Bamboo is making itself at home everywhere, from your bedroom to your kitchen to your dining room.  We may compare it to wood, but technically bamboo is a grass.  It is the fastest growing woody plant in the world; making it nature’s most sustainable resource.  It can reach maturity in 4 years.  One species has been clocked at growing 47 inches in 24 hours!

The more obvious uses of bamboo are seen in the form of furniture, flooring, drapery rods, blinds and cutting boards.  There are also new items making the scene that incorporate fabric that is made from bamboo.  Examples include supple sheets and towels, fashionable clothing, and light and airy drapery sheers. There are oodles of options.

Let’s not forget that the bamboo motif is ultra attractive and adds an exotic flair to any room.  Chandeliers, mirrors, pillows, wallpaper and chairs look fantastic in a multitude of colors and patterns. 

Bamboo is a double duty design item that can add a terrific twist to your home!

You will find many items with Bamboo motifs in My Secret Database. The Eco-Friendly companies are indicated with this symbol!

Room Screens can serve a variety of purposes; from breaking up large open spaces to providing a small private nook for meditation.  They can stealthily cover up an unwanted view or hide a storage area.  In honor of the versatile screen, let’s take a look at some creative options depending on what your budget (or lack there of) will allow.

A Steal

Necessity is the mother of invention.  This is an idea that I have used in my own home.  My husband, Tim, and I had picked up some rolled bamboo fencing at Home Depot to install in our Asian-inspired garden.  We bought more than we needed and had one piece leftover.  We are lucky enough to have a panoramic view of the canal in our backyard from our living and dining rooms, but on one side we have seasonal neighbors who have dogs that like to bark every time they see our dog Emma in the window.  Solution?  The screen.  I just leaned it up against the window.  Problem solved! 

Split Bamboo Fencing 58″ x 13′ by Gardener’s Supply Company $49.95

A Deal

This beautiful bamboo screen from Gaiam is eco-friendly and made from pesticide free bamboo.  It is pliable, so you can form it into whatever shape works for your space.  It has the soothing feeling of a gentle wave.  I buy lots of yoga products and home products from Gaiam.  They are in My Secret Database.

Bamboo Screen 8′W x 6′H by Gaiam $269.00

Completely Surreal

Now, interior design would not be much fun if we did not indulge, or in this case overindulge, in some beautiful but pricey items.  I found this gorgeous 1959 Italian screen on 1st Dibs.  It is being sold through an antique dealer in London and is made from pallisander wood.  This is a very hard reddish brown to dark violet wood species with dark or black stripes.  It is more common in Europe than the states.  Lovely as it is, a new car sounds nice too.

Pallisander Screen by Ico Parisi 8′x6′ offered by 1st Dibs $36,000

Did you know that last Thursday was the first day of spring? I know some of you may still have snow on your window sill, but it takes some time to plan a charming outdoor retreat so I want you to be well prepared. So let’s peek at some fashionable patio umbrellas.   The exotic waterproof, cotton umbrella above is from Eastern Serenity.  It has hand applied artwork and the frame is made of Thai bamboo.  The more modern version below is from The Conran Shop and features a plastic canopy that is stencil-cut to allow dappled sunshine to stream through.  Either one will flatter your patio furniture and motivate you to fire up the grill, kick back and enjoy the great outdoors!