Design for Green Living & Wellness

The Green Design Competition

2012-01-10T19:12:00.000+02:00

The Green Design Competition is a competition for entrepreneurs in the design industry, for individuals (and teams) with a vision of what the future of design should look like. The aim of the competition is to find the talented entrepreneurs in the industry who aim to create a new product which sustains biodiversity.

THE COMPETITION QUESTION IS:
Design a product and write a business plan, which explains how your design contributes to sustaining Biodiversity.
Applicants for The Green Design Competition can be individuals, teams or recently established brands based anywhere in the world. They should be able to design a product (which will significantly contribute to sustaining biodiversity, either by concept, design and production, or usage) and have entrepreneurial aspirations within the design industry. Sustaining our world’s biodiversity should be part of their vision, integrated in their company’s functioning.

The GREEN BATHROOM

2012-01-03T18:08:00.001+02:00

One of the most steady trends in contemporary interior design is Green design and an important manifestation of the green trend is the use of resource-efficient features like low-flow faucets, low-E windows, powerful insulation and natural choices and eco-consciousnessfor furnishing for our homes. This makes us feel guilty when using the bathtub, but you don’t have to take a shower every time. Design can help us solve this problem. One good solution is Duravit's intelligent answers to the question of whether it’s possible to take a bath without having a guilty conscience, offering bathtubs that, thanks to the optimum use of space, conserve our water resources by every means possible.
For example, the inside of the Paiova bathtub is ergonomically and intelligently shaped to ensure maximum bathing fun with minimum water consumption. Also, it allows for another way of saving water: its trapezoidal shape offers space for two people to lie side by side. It’s even more comfortable with the optional neckrest. The step that matches the bathtub panelling in American Cherry (real wood veneer) makes it easier to get in and out.

You like the idea? More ideas for green - and fun - design of our bathrooms will follow soon.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-26T12:47:00.002+02:00

Herb garden

2011-11-26T15:46:00.000+02:00

A green island bursting with flavour - and you can have it inside your home!There's no doubt that meals created with fresh herbs just taste better. The Royal VKB Herb Garden makes it easy to always have fresh herbs on hand. Fresh herbs of all types can be stored, organized and kept within arm's reach in the sleekly shaped and portable Herb Garden tub. Cut off just the amount needed with the accessorizing scissors stored in the integrated pocket.

Herb Garden by Royal VKB

UrbanTile - Concept Design for Sustainable Energy

2011-09-03T12:29:00.000+03:00

This blog is aimed at showing how green design can help our lives and contribute to our wellbeing. The product that you see left is a great example of exactly this. It was designed by Meidad Marzan, an industrial design student from the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, Jerusalem. Its name is UrbanTile - a small solar panel that can be flipped to reveal a light-emitting screen. Banded together into rows, the panels make a window blind that forms a light or an entertainment display. It will use the solar energy that city buildings absorb during the day for their lighting needs at night.

UrbanTile was Merzan’s graduation project for his course in the Industrial Design Dept. at Bezalel Academy of Art & Design in Jerusalem. The Urban. The panels could be made from aluminum and stainless steel, featuring an OLED screen on one side and photovoltaic panel on the other. Incorporating electrical motors to move them, they could be programmed to turn automatically at different times of the day. Designed to be mounted into windows, the panels could be turned to rest at various angles allowing light in during the day whilst absorbing solar energy.

In the evening, the OLED screens would be turned to face indoors to light up rooms and also provide a bank of screens for media playback. At night, the light emitting side could also be turned outwards to produce engaging patterns of light

From Clean Technica

Urban wall garden with magnetic pots

2011-08-29T13:36:00.001+03:00

Urban wall gardens are growing in numbers these days, but this is something new - it is created with magnetic pots! A great way to enable those living in apartments and lofts or working in offices to have their green garden even in a very limited space. As Sprinwise reports, there is a

"wave of innovative ideas for urban dwellers to grow plants and herbs in limited space, and the latest seed of inspiration comes from US company Urbio with their “magically magnetic urban vertical garden”... Pots made of eco-plastic contain a large neodymium magnet which attach them to each other as well as to the modular magnetic back plates which can be mounted onto walls or ferrous surfaces, creating a vertical garden. The magnets are strong enough to hold the pots to the wall when filled with plants, and pots can be removed with a firm tug to be watered."

