Laundry Hampers

All laundry hampers available @ organize.com

(clockwise from top left)

1. modern x-frame

2. metallic-bronze frame

3. blue canvas

4. black/natural bird pattern

Door Mats

Flip Flop Door Mat

Made from material left over from colorful flip-flop once the foot bed is stamped, these recylced factory remnants become rugged doormats that are as colorful as they are indestructible. Each one is unique.

$29.00- $79.00 @ Viva Terra

Tape Measure Mat

Yards ahead in style and woven out of tough eco-friendly plastic, this mat made from recycled brightens up a kitchen, laundry room, or entry.


$49.00 @ Viva Terra

Check out VivaTerra for some other great eco-friendly designs

Book: Printing By Hand

For some wonderful Design It Yourself ideas, read this:

Printing By Hand    Lena Corwin

Domino Magazine: Interior

I was flipping through some back issues of my favorite (discontinued) magazine, Domino, and came across this home. The West Village, Manhattan apartment is 425 square feet, which could be a bit daunting. Keeping proportions in sync, making comfort key, and conveying warmth through soft gray walls make this (in my opinion) a great space.

DWR: Pendant Light

This is a great pendant light for over a breakfast table or an informal dining space.

Design Within Reach: "Coral" Pendant

I can picture it in this room:

Carpet: Fiber & Style

Good To Know

Fibers
Naturals (sisal, sea grass, jute, coir, and abaca): typically pricier than synthetics but less expensive than wool, these impart a modern wholesomeness.
Nylon: durable and available in many colors, it is by far the most popular. Typically treated with stain-guarding chemicals.
Olefin (polypropylene): strong, simple to clean, affordable and fade resistant. Good for indoor/outdoor use because it resists mold and mildew.
Polyester: soft, washable and often manufactured from recycled plastic bottles
Wool: condsidered the gold standard. Wears well and is the most luxe to the touch.

Styles
Plush or Saxony: A thick, extremely soft surface of cut "pile" (aka yarn), more formal.
Loop or Berber: A flat, minimalist weave that resembles sisal but if formed from looped yarn.
Frieze: A term for texture or a type of saxony carpet with yarn that has been twisted to create dimension.
Shag: Long, cut pile with fibers twisted in a loose design. Funky, retro, and lounge-y

*Note* Ask for "green" pads/backings stanard carpet can sometimes emit chemcials into the air.

Organize: Laundry

It's the area in your home where so much becomes clean- whites get brighter, linens get crisper, and stains disappear. The best most effective laundry room is itself tidy and well kept. With a few easy systems and devices, plus a small stash of multitasking products, even a cluttered corner for dirty clothes will be transformed into a streamlined, clean attractive laundry room. 

baskets, bins, and boxes

Label- Small items, such as sewing kits and lint rollers, can be put in labeled baskets on shelves to keep the, from getting dusty or misplaced.

Store- Under-sink storage is a good place to stow cleaning products (away from little hands)

hangers, clothespins, hooks

Hang- Clothes that are air-dried on hangers are less likely to shrink and will have fewer wrinkles to iron out later

Attach- Clothespins help you evenly clip items such as bed linens to a clothesline

Hook- Clothing that needs to be steamed can be hung on a hook on a wall, which will keep the item from swinging and free both hands to do the job.

clothesline

Conceal- A clothesline is ideal for clothes and bedding that require full or partial air drying. Get a retractable one that can be installed unobtrusively on a wall.

Organize: Gadget Wires

Cable Holder

The clips have adhesive backs that can be attached to walls, table legs, or anywhere pesky cables and cords run amok.

Available Here: Blue Lounge

Outlet charger

Plug the charger into the socket, place your phone on the platform, then wrap the cord neatly around it.

Available Here: Driinn

Gadget Organizer

Save some counter space. The storage station charges up to three devices and hides the tangle of cords.

Available Here: Kanga Room

Organize: Bathroom

You cleanse, brush your teeth, and put on your makeup in the bathroom each day, but that doesn't mean the space has to be strictly mundane. You can add plenty of personality to the bath, turning a room of function into a sanctuary of tranqillity and calm.

