Friday, January 29, 2010

Re-Use Your Coffee Grounds

I'm not a coffee drinker but everyone around me seems to be, including my beloved husband. Here are some great ideas on how to re-use something that we seem to have an abundance of in our house (courtesy of Re-Nest.)

  1. Mix with water or soap to make your own exfoliating scrub to wash away dead skin cells.
  2. Used as a scrub on your lower half it's said to minimize the appearance of cellulite.
  3. What works for your face will also work for your kitchen counters (it may stain grout however)
  4. Mix coffee grounds with egg whites to make a mask for your face. Slather it on and let it dry then rinse it off with water.
  5. Rinse your pets with coffee grounds to help keep fleas away.
  6. Sprinkle coffee grounds near cracks to keep ants at bay.
  7. An open glass of coffee grounds absorbs odors in your refrigerator or freezer.
  8. Pour them into a single sock or nylon, knot it. Use it to clear out odors from sneakers, your closet or your car.
  9. Use them to scrub your hands after cutting onions or cleaning fish.
  10. Work coffee grounds into your hair after you wash it instead of your regular conditioner to make it soft and shiny.
  11. Use them as a natural dye for your hair, paper, fabric and wood.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

This Land is Your Land

A new print from Amy Rappel is out and called "This Land is Your Land".  

15% of sales will be donated to the American Forests.  
American Forests' mission is to grow a healthier world with trees by working with communities on local efforts that restore and maintain forest ecosystems.  Their work encompasses planting tress, calculating the value of urban forests, fostering environmental education, and improving public policy for trees at the national level.  
By 2020 their goal is to have planted 100 million trees. 
The limited edition print is available through The Working Proof
 

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Upcycle Ottoman


Love this new ottoman from Gus that uses re-purposed fair trade coffee bags for the covers.  Each ottoman is unique and have the markings used to identify the original coffee goods.  What a good example of how to re-use a material :)

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Detoxing Your Home


We are all becoming more aware of the products in our home and the Nest has come up with some great ways to recognize how to better live in your surroundings:

Detox Your Home

10 easy things you can do today for pennies or less
  1. Clean your fabrics, drapes, and rugs to eliminate dust, molds, and pollens.
  2. Open a window. Circulating air in the home ensures good ventilation.
  3. Choose natural cleaning products to reduce toxins in the home.
  4. Use NO VOC or Low VOC paints in your home whenever possible. 
  5. Keep your house clean and remove any piles of clutter that are collecting dust.
  6. Go green with plants. They improve air quality by adding oxygen and removing carbon dioxide.
  7. Replace or cover the plywood and MDF. Glues in cheaper woods can contain volatile toxins.
  8. Make your house a smoke-free home. Who needs to breathe in toxic fumes?
  9. Run computers in a well-ventilated area and shut them off when not in use. They release gaseous pollutants into the air the longer they run.
  10. Think before you buy. Make a healthy home a priority every day.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Oops Baby Crib


This beautiful crib from Structured Green is modern and green for your baby and you.  Described as "So good looking it will make you want to have kids" by a company based out of Georgia.  They make beautiful dining tables, chairs, case goods, and custom furniture made from sustainable, certified, reclaimed, recycled, or recyclable materials.  It's great to be green :)

Friday, January 22, 2010

Oviedo Chaise

How gorgeous is this new chaise from Restoration Hardware?  Makes me want to nestle in with a book or smoke a cigar (if I did that sort of thing). 

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Vintage Magazine Racks



Some newly classic magazine racks as featured in Dwell are a great way to store your endless periodicals and reading pleasure.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Old + New

How do you pair a traditional home with a new addition? By being brave and making the two relate with their own unique qualities. This home was featured in Dwell recently and I love how Shed Architects brought these different styles together in Seattle.

The home is owned by a growing family of five that decided it was time to expand, on a limited budget. Now that the addition is completed the family can blend the two structures even further by updating the roof, siding, and entry on the small existing home when money allows. But for now they decided to pair the two structures in what I think is a successful addition that any homeowner should be proud of.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Recycled Metal Stool


Here is a beautiful yet simple eco-friendly recycled metal stool from Bambeco. It's a nice twist on the usual ceramic stools seen everywhere, and a good deal for $184.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Table to Playhouse


This isn't your standard kitchen table! The "Daily Shelter" designed by Ingrid Brandth, is obviously something that has evolved from her children's imaginations. Why not make something so standard into a multi-function piece for your kid's enjoyment?

Would be a great project to have your kids help you paint it with fun bright colors as well :)

Friday, January 15, 2010

i heart Ikea

If you know me you know I love Ikea! Not only is it affordable but many of their products are environmentally friendly which makes it fabulous in my eyes. From apartment to apartment, I have trekked from place to home with my Ikea items and they keep looking great!

Recently, Ikea unveiled it's new line of summer solar lighting. Check out some of the options:
Too bad we are anxiously anticipating snow here in Idaho, otherwise I would be knocking down the double doors at Ikea as we speak.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Welcome!



...to the new White Canvas Design blog! I'm so excited to start this endeavor after having a personal blog for more then four years I've decided it's time to get my world of design involved. This blog will be a means for me and others to share their interests, desires, and ideas on environmentally friendly design. I'm thrilled to share aspects of my passion and work life with people near and far and hope you will do the same!
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