The sad truth is the carpets that hold up best to traffic are the ones coated with toxins. And we don’t want those in a place where humans dwell.

If you do have a healthy wool carpet in your home, you can still clean it without harsh chemicals like perchloroethylene – which the EPA has linked to kidney and liver damage. Naphthalene, made from coal tar, is also considered a carcinogen that can harm the central nervous system.

Ask cleaning services if they simply steam to lift dirt or …

Tags: baking soda , blotting , cancer , carpet , chemicals , cleaning , EPA , furniture , naphthalene , natural , natural cleaning methods , perchloroethylene , rugs , shoes , sisal , stains , steam cleaning , upholstery , vacuuming , vinegar , water , wool

1 Comment |

Link to this post |

|

Bookmark

The color purple ruled last fall and it’s still raining plums, eggplants and violets in the interior world. From chairs to carpets, pillows and bedding, the deep wine country shade is being harvested in cool pads everywhere.

Here are some ripe picks from the groovy grape file:

Fruitful Folds: Designer Dror Benshetrit should take pride in his Peacock chair exhibited at the recent ICFF 2009 in New York. Designed for Cappellini, no weaving, sewing or upholstery glue was applied to the comfortable lounge seat with a price tag too high …

Tags: bedding , chairs , cotton , decor , duvets , Fall color , felt , furniture , grape , organic , pillows , Purple , rugs , upcycle , wallpaper , wool

2 Comments |

Link to this post |

|

Bookmark

It’s hard to ignore those cautionary labels (even the misspelled ones). Do we dare wash a delicate garment at home and risk ruining the texture or shrinking it beyond recognition?

Warnings are warnings, but there are exceptions to every wash ‘n wear rule.

With the help of our blog readers, writers and the experts, we have put together a list of myths we are happy to debunk to save you some precious bucks.

1. Washing sweaters will ruin the texture!

“Hogwash,” says EcoSalon’s Caitlin Fitzsimmons, whose mama passed on the tried and true method. …

Tags: air dry , conservation , cotton , detergents , DIY cleaning , dry , dry cleaning , energy , fabric , fabrics , fashion , fold , frugal , garments , hang dry , labels , recession , shrinkage , silk , sweaters , textiles , textures , warnings , wash , water , wool

8 Comments |

Link to this post |

|

Bookmark

She’s pushing petals again, that Amy Butler, introducing fabulously feminine and bold wool carpets that are blooming in late August. These are great handcrafted picks for perking up an existing space. You got the sofa, you got the pillows, you got the hot date. Now you need a flirty-perty rug, right?

The new line of 19 patterns in the Amy Butler for Chandra collection borders on the exotic with a modern scale and lively depth of field. If the motifs look familiar, it’s because we’ve shown you her similar bedding designs …

Tags: bedroom , carpets , decor , decorate , design , floral , natural dyes , organic , rugs , sustainable , wool

3 Comments |

Link to this post |

|

Bookmark

Is there a hole in the heart of that beloved camel cashmere from your freshman year at Stanford?

Don’t become unraveled! The crafty set – people like Stefanie Girard, who wrote Sweater Surgery – take the green approach to spinning yarns, reconfiguring new objects d’smart from those ratty pullovers that once warmed our bones.

Handwash your old sweater (I like to use baby shampoo) and treat it for unsightly coffee or red wine stains. Then circumvent those Jarlsberg cheese holes in the wool and make something cool!

Here’s a …

Tags: cashmere , cozies , crafts , design , dog sweaters , dogs , doll clothes , environment , hairbands , jewelry , kitchen , knitwear , recycle , reuse , sew , slippers , sweaters , teapot , wool

12 Comments |

Link to this post |

|

Bookmark

I’m totally Swede on the Stockholm-based Jantze Brogard Asshoff studio and the thoughtful, elegant designs these craftswomen are producing for both eco function and beauty.

Founders Moa Jantze, Hanna Brogård and Johanna Asshoff strive to simplify their surroundings to improve everyday life.

“We create sophisticated, useful products with a poetic soul and playful character,” they explain. “Our backgrounds from different parts of Sweden will always be a great source of inspiration. We like to mix modern with traditional, folklore with decadent luxury and regional Swedish handicraft with industrial production.”

The results are …

Tags: compost , containers , decor , Dwell Magazine , eco , ecology , felt , furniture , green , modern , Scandinavian , trash , wool

Add Comment |

Link to this post |

|

Bookmark

Getting 7-8 hours of sleep on a nightly basis is essential for wellness, but you could be spending that time cuddled up to toxic chemicals like pesticides, vinylidiene chloride, formaldehyde, antimony trioxide, melamine, decabromodiphenyl oxide and boric acid. While organic linens and pillows are key elements of a natural bed, a healthy night’s rest is all in the mattress. Here are the ten best eco-friendly, healthy mattress choices:

The wool mattress by Shepherd’s Dream is made entirely of this naturally flame retardant material. Plus, …

Tags: Apollo , Earthsake , eco bed , Green Sleep , healthy mattress , hemp , howto , Keetsa Cloud , Lotus , natural rubber , organic bedding , organic cotton , Serenity , Shepherd's Dream , Utopia , Vivetique , wool

5 Comments |

Link to this post |

|

Bookmark

The UK is in the grip of the coldest winter in years and in recent weeks heavy snowfalls have blanketed much of the country. Even London had about a foot of the white stuff last week – the heaviest snowfall in two decades – and there’s no sign of it warming up any time soon. Meanwhile, in North America, you’re set for another six weeks of winter – at least according to Punxsutawney Phil.

Why not rug up with one of these beautiful artisanal …

Tags: artisan , Blacker Designs , designer , fashion , scarf , tussah silk , UK , wool

Add Comment |

Link to this post |

|

Bookmark

The early mornings are for padding along silently.

When the sun’s barely risen and the house is as cool and serene as a Buddhist temple, it would feel wrong to clatter through it in hard-heeled shoes – but at that hour, the floor’s too cold for your bed-warmed bare feet.

To wander through the house without a sound, you’ll want some soft, snugly contoured slippers. We’ve been in love with this softest of footwear since at least 1478 (the earliest recorded use of the word in English), but in recent years slippers have tended towards parody – great …

Tags: craft , fashion , hemp , loungewear , luxury , organic , shoes , wool

2 Comments |

Link to this post |

|

Bookmark