Bonus Bone: Chris Jordan's Intolerable Beauty

Boxcar, Seattle 2003

Chris Jordan's photography focuses upon the Intolerable Beauty of our mass-consuming ways. By visiting American shipping centers and industrial dumps, Jordan has seen the vast stacks of by-product and waste and he's both drawn in and repelled.

Circuit boards, Atlanta 2004

These images are staggering, mostly due to the sheer volume of all this garbage! We can't not buy things, we can't not waste, and it would take a miracle for everyone, everywhere to start carrying around re-usable produce bags. A lot of us are still trying to get our neighbors (eh em) to recycle - period. But each of us can become more aware of how we use what we buy versus how we waste it.

Crushed cars #2, Tacoma 2004

So we'd simply like to ask you to pay attention. Maybe this means you'll choose the yogurt in the container that can be recycled over the one that can't. Or perhaps you'll turn over a whole new green leaf and become a composting freak (way to go, Mama C!). Hopefully, you're already on board - recycling, shopping farmers' markets, using the heck out of your cell phone before getting a new one - and this post will merely inspire you to push your dedication further.

For these reasons, I, Cardboard, declare these images - this motive - a Design Boner.

Bonus Bone: Ecomposter

ECOmposter, at ECOmposter

On the "What Is It?" segment of Ask This Old House last weekend, Roger Cook presented the above item to all the fellas. Richard Trethewey had the funniest guess, with it being a bowling teaching device for children. In actuality, it turned out to be a composter.

I rarely want to go out and get any of the gadgets they show on that segment, but I was pretty impressed with how this composting ball made composting so much easier and faster. Compost needs to be regularly mixed and, in conventional composting bins, that requires raking, a task which isn't easy and can be messy and smelly.

The ECOmposter allows you to simply spin the ball on its base and you're done. You can also roll it to where you need to add your compost. And because the the ECOmposter is well sealed, you don't have the smell. Compost creation time is increased. To top it all off, the Ecomposter is made from reclaimed/recycled nylon plastic.

For these reasons, I, Porcelain, declare this a Design Boner.

Bonus Bone: Big Ol' Bright Color at Crate & Barrel

Crate & Barrel is often noted for their clean whites and sophisticated wood palette but they're showing up with some in-your-face color with their latest catalog.

Check out some of the yum proving to be a welcome candy-coating to this dull Chicago winter:

Multicolored Cocktail Napkins, $19.95 for 12

Hogan Rug in Teal, $19.95-$199

Tote Bags, $26.95 each

Henley Floor Pillows, $36.95 each

Newport Dishtowels, $4.95 each

Abagail Throws, $49.95 each

Mini Bowls, $8.95 for 4

For this reason, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.

Bonus Bone: Coal water purifier

Binchotan coal water purifier (pitcher size), at DWR

I read about these coal water purifiers in a Martha Stewart Living magazine earlier this year. I'm curious how well they work. (Anyone ever try them?)

We have a couple Brita pitchers at home and I always hate having to throw out the big plastic filters. At the end of the coal's life cycle, you can crush it up and mix it into your plant soil. So even though you won't be saving any money on these compared to the Brita filters, you might feel a tiny bit better about one less thing going into a landfill.

For this reasons, I, Porcelain, declare this a Design Boner.

Bonus Bone: Dutchtub

Dutchtub

When Hardwood and I went on vacation a month ago, we rented a house with a hot tub. We ended our days in the hot tub with a glass of wine and stared up at the stars. We decided if we ever have a vacation home, we must have some celebrity hot tub action!

Dutchtub offers everything that Hardwood and I want in a hot tub: cool design and environmentally friendly. You just need access to water and wood. No chemicals to keep the water clean and no electricity to heat the water.

For these reasons, I, Porcelain, declare this a Design Boner.

National Work That Bike Day

Want a Bike - Double, by vintagelove at etsy

Dear Commuter Polluters-

We just read that May is National Bike Month...and this week is National Bike Week...and tomorrow is Bike to Work Day! Unfortunately, both Porcelain and I have tomorrow off (strike that unfortch) so we will be keeping a lo'zone profile by hanging around in our rompers, drinkin' coffee barefoot, no lights on.

To all you good decent workers who are hitting the streets in the AM, you should do this. If you don't have a bike, why not try a bus or a train or a walk (gasp!) or, in the very least, a carpool? The Earth and your HOT BOD will soon thank you.

Many green kisses-
The Family Bone

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day! If you're looking to combine a little spring cleaning and some Earth Day celebrating you should wander over to Mrs. Myers. They're offering free shipping on every order today!

