Who said eco-friendly design has to look like it was made from hemp plants and recycled burlap? Take, Trove, makers of photographic wallpaper. Not only is it incredibly artistic looking, the company uses water based ink on recycled linen or smooth papers. You can order 6 inch squares for $1 per sample and have colors customized. As if the black and white on metallic paper doesn’t go with everything.

Palecek, a home furnishings company known for their artisan work with rattan and wicker materials, has done a great job developing a more modern, metro design style, without abandoning their rustic roots. Palecek has been committed to using organic, sustainable materials long before it was fashionable, and continues their dedication to environmental conservation while producing some casually chic home furnishings and accessories. Of special note, is their lighting collection…

With all the negative publicity regarding plastics, tuperware, and nalgene bottles. we thought it was time to “clean house” so to speak and investigate alternative materials to keep our homes safe from toxins. The U.K. website, Ecocentric has many green products for the home that use recycled glass and low energy sources for items such as lighting as shown in the Icicle Chandelier, designed by Oliver Heath. If you are looking for products that are made closer to home, than Greenfeet may be for you. The fire and light Martini Glasses also made of recycled glass are sure to be a winner at summer parties.

We love a great bench- placed in an entrance hall, around a breakfast table, in a garden, or at the end of a bed. However, these three standalones are not your garden variety benches, and beautifully blur the line between art and function. Designer Jurgen Bey creates a dramatic “treetrunk bench” consisting of 3 bronze casts of chair backs that coordinate with your own fallen tree trunk. The artist reinforces the eco-friendly premise that “it is ridiculous to transport trees when they are locally available.” Rather pricey at over $20,000! but ingenious. Designer Bohuslav Horak’s Fertile Garden Bench is another innovative piece, a lacquered green seat with a painted iron back and an attached drink stand. Suitable for indoor or outdoor use. For a mod retro look, and a great twist on the traditional park bench, check out the Richard Himmel custom designed Lucite bench available at Bridges Over Time.

“A far cry from your grandfather’s office,” -such is the tagline from Izzy Design, a colorful, hip furniture line. The answer to today’s needs for a the conference room, home office, or perhaps, outdoor dining. Besides, being attractive and utilitarian, the Audrey collection is also made from post-consumer recycled materials with non-VOC paints. The Audrey is Greenguard certified, meaning it is ensured to NOT compromise your Indoor Air quality. Don’t forget to check out the cool colors and surfaces. Via Ecofabulous

Bobointriguingobjects.com showcases a distinctive line of furniture, mirrors and lighting from France, Belgium and Poland. There’s a bohemian bent to their products, featuring lots of re-claimed wood and organic materials, all with a modern design application. Bobo has a user friendly website, providing crisp images and sound descriptions; however, the collection is to the trade only.

This season’s most fashionable color treo, yellow, gray and black, is showcased in every stylish boutique this Spring. The pop of yellow is welcome this time of year, and the hue looks particularily sophisticated in home interiors when grounded with rich gray tones. L.A. designer Carla Lane, recently highlighted in Angeleno Magazine as one of the emerging design talents to watch, displays her bold use of color in this fabulous vignette. Large scale wallcoverings like this 1968 vintage pattern from Osborne & Little, takes on new drama since the design was re-introduced in this modern color way. A new collection from The Nought Collective, which specializes in the design and production of hand made silk rugs from Nepal, showcases a stunning carpet from their etu collection, Phoenicea in yellow. All of the hand-knotted carpets from this exclusive line can be woven in pure silk or incorporate blends of cashmere or Tibetan wool, and can be customized for size and color.

Based in Austin, Texas, Wildflower Organics offers upscale, environmentally friendly furnishings and linens. Their lighting selection is especially fun and original, and includes a Twisted Vine floor lamp made from old jungle vines and a chandelier made from reclaimed French Oak wine barrels. We’re also partial to their one of a kind finds like the Live Edge Teak Desk and Mondafi Side Table. Well worth a browse…

Raw Studios takes the idea of coffee tables to a new degree. This innovative UK company uses recycled coffee grounds to create a table with a funky look. They also manufacture a fabulous outdoor hanging chair.

If you are into salvaged or reclaimed furnishings, or simply want to see what is chic and yet environmentally sound, you must visit Ecofabulous. This is one of our favorite blogs because it gives insight into Green products that are fabulously hip. I was introduced to Hudson Furniture via Ecofabulous and can’t believe my good fortune.
Hudson Furniture uses the natural forms of trees and the inherent grain of wood from trees that have fallen from wind or storms. None of the woods they use are harvested from old growth trees. All Hudson furniture is available in custom dimensions, custom finishes and a variety of wood species such as Claro Walnut, Black Walnut, Myrtle, Jasmine, Acacia, Satinwood and Ebonized Pine.