I know I often espouse the environmental benefits of bamboo as a pillar of sustainability (if harvested sustainably and treated with non-toxic finishes). To drive the point home, consider these snippets of one of my favorite grass' splendor: Bamboo can be harvested in seven years versus the ten to fifty years it takes for softwoods and hardwoods. It also yields up to twenty times more material than wood, and one bamboo clump can produce 200 poles in the five years it takes one tree to reach maturity. For all your "wood" needs, bamboo is an incredibly durable and rapidly renewable alternative. And if you're not thoroughly convinced about integrating bamboo into your home or office for stylist reasons....

I work long hours and spend a copious amount of time sitting on my behind (literally speaking), and though stressing comfort and ergonomic support is important, I certainly cannot get on board with a chair that emits Volatile Organic Compounds. Nor do I want to contribute to landfill waste. And of course I NEED to keep the office looking ever so chic, which is why the Think Chair is the official seat of ecofabulous (my company). But there is a new chair in town with a lower price tag, a more traditional look and a serious certification - the Amia seat (also from Steelcase). This throne has garnered itself Gold Cradle to Cradle Certification for environmental performance through MBDC. Every aspect of the Amia's life - from conception to inception to execution - has been assessed to ensure this product (or its material components at least) can lead many, many lives to come. 

I just uncovered the best resource for rustic, farm fresh furniture and cabinetry in Massachusetts. Staples Cabinet Makers takes old tables, ice chests, doors and just about anything that can be repurposed into cottage-style furniture. I think the kitchen islands are particularly compelling. For something that fits into any house, I like these hand-turned bowls from wood that comes out of old barns, mills and houses (that would otherwise have become landfill). The vessels are finished with Velvit Oil - a soy-based product - achieving a smooth, satiny surface. Staples "wedding bowls" cracks and crevices are highlighted to emphasize the uniqueness of the individual piece. Just don't try to use this as a cereal bowl. These gorgeous works of art call for still life only. 

While static electricity might not top your list of criteria to avoid when purchasing new carpeting, it definitely clocks in as an added bonus to ecohaus' recycled fiber carpets. The brightly colored carpets give new life to plastic soda bottles on their way to the landfill - on average, each square yard of carpeting contains polyester fiber from about 40 two-liter bottles. And, according to the National Association for Plastic Container Recovery, ecohaus' soda bottle supplier buys more recycled bottles than any other company in the U.S. I'll drink to that.

I have been pondering this Capsule Light from Mio. On one hand I am drawn to it because it is funky and hip. On the other hand, it conjures up images of 60's shag and resembles a prescription pill. What do you think? Made with 100 percent wool and locally sourced materials, the Capsule Light's contrasting color shells work to direct and diffuse light, which creates an alluring glow. Renewable, recyclable, and compostable, this mod fixture also uses compact fluorescent light bulbs (if you don't know why that is important, get all the earth-friendly-facts about them here) and here. If your pad is cool enough to pull this off, you might want to pop one.

With summer heating things up I am about to spend lots of time at the beach with my kids, but junky plastic pails and shovels are really unappealing to an eco-mom. Most of them contain phthalates (banned in the EU) and Bisphenol-A (BPA - an endocrine disruptor). That is why I was so excited to find Green Toys! These super cute sets, which even include a sand castle form, are as adorable as they are durable. They're made from post consumer recycled plastic (mainly milk jugs), don't have any of the icky aforementioned toxins and operations are strictly domestic - from material sourcing through to shipping. In fact, these toys ship out in recycled paper products instead of traditional plastics and films. Green Toys are available in more than 400 stores nationally; to find one near you, click here. P.s., they also have sweet tea sets (my daughter's birthday present), indoor gardening, sand and dining kits!

With summer fast approaching I'm always on the lookout for sustainable ways to entertain outdoors. How much do I love these ocean blue parfait glasses made  from recycled bottles? They're the "perfect" vessel for delicious concoctions of organic seasonal fruit and yogurt. If it's too hot to play the pastry chef,  just fill them up with an icy cold beverage at your next soiree.  Available at VivaTerra.

I love filling my beautiful antique lanterns with candles, but melting petroleum isn't exactly inviting. In reaction to that realization many soy solutions are heating up the scene. Not to be outshined, the celebrity community is rapidly entering the eco-space. Sandra Bullock has just launched her Bessence candle collection, using a soy-based wax to replace the customary petroleum-derived paraffin, utilizing lead-free wicks and combining plant and flower essential oils to create four luxurious scents - that way you get 50 hours of clean burning pleasure. The packaging, besides being beautiful, is made from recycled materials with non-toxic inks

I LOVE summer but I HATE mosquitoes. What is a nature loving, blood-protecting girl supposed to do? Bug Off! has come up with a multitude of ways to arm yourself naturally against pests. Using ingredients such as blends of citronella, rosemary, lemongrass and geranium essential oils (all of which are Mother Nature’s insect repellents), Bug Off! makes it easy to put down the deet. They have wipes, soy candles, spritzers, soaps, oils, shampoos and a bug rub that contains shea butter. And for that tiny spot you may have missed (and there’s always one), Bug Off! makes a Bug Bite Soother. If you are visiting a tropical locale (take me please), you really must stock up. When I’m covered in bumps, the tan just doesn’t seem worth it!

