MAY 14 - MAY 20TH

JUST IN TIME FOR SUMMER!!

As both a designer and homeowner I love these indoor/outdoor rugs!   In Springtime I like to switch out  my traditional woven rugs for these colorful recycled plastic Mad Mats.  They come in a variety of great patterns and colors and are suitable for any decor.    Mad Mats are  woven using multi-colored threads of recycled plastic in much the same fashion as real flat weave wool rugs.  The result is a warmth and depth of color usually only available to the interior rug market. They feel soft underfoot and won't fade making them perfect for outdoor living and entertaining. They don't trap water, so there is no tracking in moisture from outside. They are very easy to maintain, just rinse of any debris with a garden hose.     Livingreen stocks a variety of designs and colors in both a 4’x6’ size and a 5’x8’ size.  All Mad Mats are produced under fair trade conditions.

Mad Mats come in a wide variety of patterns, styles and colors

I love the way they refresh and completely transform the look of any house, both indoors and out.

Perfect for a Bohemian style outdoor space

Mad Mats Breath. They don't trap water so they won't mildew and they won't rot your deck.

Here a bright striped area rug was used over a concrete patio to create a cozy fresh Spring/Summer look

 DALARNA RUGS - READY MADE NON-CUSTOM RUGS AND RUNNERS ON SALE - 20% OFF

CUSTOM AVAILABLE AT REGULAR PRICE

Here is another wall with just enough texture and color to compliment the lush pillow assortment on the clean white sofa.

This plaster treatment is soft, rich and full of life.  The ceiling has been accented with a vibrant turquoise.  It is such an unexpected but beautiful choice for this space.

This entry has been defined using bold painted stripes.  The neutral tones keep the treatment fresh and modern.

The use of this gorgeous, bold tile gives this tiny bathroom a powerful presence.

Another wall of patterned tile to create an architectural element in this bedroom.

Image from Seventeen doors blog

This interesting wall is covered in scrap wood wallpaper.  I think I would like it more if the actual scrap wood was used to cover the wall.

Image from Seventeen doors blog

Another space using this interesting wallpaper.

We have seen that we can successfully incorporate painted walls, plaster walls, murals or papered walls, as well as decorative tiled walls into our design scheme. Plan ahead and "think-through" the design before you begin.  Please remember to choose non-toxic paints, plaster materials, and wallpaper for your wall treatment project.  LET'S KEEP OUR INDOOR AIR HEALTHY.  LIVINGREEN can help you find the right material for your accent wall project.

Images via Pinterest unless otherwise noted.  Visit LIVINGREEN on PINTEREST for other great design ideas and inspirations.

The copper orbs in this kitchen provide major interest and effective task lighting

A wow chandelier in this dining room!!!

Moroccan style lanterns fit perfectly in this traditional rustic kitchen.

Upcycled worn tubs turned into pendants...very Country Chic!

Check out these gorgeous and unique pendant lights made from recycled industrial materials available in our Culver City store for 20% off regular price through May 15th.

All Lighting 20% off from May 7th - May 15th -  Please visit one of our stores to view the entire selection of accent lighting.

In order to understand water use for the products we buy, and for the industry that makes them, it is comprised of three components. Blue water is drawn from freshwater sources - e.g. lakes and aquifers.  Green water is basically from rain. Gray water is the water used in manufacturing to dilute pollutants to acceptable standards for discharge.

It takes around 660 gallons of water to make one cotton t-shirt. Of that, one third of it, on average, is "blue", or from freshwater supplies, a little over half is "green" from rain for the cotton crop and the rest (13%) is used to make the gray water that is discharged back into some body of water. The impact varies on the region and its water - less rain, more irrigation needed from freshwater sources.

To produce beer takes about 300 times the final volume (85% green 6% blue 9% gray), e.g. 300 bottles for one bottle of beer (on the wall, or enjoyed). To produce wine takes about 870 times (70% green 16% blue 14% gray), coffee - about 1,000 times

(96% green 1% blue 3% gray), tea -  about 120 times (82% green 10% blue 8% gray).

http://www.waterfootprint.org/?page=files/productgallery

http://infohouse.p2ric.org/ref/50/49003.pdf

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^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~

Barbara Hirsch, recording engineer, eco-person

"Unless someone like you cares a whole lot,

nothing is going to get better. It's not."

