Design^Sprout | Your Guide to Green Design

DIY - Let's make our own toys!

HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!!

   There's something about this day that reminds me of being a little girl and the magic each hour held. When my brother and I were in trouble (which was fairly often, sorry mom!) and not allowed to play with our toys, we'd spend hours making up games or creating our own entertainment from random household objects. Some of my favorite memories are of the laughs we would have with every horrible failure and fun you couldn't possibly buy with every success.

   On this Earth Day I thought it would be fun to re-visit some of those times and expose our children to the pride and ownership that comes with creating - rather than simply consuming. This foam core doll-house is super-easy and kids can really get into the decoration! Have them design the wall paper and furniture or turn the whole thing in to a super-hero lair with trap doors and secret rooms.  After all, aren't we all little kids at heart? At least the lucky ones.

   Get instructions for making these adorable, crocheted Harry Potter dolls here. I'm told she keeps selling out but if you e-mail her she'll put more for sale on her Etsy site darncatcrochet.

Felt blocks are easy, safe for the little ones and can help improve your juggling skills! These funky robots can be made from blocks your kids have outgrown.

 

  Who doesn't love a flying sock pig? It's not you is it? I didn't think so.

D^S Contest! Win a Flip & Tumble Reusable Bag!!

 

    So, you're not perfect. You buy bottled water from time to time, occasionally mow down on a little Mickey D's (gulp) and don't have the foggiest idea how to compost last night's dinner (nor do you really want to learn). Trust me, you are not alone! The designers at Flip and Tumble realized that despite our best "green" intentions, forgetting to bring a reusable grocery bag to the store was a common problem.
   As a solution, they designed this teeny, tiny, sock ball that happily sits at the bottom of your bag waiting to be filled with goodies. Maybe you're not perfect...but no one has to know!

                                     WIN THIS BAG!

    That's right! You too can avoid the oh s*%t moments at the checkout stand and look ever-so-designy while doing it. Just drop me a comment saying anything at all. Any 'ol thing will qualify you to win. I'll announce the winner on Monday. Good Luck!

Saving the planet one paper towel at a time!

   What a genius idea! Sometimes we just need a simple reminder of our individual impact on the world. I wish I knew who designed this and how we could put them everywhere! Hopefully, I'll think about this the next time I reach for a paper towel.

TGIF - Why buy art when you can make your own!

    Today while I was browsing through my inspiration photos it dawned on me how wonderful and personal they all looked while gathered together. What was once a hodge podge of magazine clippings and photographs now seems to make a cohesive statement about me - my design sense, wanderlust and love of handmade. Not to mention lending a bit of insight to my scattered mind! 
     Plus, there's no need to go out and buy expensive artwork - the things you have are perfectly lovely (and green!) on their own. Just add creativity and poof - instant masterpiece! Below are some of my favorite "wall collages".  Hope they lend a bit of inspiration to your day!

     Take a cue from artist Lisa Congdon and choose similarly toned art and colored frames for a pulled-together look.

 

     Mixed media lends a funky boho vibe (of course it helps when you have that fantastic Wassily chair to play off of!). Or, think outside the box (in our case, the wall) like Etsy artist Bees in my bonnet and scan your favorite old photos to use as wrapping paper or stationary.

     Try and use different scales of frames and prints for a more interesting and chic look. This look is adorable and eye-catching because of the mixture of soft colors and fun art work. Try and combine flea market finds with more personal items for style that's uniquely you.

All inspiration photos above an below were found via Flickr.

 

^Sprout Designer!

   These little glimpses into the homes of interior designers give me so many ideas for my own space. True, I live in an apartment and not a gigantic house in Portland but the spirit of the space can be interpreted in so many ways. Green interior designer Jessica Helgerson's Craftsman style home is one I can imagine moving right into! Wanting a clean and serene home for her little ones Jessica and her husband utilized many green design principles in their space - recycled glass for the bathroom floor, reclaimed windows and doors, vintage lighting fixtures, non-toxic paint, and much of the gorgeous furniture you see is antique or vintage. 

In the couple's master bedroom I love the way the Tord Boontje chandelier is subtly echoed by the Indian-inspired painted wall treatment. The pale green wall against the white linens and lamp lend a wonderfully tranquil feeling.

Choose furniture that your kids will grow into rather than sets they grow out of. This prevents constant re-buying and gives you an opportunity to spend a little more on something really special like this gorgeous antique bed.  Lighten up the room with the use of a fun striped fabric and a basket of vintage-inspired plush toys.

Glass bottles are one of those easy-to-find vintage objects. Alone, they're not so spectacular but group them together and the differences in their colors and shapes become an elegant statement.

I imagine dishes wouldn't feel like such a chore in this rustic kitchen especially with the breeze from that large picture window streaming in!

Who didn't fantasize about a little place to cozy up as a child? Well, wish granted! Take advantage of your unused spaces by tucking in a little office or library.  Here, Jessica has created a small reading nook out of an often over-looked stair landing - perfect for story-time!

Felt around the World

    Oh, sometimes it pays to live in San Francisco! While walking around one day I was taken in by this little storefront window featuring the most gorgeous felt rugs.  Turns out Peace Industry owners Melina and Dodd Raissnia design all the rugs themselves from 100% lamb's wool and natural dyes. Because they are hand-made in small batches, each piece is uniquely different from the next. Their Iran-made rugs are earth-friendly, chemical-free, and fair trade - so inline with Design^Sprout!