Had he not already had a side table, I would have gotten this for my son's nautically inspired room. It would also be chic in my tasting room...if I had a tasting room. I feel like writing about the reuse of wine barrels could be a little cliche, but if you like slightly rustic wood, this could be just the table you are searching for. After a couple years doing its job of imparting complexities unto fermenting grapes, these barrels generally find themselves tossed in landfills. This side table, handmade in Georgia, is a great example of finding a creative way to get the most out of something valuable - oak. What results is a well-crafted, salvage piece that honors the curvature of its predecessor.

My girlfriend, who is presently remodeling her house just asked me what to do with all of her perfectly useful appliances and fixtures, so I began to research. Of course, Freecycle is an excellent local option, but if she lived on the East Coast I would have raved about Green Demolitions. The socially (and inadvertently eco) company says that their service is a "win, win" situation. But this is more like a "win, win, win, win" situation. Green Demolitions will bring along a crew of contractors to extract all the useful items (for free). Then they'll sell them at a fraction of the going price in one of their three stores (New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania) or online at greendemolitions.org, give you a tax deduction and put the profits towards their charity to help people overcome addictions. The donor, the customer, the charity and the earth all come out on top!

There are a number of gnarled, natural looking furniture pieces popping up everywhere from the most luxurious depots to mass market stores. Though I encourage you to place these pieces sparingly, it is exciting that the serpentine artistry of an entwined root is no longer relegated to the outdoors and that nothing has to be chopped down to indulge an al fresco aesthetic. I have a particular penchant for the Vivaterra multi-tiered receptacle. Vivaterra salvages the roots, trunks and limbs from fallen trees (actually, they vow that they never cut trees down for any of their wooden pieces) and that their select artisans hand-construct these stands to receive  jackets, purses, scarfs and hats. Applying an all-natural, burnt finish, the twists and turns are rich and imaginative and, surely, they will spruce up just about any foyer. And if you fancy some driftwood  elsewhere in your home, Vivaterra also offers a corresponding bookcase, table, stool, and framed mirror (keep in mind the "sparingly" comment above).

Pottery Barn continues is foray into sustainable and natural products with it's 'Botanica' collection. Pottery Barn has endeavored to make every inch of this classically-styled line eco-friendly and built to last. The  sofa, chair and ottoman  feature  kiln-dried hardwood frames from forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (fsc), recycled steel springs, foam cores made from 20-30% soy-based materials, cushions stuffed with recycled plastic fibers, organic cotton upholstery and more. Easy on the eyes  and the pocketbook, 'Botanica' is a comfortable entree to  eco-furniture.

Flying may not be the most eco-friendly of endeavors (to put it mildly), but it is one of those necessary evils. I live in San Francisco but I have to be in New York (at Domino) and in Los Angeles far too frequently. Ever since Virgin America launched I have been unable to fly anything else. The service, chic design and awesome entertainment make it irresistible. Now I can assuage my eco-guilt a little because two San Francisco based companies have come together to make Earth Day travel a little bit lighter. The trailblazing "people against dirty" over at Method Home will be providing their cool "Plastic Bag Rehab" tote filled with their easy-on-the-planet, easy-on-the-eyes cleaning products to every passenger on Virgin America's flights this Earth Day, April 22nd. And for every flyer, Virgin and Method will donate $3 to the California Parks Foundation. All the while, sit back and relax in front of a seatback touch-screen that will include viewings of Al Gore's new "Climate in Crisis" TED talk (a must see!) among other green broadcasts. Don't forget to offset your flight, though. I use SavingSpecies.org or Terrapass.com to minimize my footprint. Now, kick back and enjoy the illuminated ride.

Unveiling contemporary, custom furnishings, the Moe Design Studio in New Mexico has taken what was once probably slated for landfill and turned it into timeless possessions for the home. Talk about extending the life! From such obscure places as a tobacco barn in Tennessee and an old textile mill in Massachusetts, discarded architectural elements are reshaped with non-toxic, eco-friendly adhesives and finishing materials mostly sourced through a local company, BioShield. I've got my eye on the Olathe Table; available with a variety of insertable tops (glass, stone or wood) and reclaimed hickory or oak; it's a table that's amenable to your personal tastes, available from Vivavi.

Palm Woven is a recent (and my favorite) addition to Smith & Fong's Durapalm repertoire. This un-wood comes from plantation grown coconut palms which grow abundantly throughout the world. After a palm's useful life (about 100 years for nut production), they are replaced by younguns. Smith & Fong utilizes these felled oldies but goodies (otherwise generally discarded) while also providing  supplemental income to the farmers. With non-toxic adhesives and formaldehyde-free finishes, Durapalm also meets LEED criteria for low-emissions. Palm Woven comes in easily interlocking panels for a unique textural surface that makes a serious statement. I can see this as an accent wall or a back splash, but I would love to hear your ideas for use!