Photo credit: NASA

RuMe Bags

RuMe Bags, at Delight

Oh, pretty pattern! Not since the Envirosax have I been so attracted to a reusable grocery tote. Yet these RuMe bags (get it? roomy...) are less expensive (3 for $25) and they're constructed to stand open, like an "old-fashioned paper bag."

One last reason to grab some for yourself: apparently "Nicole Richie and Joel Madden LOVE their RuMe Bags" (yet the Delight link is broken so I'm wondering who, really, is behind this celebrity endorsement).

Hand Wash Only

Bamboo Dish Rack, at Crate & Barrel

This is a sharp looking dish drying rack, don't you think? With its sturdy design (of renewable bamboo), I see it next to the washbin of a solitary monk or beside a beach house farm sink.

Yet, in real life, I fear this baby won't be able to hold up. I mean, where do you store the super-sized plastic HeMan novelty cups from McDonald's?

Happy Christmas!

Happy Christmas from Design Boner.

May your home be overflowing with laughter,
memories, and inappropriately formed gingerbread.

Happy Earth Day! - (Now Git to Cleanin')

Porcelain and I celebrated Earth Day today by taking the train to work. Sure, we do that everyday and, no, neither of us have cars...Did you catch that? We're pro-green every day of the week. And riding the CTA daily deserves some aromatherapy.

So we went a little crazy on the Mrs. Meyer's website just now. We feel justified as it's an eco-conscious company making eco-conscious products and we all need to clean (even on the holidays). Here's what ended up in our "bucket:"

Basil & Basil Dish Soap

I've been stalking the new Basil scent at Whole Foods but they don't seem to carry it yet so I ordered me up some Dish Soap online. I need my dishes to smell like Caprese Salad. Need it.

Lavender Dryer Sheets & Lavender in the Sun

I also picked up some Lavender Dryer Sheets because I just heard a naesty rumor that regular dryer sheets use animal fats to soften. The Mrs. Meyer's sheets contain a "vegetable-derived softening agent" and I bet they smell a whole field of flowers better than Jewel Brand.

Geranium Hand Soap & [Duh] & Geranium Shower Cleaner

Porcelain entered Geranium kingdom and rode off with some Surface Scrub, Shower Cleaner, and a giant tub of Hand Soap. It is Earth Day so she's working the refill angle (less packaging waste). Way to green it, Porce.

Clary Sage Chamomile Litter Freshener & The Stink

Lastly, Porcelain grabbed some Clary Sage Chamomile Litter Freshener. She's used it in the past and says it smells great but also helps to neutralize the peeps smell. Think I'll have to try some of that next time.

But we're not the only ones who can have this much fun buying cleaning supplies online. Right now Mrs. Meyer's is offering 30% off the entire order. Simply enter in coupon code DC30 at check out.

Bonus Bone: Scrapile dining table

Original Dining Table, by Scrapile

Wood detail

I love wooden dining tables. I think it stems back to the big pine table we had in our kitchen growing up. It was where we had family dinners every night, did homework, and chatted with Mom when we got home from school. It was the social hub of our home.

I saw this dining table in a recent Elle Decoration UK and fell in love. I also love tables that make a bold statement. As I learned more about what goes into making this table, I loved it even more for its green design. Scrapile collects and repurposes discarded wood scraps from New York's woodworking industry. I love the stripes from all the different types of wood they used. Such a beauty!! I'd love to have this be the social hub of my current home.

For these reasons, I, Porcelain, declare this a Design Boner.

Hey Mr. DJ...

Urbanati DJ Console, by Trevor O'Neil

Trevor O'Neil (of T.O.D.) sent us a pretty bad-ass heads up. He just finished the design and build-out of a custom media stand for one hip client. Not only does the piece look polished and original but it's all kinds of repurposed. Here's what Trevor says:

I used only recycled materials - that same cork [leftover from a previous piece, Dulce De Leche Diva]. The pine beams are actually from my childhood home that was recently sold and gutted (snif--talk about heartbreak), and the plywood was left over from a cabinet job.

I'm really fond of O'Neil's designs. If I remember correctly, he's self-taught in the arts of furniture design. It impresses me that he's constantly creating strong, unique pieces that look great but also have a green heartbeat. Or should I say...

Playerz' off the chain with the dope homegoods design and he be representin' OG and eco-illin'. Now spin my jam, homeslice.

If you're interested in a custom job or anything else he's got going on, send him a note shout out.

