery Barn and was surprised by the
fall inventory that finally presents some eco options, including the printed and solid organic bedding. The white and espresso Tatum patterned sheets are tres Jonathan Adler, taking inspiration from Billy Baldwin and the Hollywood Regency glamour. I also like the Tile sheet sets in gold, orange and turquoise and the green grid sheets. All of these are organic and take PB in a new direction.

Crate andBarrel’s Organico sheets sets are as pure as you can get. Made in Portugual and shown in neutral, pretty shades, the 310-count bedding gets even softer as you wash it and evokes that simplicity found in the blissful, monochromatic bedroom.

And, speaking of pure, one of the very best eco home sources, green sponsor Viva Terra shows us organic can also be luxurious in its Spunsilk Bedding offering a matte finish and clean stitching (sold in both sets or as separates). In subtle shades of white, blue and taupe, the flawless sheeting is both breathable and bacteria resistant, offering luxury hotel comfort in your very own green master suite.

I don’t know how anyone can resist the new organic percale by fashion designer Eileen Fisher, known for her boxy-chic tunics and knitwear adored by the middle-aged set like me). Sold at Garnet Hill the sheets come in earthy shades of clay, muslin and bone and feature an all-over pintuck pattern that smacks of couture. All of Fisher’s organic bedding line is a hit and worth taking a look at.

If luxury is what you are after, rather than fretting over the price of Frette, check out the Italian organic sheeting, woodblock prints and sumptuous jacquards at Anna Sova which has amazing sales on bed ensembles, offering sky- high cotton-count sheets and eco silks to dress your bella bed.

The truth is, when it comes to organic bedding, everyone is catching on, including the top brands sold at Macy’s, like Ralph Lauren Spa, Haven by Hotel and the new Charter Club Organics. Gone are the days when allergy stores were our only source for dreamy organic cottons pure.

You won’t find the formula for decorating a great kids’ space in a fortune cookie but you will find the path to joyful bedding at Spacify including this delightful Lantern Festival Twin Duvet Set (from $118).

I don’t know what it is about lanterns that rock my rickshaw, but I love to incorporate them in children’s rooms. Sometimes I suspend a series of them from the ceiling like party balloons to add a sense of whimsy. The lanterns on this duvet float on a lucky red background. The duvet is  paired with an adorable sham peopled by Chinese children and irresistable polka dot sheeting.

The good news is the bedding is a soft, 200-thread count cotton percale made to Oko-tex environment standards (meaning no chemicals harmful to children and other living things).

Still, what would a lantern room be without tea parties? Toss in this modern red table and chairs set from 2modern to coordinate with the bedding.

It’s the color of Elizabeth Taylor’s eyes, the fragrant bundled plant used for soothing pillows, and the heart awarded for acts of bravery in battle. No wonder shades of purple – from lavender walls to orchid bedding – are making a splash in the prettiest eco-friendly bedrooms this fall.

I have accessed subtle shades of lavender for several clients in recent months. One husband requested the somewhat soft choice for his bedroom, admitting it is his favorite color. He’s a tall and husky Scotsman who might don a kilt but could never be thought of as feminine. His wife complied and they are now thrilled with the calming effect of purple power.

Here are a few berry sweet choices for you:

The Wisteria bedding from Willow Natural Home is organic jacquard cotton woven sheeting available in separates or in sets ($246 for a queen; $300 for the King).

The sensuous and soft Honeycomb Throw from LoooLo Textiles is pricey at $500, but what divine luxury to cuddle with on a wintery day. It’s organic and from Switzerland and the shade is divine.

For walls, try the Cardinal color milkpaint from Bioshield Paint, which uses only non-toxic ingredients in this ultra-natural wall coverage. You will find your walls glow in daylight and appear romantic in the soft light of evening.

For a sweet and sophisticated eco wallpaper in the purple family, the Windsor Purple and Black Lead Scattered Daisy pattern from Woodson & Rummerfields is comprised of low V.O.C. silk and vegetable dyes and is a sweet touch in the bath off the master bedroom. It’s availalbe at Wandrlust.

On a side table, place the amethyst quartz tea light holder from Viva Terra (only $42) and on the floor, tiptoe through the amazingly dense Field of Flowers Rug in purple from Plushpod. It ranges from $1165 to $6,230 for the largest. (Flokati – we adore it.)

Don’t forget a fresh bouquet of purple flowers.

