The regular line of Stanley Furniture is made in China, but all if it's Young American line is made here in the USA.

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They don’t talk much about decorating on World News Tonight, so when I heard this story it caught my interest.  This video clip talks about how purchasing even a small amount of USA made products would be a major boost to our economy. To bring attention to the topic, they are on a mission to redecorate a home using only products made in the USA.  Stay tuned, this should be interesting…

I aim to use many American-made furnishings but it’s not always the best solution for my clients.  Sometimes I can’t find the right piece or there are less expensive options made overseas.  Plus, there are lots of beautiful furniture lines made in Europe and South America with wonderful craftsmanship that you don’t see as much of here.  And I know your options may be even more limited.  The retail world is littered with low-priced, mass-produced furniture made in China that looks good on the showroom floor but the quality is seriously lacking.  Something you might not realize until you’ve it had it a year or two.

The result:  It gets confusing.

So I have a few questions for you.:

• Do you check where something is made before you buy it?
• Does a “Made in the USA” tag mean better quality to you?
• Do you think about the carbon footprint created and US jobs lost from buying furniture made abroad?

Please take a look at your sofa. Find the tag on the bottom or on the cushions that tells you where it’s made.  Share that information with us and your thoughts on this topic.  I am interested to hear your point of view!

My sofa is made in North Carolina but I will admit, I bought it years ago before global warming and unemployment were were daily topics in the news.  It’s been a great sofa and well worth the price I paid.

Thanks for joining the discussion!

How’s your Christmas shopping going?  Me? Well, lets just say I feel like the finish line is within site but I am not quite there yet.  I love to give my friends and family thoughtful and personalized gifts.  But gift-giving can be a little more difficult for someone you are just getting to know, a business associate or the host of a party.

In this case,  plants are a lifesaver.  And I am not just talking about poinsettias and holly!  Bonsai trees, orchids, and fragrant herbs are top choices because Winter is a great time to bring nature back into the home.  If you aren’t lucky enough to have a great florist down the block, then don’t be shy about ordering online.  Order it in the middle of the night and it usually shows up in day or two.  How easy is that?

Here are a few great plants that look festive for the Holidays.  But once you take off the ribbon or change the pot, the recipient has a wonderful gift for months to come that reminds them of your generous spirit!

Just click on the photos to take you to each site!

Happy Holidays!

]]> http://www.mydesignsecrets.com/2010/12/16/5-plants-that-make-great-holiday-gifts/feed/ 0 http://www.mydesignsecrets.com/2010/11/17/cleangreen-giveaway/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=cleangreen-giveaway http://www.mydesignsecrets.com/2010/11/17/cleangreen-giveaway/#comments Wed, 17 Nov 2010 17:58:49 +0000 tim http://www.mydesignsecrets.com/?p=10270

William Wegman

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I bet some of you laughed out loud when you the saw the photo above while others thought “not far from reality in my home”.  I land in the latter category.  As mom to a Weim that we call our big gray baby, she pretty much rules the roost and that can lead to occasional spots and stains…not that it’s ever her fault, bless her heart! 

Thankfully, there’s Clean+Green.

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Clean + Green cleans and permanently removes stain and odor from urine, pet marking, pet spray, feces and vomit in carpets and upholstery. Made entirely from non-toxic botanicals, it’s safe for pets, people and the environment.  All of their products are non-toxic, non-carcinogenic and recyclable.  I love this because I never want to expose my pets to anything toxic or irritating AND I want to take care of the planet that we all share!

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Great for:

• Carpet & Area Rugs
• Bedding
• Oriental Rugs
• Auto Carpet
• Upholstery
• Cushions
• Mattresses
• Pet Beds

Also, you should visit the Clean+Green Blog for fun stories and pet tips!

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Gather ’round pet lovers for today’s “must-have” giveaway!  It will make your home Cleaner+Greener.

We are giving away Three Cans of the

Clean+Green Carpet & Upholstery for Dogs & Cats!

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If you could use a few cans in your home then here’s the deal:

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Step 1:  Visit the Clean + Green Website and shop around.