-- The Lorax, Children's book by Dr. Seuss

As impressive as the beautiful olive oil,  is the Ranch's organic growing practices and commitment to sustainability.  The trees are meticulously maintained using 100% certified organic processes, an aggressive composting system has been developed,  the ranch is irrigated using rain water stored in ponds on the property, and alternative sources of power (wind mill) are used.  McEvoy Ranch has an unerring respect for their land as well as their neighbor's.  Every attempt is made to protect the beautiful natural resources here.

a nursery program is ongoing at the ranch

Organic produce and flowers just getting started

Artful accents are tastefully sprinkled throughout the property

Spring's bounty on display for all to enjoy!

Architecture to compliment and blend with the natural surroundings

The bath and body products from McEvoy Ranch are paraben free, phthalate free, sulfate free, and boxed in 100% recycled material that is biodegradable.  Try them now at LIVINGREEN  during our 30% off sale while supplies last!

Source: Pinterest

Apartment Therapy

Source: Apartment Therapy

Young House Love Blog

Source: Pinterest

You will find a nice variety of natural fabrics, safe non-toxic paints and finishes at Livingreen stores

This week Yolo paints and American Pride paint is 25% off - AFM Safecoat exterior paint 15% off

A small sampling of beautiful natural fabrics available at Livingreen

 Things to remember when doing a green re-upholstery job:

1) Use a frame you already own, or one that has great lines but could use updating, or one that has been up-cycled from another material

2) If necessary, retie or replace the springs - refinish with a healthier non-toxic paint, stain or glaze.  We love  AFM Safecoat products.

3) Replace cushions if necessary with natural latex as foam and wool batting instead of polyester batting.

4) Use tightly woven ticking under the upholstery fabric, and the fabric itself should be natural and non-toxic.

5) Choose fabrics with a heavier weight and tighter weave for durability

Have fun with your project!!

Please come in to Livingreen to see our selection of fabrics and finishes and meet with a designer to help you with your project.

Hemma Hos photo from Fabriken Blog

The bed above hosts a door turned on its side as its headboard.  No pretense here, just an interesting shape and texture to compliment this cozy nest.

Image from Pinterest

This headboard,  made from wood panels painted the same color as the wall,  gives this room a more refined feel. The horizontal lines in the panels add an interesting grid behind the bed.  The bonus with this headboard is the art ledge it creates!

photo from designsponge.com

Salvaged barn wood is used to create this headboard.  I find the pairing of crisp white linens with this rustic wood to be a very attractive choice.

photo from Pinterest

"Pretty" is achieved in this bedroom with the use of  an elegant, colorful fabric panel hung on a rod over the bed.   Choose a more masculine, linear look with the striped fabric panels below.

photo from randomitustumblr.com

Salvaged and re-purposed architectural elements are worth considering.  They can often be found at flea markets, antique stores and tag sales.  The elaborately carved piece pictured  below,  with the luminous shades of cream make the space very chic.

image from 3.bp.blogspot.com

Today, Tuberculosis still kills, is still sanitation and class related and so appears less in rich countries.

Now, it is our consumer class that has a disease of sorts, also very contagious, but the activity is often entertaining, the suffering is more of a spiritual kind, and it is not usually fatal.

Consumption is a function, in some ways a fundamental doctrine, of our social and economic system.

But there are two giant, looming reasons why we cannot continue buying and disposing of things at the same rate as we have been:

limited resources and waste/pollution - what goes into them and what comes out. Besides burning gasoline, heating our homes and watering our lawns, every thing we buy uses lots more resources than the thing itself contains......jaw dropping amounts.

There have been efforts - water use per capita here is similar to that of the 1950s, after peaking in the 1970's, thanks to conservation efforts and efficiency. Fossil fuel use has dropped a bit since 2007.

BUT STILL, one person in the U.S. or Canada uses as much water per day (about 150 gallons not including agriculture) as one each in the U.K. Germany, Brazil, China, Honduras and Somalia, all put together. And with 5% of the world's population, the U.S. uses about 25% of all of the globe's oil, natural gas and coal. As we know now about these finite resources, both their extraction and use are not without costs, besides the money, that is.

http://www.precisionnutrition.com/all-about-drinking-water

http://pacinst.org/press_center/usgs/

http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EG.USE.COMM.FO.ZS

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^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~

Barbara Hirsch, recording engineer, eco-person

"Unless someone like you cares a whole lot,

nothing is going to get better. It's not."

-- The Lorax, Children's book by Dr. Seuss

Welcome

Speaks for itself

Hydroponic tower garden

Colorful dream catchers

A beautiful day for Hoola Hooping

People were encouraged to ride their bikes to the event.

Hum...where to go next?

A darling girl holding a baby chick from a local organic farm.

Fantastic event Santa Barbara - looking forward to next year!