Editor’s note: Sara here. As someone who had a lavender bedroom wall for over a year, I’m all for purple decor – but it’s also fall’s striking fashion color. Be sure to check out Allison’s purple trend forecast.

Flower image: geishaboy500

Former Sunset Magazine Staff writer Bridget Bradley has written enough home improvement books to know where to go to greenify an environment from top to bottom. Tapping the best resources at her fingertips, she and her husband, Kirk, have opened Reclaim, a green home boutique store in the Bay Area suburb of Menlo Park. 

Not far from Stanford University, the ritzy suburb has always been "conservative", but not necessarily in terms of energy and innovative use of materials. Shoppers entering the well-appointed space graced with displays of colorful prints and patterns learn fast that green has a spiffy new sheen.

"Our store shows that you can be green and not compromise your personal style," says Kirk. "In the past, if you didn’t like bamboo, hemp, and off-white fabrics, you were out of luck. But now there are choices for almost every aesthetic."

What’s in the name Reclaim? First, high quality green products such as Yolo Colorhouse paint; Eco Timber wood flooring and cork flooring; organic sheets and towels; vinyl-free wallpaper with non-toxic ink; pretty upholstered sofas and chairs; Green Sleep and Savvy Rest organic mattresses and even non-toxic home cleaners.

There’s a line of locally made, custom kitchen cabinets (FSC-certified and formaldehyde-free) and countertops from recycled materials such as Vetrazzo (which Ecosalon has told you about), IceStone and Syndecrete. The couple also reclaims the baby room, locating cribs and bedding from greener pastures containing non-toxic wood and treated fabrics.

"We want to be a resource for the community on all green building and decorating issues," says Bridget, alluding to Reclaim’s other lure, a green home-designing service staffed by local architects, designers and artisans on a track to save our precious planet with better living quarters.

The store’s website is unusually helpful, with room-by-room guides explaining key environmental concepts and certification information, along with suggestions to green each space.

Located at 855-A Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park.

We’re shelling out the big bucks again for summer camps. It’s the price we have to pay to keep our city slickers off the sofa and away from the hypnotic plasma. Among many other attributes, camps can instill a deeper appreciation of the great outdoors. But as a wise person once said, wherever you go, there you are. To mold our children into lifelong green citizens, we need to get them into the right camp at home.

Welcome to Camp EcoSalon, a happy and wholesome family retreat where little campers learn to turn off lights, throw peach pits into the compost bucket, and control urges to print out every cool graphic they encounter on the computer. Care to register? Pack some biodegradable sunscreen and climb aboard the hybrid bus where there’s a lot to learn. It isn’t easy. In my day, the biggest environmental warnings were stopping litter and forest fires. Kids of today, even more than scouts of yesterday, must be prepared. The planet depends on it.

Checking in and out

Establish daily green routines with kids at morning and at night. The lights go on for bathroom duty and off when kids are done. Lessons on their dental hygiene, such as low sugar toothpastes like Tom’s of Maine, should also include turning off faucets when brushing. Tell them to reuse cotton towels to save on laundry. At my house, we hang ours over the banister to dry for the next shower. At bedtime, instruct kids to throw only dirty clothes into the hamper, not just garments they are too lazy to hang up (so that’s how Sydney’s new silk dress got into the dryer…hmm!). Having kids help out with laundry is a good way to demonstrate the demands of the dreaded chore and encourage them to lessen their own hamper loads.

Camp Gear

Can that school backpack be used again? If it’s broken, try to fix it. If it’s not broken resist the urge to buy a fresher one. It’s good to get kids thinking about what can be reused. It’s also good to think about what can be passed down to a sibling or a friend. Hand-me-downs are an ideal way to recycle clothing and athletic gear, such as soccer cleats, shorts and bikes. We give clothes the kids outgrow to their friends or to the needy. Garage sales can leave kids scarred when they must part with sentimental toys. I try to get mine to trade something old with something old. They can pick out a book someone else is getting rid of in exchange for parting with items they no longer use. When buying new clothing, introduce your kids to eco-friendly organic cotton garments at sites like Hanna’s Dream and Ecologique, which sell clothing for kids and adults.

Transportation

If you can swap your gas guzzler for a hybrid, by all means do so. It sends an important message to kids about your commitment to saving on fuel and money. And did you know hybrids come with stickers that give access to carpool lanes in some cities? You can get where you are going faster while burning less fuel. Carpool to school, camp and parties when possible. Let your kids experience public transportation with you, riding the bus or train to events. Make the most of bike riding! You can bike on a safe path to run errands or see a movie.