Step 2:  Leave me a comment below telling me 1) which of their products would be on the Top of Your Wish List, and 2) the type of pet you have and include his/her name. If you are receiving this via email, go back to the site to enter.  Replies by email will not be accepted.

One entry per person.  You have until 11:59PM EST on  Thursday, November 25th to enter.  One random winner will be chosen and announced soon after.

Good Luck!

~Lorrie

The "Ask Me Alberto" Glider...now who does not like to glide?

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Q Collection, a company that makes gorgeous eco-friendly sofas and chairs, sent me an email announcing their new website and that they were “lightening up” their image.  Wow, that’s relief!  These days everyone seems to be getting increasingly uptight and it’s way more pleasent to purchase furniture from people who are happy and bright:-)

Their new website is fun (who can resist names like the Sweet Cheeks Sofa and Kiss My Arse Recliner?) plus they are eco-friendly with an emphasis on the FRIENDLYpart.  Formerly a trade-only resources they now have a retail line on their website that can be purchased through their NY retail store.  And by visiting or calling you can purchase designer quality eco-friendly furniture yourself at reasonable prices.  And you know me, I believe a sofa is an investment, not a short term commitment.  If you spread the cost of your sofa over the number of years you have it, a high quality sofa is a much wiser purchase.

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One Sweet Cheeks Sofa for your sweet cheeks:-)

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You can choose one of their many neutral, eco-friendly fabrics (bamboo, cotton, hemp, linen and many more) or even send them your own.  The insides are made of 100% certified sustainably harvested woods, natural latex foam rubber, organic cotton batting, wool batting and natural jute webbing.  Plus you can customize until your heart’s content.

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Neutral Fabrics galore...or send them your preference.

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The sofas, chairs and ottoman could meld easily into any modern, beach house or classic look.  The lines are graceful yet unfussy.  My next sofa is definitely going to be eco-friendly.  I am done with furniture made from over-forested woods and petroleum-laden cushions.  Q Collection is getting back to basics and helping us all breathe easy!

Q Collection is just one of my Many Design Secrets.

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Join My Secret Datase today to find more!

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Anderson Flooring offers wonderful eco-friendly flooring by using plentiful domestic woods and safely treating them to achieve an exotic and worn look.

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On this 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, we’ve come a long way!  I am thrilled that every year, more and more people are jumping on board.  There are lots of ways to help the earth and no matter which one(s) you choose, I honor that.  But we also have a long way to go.  Living an eco-friendly life crosses many areas; from food and clothing to cleaning products and cars.  But the one area that I can certainly help you with is home furnishings.  So that’s where we are going today…

There are now lots of sustainable options when it comes to furnishing your home and you don’t have to give up an inch of style.  But remember the reasons these options are available now is because some good people and responsible companies realized we had to stop the madness.  The home decor industry is guilty of being a major contributor to the use of toxic chemicals in manufacturing and later loading up landfills with low-quality products with short life cycles.  I mentioned a while back that I am a Green Residential Expert and during that training a learned many facts that would shock you.

Un-Eco-Friendly Home Furnishings Facts

• Deforestation – The furnishings industry is the #3 user of Wood behind buildings and paper; often using woods from forests that are not sustainably managed.
• Air Quality – There are many volatile organic compounds in adhesives, finishes, paints and carpeting which affect us all but especially the 15-20 million people with asthma in the U.S..
• Overloaded Landfills – 8.8 million tons of furnishings are discarded annually, 4% of US total waste.

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Stanley Furniture is blending the old with the new. An example of a long-time company with renewed green values.

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When it comes down to it, the simple mantra of “REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE” sums it up, so lets talk about how you can design your home with those thoughts in mind.

REDUCE

Live with less! There, I said it.  An interior designer who is encouraging you to purchase fewer things for your home.  My role as an interior designer has much more to do with sharing my knowledge and eye for design rather than selling furnishings. So when your  ready to purchase a new chair, take your time and select one that speaks to your true sense of style (not a fleeting fad)and  that is the best quality and most eco-friendly that you can afford.

