killer color
As we approach Blue Monday (which many say is statistically the most depressing day of the year based on a formula including dreary weather, lack of sun, post-holiday depression and debt), consider adding a bit of new color into your life. Kevin and I were definitely feeling low so we deciding to do a bit [...]
greening my life
Do you ever effortlessly sink into a book when the content is relatable, but then the story becomes so familiar that you feel as though the writer may have snuck into your house and scanned your journal? That is how I felt reading my friend David Gottfried’s latest book, Greening My Life. The book [...]
the gift that keeps on giving
Last summer I was at the beautiful Sim Van Der Ryn house and garden. Sim, one of our most treasured green building godfathers, is not only a remarkable and innovative architect, but also a nurturing gardener. He cut a stalk of his chard for me to plant in my own “garden” (ok, I use the [...]
smart fire
I love fire. I hate to admit it, but I do. When Kevin and I were designing and building our house, it was the one decision we really struggled with. While we knew that having a wood-burning fire place was not good for the environment by emitting ashes, soot and carbon toxins, we didn’t want [...]
green materials + systems
With all projects we work on, we use sustainable principles when designing, including:
thoughtful design (designing to use less)
material efficiency (materials that are renewable and recyclable)
energy conservation (with the goal of achieving net-zero)
water efficiency (reducing water consumption and recycling water for irrigation)
healthy spaces (materials that are low and no-VOCs and incorporating air filtration systems).
systems built (utilizing [...]
cool and clean
This fan by Dyson is pretty interesting. It draws air in and amplifies it 15 times, producing an uninterrupted stream of smooth air. Since there are no blades, it means it is safe and easy to clean. Plus the design is aesthetically clean and simple. The technology is used in a range of fan [...]
sky planting
Defy gravity and reduce watering by 80% through the use of these unique upside-down planters by Boskke. These plants in the Smart Home: Green + Wired at the Museum of Science and Industry show that you can save space (maximize your floorspace), conserve water (potted plants commonly lose water through evaporation and drainage which these [...]
education in a box
One of my very favorite green products on the market is the Earthbox. The Earthbox doubles the yield of a conventional garden, with less water, less fertilizer, virtually no effort. They are great for adding to your courtyard, roof deck, balcony or backyard. Earthbox is also wonderful for countries short on water, healthy food [...]
more eco-beauty at twitter
Today there was new space added to the Twitter HQ, doubling their size. Designed by the lovely and talented Sara Morishige Williams (@sara), the newest spaces are consistent with the philosophy of the existing offices that opened last November (which we wrote about). Sara (and Twitter) wanted to create a healthy environment, so she chose [...]
cradle to cradle institute launch today
Architect William McDonough and chemist Dr. Michael Braungart made a huge splash on the green scene in 2002 with their book Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things and have since created an entire movement. Their Cradle to Cradle® (C2C) framework is a paradigm shift to eliminate waste through innovative design. [...]
green it yourself: cork mud mat
Cork can do a lot more than just keep wine safely in its bottle. In fact, there is an unbelievable number of creative and practical uses for this great, eco-friendly material. This is one of our favorite: a mud room mat. Besides being a rapidly renewable resource, cork is super durable and water resistant, so [...]
Better Fire
I love fire. I hate to admit it, but I do. When Kevin and I were designing and building our house, it was the one decision we really struggled with. While we knew that having a wood-burning fire place was not good for the environment by emitting ashes, soot and carbon toxins, we didn’t want [...]
youtube shows us how to live green
In anticipation of Earth Day on April 22, YouTube has teamed up with Sun Chips to launch an entire channel devoted to all things green. The new Live Green YouTube channel is a one-stop-shop for videos devoted to helping you live a more eco-friendly life. In addition to videos from Live Green partners like Discovery [...]
green it yourself: living wall garden
We’re not all lucky enough to have a big yard in which to grow a garden. Sometimes all you have to work with is a tiny apartment balcony or a teeny walled-in yard. If that sounds familiar, then a living wall garden could be just what you need. A living wall garden mounts vertically on [...]
green it yourself: eco outdoor fire
Who doesn’t love a big roaring fire, especially one you can enjoy outdoors? Unfortunately, all the smoke produced by backyard fire pits is yet another source of air pollution. The majority of our beloved wood-burning devices emit particulates at the very eco-unfriendly rate of 20 to 60 grams per hour of operation. This smoke contributes [...]
