While I was browsing the Net for a ceiling fixture, I found this company called Eleek out of Oregon.  They  seem to have a strong committment to the environment as evidenced by their awards and mission statement.

"Eleek is committed to creating a better world by combining visionary ideals with practical actions: We are committed to understanding and reducing Eleek's impact on the natural environment, and to creating a workplace that fosters community, creativity and personal growth. Toward that end, we will continually seek out cleaner and greener materials, processes, and paradigms. We will incorporate changes as quickly and thoroughly as we can feasibly do so, with the ultimate goal of a positive environmental and social impact. We will work with our employees, our customers, our vendors and our peers to raise the consciousness and standards of our industry."

"Eleek products are durable and timelessly beautiful, designed for non-obsolescence from the start."

"Eleek castings are made of recycled metals whenever possible, with the highest possible post-consumer content. Our cast aluminum, for instance, is 100% recycled with a post-consumer content between 70-100%, depending on the product line. Pewter, bronze, cast iron and aluminum remnants are utilized in casting. We recycle all other scrap metal."

Way Basics is simple, practical and versatile modular furniture. They have shelves, tables, desks, dividers and whatever else your imagination and creativity lets you create.

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. 

I found a great link on Martha Stewart that gives you a thorough how-to on making your own roller window blind.  This would be a nifty weekend project for blocking all that sun we are going to get in the East Bay next week -- blocking sun = ecofriendly, AC = not!   

http://www.alternative-windows.com/roller-blind.htm

StudioNola is a great option for those of you that are looking for affordable sustainable furniture. Its concept is to create innovative, affordable modern furniture while considering the production process. Some of the questions StudioNola has in mind is: Can good design be inexpensive? Should good design be available to more of those who want it? Isn’t sustainability as much about durability, functionality and aesthetics as it is sustainable materials?