Nature Time

Bonding with your brood doesn’t have to involve exorbinant consumption (except of course for s’mores round the campfire). Try to schedule low-budget, planet-friendly activities such as organic gardening, camping at state parks or picnics at the beach.

Add good old arts and crafts by bringing sketch pads for still life studies or journals for aspiring young poets. Bring digital cameras on a hike and encourage them to capture nature at work. You can start little ones off with inexpensive green cameras, such as the Sakar Ecotrends camera ($60) at Circuit City. Sure, Disneyland is a blast but time with you stargazing around the campfire will hold a special place in their hearts.

For daytime outdoor adventures, teach your kids about global warming and ozone dangers and protect them with a good, biodegradable sunscreen, like the new SPF 85 Ultra Sheer sunscreen from Neutrogena. Hats are also great added protection at any age.

Green Grub

I began taking my kids to the Sonoma Farmer’s Market on Tuesday nights when they were little. We loved sampling local produce and buying flowers and getting rub-on tattoos at the face painting booth. It’s a great education on local sustainablility (the food, not the tatoos).

Check out Local Harvest to find a market near you. In terms of packing lunches for kids, give them balanced meals with as many fresh produce items as possible, like apple slices and carrot and celery sticks or a small, tasty green salad to balance the sandwich and salty things.

At Feed Our Kids Well you can pick up wonderful recipies, including play date snacks, such as homemade nachos with baked chips, organic salsa and low-fat cheese. Pop organic popcorn on the stove with oil, and toss in nutritional yeast for added value.

I think Supersize Me drove home the message about large sugary drinks and childhood obesity. Always offer good water as a beverage. If on the go, pack them Sigg bottles with water or opt for organic, low-sugar lemonade or other fruit drinks. Teach them to shun plastic disposables. And when they crave treats from the family pantry, suggest Cliff Z Bars or organic dark chocolate over packaged processed goodies with loads of nasty trans fats.

Lights Out

For some little ones, lights out at bedtime means keeping a night light on till dawn. If you must, try a low energy choice such as the LED Osram Lunetta Night Light ($18.95) at Neco.

In terms of their personal environments, kids are allergy prone and it’s good to avoid carpet and clutter in the bedroom. Explain to them why you select healthy organic cotton sheeting that breathes instead of cheap poly linens made with bad chemicals. I use dust mite protection, including encasing our mattresses, with covers from Allergy Buyers Club.

And pillows should be hypoallergenic and not too dense. When you think about how much time we spend in bed, you realize it’s important to make good choices. Teaching kids to pick up after themselves in their rooms is a taxing yet rewarding job. We all know taking responsibility for your own space is related to caring for the community at large. Some experts suggest clean up games and reward charts as opposed to Mary Poppins’ surefire spoonful of sugar method. I find good old threats work well as kids age. “No made bed, no Gilmore Girls!”

Camper Spirit

There’s nothing like a round of Kumbaya to bring out the spirit. Someone’s recycling my lord, Kumbaya… You get the picture. Follow up words with action. Let your kids see you taking part in community work, volunteering to raise money for the Child Abuse Prevention Center, doing a shift serving at the local food bank, joining a beach clean up. It’s the most effective way to spur them on to doing their part for the planet.

My girls have held bake sales and set up lemonade stands for their pet cause, the San Francisco SPCA. Some kids use babysitting money or allowance to donate to a good cause. For ideas on how to inspire your own children, visit Blossom International.

Happy camping!

Image: shoothead

Sara’s shameless plug: Hi, it’s your editor. De-lurk, dear reader, and leave this fabulous writer a comment. (We love chatting.) You can also share this post with friends ““ just click your favorite social bookmark listed below. New reader? Be sure to sign up for the weekly newsletter to win free eco goodies! You can also subscribe to any RSS feed your heart desires.

When a client said she wanted to do Swedish fabrics in the bedrooms of her remodeled vacation house in Tahoe, I went searching for sources other than IKEA for textiles that could translate into gorgeous bedding. While I think some of IKEA’s ready-made bedding is cheerful in that whimsical Scandinavian fashion, the texture is too rough for my taste. Bedding needs to be not only visually inviting but soft to the touch.