Introducing Urbio for Myurbio.com from Enlisted Design on Vimeo.

New Report Assesses Cancer Risk of Chemicals in Building Materials | News | Architectural Record

2011-07-03T10:38:00.000+03:00

U.S officials have issued a warning list of chemicals and biological agents that may put people at increased risk for cancer. The congressionally mandated 12th Report on Carcinogens (RoC), prepared for the Department of Health and Human Services and released on June 10, contains new classifications for several substances found in building materials....

The new version of the RoC follows legislation passed a year ago by Congress limiting emissions of formaldehyde from hardwood plywood, particleboard, and medium-density fiberboard. The limits are based on state regulation established in 2007 by the California Air Resources Board. Although many materials, including structural plywood, structural composite lumber, and oriented strand board are exempt, some sources predict that the RoC’s release will help regulators broaden the legislation’s scope. “The report could strengthen the hand of the Environmental Protection Agency to extend the regulations to more product types,” says Tom Lent, policy director with the Healthy Building Network, an advocacy group working to reduce the environmental and health impacts of building materials.

Several manufacturers already offer products made with alternative or low-emissions binders. So, in many ways, the reclassification of formaldehyde “is a reinforcement of an assessment already made,” says Lent. He maintains that the report’s new designation for styrene as a reasonably anticipated carcinogen is more significant. “It’s the strongest assessment of styrene’s carcinogenic properties to date,” he says. Styrene is an industrial chemical used to make plastics and rubber. It is the key component of expanded and extruded polystyrene insulation, and is also found in some carpeting, carpet backing, and carpet adhesives. The cancer risk associated with products that incorporate the compound is linked primarily to exposure during the manufacturing process, according to the RoC.

The report’s release could reduce pressure on one set of manufacturers — those that make building insulation from glass wool. Previous versions had labeled “Glass Wool (Respirable Size)” as a substance reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen. But the new report narrows the type of fibers considered problematic to “Certain Glass Wool Fibers (Inhalable),” since these have been found to be more biopersistent. Although such “inhalable” fibers are found in some building applications, such as high-efficiency air filters and acoustical insulation, the adjustment, according to Lent, shifts the focus away from the type of general-purpose fibers used widely in batt insulation.

New Report Assesses Cancer Risk of Chemicals in Building Materials | News | Architectural Record

Counter made of recycled plastic bottles

2011-06-01T16:57:00.001+03:00

If you are looking for latest green design to apply it yout kitchen, then soon you are going to be able to have your kitchen counter made recycled plastic bottles - 'LineUp' is % that was presented at this year's ICFF. It is highly resistant and suitable for surfaces such as tabletops and counters subject to lot wear and tear.

source

Design for Green Living and Wellness is among the Top Green Living Blog award winners

2011-05-27T22:09:00.002+03:00

I was so pleased to learn that my blog Design for Green Living and Wellness is among the Top Green Living Blog award winners presented by Massage Therapy Schools! Thanks!

MassageTherapySchools.net

Vertical Garden

2010-12-13T11:48:00.000+02:00

can be a good solution in urban compact living - look at the suggestion by Chooi Leng Tan below! A very clever solution and also a great way of using pottery - I suppose that with a little effort we can all create a garden like this in our homes and enjoy its aesthetic and health impact.

source:

Easy Green Cleaning: Use Steam

2010-12-04T11:51:00.000+02:00

Cleaning is an intensive process and most people think that green cleaning is even more intensive. Fortunately, it’s only as intensive as you want it to be.

You’re here because you know that using chemical laden cleaners just isn’t right for your health, your family’s health or the planet’s. This is the age of technology; shouldn’t there be green cleaning machines? Well, there are, and one of these machines is called the steam cleaner.

The steam cleaner or steam mop is one of the few cleaning machines that do not require any chemical solutions to clean. In fact, all it needs is plain tap water.

Each steam cleaner has a water tank where you pour the suggested amount of water and allow it to heat for the required time. Basically, the water is heated until it forms steam which is then pushed through various attachments which you use to steam clean.

