Zeenat Handmade napkins via Made Trade

Just the most stunning ceramic vessels by Shop Elliot

These Natural Terrazzo Beeswax Wraps by member wintering au are the prettiest reusable food wraps we’ve ever seen!

Waffle Linen Wash Cloth from LEIF

Slowdown Studio Throw Blanket from Koskela

Half Moon Incense Holder from Pampa

Handcrafted Capiz Shade Chime from Connected Goods

"Endless Summer Frida" Flower Print

Ceramic Cylinder in Peachycotta with Stand from EcoVibe Home

Nipomo Tierra Collection Throw Blanket via Made Trade

Essential oil and oil burner by Bio Scents

Daisy coasters by Mindflowers

Lady Onyx Coaster Set

Hat Mirror by 5esenciastudio

Colorful Cotton Shower Curtain from Bole Road Textiles

Set of Three Colorblock Terracotta Planters with Saucers from Holistic Habitat

Cupboard Goods Cozy Colors mug collection

Intentional Wall Calendar by Wilde House Paper

Naidi Blue Pillow with Tassels by Zuahaza

Cozy Vibes Candle by Abode

How about a plant-dyed reusable market bag by eloise et moi in their favorite hue?!

Lilac Funfetti Platter by beau rush ceramics

Guacamaya Tall, Small and Medium Baskets by Zuahaza

Fique Palm Print by Magda Made from Made Trade

Kay, I know, a blogger gift guide is really just a wishlist by whoever is curating the post, but can ya blame us? So many gorgeous sustainable gift ideas this year!

Where are you shopping for holiday gift ideas this year? Leave a comment with your favorite shop!

The post 25 Eco Friendly Gifts for a Well Curated Home appeared first on Eco Club.

Can a sustainable party be pretty, too?

If you search Google or Pinterest for oh, about five seconds, for an eco friendly party, you will not be surprised. It’s pretty much all along the same style, including lots of outdated trends at this point. (Say you don’t have an extensive mason jar collection, for example.) In this case, I can totally see why a hostess would cringe at the thought of throwing a party with an “eco” spin.

Then there are entertainers on a budget (hi!) who want to throw a pretty party too. There are tons of single use products marketed to these very people, with pretty patterned paper plates (that’s a mouthful) and even those “handy” plastic wine glasses that “look like the real thing” (don’t get me started). Being in the wants-to-create-something-beautiful-on-a-budget camp myself, I don’t believe I should have to resort to single use to host a creatively styled gathering. Even if it’s as simple as a backyard picnic. So, those are just a few thoughts we kept in mind while putting this together. We really did want to speak to people like us, who love Pinterest and Instagram and all the pretty parties they inspire, but wanted to be conscious of both our budget and our impact.

Planning Your Picnic or Backyard Party

The first thing we did when planning our party was decide the vibe. We knew we wanted it to be casual and in a backyard, so the picnic idea was just so much easier than finding enough furniture.

We let the seasonal colors of our region dictate our color palette. Colorful textiles, vibrant fruits and veggies, and our favorite vintage accessories made up the scene. Keeping it simple doesn’t have to mean forgoing color. Being inspired by nature and the decor we already had challenged us to get more creative!

Picnic Planning Tips

• Brainstorm a few words to describe your party. Choose a style, color palette, size, formality, and location.
• Create a secret Pinterest board to gather and share inspiration with collaborators.
• Start a Google doc to log specifics, like what you have and what you’ll need, and track the design process.
• Plan your guest list early so you can estimate food & supplies and reduce waste leftover.

Picnic Food Ideas

Knowing we had a backyard party vibe helped us narrow down food options. I’ve been all over the Mediterranean diet lately, and I liked that a mezze board could be vegetarian friendly (vegan if you take out the feta/tzatziki) and require minimal cleanup. It’s also full of refreshing flavors for a warm day. The picnic snacks on our mezze board were various olives, grilled pita and peppers, raw carrots, tomatoes and cucumbers, and marinated artichokes along with some feta cheese, tzatziki, and hummus.

We used the same concept for our fruit platter – fresh, easy fruits that were no fuss to prepare. We always add a little jcoco chocolate to our fruit platters, which is a local Seattle brand and ethical chocolate company that fights hunger with every purchase.

Let your food influence the theme of your party. If it’s an outdoor brunch picnic you’re after, go with fresh breads and pastries alongside your fruit. And of course fruit juices or mimosas. Or if it’s a more fancy picnic you’re after, level up with luxury linens and lots of flowers, and be sure to take any pre-packaged food out of their original containers and use your own. Summer textiles like napkins, table clothes, and pillows aren’t just for the table–spread them across the grass (use a sheet underneath if you’re worried about stains) for that luxury picnic feel.

Budget Friendly and Low Waste Picnic Ideas

• Use what you have. We thrifted a few pieces to make sure we had enough baskets and bowls, but for the most part, went with what we already had, which helped us define our color palette and style too.
• Using reusable cloth napkins we already own made everything look cohesive (paper towels = not cute) and they’re easy to wash.
• Be intentional about single use. Avoid plastic, and look for those that use recycled materials. If you have compost in your area, make sure the tableware and utensils you use are compliant.
• Have a waste disposal plan beforehand. If you have recycle or compost, guests will only use it if they know it’s there!
• Skip the party store. Combine forces with friends to bring decor and serveware from our your own collections, then source the rest from thrift shops.