1. Purge- overhaul the medicine cabinet and other storage areas by removing everything that's not vital to your daily life

2. Regroup- gather similar items and assess how and where they should be placed

3. Relocate- lone accessory pieces (ex. nail clippers, tweezers, hair clips) in containers. Toothbrushes and toothpaste take up less space if they are stored upright in a cup or jar.

Shelves- Open shelving in an accessible any easy way to store towels, which should be stacked in piles.  Shampoo, conditioner, and soap stock on display can help remind you when replacements are needed.

Container Store (shelf stacking unit, similar to one pictured on the left)

World Market great source for baskets

Storage Containers- If bathroom space is limited, countertop baskets, bins, and boxes are helpful for grouping toiletires. Cotton swabs and other applicators look much tidier when they're placed in apothecary jars, or even just an attractive bowl.

Organize: Closets

Closets are often go totally neglected. Think of this space the way you would any other. At the very least, paint it the same shade as (or something complementary to) the adjoining room. For example, if your bedroom has brown touches, extend that accent color to closet walls. If you’re putting in new carpet, continue it in the closet for extra luxury. And if you want a truly finished effect, try wallpaper. Whether a graphic print or calm floral, it’ll make your closet seem like the inside of a jewelry box.

- closet systems are not attached to the wall, they can go wherever you do

- entirely adjustable, can store items to your preference

- work with a designer and start with a clean slate

- consider the items your closet holds as you plan a storage system, take measurements, and sketch out a plan

The Container Store

Organize: Pantry

1. Double your space: stack a few of these platforms gets the most out of high shelves.

The Container Store

2. Display basics: decanting rice and other cooking staples into canisters allows you to see when you need more.

Amazon.com/Kitchen

3. Create a system: labeling shelves corrals everything in its designated place, no matter who's putting it back.

Paper Cup Design

4. Stowing tilted wide-mouth jars on the most grabbable levels let you snag easily. Ex. Cookie or Dog Treats

Target

5. Secure storage: baskets prevent large items like paper towel rolls or bottles from toppling over.

Bon Maison

Kitchen: (Nigella Lawson) Cookware

Nigella Lawson, an English food writer, is renowned for her flirtatious manner of presenting. I think her own cookware range, Living Kitchen, plays up that vibe very well.

Be Green: Grocery Shopping

Be "Green" while shopping for groceries.

American Classicism

Available: Mothology

Compact Tote

Available: ACME Bags

Budget Friendly

Available: Cheap Totes

Collapsible Tote

Available: Sur la table

Objectified!

Design is an expression of the moment we live in. It's how we choose to represent, purposefully or subconsciously, our mark on the world. As time goes by, our designs leave spirited footprints of the time in which they were created and the direction in which they want them to move.

Watch Objectified. It's a delightful documentary experience of all things design related. Interviews with the people who brought thoughtful design to the masses provide some much needed insight. I got giddy when one interviewee suggests that when users have trouble using a certain product the fault does not lie with them, but the designer. Absolutely!

Decorating From Your Travels

1. Make your own mementos- treat your travel photos as artwork from an intimate homage. Similarly scaled images in simple, identical frames have the unified feel of a bona fide series.

2. Mix, don’t match- go for a few interesting pieces and blend them in with whatever white or plain dishes you have at home.

3. Exhibit judiciously- sprinkle your international trinkets throughout the house lets them become an organic part of your interior.

All-Natural Cleaning Solutions

Lemons

The acid in lemon juice removes dirt and rust stains. It's especially effective when mixed with salt, which makes an excellent scouring paste.

Use Them to Clean...

Countertops: Dip the cut side of a lemon half in baking soda to tackle countertops: wipe with a wet sponge and dry. Don't use on delicate stone, like marble, or stainless steel (it may discolor).

Cutting Boards: To remove tough food stains from light wood and plastic cutting boards, slice a lemon in half, squeeze onto the soiled surface, rub, and let sit for 20 mins. before rinsing.

Dishes: To increase the grease-cutting power of your dishwashing detergent, add a teaspoon of lemon juice.

Faucets: Combat lime scale by rubbing lemon juice onto the taps and letting it sit overnight. Wipe with a damp cloth.

Garbage disposal: Cut a lemon in half, then run both pieces through the disposal.