Bonus Bone: Kithaus K3

Kithaus K3, available at Design Within Reach

I have a secret fantasy of moving out into the middle of the woods and constructing an ultra-modern prefab house. This house tour on AT Chicago really put the wheels in my brain in motion. Earlier this week Design Within Reach announced the arrival of the Kithaus. It's super tiny (only 9'x13', so too small to live in), but it would be the most awesome painting studio ever!!! Then I looked at the price, ahem, well I guess I can always dream. Or perhaps there is someone out there that has been wanting to become a benefactor!

For these reasons, I, Porcelain, declare this a Design Boner.

Greenmaker Building Supply - new online store

I just received an email that Chicago's Greenmaker Building Supply just opened up an online store. Whip out those credit cards and get greening!!!!

Cardboard as Fashion

Cardboard on ANTM

I knew cardboard was couture!

For the latest episode of America's Next Top Model, all the lovlies had to pose as/with recyclables. The newly bleached Jenah had the privilege of being cardboard.

The shoes are hot-city and the wide belt over a corrugated dress is nifty but I think I nailed the close-up much better, don't you?

Bonus Bone: Eggflat by Josh Jakus

Eggflat, available at Branch

The eggflat is one sculptural beauty! It's made from industrial wool felt, which is comprised of 85% factory excess wool and 15% mixed fibers. So it looks good and is eco-friendly too! A win-win combination. It would look great holding your keys and change by your front door. Or I think it would be fabulous on a dresser holding all your trinkets and baubles. It also looks pretty nifty holding that pear. Oodles of uses!

For these reasons, I, Porcelain, declare this a Design Boner.

Bonus Bone: Ray, the Table Lamp

Do you know what this is?

An inventive sun glasses display at Walgreen's?

Ray - the Table Lamp, by Element Design

Nope, it's a lamp! Not only does it embody a tabletop disco (feast on those shadows!) but, from what I can tell, it's made entirely from sun glasses on a metal stand. Even the ON switch appears to be part of a pair of sun specs.

I say "appears" because the English translation from the Dutch description doesn't focus on the materials used. Instead, Element endearingly informs us that this lamp (named Ray) uses "sun glasses differently at once." Indeed!

For these reasons, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.

Grandma Knew Green

the Pink, in Cardboard's Bedroom

Grandma Cardboard was ahead of her time. Long before anyone cared about recycling or knew "what the hang" a carbon footprint was, my grandma was thinking green. I was too young to remember this hobby of hers but my mom talks about it fondly.

Grandma Cardboard used to peruse thrift stores and gather all the wool she could find, usually nabbing a goldmine in worn out winter coats. As my mom and her siblings sat around, watching TV or playing games, my grandma would sit on the floor and make a rug. She first cut the old coats into strips and sewed the short pieces together (still sitting on the floor and using a hand-cranked sewing machine) to form long strips. Then she braided the long portions together, winding and stitching them into a circular or oval shape. The braids were fastened together with heavy-duty oil thread. She would keep herself busy with this for hours, planning out her color schemes and patterns. The end result was always slightly miraculous and definitely pretty.

I am lucky to have one of her largest rugs in my bedroom. It's the "pink" rug, named for the overall pinky-purpley look of the rug. It's one of her oval creations, with its longest side measuring out to about 10' and weighing probably about 60 pounds. It's impressive. It's lovely. It's eco-friendly. But most of all, it's the tangible texture of my grandma's creative spirit, the perfect spot to find balance every morning.

Decidedly Anti-Green

I've been thinking a lot about carbon footprints lately. I'm trying to remember to switch off lights as I leave the room and I usually wash my clothes in cold water. I'm growing conscious of my own green habits (or lack thereof) so it makes sense that I'm also watching others. I often see people on train platforms throw their newspapers in the trashcan instead of the recycling bin (only about 10 feet away). Well, not people. Person. I see one person do this. (You know who you are, Turquoise Crocs.)

The main reason for this post, however, is that this morning, I witnessed a Zipcar parade. I've heard good things about Zipcar and their competitor I-Go. No matter which company you prefer, the whole car-sharing concept is a great green idea. You must then understand my disappointment when I saw 3 Zipcars driving down the street, with balloons trailing from the backseats and the lead car on loudspeaker, puttering along in a gas-guzzling promotional parade. I'm all for self-promotion and I even enjoy parades but this stunt was pathetic, contradictory, and the only thing it advertised was wasted resources.

Boo, Zipcar! Practice what you preach!