We’ve talked about VivaTerra’s Root of the Earth Bowls. They are beautiful and make a great gift idea, but it’s time to feature some larger items that can really help surround you with nature in the comfort of your own home.

Set the stage for your magical getaways (a.k.a. books) with this whimsical book shelf that utilizes dense elm wood as well as Indian root and trunk materials for outer decoration. Finally something to hold all your Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and other nerdy fantastical escapes!
There is also a matching Root Wine Rack for those who like to live dangerously and drink while reading.

Now where will you set your book down while you get up to get your wine from the favorite reading spot? On this
Branch & Glass Side Table of course! Yep, with branches working together to support the snazzy glass top it looks like nature is here to serve you. A matching Branch & Glass “Console” Table (whatever that means) is also available.

Last but not least on today’s list is … say it with me kids … a STOOL! Yay for stools! (pun intended).
OK now that’s out of the way what else can be said about these reclaimed wood stools? Well they are made of wood, beautiful Japanese teak in this case, and they are great for an impromptu sit down, or end table, or they can even be magical chairs out in your secret garden.

It’s pretty much perpetually sunny here in San Diego, CA, but if I was living in an area that had winter to make me stay indoors, I’d be sure I had some eco-friendly nature inspired furniture to help keep me company.

Posted by Sean in Household, Unique
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It was many months ago that I randomly discovered ibride. They were featured on several design blogs and I instantly fell in love with their line of ornate wall art trays. Since they were seemingly everywhere at the time, I didn’t bookmark any online stores. Of course the name ibride quickly slipped from my memory and I have spent the last few months keeping en eye peeled for those gorgeous baroque flourishes and collages of anthropomorphic animals. Quite a hybrid of style, eh? In fact, the name ibride is actually a play on words that is meant to represent “hybrid”. The company consists of 4 French relatives, Rachel, Benoit, and Carine, who I wish I could find more info about online. Their official website is in French and is Flash based so it doesn’t lend well to translating. Anybody know more about them?

Their stunning art trays come in 3 different themes; vintage ladies, animals in nature, and hybrid human/animals attired in exquisite vintage clothing. The imagery is simply amazing, but it’s the colors that really grab me: brooding, muted shades with splashes of vivid color. Everything they make is truly a hybrid of modern and classic. Better still, the laminated trays are made from a recycled wood core!

And lest I forget to mention their newer offerings: furniture shaped like the lower half of an animal. The Basset Stool and Dog Stool (both shown above) are available in black or red. Joe the Polar Bear book shelf measures nearly 4′ tall and is super limited edition.

All but 4 of the trays offered at Burke Decor include Free Shipping in the USA.

Posted by Lauren in Household, So Pretty, Splurge, Unique
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This handmade wall art from artisan Toby Fraley is like a breath of fresh air. The bold color usage drew me in, and the idea of learning from nature about freedom makes this piece so endearing to me. I love art that clearly communicates a message while remaining lighthearted and accessible.

Oh, and it features animals in clothes! Birds in suits and ties: is there a cuter metaphor for “living free”?

$120

Check out more unique sculptures from UncommonGoods. Most pieces are either handmade, created with recycled materials, or both.

Posted by Lauren in Household, Indie
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We’ve mentioned personal gardens before; AeroGarden, Miniature Garden, Organic Dwarf Lemon Tree, Garden Fort, etc., but none were soooo eco-friendly they came in a biodegradable pot! Ha!

These 100% biodegradable pots are made from renewable grain husks, are certified organic, and will hold their shape and size for about 5 years. That’s a long time to grow some delicious herbs. As an added Green bonus, by growing plants indoors they will convert the CO2 you expel into Oxygen for your lungs. Yay for synergy!

Order yours today and choose between Lemon Basil, Lavender, Oregano or Parsley. Remember you can always pick up your own seeds from somewhere else and use those in these organic biodegradable pots. These make great green gifts for teachers, and families with kids to help show us all what goes into growing food.

$15.95

Find more green growing gifts in our Plants and Gardening gifts section.

Posted by Sean in Green Living, Household, Kids
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Free Chocolate! Free Chocolate!
Do I have your attention yet? Shop any day at Organic Style and you are supporting a sustainable and environmentally friendly company. Shop between now and March 23rd ‘08 and each Easter Bouquet purchased will come with a beautiful gift box that includes three pieces of our gourmet Swiss truffles made with organic ingredients. This makes a great green gift for that special person or family you send to this Easter season.