Grout: Spilled morning coffee on your tile countertop or backsplash? Add lemon juice to 1 or 2 teaspoons cream of tarter to make a paste. Apply with a toothbrush, then rinse.

Hands: When you touch raw fish, the smell can linger on your fingers. Rub hands with lemon juice, which will neutralize the odor.

Laundry: to brighten white, add 1/2 cup lemon juice to the rinse cycle for a normal size load.

Plastic food-storage containers: To bleach stains from tomato soup and other acidic foods on dishwasher-safe items, rub lemon juice on the spots, let dry in a sunny place, then wash as usual.

Vinegar
This acidic wonder can wipe out tarnish, soap scum, mineral deposits, and more.

Coffeemaker: Pour equal parts vinegar and water into the machine's water chamber, then switch on the brew cycle, halfway through turn off the coffeemaker and let the solution sit for about an hour. Turn it on again to complete the cycle, then run several cycles with clean water.

Dishwasher: To disinfect the interior of the machine, pour 1/2 cup vinegar into the reservoir and run an empty cycle.

Drains: Clean drains and the pipes by pouring vinegar down them. After 30 minutes, flush with cold water.

Floors: Add 1/4 cup vinegar to a bucket of warm water to clean almost any type of floor except marble (vinegar can scratch it) or wood (vinegar can strip it).

Glassware: For spotless hand-washed glasses, add 1 cup vinegar to the rinse water.

Moldy walls: Spray vinegar on the affected areas. After about 15 minutes, rinse and let dry thoroughly.

Showerheads: To combat mineral deposits, pout vinegar into a plastic grocery bag and knot the handles over the neck of the showerhead, securing with rubber bands. Let soak overnight. Rinse with water in the morning.

Steam iron: To get rid of mineral deposits, fill the iron with equal parts vinegar and water; press the steam button. Turn off, let cool, empty, and rinse.

Windows: Mix 1/4 cup vinegar, 2 cups water, and a squirt of all purpose soap in a spray bottle. Spritz windows and wipe with a sheet of newspaper.

Baking Soda and Washing Soda

Baking soda (a.k.a. sodium bicarbonate) and washing soda (sodium carbonate) both absorb odors. But unlike baking soda, slightly stronger washing soda can't be ingested; wear rubber gloves when handling it.

Can opener: Dip a toothbrush in paste of 2 tablespoons baking soda and 1 teaspoon water and use it to dislodge gunk.

Garage floors (and other concrete surfaces): Pour washing soda generously on oil and grease spots and sprinkle with water until paste forms. Let stand overnight. The next day, scrub with a damp brush, hose down, and wipe clean.

Garden tools: Dip a moist stiff-bristled brush in washing soda to scrub trimmers, clippers, and more. Rinse, then place in a sunny dry area. (Don't use washing soda on aluminum tools)

Grills and barbecue utensils: To combat tough grease stains, dip a moist stiff-bristled brush in washing soda and scrub away.

Stove burner grate: In a dishpan, soak them in 1 gallon warm water and 1/2 cup washing soda for 30 minutes. Rinse and dry.

Stained teacups and coffee mugs: Fill with 1 part baking soda and 2 parts water and soak overnight; rub with a sponge and rinse.

Upholstered furniture: To remove odors, sprinkle baking soda on the fabric, then vacuum.

Scuffed walls: Erase crayon marks by applying a baking soda paste (equal parts baking soda and water) to white painted walls (baking soda may dull colored walls). Let dry before brushing it off with a clean cloth.

Toothpaste

The combination of mild abrasive, a surfactant (detergent), an an antibacterial agent makes toothpaste a potent stain-fighter. Stick with standard toothpaste, not gel, and steer clear of formulas designed for tarter control and whitening. These often contain chemicals and additional abrasives that can damage items.

Acrylic accessories: Squeeze toothpaste onto a toothbrush and work it into scratches until they diminish. Wipe residue off with a cloth.

Chrome fixtures: To polish faucets and taps in the kitchen or bathroom, smear a dime-size amount of toothpaste onto them, then buff with a soft cloth until they shine.

