What makes mango wood sustainable? 

 Mango trees are huge trees that are initially grown for their fruit. The trees can reach 60 to 100 feet in height and can grow up to three to five feet in diameter. However, once the trees reach this size, they stop producing fruit. The farmers cut these trees down in order to make room for new mango trees that can produce the fruit. Once the older trees are cut down, the mango wood is used for making wood products, providing additional revenue for the farmers and making good use of the resources.

 Mango is unusual in that the wood comes in a number of shades, from very blond to very dark wood. The hardwood and pronounced grain make mango a beautiful wood for anything from tables, to stools, to bowls.

This all purpose occasional table is made of 100% Mango wood. Available at SOGreenStore.com  $328 includes shipping.

So many wonderful products are now available in eco-friendly choices and are just as stylish and chic as their counterparts. Right now some of my favorites are luxurious bed and bath products made from 100% Bamboo.

Here is a little Bamboo 101 for you ~

Bamboo fiber is 100% made from bamboo through a high-tech process. The raw material bamboo is selected from non-polluted areas in Asia. The whole distilling and production process produces natural and eco- friendly fiber without any chemical additives. Bamboo fiber is also a unique biodegradable textile material. As a natural cellulose fiber it can be

100% biodegraded in soil by microorganisms and sunshine.

It is a common fact that bamboo can thrive naturally without using pesticide. Scientists have found that bamboo owns a unique anti-bacteria and bacteriostatic bio-agent. This substance is combined with bamboo cellulose during the process of being manufactured into bamboo fiber resulting in a naturally antibacterial fabric. This antibacterial property means fabrics stay fresh and keeps away odor causing bacteria. It is proven that wash after wash, bamboo fiber fabric still possesses excellent function of antibacteria. Bamboo fiber’s natural anti-bacteria does not cause skin allergy as can sometimes happen with chemical antimicrobial .

Another benefit of bamboo fiber is its unusual ability to breathe and ventilate. A cross-section of the bamboo fiber will show that it is filled with various micro-gaps and micro-holes, giving excellent moisture absorption and ventilation. With this unparalleled micro-structure, bamboo fiber fabrics can absorb and evaporate moisture in a split second, making people feel extremely cool and comfortable in the hot summer.

Bamboo fabrics are made from pure bamboo fiber yarns which have excellent wet permeability, moisture vapor transmission property, superior strength and durability over time, soft and comfortable hand, better drape, easy dying, and splendid colors. It is a newly founded, great prospective green fabric. Bamboo fiber is praised as " the natural, green and eco-friendly new-type textile material of 21st century" .

Here are two my favorite Bamboo products of the moment ~ soft, silky and pure luxury while still making a green choice.

I love the idea of using earth friendly materials to decorate my home. I also find it comforting to support and showcase an art that has all but disappeared except for this cool company we found a few years ago. 'Marie Courrant' makes beautiful metal floralware the old fashioned way!

Eleven gorgeous stems were plucked from a series of antique botanical prints, wallpaper, and fabric from the Federalist period. Crafted of bronze, copper and pewter finishes, these unusual flowers were integrated into a unique collection of giftware items for the home. Handcrafted by trained artisans, each stem is soldered on by hand. Meticulously assembled, each object reflects the quality one would expect in a fine piece of art. Pomegranate flowers, daffodils, and dogwood blooms are a few of the inspirations behind these unique and classic pieces.

Elegant and sophisticated, these one of a kind treasures bring the garden inside....forever.
The petite wreath in the photo can hang on a wall use as a drapery tie back or a candle holder ( you can probably come up even more ideas! ) But the best part is that it's made of copper.
Copper is an environmentally friendly material. What's more, as a natural product, copper is almost totally recyclable. Around 40% percent of the total global consumption of refined copper is scrap-based. So its beauty is more than just skin-deep!

ELEGANT MODERN
VINTAGE
and EARTH FRIENDLY

How can it be all of those???
Well let me tell you ......

THE COPPER TUB FOR TWO - Copper is an environmentally friendly material. What is more, as a natural product, copper is almost totally recyclable. Around 40% percent of the total global consumption of refined copper is scrap-based. So its beauty is more than just skin-deep!

STONE FLOORS & COUNTER – All salvaged.

FURNITURE – Both the double sink vanity and the sit down vanity were purchased used, refinished, stained and waxed with earth friendly products.

MIRRORS & CHESTS – The custom made mirror over the double vanity and the two in-wall mirrored medicine chests were custom designed and made of recycled wood.

FAUCETS – All water saving fixtures.

WINDOW COVERINGS – Custom design and made of organic cotton linen.

LIGHT FIXTURES – Slightly used future antiques!

PAINT – Zero VOC paint.

MIRRORS - reflect ambient and artificial light, allowing for use of lower-wattage bulbs and fewer fixtures. Mirrors are easy to clean, longer lasting and do not release chemicals into the air.

IN-FLOOR HEAT - installed under the stone radiates upward keeping heat close to the body.

SKY LIGHTS - with low e-glass and argon gas between the panes provide the best insulation. Most importantly provide tons of natural lighting and reduces the need to turn on lights during the day.

LO-FLOW SHOWERHEAD - sprays large water droplets, producing robust showers while using less water.

WATER SAVING TOILET - uses half the water of the old models.