Organic sheets have been around for a long time, but kids want bold colors and patterns, and finding that in an organic option has been next to impossible, until now, that is.  I like Pixel Organics because they meet my stringent environmental demands while quenching my children's thirst for fun. Made in the US, the organic cotton, sustainable and regenerated fibers are spun into pajamas and sheets. Dyes are solely water-based, and the company relies on eco-friendly materials like REFILL - regenerated PET (PolyEthylene Terephthalate) fibers from processing discarded bottles, recycled into the fill for their pillows and mattresses - and Pure Grow Wool. A member of 1% for the Planet, Pixel Organics also produces pillows and mattress pads for the younger crowd.  If you live in LA, you can pick up Pixel Organics at my super stylish sister's new store on Abbot Kinney - Eden's Green Closet (named after my adorable niece). I will post about it in the next few days, so stay tuned!

When I was setting up my first baby's room I scoured all of the the stores in my area and the web to find furniture that didn't compromise my aesthetics nor the health of my child. It was a futile experiment. Thankfully for any ecofabulous new moms, there are now a number of excellent options. Lullaboo line from Celery is firmly committed to providing nursery digs that are good for parents (think easy assembly with NO hardware needed), good for baby (healthy and safe) and good for the environment (no deforestation or nasty emissions here). Selecting bamboo with non-toxic adhesives and 100% recycled formaldehyde-free medium density fiberboard with zero to low-VOC finishes, you won't have to worry about damaging the Indoor Air Quality of perhaps the most important room in the house - the nursery. And it converts into an adorable bed for toddlers, extending its useful life! The Lullaboo Crib comes in quite a few color configurations and has complimenting accessories, such as the chic changing table, a kid-sized rocking chair and a modern take on the classic rocking horse. For an even earlier start, check out Celery's cool cradle. Celery focused on creating great furniture but the website definitely leaves something to be improved, however, Lullaboo is easy to find on the web so I encourage you to buy from a dealer you trust and one that promises to deliver in time for your special delivery!

Light fixtures that flatter CFLs can be difficult to find. I was excited to find Propellor Design studio in Vancouver that has a modern take on the ubiquitous chandelier with an inventive eco twist - inside and out. The Calvino is a grouping of seven pendants constructed from trusted Teragren bamboo (contributes toward LEED certification) with a 100% pure walnut oil finish and a canopy of upcycle-able aluminum, finished with natural linseed oil and beeswax. In addition, this fixture comes equipped with CFLs and is shipped in recycled packaging. It is sure to warm up any narrow space with a great deal of volume. I can see it illuminating a grand staircase...too bad I have a one story!

Woodson & Rummerfield interior design studio is an amazing resource for modern interpretations of period furniture. I have recently been wooed (or cooed) by their recycled/recyclable wallpapers, like the Victorian-inspired Bird Cages. Silkscreened using low-VOC vegetable-based inks and dyes, choose from White & Lime or Pink & Ivory. These designers of the new PETA headquarters in Los Angeles play with the fabled romanticism of an empty bird cage without clipping any flights of fancy. But there are lots of other whimsical papers to please a variety of aesthetics. And while you are on the site, make sure to take a peek at their Hollywood glamorous furniture as well.

DIRT takes candles from dirty to clean in one fell swoop. With 100% soy wax from organically grown soybeans, not only do they burn longer than their paraffin conventional counterpart, but don't emit noxious soot into the air. Coupled with aroma essential oil blends that are free from synthetic fillers or diluters (not to mention phthalates!), DIRT CANDLES snuffs the average flicker with unique and complex scents. I'm currently loving one of their newest additions, the Nitty Gritty, which contains organic soil, ripe tomatoes, fresh Mediterranean sage and hints of Malabar grass and celery seed. Doesn't sound like the ambiance you're looking for? Don't despair; you've got nineteen more amazing bouquets to choose from. Encapsulated in recycled glass and paper, DIRT delivers.

Studio 1a.m. in Chicago is both eco-innovative and conceptually imaginative. Take the post-modern This Table Will Self-Destruct. Each time this table is constructed an additional "pixel" is removed from the design, where the tabletop is considered the "grid." And they'll keep building the table until they've removed too many pixels for it to be of practical use. Talk about getting in on a limited edition, artistic endeavor. Each one-of-a-kind creation is made from a concrete blend using slag and fly ash - industrial byproducts. The base is made from reclaimed Walnut. So far, 25 pixels have been removed. If it is your thing, you better act fast. 26 seems much smarter than 62!

The effluents produced in the textile industry are awful - potentially containing hundreds of chemicals, the most prevalent of which include ammonia, methanol and toluene - all dangerous to human and environmental health (according to the EPA). One way to ensure the fabrics that drape throughout your interiors are of a cleaner derivative is to select a company that respects their weavers as artists and are genuinely committed to sustainable practices. Lulan does just that. Using natural fibers with low-impact dyes, all of their ethnic-inspired deep hued designs are created by hand from start to finish. Visit one of their showrooms in Charleston, South Carolina; Las Vegas; San Francisco; or access their diverse plethora of fabrics online.