Scuffed linoleum: Reduce marks by scrubbing them with toothpaste and dry cloth until no toothpaste residue remains.

Piano keys: Rub each key carefully with a damp cotton swab and a dollop of toothpaste. Wipe dry and buff with a clean cloth.

Tarnished silverware: Put a dab of toothpaste on a soft cloth, rub it onto the tarnish, then rinse with water and dry with a clean cloth.

Steam Iron: Mineral deposits can stain an iron's soleplate. Apply a dab of toothpaste and work it into the plate. Use a clean cloth to remove residue.

Table Salt

Salt's granular texture makes it perfectly suited for scouring. Table salt, sea salt, and kosher salt can all be used, but table salt is the least expensive choice.

Artificial flowers: Place the fake blooms inside a paper bag and pour in salt. Close the bad and shake vigorously. The salt will dislodge accumulated dust and dirt.

Glassware: Salt won't scratch the way a scouring pad can. To get out stubborn stains, add some salt for extra abrasion and scrub.

Greasy pots and pans: Sprinkle salt on cookware to absorb excess grease. Dump out the salt before washing as usual. (Not recommended for nonstick cookware.)

Spills in the oven: Pour salt on the spill to soak it up. when the oven is cool, wipe with a damp sponge.

Wooden counters and tables: Cover grease splatters with salt to absorb as much as possible. Wait an hour, then brush away with the salt.

Green Labels: what do they mean?

Energy Star
Some appliances, electronics, and lightbulbs display the Energy Star label, established by the Environmental Protection Agency. These products perform as well as their traditional counterparts while using up to 75 percent less energy.

FSC
Developed by the Forest Stewardship Council, the FSC logo signifies that paper and wood products, such as furniture and flooring, have been harvested using certified sustainable standards.

Fair Trade Certified
TransFair USA confirms that Fair Trade Certified foods, such as coffee, fruit, chocolate, and sugar, have been grown by farmers who use environmentally friendly practices and receive a fair price for their crops.

Demeter
Wines and foodstuffs that carry the Demeter logo are biodynamic, which means their growers use methods such as crop rotation, composting, and homeopathic sprays to cultivate the long-term health of the soil.

Green Seal
Products that include cleaners, paints, and paper earn a Green Seal certification if they have a low impact on the environment throughout their life cycles, from manufacturing to disposal.

Green Organizing: control the chaos

To Plastic or not to Plastic...

A great way to "go green" while you get organized is to reduce your use of plastic items. Avoid buying additional containers. Instead, utilize items you already own and that have some positive sentimental value for you. For instance, my small collection of porcelain mugs takes on a new life while keeping pens, pencils, and scissors managed around the house. None of these mugs are used for drinking anymore, but their chipped condition gives them a certain charm. They add a unique personality to my home while

being useful at the same time.

Re-Use

Look to things that might be going unnoticed, and give them a new use. Tomato cans, once they've been emptied and cleaned, are perfect for holding larger items like rulers and letter openers. Also, small dishes that you love but don't use very often are perfect for things like thumb tacks and rubber bands. You don't want your surfaces to become cluttered with all kinds of containers. So, think carefully about which supplies you use regularly. Those are the only ones you really need to have on display. It's fun to use containers you love even when they're not showing. When you open a closet or cabinet and see an orderliness that you've created with your own beautiful things can really inspire.

Electricity

Another way to get green easily is to invest in a few power strips (also called surge protectors). Use them with appliances that use electricity even when they seem to be turned off. Some of the worst culprits are your air conditioner, television, DVD player, and computer. Anything that has a little light indicating that it's in standby mode is sucking electricity. Whenever you're not using these items simply flick the switch on the power strip to completely turn off everything that's plugged into it. Research shows that 5 to 13% of a home's energy usage goes to these devices, so you might see some significant savings while putting fewer carbons into the atmosphere.

Reduce Paper Dependence

Paying bills online is a fantastic way to reduce clutter while reducing your carbon imprint. Your bills will stay in order, they won't get lost, and your piles will be smaller. By reducing your use of paper, and using recycled paper whenever possible, you'll help reduce deforestation, lower fuel usage and other transportation costs, and cut down on the tremendous amount of energy it takes to manufacture paper in the first place.