Most steam cleaners come with a wide range of attachments which allow you to use them for different purposes. There are usually different sizes of brushes, squeegees, concentrator nozzles and pads for steam mops. These specific attachments can help you to clean around a toilet, grill, widows, inside your oven and more.

How does it work? The steam which is heated at high temperatures (between 100°C to over 300°C) basically sterilizes and sanitizes the area on which it is applied. The heat causes bacteria and other harmful microorganisms to be instantly killed. In your home, there are numerous types of bacteria that can harm you which include: E.coli, salmonella, Clostridium and more. Fortunately, the high temperature of the steam causes the bacteria to denature and thus die.

Using steam allows you to clean numerous surfaces which include your floors, carpets, kitchen, bathroom fixtures, furniture and just about anything else. If you’re still wondering about the power and cleaning ability of steamers, then you should know that steam cleaners are used throughout various industries. Industrial strength steamers are used by food and restaurant businesses as well as by numerous hospitals and health facilities. These machines are in demand because of their ability to deliver powerful high grade cleaning.

When purchasing a steam cleaner, there are a few factors you should be aware of and take into consideration. These include your budget and your cleaning needs.

There are many brands of steamers which include offerings from Shark, Bissell, Haan, Monster, VaporClean, Ladybug and many more. Besides the different brands you can purchase different types which include steam mops, hand held steamers and canister type.

The cost of a steam cleaner can be as low as $40 and as high as $1,500+ for industrial types. This however shouldn’t be a deterrent as a good household steam cleaner will cost in the range of $100 - $200 and is definitely worth the investment. It is not only good for the environment and your home, but also for your pocket. Have you ever calculated how much you spend on cleaning solutions per year? I bet it would add up to a tidy sum. However, a steam cleaner is truly an investment as you will never have to undergo the recurring cost of buying cleaning solutions for your home.

This machine is one that shouldn’t be overlooked. It’s green, affordable, cleans superbly without chemicals, improves your home air quality and saves you money in the long term. Can it get any better than that?

This is a guest post by Cindy Sha who has enjoyed using steam cleaners as they are completely chemical free and make cleaning a breeze and who writes steam cleaner reviews. I hope you will find this information useful and inspiring.

Green Pockets

2010-10-20T12:38:00.000+03:00

Green Pockets is the name of these ingenious wall tiles by Maruja Fuentes - an architect and a professor at the International School of Design of the Turabo in Puerto Rico. A great tool for creating a living wall in your home or office. They are also green because they are produced from re-used materials.

A smarter way to clean - Green cleaning product sold in cartridges

2010-07-25T15:27:00.003+03:00

diluted at home with tap water:
The iQ cleaning system is a revolutionary approach to cleaning. It combines the most advanced green cleaning formulas with a brand new packaging system – one that dramatically reduces excess plastic and waste. Developed by Planet People, the iQ line of household cleaning products features small cartridges of plant-based concentrate which consumers pop in a spray bottle filled with ordinary tap water. iQ comes in four varieties: glass, bathroom, floor and all-purpose cleaner. All made with non-toxic and environmentally sustainable ingredients. Besides reducing packaging and plastic waste, the system obviously cuts down on transportation, reducing fuel consumption and vehicle emissions.
(via Springwise)

See your product here

Stylish and Green Gifts Ideas

2009-12-12T15:30:00.000+02:00

Green gifts give double pleasure - both for the eye and for being eco-conscious. Make yourself and your friends happy - may be one of these ideas will help you!

Stylish Reusable Bags Pack of 5

April Cornell Luxe Honeycomb Guest Towel in the color of 2010 - turquoise!

Proteak Teak Cutting Board Rectangle Edge Grain

Houseplants for Cleaner Idoor Air

2009-03-21T14:36:00.004+02:00

Researcher and activist Kamal Meattle shows how an arrangement of three common houseplants, used in specific spots in a home or office building, can result in measurably cleaner indoor air. With its air-filtering plants and sustainable architecture, Kamal Meattle's office park in New Delhi is a model of green business. Meattle himself is a longtime activist for cleaning up India's air.
These are the three plants that can help you achieve cleaner indoor air.