REUSE

I know it can be fun to get anything new…but I think we can all admit that the joy is fleeting.  Think about what you have that can be used in a new and different way.  Old tables or mirrors are the perfect candidates for a mod face-lift with a coat of bright eco-friendly paint.  An antique chair has new personality when covered it with a modern fabric.  Ask you friends and family if there is anything they’d like to swap.  We’ve all found great items at flea markets and antique stores.  Why not cut out the middle man?

RECYCLE

All good things must come to an end but that doesn’t mean they all need to end up in a landfill.  Used furnishings that still have some life in them can be donated or listed on Freecycle or craigslist. Old textiles can be used for rags, drop cloths or quilts.  Leftover paint should be brought to the proper recycling facility.  Recently I heard about a program where leftover paint is being used to decorate people’s homes who cannot afford the paint themselves.  If you need some guidance on where to recycle you old stuff try Earth 911.

As I follow the path of eco-friendly design I am going to bring you along for the ride.  We’ll go in-depth into flooring, fabrics, furniture and paint.  Why the old options don’t work and what the new ones have to offer.  I will share vendors, shopping tips and wonderful examples to boot.  I want you to be an educated individual in a world of green products.  (Notice I did not call you a consumer…a ridiculous word that has bred a wasteful mindset.)

Every item in your newly decorated living space need not be Green!  Just consider the options and choose the sustainable ones where they work for you.  Balance beauty and function with your earth-friendly values. These small steps get us further down the path to sustainability and a Cleaner and Greener World!

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Use Room Creator to change the fabric and wallpaper in this cute little room. Cat included!

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I am not much for video games.  My niece and nephew cream me every time.  But when I found an online game where I could mix and match beautiful fabrics in a mini room, I knew I had found something up my alley.  Mod Green Pod is where I found this fun and addictive tool!

The company was created by three brilliant women who combined their  passion for textile design and the environment with some modern day business sense.  The company is based in the creative mecca known as Austin, Texas which keeps the design juices flowing.

Mod Green Pod creates modern organic fabrics for every room your home.  They are fun, bright and at $39.75 a yard it’s tempting to choose more than one.  Cover it all…pillows, sofas, draperies and dog beds.  The patterns are printed on sturdy 100% organic cotton that is made in the good ‘ol USA.  Plus the pigments are free of dangerous chemicals that can off-gas in your home.

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A wonderful selection of wallpapers at $75 per roll.

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They also have a wonderful selection of coordinating vinyl-free wallpapers that are created with water-based inks and can tolerate light wiping (paying attention, parents?).  That might be just the ticket for the powder room that gets frequent visits from the neighborhood kids.

So hop on and use the Room Creator to plan your next decorating project.  But wait until your kids go to bed so you won’t be interrupted!

Mod Green Pod is an example of one of the wonderful companies featured in My Secret Database.

Join My Secret Database for all the Best Sources!

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On Saturday I was quoted as a Green Expert in the Sun News in an article by Elaine Gaston.  It included some easy tips and you might be surprised that you have already incorporated some into your home.  Give the article a peak and let me know what you’ve done to Green Up your space by commenting below!

~Lorrie

10 Ways to Save the Environment and a Few Bucks

The Dominica Rectangular End Table from Green Culture has lovely carved details in a stunning mahogany finish. Eco-Friendly Factor: It's made of sustainably harvested wood.

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As an interior designer, I keep my knowledge current by taking continuing education classes each year.  A wonderful benefit of the Internet is that cutting-edge classes that used to require travel and time away from my office in Wellington, Florida are now offered as online seminars like the one I am going to tell you about…

I just completed an intensive course in sustainability and received my certification as an Accredited Professional from the Sustainable Furnishings Council.  The course is approved by the Rainforest Alliance, World Wildlife Fund and one of the co-founders of US Green Building Council /LEED.  The course focuses specifically on residential furnishings and other interior design issues.

