Check it out... and product finder for green building materials in your are! This site is lacking a large amount of manufacturers, however, as the site develops, it will be come a great resource!

http://www.green2green.org

Using reclaimed or found items to create a focal point in a room can really make your space stand out. I love image below (found on design sponge). The designer/owner created interest by incorporating multiple found mirrors all ranging in size and style.  All it took was a few thrift shop runs to create this look! Its easy,inexpensive and keeps these items out of the dumpster.

In the past few years we have seen some amazing developments in product life cycles. William McDonough and the Cradle to Cradle concept has opened both manufactures and consumers eyes to the use and end use of products. We have seen many companies adopt the Cradle to Cradle certification, however, there has been one glitch I have noticed over the years. A product may be able to be made into itself in a closed loop cycle, but how is the product at the end of its life cycle actually identified and reclaimed? 

During a recent quest to select a fabric for one of my projects, I came across  the new FRESH line from Valley Forge Fabrics. The fresh line is made of 100% recycled plastics and is processed into fibers. In addition, Valley Forge has nailed to concept of reclamation and has clearly outlined this process to allow both the designer and end user to use this program effectively. Both the fabric line and the finished product or furniture piece the fabric is places on is identified with the recycle symbol below. When the fabric or furniture piece is replaced Valley Forge will pick up their FRESH fabrics and deliver it to the closets fabric recycler who will then will turn the fabric into blankets, foam for pillows, plastics for car interiors, and other various plastics in the open market. Although the fabrics are not being upcycled (which they are working on), the fabric fibers are diverted from the landfill into another useful product.  Valley Forge FRESH fabrics are a great resource for ecotextiles.

Thursday, September 10th, ForestEthics- a non profit organization dedicated to saving the trees, put on a glam, oh so Eco Chic event called 100 Million Trees.

The party's hostess, Nadine Well created an inspirational environment with bio-dynamic wines, sustainable fashion, hors d'oeuvres, an eco silent auction and some of the tastiest cocktails I have had in a long time! Everywhere you went, you were surrounded by goodness. Not only was the scene festive and fun, but it also brought together a group of people that all came from different walks of the sustainable world and were able to inspire each other in different ways. It was a feel good party for a fantastic cause. 

 The New York Times has an fantastic article about homes and how others have reused someone trash to create architectural inspiration. Take a look to see more!