Creating new beauty from recycled glass

2008-11-20T13:37:00.004+02:00

The Italian company Trend - an international manufacturer and distributor of mosaic tile and surface collections that reflect an awareness and respect of the earth's natural and limited resources - introduces a unique collection of mosaics FEEL. They are obtained by the recycled glass thrown into bottle banks and contain a minimum of 80% post consumer recycled glass. They come in twelve colours inspired by nature, twelve examples of using our resources more efficiently.

At Cerasi 2008 Trend launched a vast collection of Wallpaper mosaics. Wallpapers are in three colour variants, including the green version which for 2x2 uses the new FEEL recycled glass collection.

design-italia

Eco-friendly, Well-Designed and on Sale

2008-10-03T11:17:00.006+03:00

Eco Living with Style - VivaTerra (or living earth) is the place where you can find natural home décor, organic gifts and more products that will help you live in harmony with nature - for a healthier life now and for future generations. And feel good about the possibility to help planet - by recycling and re-using or buying products that do not polute.

Boatwood Clock

Culled from dismantled Thaifishing boats, the painted woodenpanels of our clock displaymarine hues that achieve a unique pastel warmth. Time and time again, you'll note with pure pleasure that the ocean's loss is your kitchen's gain. It goes well with the Boatwood Serving Tray
which is on sale now. Was $82, now $57

More sales at Viva Terra:

Bamboo Towel Set - Ivory - The silkiness of these organic cotton and bamboo towels improves with each wash. Made by a windmill-powered factory on an island off the coast of Japan, they are produced from sustainable resources in an appealing chevron pattern, using low impact dyes. Extremely lightweight yet highly absorbent and quick-drying, these towels are both ecofriendly and elegant. Were $15-78, now $10-54 - save 30%

The bark texture of this porcelain teapot, sugar and creamer offers an exceptionally appealing, purely natural look and feel. Sip your tea, run a finger up and down the sides of the teapot and sugar bowl, and allow your mind to wander to a forest primeval. Hand-formed, the pot and its mates are matte on the outside, glazed on its interior, with a thumb-rest for pouring and twig handles on top. CREAM AND SUGAR ARE SOLD OUT
Was $69, now $17 - save 75%

Porcelain Branch Teapot
Recycled Sunrise Runner (2.5' x 8') Made from recycled plastic, easy to clean and strong enough to withstand kitchen or gardenfoot traffic, this design displays a pastel palette and a merged stripe pattern.

Eco-Kitchen

2008-07-20T14:11:00.007+03:00

Kitchen is one of the spaces at home where we show our attitude to the requirements for sustainable and eco-friendly way of life. From the products we use, to the way we dispose of waste food and beverage and packages. But are our kitchens designed and produced with thought about nature? Not all of them. Here is one good example - Valcucine :

In our job each day technology, product functionality and innovative solutions,
advanced design and research are alive and as important as imagination and
care
over detail, passion for natural materials and handicraft
workmanship,
attention
to safety and respect for the environment.

The environmental-friendly kitchen - the Riciclantica door is the utmost expression of a design based on dematerialisation and is made of an extremely resistant structural aluminium frame together with a sophisticated decor panel that is only 2mm thick. The use of special materials such as carbon, aluminium, steel or layered laminate, the very accurate planning of construction details – for example, the inside of the new frame appears aesthetically pure because of the total absence of screws and hole caps – and the absolute resistance of all door versions to water, steam and heat, contribute to making the Riciclantica door unique in the furniture sector. Riciclantica is a kitchen designed to have a low impact on the environment and represents the most advanced technology to express the shape of lightness. Thanks to research into and application of special innovative technologies, this door respects the four basic principles of environmental-friendliness: minimum consumption of raw materials and energy, durability, recyclability and non-toxic finishes.

"With showrooms all over the United States, Valcucine prides itself on building the most functionally stylish, energy-conscious products around.
From cabinet doors made from recycled materials to bookshelves that boast an aluminum core, a Valcucine kitchen is a green builder’s dream project. The company’s sensitivity to all things eco is apparent from its elimination of formaldehyde and synthetic finishes to its earth-friendly production. "( ecofabulous: That's One Handsome Italian )

But what I like very much is their design - elegant and well-thought.

Recommended for 'XXI Compasso d'Oro' prize.

