January 2012

 

All In The Merry Month of May

 

May is the month we start living outside as much as we live inside. It is also when we start sprucing up the backyard, the front yard, the side yard and the gardens. New plants, new furniture and maybe a whole new outdoor room might be on your list. Outdoor spaces are not just than just an extension of our indoor living spaces, they are an integral part of our entire living space.

 

As the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces continue to blur, maybe our furniture should also blur and be able to live in any kind of space. Maybe we should think about purchasing a piece for its versatility, the fact that it can live indoors or out and not go out of style. Maybe we should think about buying quality pieces that will last for years and years and still look great.

 

Inside Out

 

I sat at the eco-resort, Cocolobo, in Roatan Honduras, examined the furniture and realized that all of the furniture at the resort could be used inside or outside. The furniture was made of local materials or other materials that would stand up to the island climate. Some furnishings were made from "scraps" because waste is an issue on an island with limited space. Below is one of the tables in the open bar area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some other furnishings that can do "double duty" and look as hip inside as they do outdoors.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Eco-bistro  chair works in your kitchen, your dining room or your outdoor dining area. And bistro chairs are back in a big way.

  

 Photo courtesy of Vivaterra.com

 

While the bistro chair is a standard classic that would work in any interior, the Veggie chair is an organic piece that conjures up a living, moving, "feel like I am in the garden"vibe.

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Photo courtesy of Lumens

 

Want to move your office outside? The classic Eames aluminum office chair fits the bill. 

 

 

 

 Photo courtesy of Herman Miller

 

 

 

Of course you might need pillows to go along with those changeling furniture pieces. Durability and style can be achieved with by using flexible new fabrics that look as cool inside as they do outside. This beautiful collection by Joe Ruggiero will add elegance and style to any space.

 

Drinks are served

 

No indoor/outdoor space would be complete without a bar cart. The Roland bar cart is so beautiful; it will shine in any space, from classic to modern.

 

 

 

Photo Photo courtesy  of Clayton Gray Home

 

Or maybe something a little woodsy cart is a better fit for your style. Good quality Teak is incredibly durable and just gets better with age.

 

 

 

Photo courtesy of Gloster

 
 

Detoxify Your Interior/Exterior Space

 

What Bugs You?

 

What bugs me is seeing the pest control man spraying chemicals while he wears breathing protection. If it's not okay for him to breathe in the pesticide why is it okay for me, my pets, or my family.

 

Exterminate the toxic pest control and make the natural choice to stop the bugs from bugging you. Check out Rest easy for the do-it-yourselfer. The rest of us can look for local botanical pest control services that use natural methods instead of chemicals.

 

 


 

Eco-Chic Design / P.O. Box 814 / Lincoln, California 95648 / 916-240-3724