Our friends over at Q Collection recently sent out an email blast highlighting the steps they've taken to become more sustainable in their fabrics, furnishings and accessories lines. 

Here's one of my favorite pieces, the Abigail Settee:

You might have one of these little wonders in your refrigerator right now.  After you read this list from a New York Times article, I bet you'll be energized to try some of the ideas right away!  Home-related ideas at the top (we are focused on interiors here, after all).

Looking for a green way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean.  Not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but it won't leave streaks and won't harm your fingers or fingernails while you clean.

Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower?  Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror. It will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

Can you see a plastic box soundsystem on your shelf or desktop from where you are sitting now?  Does it appear from this accessory as if you enjoy plastic packaging more than the quality furniture in your home or office?  Does it actually jar you out of peacefully enjoying Mozart when you look at this piece of plastic crap cranking out your beloved tunes?

Next time you need to replace your broken stereo, consider this Vers system instead.  The design idea was inspired by a classic 1955 Zenith radio that co-founder David Laituri has owned since he was 12.  He and partner Tim Trzepacz worked together at Brookstone before they started Vers as an alternative to plastic-encased sound systems.  They wanted a high-quality sound system that would look smart and also be sustainable (each Vers 1.5R system replaces 80% of what could be plastic with wood).

My family was ahead of the eco-friendly trend when it came to wrapping paper. In the 80s, we wrapped the lids and bottoms of boxes separately with our favorite paper, allowing us to re-use year after year with just a fresh ribbon (and sometimes even a reused one!) In the 90s, we made or purchased fabric gift bags with drawstring ribbons that allow for easy access. Not only are these ideas simple and reduce wrapping waste and stress, but they have also become beloved holiday memories themselves: who will receive the Snoopy box or the snowman bag this year? You can even hold a craft-party with friends and family to make your boxes and bags out of scraps from your other projects!

Here's another great holiday idea that holds up year-round:

Don't you just hate spending time and money using harsh chemicals to clean your home and office?  Wish you could use nothing but water and a cloth to get your interiors really sparkly clean?  Now you can!