Technorati Tags:trends, design, furniture, interior design, news, home furnishings

Summer Mood

2008-05-18T22:04:00.004+03:00

Sol Dinner Plate - Lime (set of 4)As shimmering and vibrantas sunshine glistening off waves,this recycled glass dinnerware instantly brightens any meal. Handmade with glossy interior surfaces and ribbed undersides, sturdy, dishwasher safe, and delightfully cheerful, it is a great choice for creating summer mood at home.

Provence Garden Chair Lightweight, distinctively designed with spiral motifs, and ergonomically comfortable as well, our outdoor wire table and chairs add a touch of Southern France's idyllic Provence region to your patio or porch. Oven-drying fuses a coating of charged particles to the metal, ensuring a weather-proof finish that is virtually pollution-free. Come winter, the furniture readily finds a home indoors. Made under the auspices of a humanitarian agency in the mountains of Honduras by skilled crafts people, this metalwork brings income to villages in a country where jobs are precious

Stylish & Ecofriendly - for Your Home & Your Family

2008-04-18T21:21:00.000+03:00

Ecofriendly and stylish - the best possible combination for any product. Is there something else that can be added to it? Yes - luxurious as appearance and feeling. Cozy Nest Sham -
Lightweight tussah silk is the ultimate bedroom companion. Spun by silk worms who feed on scrub oak, not mulberry leaves, this wild silk acquires the subtle linen-like texture and tone that makes this collection an exceptional addition to any bedroom. Colorful striped shams and duvet covers combine hand-woven, yarn-dyed stipes paired with bands of undyed natural silk.

Bamboo Hand Towel -The silkiness of these organic cotton and bamboo towels improves with each wash. Made by a windmill-powered factory on an island off the coast of Japan, they are produced from sustainable resources in an appealing chevron pattern, using low impact dyes. Extremely lightweight yet highly absorbent and quick-drying, these towels are both ecofriendly and elegant.

Billboard Tote - this urban hip bag, made from vinyl that would have ended up inlandfills, refashions giant billboard images into smaller works ofpop art, each unique. Made from extremely durable yet lightweightbillboard material, the tote is perfect for groceries, books,or beach paraphernalia. Wipes clean with a damp cloth.

Bamboo Towel Ladder - practical, striking, and adaptable to many inventive uses, the 55-inch-tall bamboo ladder handles multiple chores with style - you can air-dry towels on the rungs of our honey-colored bamboo ladder, or drape magazines over them.

Mattress Eco-Matters: Don't Take It Lying Down - washingtonpost.com

2008-04-15T10:30:00.000+03:00

Your mattress might be an environmental nightmare.
Most mattresses, as
well as memory foam and egg-crate covers, are made with petroleum-based
ingredients such as polyurethane foam, which can emit a strong smell because of
organic solvents. And most also contain flame retardants, required by
fire-safety laws but often harmful to human health

This is the beginning of an article that everyone interested in healthy living should read. HERE IS THE LINK:

Mattress Eco-Matters: Don't Take It Lying Down - washingtonpost.com

Technorati Tags:trends, trendspotting,
design, furniture,
interior design, news,
events
home furnishings

Non-Toxic Design

2007-12-04T15:53:00.000+02:00

The Austrian manufacturer TEAM 7 is certified as an ecological responsible
manufacturer. Their philosophy of environmental responsibility has made TEAM 7
the most successful and reliable manufacturer of eco-friendly "green design" in
the world.
The hardwood TEAM 7 uses comes from managed, reforested areas in
Europe. TEAM 7 uses neither tropical woods nor woods from the rainforest, in
accordance with the International Protection of Species Act. Wood is a renewable
resource, but not infinitely so - only responsibly managed harvesting and
controlled re-forestation can guarantee the right balance in the eco-system.
All products that are used in the TEAM 7 production process must be known
not to cause cancer or any other health risks, and must have very low VOC
emissions, because high VOC levels (depending on the substance) are related to
problems like eye or skin irritations, respiratory problems, reproductive
disorder, cancer as well as lower work productivity. To protect indoor air
quality and the people who live or work in these environments - especially
children who have asthma or other respiratory illnesses - it is of the utmost
importance to use only materials with very low VOC emissions!
TEAM 7
exclusively uses a non-toxic wood finish of natural oils and waxes. Because no
stains, varnishes or lacquers are used on the natural hardwood, the furniture
has very low VOC emissions and does not off-gas any toxic chemicals.
Furthermore, no particle or MDF boards are used, because they are also a
possible source for harmful chemical off-gassing. TEAM 7 also does not use any
PVC plastic.
We think it makes sense to use the same thoughtfulness, that
makes us choose organic produce over conventionally grown food, change to
compact fluorescent light bulbs, recycle, save water and so on, with regard to
our indoor environment.