The Northern lights led me to Textile Arts and its line of appealing eco-friendly fabrics,  including Traditions, a folk art brocade, and the ultra-modern Louisa’s Squares. The fabrics in this collection are all comprised of organic cotton, linen, hemp and bamboo, grown without pesticides and bleached with hydrogen peroxide instead of the usual toxins. This wonderful source for fabrics (as well as other modern decor) gives discounts to trade members who register. In addition to the eco line, the company offers a large assortment of  printed cottons and oil cloths in traditional and retro patterns.

 

For anyone seeking vintage Scandinavian textiles, such as the Josef Frank designs of the 1940’s, check out Just Scandinavian and the stunning botanical motifs of the designer who died in the mid-1960’s but whose designs are still printed (show here and above).

   

And at Scandinavia Design Center you will also find a range of lovely Nordic upholstery fabrics to suit your Viking hunger for all things Swedish.

Now, here’s a tip for customizing bedding: I seek out local upholstery sewers, like Dreams in San Francisco, and ask them how much yardage I will need for a queen or king duvet. Usually, I take the down comforter into the work room with me to get the exact fit. I also love to customize bedskirts since generous ready-made ones are hard to find. This requires measuring the drop from the top of your box spring to the floor. If you have a carpet, the drop will be shorter than on hardwood. I like the skirt to extend to the floor without about a half-inch extra to puddle. Look for a work room in your city and customize your own Scandinavian ensemble.

Matching sheeting is easy with all that’s on the market. My favorite retail source: Cuddledown. I really love the eco-friendly, 400-thread-count Sateen Hotel bedding with simple embroidered stitching which coordinates beautifully with busy prints.

Sara’s shameless plug: Hi, it’s your editor. De-lurk, dear reader, and leave this fabulous writer a comment. (We love chatting.) You can also share this post with friends ““ just click your favorite social bookmark listed below. New reader? Be sure to sign up for the weekly newsletter to win free eco goodies! You can also subscribe to any RSS feed your heart desires.

1. Start with an eco-friendly bed and mattress. The most earth-friendly option is to go without a frame, or refresh the frame you’ve already got with a little TLC (vintage and antiques are smart choices). If you are in the market for a new bed, look for a frame made from sustainable materials such as reclaimed wood or recycled metal. And don’t worry about sacrificing style. You’ll find an array of chic frames that are 100% green, such as the Jianni bed by Cocopa that we recently featured and the Gustavian vintage bed (shown below) everyone adores at VivaTerra.

Next up: the mattress. It’s really not very eco-friendly to rush out and buy a whole new mattress, so wait to spring for the healthy, organic version when your existing mattress is worn out (no jumping to speed the process). Most organic mattresses consist of quilted layers of organic cotton and wool for supreme comfort, with a range of firmness options available on sites like Green Nest to suit your personal preference.

2. The bedding, of course: it’s easy to see why eco-friendly sheets from sites like Satara have recently gained popularity among green shoppers. Made with organic cotton or bamboo fiber, they are both hypoallergenic and unbelievably soft. And for something bright and cheerful, check out the Woodland duvet cover.

3. Pillows made from organic natural fibers, such as cotton, kapok, and buckwheat and millet hulls, are free of contaminants and synthetic materials, so they’re a smart choice. Make sure to wash your pillow at least once a year to keep it fresh and clean. (Check out The Proper Way to Wash a Pillow.)

4. The squish: for a little extra cushioning, try an earth-friendly memory foam pad. Made from renewable, plant-based raw materials with an organic cotton cover, these green finds from Bragada will help you sleep better with comfort of mind and body.

5. The wash: use eco-friendly laundry detergent to wash your sheets and duvet cover. At Naturally Home, you’ll find a list of nontoxic, biodegradable products that won’t harm the environment.

6. The room: you’ll get your best night’s sleep if you keep your room hotel-dark and very quiet. (Eye masks really do work wonders.) If your home doesn’t reduce the noise outside, invest in a CD of gentle nature sounds, or good old earplugs. And be sure to turn off all gadgets, electronics and appliances, and unplug them, as well. This saves energy and also cuts down on noise. It’s also a good idea to keep something scented nearby that promotes relaxation – such as lavender sprigs in a satchel under your pillow, or a favorite essential oil.

7. You: you won’t sleep well if you aren’t well, no matter how eco-friendly and healthy your bed is. Shut off all distractions (email, phone, television) at least an hour  before bed, drink some Sweet Dreams Elixir, and if you’re the type to lie awake with racing thoughts, journal it out or practice guided meditation for a serene night’s sleep.

Image: blmurch