It provided a lot of detailed information on the environmental issues affecting our choices and the wide range of product solutions, most of which don’t cost any more than ordinary ones. It’s simply a matter of knowing the right places to look and the right questions to ask.

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Organic cotten draperies from The Antique Drapery Rod company. 52" wide panels - 30% off while supplies last!

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I am thrilled by how much of an impact we could all make by the choosing sustainable furnishings for our homes.  You might picture that sustainable furnishings all have a modern or tropical (think Bamboo) look but that simply isn’t so!  There are so many options our there and it’s all about the how a company sources and manfactures its products.  Where they get their wood, how they process it and what types of fabrics do they use? 

From Classic to Modern styles, there is a world of Sustainable options to explore in My Secret Database.  When you Search by Style, one of your choices is Eco-Friendly, so click that button and check it out!  I plan on sharing all I have learned as well as showing you some fantastic Green furnishigns here at My Design Secrets.  So don’t be shy if you have a question.  Just drop me a note and we will all start going Green together!

Join My Secret Database Today and start searching for Eco-Friendly Furnishings for Your Home!

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I get loads of questions about paint and I certainly understand why.  It’s one of the easiest ways to make a bold design statement on a budget.  Color is usually King but now I am suggesting that you make content Queen.  This is what I mean…

I always recommend that you go with a “Low VOC” or “No VOC”  paint.  Volatile Organic Compounds (aka VOC’s) are the chemical compounds that make your room smell bad on Day 1 and then quietly emit noxious chemicals into the air over the years.  I whole-heartedly recommend Benjamin Natura Paint.  I have used it in my home so I can promise you that it’s durable, fast-drying and has no odor.  It’s available in more than 3,000 Benjamin Moore colors and it’s available locally so that helps too.  So I was interested when I saw this piece by Stephen Treffinger in the New York Times, testing out some of these non-toxic paints.   He got down to business and tried them out himself.  Click below to read the article.  It’s very well done  Short and to the point.

Finally, Good-Looking Nontoxic Paint?

I urge you to try a low-VOC paint on your next project.  You get what you pay for with paint.  For a small investment you will get  better coverage and you can sleep in your room that very night without getting a headache!

One of my favorite prints is Ocean Breezes. A more classic take on the brown and blue combo with both colors having a gently worn feeling.

My Design Secrets is the perfect outlet for my obsessive habit of collecting decorating sources.  Even with a busy design practice, and the homes of my friends and family, I still have overflowing amounts of advice and sources that are here for the taking!  Today I stumbled onto a site that makes me giddy.  Saffron Marigold carries exotic, handmade, eco-friendly bedding and linens that are bursting with gorgeous colors and good Karma to boot! 

A versatile tablecloth that goes from everyday to festive and then just throw it in the wash.

This black and white shower curtain lends some modern flair to this traditional paisley.

The owner, Anisha, is a girl after my own heart.  She has a Masters degree in Human Resources but her love of Indian Textiles was so overwhelming  that it led her to create Saffron Marigold.   It’s a small business run out of Petaluma, California that has a large heart that extends over the Indian Ocean and into Pune, India where the magic happens.  All of their products are hand-crafted according to traditional block printing techniques and each piece is an original work of art distinguished by the work of the artisan, the particular lot of dye, and even varying weather conditions.  They work with a couple of artisan studios with whom they have a close relationship.  They visit the studios to make sure they follow Fair Trade practices that Saffron Marigold values, as well as helping the craftspeople become more economically self-sufficient.

These white lace curtain panels are perfect for a soft touch that's a bit more sophisticated than most country curtains.

A 17" x 17" pillow cover is only $19.99. This is the most stylish sofa makeover bargain you are going to get!

With a broad selection of bedding, shower curtains, table linens, pillow covers, and sheer curtains you are sure to find something to spice up your home.  Cool blue and turquoise, spicy saffron and cinnamon, and breezy white on white. You can shop by the item or by prints with names like Lavender Dreams, Paisley Au Lait or Memories of Shalimar.  You will enjoy browsing the site and the fantastic prices are a wonderful bonus.

Enjoy!

~Lorrie