This is a quotation from their site, but I think it explains clearly what attitude to furniture should be.
Non-Toxic Design

Bird Lovers Only Rescue: May I have this dance?

2007-10-13T13:21:00.000+03:00

Bird Lovers Only Rescue: May I have this dance?

Gorichka.bg : Рубрики : Нека бъде светлина

2007-10-13T09:44:00.000+03:00

"Според министъра на околната среда на Великобритания Хилари Бен, налагането
на енергоспестяващите крушки ще спестява огромни количества CO2 емисии на
атмосферата – 5 млн. тона годишно само във Великобритания."
Това е откъс от интересна статия, публикувана в Gorichka.bg : Рубрики : Нека бъде светлина, която обяснява защо се налага изваждане от употреба на добре познатите ни крушки с нажежаема жичка и какви са вариантите за замяната й. Прочетете я - щом сте тук, значи сте от хората, които търсят решения за по-добър живот не само за нас, но и за децата и внуците ни.

Най-еколкогичните подови покрития

2007-09-06T11:43:00.002+03:00

Дървесина:
дървесина от възстановяеми източници; естетсвена красота и трайност без чувство за вина. сертифицирани от Forest Stewardship

Плочки:
направени от керамика, стъкло или камък, но с голям процент рециклирани материали.
Снимката вляво е мой проект на кухня, в която почти всички материали са екологични: плочките на пода, мозайката от стъклени плочки на стената, плотовете от синтетичен камък (направен е от естетсвени материали, споени с безвредни смоли), тапетите от естетсвени влакна, шкафовете, направени от качествен ламинат, който има сертификат за безвредност.

Линолеум:

прави се от ленено масло, пигменти и борови смоли; изобретен преди повече от 150 години, линолеумът остава един от на-'зелените' продукти за пода, защото се изработва от възстановими природни ресурси, няма вредни токсични излъчвания, не позволява развитие на бактерии и се поддържа много лесно.

Корк:

произвежда се от кората на коркови дървета, а много често и от други коркови продукти; еластичен, шумопоглъщащ материал, подходящ за повечето помещения, включително и за бани (където инсталираните плочки се покриват с полиуретан или силикон).

В кухнята вляво, която направих за едно младо семейство, също всички материали са екологични - подът е от корк, залепен направо върху старото покритие от теракотни плочки. Така подът бързо и лесно бе обновен и освен това стана малко по-мек и уютен. Плотовете и гърба на стената между шкафовете са от гранит, а шкафовете - от качествен ламинат.

Design for Green Living & Wellness

The Green Design Competition

CATEGORIES

The GREEN BATHROOM

Merry Christmas!

Herb garden

UrbanTile - Concept Design for Sustainable Energy

Urban wall garden with magnetic pots

New Report Assesses Cancer Risk of Chemicals in Building Materials | News | Architectural Record

Counter made of recycled plastic bottles

Design for Green Living and Wellness is among the Top Green Living Blog award winners

Vertical Garden

Easy Green Cleaning: Use Steam

Green Pockets

A smarter way to clean - Green cleaning product sold in cartridges

Stylish and Green Gifts Ideas

Houseplants for Cleaner Idoor Air

Creating new beauty from recycled glass

Eco-friendly, Well-Designed and on Sale

Eco-Kitchen

Summer Mood

Stylish & Ecofriendly - for Your Home & Your Family

Mattress Eco-Matters: Don't Take It Lying Down - washingtonpost.com

Non-Toxic Design

Bird Lovers Only Rescue: May I have this dance?

Gorichka.bg : Рубрики : Нека бъде светлина

Най-еколкогичните подови покрития