Although there are a few Easter bouquets to choose from, Mable’s recommends the Stargazer Lilies because of their sheer beauty and delicious fragrance that fills the room.

$39.95 - $59.95

Posted by Sean in Household, So Pretty
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Blik Surface Graphics provides awesome designs that we can easily affix to our walls, tables, mirrors, and other flat surfaces. Plus they are easily removable so it doesn’t ruin the surface it was once adhered to. They have many different designs to fit many decor styles, but I’m a big fan of bringing nature into our homes. My favorite nature inspired graphics is the 7.00 Wall Graphic which comes with seperate branches, branch nodes, leaves, and birds so you can arrange it all however you like. I really appreciate the modular setup Blik has with their wall stickers so the customer has more creative freedom with their decor. Buy some for your own place, or send them as a gift, either way they will surely bring a smile to those who get to enjoy them daily.

Other nature inspired wall stickers by Blik:

Flying Birds

Undersea Theme

Retro Googie Nature

Posted by Sean in Household, So Pretty, Unique
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Vintage furniture is a hot commodity on eBay and one of the most popular searches are for the infamous Eames styled items. Eames designed furniture sets the retro mood in any room decor which is partly why it is such a highly sought after design. Learn more about the Eames brothers’ revolutionary and award winning designs here. Remember to check out our retro furniture page for more decor ideas and our 50’s Clothing store for matching outfits.

Find the latest & greatest deals on vintage Eames furniture right now via eBay search. Below is a list of the hottest eBay auctions for Eames furniture.

Remember: Buying used items on eBay is another form of recycling and promotes a conscious shopping experience. Stay green!

Posted by Sean in Household, Retro and Vintage
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When you are looking for eco-friendly gifts Gaiam has a great selection of lifestyle products for those with a green heart. Right now, until the end of January they are having the Gaiam Green Sale 2008 with lots of organic bedding options up to 25% off their regular prices. Choose from organic cotton, organic hemp, and even organic buckwheat for proper spinal alignment and comfort.

BONUS COUPON: Get $10 off a $50+ purchase. Just use Coupon Code AP2P during checkout. Expires January 31st, 2008.

Posted by Sean in Household, Sale
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The Swiss Hot Steam Humidifier: This pretty little humidifier boils water to eliminate waterborne bacteria and viruses before emiting hot steam that improves ambient air moisture in these dry winter months. Deliciously scientific isn’t it? Now go buy one.
$99.95

The Best Electric Tea Kettle: This is the best electric tea kettle, simply because it outperformed all other models due to its awesome heat retention, quick boiling time (twice as fast), automatic shut-off, and safety features. The perfect gift for those tea lovers.
$69.95

Posted by Sean in Household
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It’s been a couple years or so now since we’ve been thinking how nice it would be to be able to turn any digital image into a wall decal. You can decorate your walls with literally any design of your own or, what seems to be fairly popular, get a near life size cutout of your child enjoying their favorite activity. Being able to display your favorite scenic picture you actually took yourself on your one trip out of this county up to 7 feet wide on your bedroom wall also crosses our minds as we think of the awesome possibilities Wallhogs can provide.

Printing options include the removable, reusable vinyl, glossy poster, or quality canvas. There is no minimum order, so you don’t have to order a bunch, and they encourage using your own photos although you can browse through what they offer as well.

Sarcasm alert. If you’re influenced by popular culture and the general census, then you’ll feel comfortable knowing bands and celebrities such as Gwen Stefani, Social Distortion, Offspring, and more are partnering with Wallhogs to let you put their logo/image on your wall to view everyday!

This could also make a great gift for the holidays by getting a life size removable vinyl decal of a new bike for your kid and set it up in their bedroom before they wake x-mas morning. Then film the results, put it on YouTube and send a link to the entire family. You might want to actually have the real bike waiting in the next room though. Maybe save money this holiday season on traveling by taking a family photo and send it to Grandma so she can put it on her wall instead of flying across the country. These are all viable options I’d like to officially suggest. If you have any official suggestions of your own please leave a comment as I’d like to know more. Check out their user submissions for more ideas.

Posted by Sean in Fun, Household, Unique
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