Beautify food + drinks with citrus slices, edible flowers, herbs, or other garnishes. If you’re not sure which drink to offer, find the garnish first, and let it inspire your drink! We had lots of citrus, which is how we landed on a batch rose spritzer. You probably know by now that we use edible flowers on just about everything. Instant pretty!

DIY picnic flowers

I created a few farmers market floral arrangements using the techniques shared here, opting for a wildflower look that’s very much trendy and in season right now. To achieve the look sustainably, purchase flowers at the market from farmers in your region rather than cut flowers from the grocery store. Whenever you make arrangements at home, you can preserve your favorite stems for use at parties like this. Add dried or dried or foraged stems to create unique arrangements. We’ve reused some of ours on multiple occasions, which is easy to do during spring and summer when you have a lot of events, as long as you take care of your flowers. Not all flowers need the same things to stay healthy and bloom big. Research unfamiliar flowers so you can treat them best! And don’t forget to replace the water.

Planning a backyard party of your own this summer? Find more picnic ideas (including a yummy cocktail recipe) in this post!

*Photos by Charity

The post This backyard picnic is proof that eco-friendly entertaining can be pretty too appeared first on Eco Club.

three myths about sustainable interior design

Myth 1: Eco-friendly design sacrifices style

A common concern my clients have is that eco-friendly interior design won’t match their style. In the past, there were limited options, but these days basically any style you can dream up has a sustainable option. If you find a piece you love, the key is to ask questions before you buy. I recommend my clients get in the habit of asking things like: what materials is it made out of? Where is it made? How is it manufactured?  For example, if the dining table you want to buy is constructed of responsibly-sourced solid wood, finished with non-toxic stains, and made in America you are on your way to a great sustainable purchase, my friend!

Myth 2: Sustainable design is too expensive

It’s super sustainable to buy vintage! It’s a great way to stay on budget, add one-of-a-kind character to your home, plus the more stuff we keep out of landfills, the better it is for the environment. If you are ready to invest in high quality furniture, it can be pricey upfront (whether it’s sustainably made or not), but in the long run you will save money by having something that will last for years that you won’t need to replace after only a couple years of use.

Myth 3: Green design is only about the environment

Sustainable interior design is about the environment, but it is also about creating a healthier home and improving your well-being. I ask my clients what their priorities are when it comes to sustainable design. Are you concerned about choosing items that are earth friendly? Do you want to create safer indoor air quality for your family? Both? This helps guide the design process in a way that is most meaningful for them. There are furnishings available that meet both of these concerns, but sometimes for budgetary or other considerations clients choose items that are primarily going to positively impact their wellness at home.

What are some real-life ways your clients have incorporated sustainable practices into their interiors?
Simple ways my clients have become more sustainably-minded include: improving their indoor air quality with the addition of house plants, natural cleaning products, organic bedding, pillows, towels and air purifiers, as well as, buying non-toxic furniture.

What’s the biggest thing a homeowner can do when designing or re-designing their space to be more environmentally friendly?
In general, I recommend choosing things that are made in America with non-toxic materials and finishes to improve your indoor air quality while reducing your carbon footprint. Purchasing a non-toxic mattress is a great place to start. Most people feel good about making an investment in a healthy mattress since it will last for years and can be moved to any new home. We spend one third (!) of our lives smooshed into our mattresses so it makes sense we’d want to sleep on something non-toxic.

Plus, the manufacturing processes for conventional mattresses tends to be far more environmentally harmful than natural mattresses. I’m happy to see that there are several great brands on the market today, but my personal favorite are Savvy Rest natural latex mattresses. I’ve had mine for about 8 years and sleep like a baby. Plus, they are an awesome Certified B-Corporation based in Virginia with great customer service.

Any favorite projects that shed a light on how attainable an eco-friendly home can be?
I truly believe eco-friendly design is easily attainable for anyone. There are more sustainable products being developed everyday giving us practically endless options. One of my clients lived in this beautiful old home and we renovated her guest bathroom. We kept her lovely vintage tub, selected gorgeous recycled Fireclay Tile, non-toxic paints, and a Paperstone countertop which is made out of recycled paper.  We were able to choose all sustainable materials without sacrificing her style.

Where do you look for inspiration for your work?
I find inspiration everywhere! I feel like I’m a little design sponge constantly soaking in the world around me and filing away information for later use. Getting out in nature and seeing art are my top two. My clients inspire me as well. I love getting to know people on a personal level and then work with them to create a space that is true to them. One of my goals is to build my client’s design confidence so that they feel empowered to add to their space over time. We don’t live in museums and I think everyone should have the confidence to create a home that speaks to them.

Any tips for renters that want to maintain an eco-friendly home but can’t make major changes?
I have a list of “Intentions” that I use in my approach to every project that are great for renters and homeowners alike. Here are a few ideas:

• Choose natural cleaning products and soy-based candles that are scented with essential oils to improve your indoor air quality. Avoid chemicals and synthetics.
• Install removable wallpaper. Look for brands that use non-toxic adhesives.
• Refresh your space with no-VOC paint.
• Buy used furniture (hello Craigslist!). Get upholstered furniture professionally cleaned to remove allergens. Find a local workroom to refinish wood items or reupholster sofas and chairs to give them a new look that suits your style.
• Cozy up with certified organic bedding and towels.

Thanks to Holly of Holly Durocher Design for busting these sustainable interior design myths! See her design work and blog at hollydurocher.com.

The post Top 3 Myths About Sustainable Interior Design, Busted appeared first on Eco Club.