eco living tips

Sustainable design has many facets. Whether it's incorporating unique architecture that maximizes light exposure, furnishing with reclaimed materials, or reducing carbon emissions with green power, these houses showcase the best in innovative eco practices and stunning design. Many of them are also fittingly located in breathtaking environments, where farmlands, seashores, and jungles complement the sleek architectural frames of these modern homes. If you're looking to incorporate eco elements into your own home through a remodel or are simply curious about the diversity of sustainable design, you'll definitely want to peruse this impressive collection of homes!

Los Angeles-based prefab company Connect:Homes is launching a new line of affordable, sustainable modular homes, which are perfect for a backhouse, guesthouse, or office space. To celebrate the launch, Connect:Homes has teamed up with West Elm and designer Kishani Perera to outfit the first Connect 2.1 Modern Prefab Pop-Up. This beautifully decorated prefab was unveiled today at Dwell on Design, and you can check it out in person through June 24 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

In case you can't make it to Dwell on Design, the Connect:Homes prefab showcase will be on view in Venice, CA, in July and August, where it will host a series of open houses and events, and can also be viewed by appointment. Keep clicking to take a peek!

Reclaimed or salvaged lumber has been all the rage for years now, but sometimes architects, designers, and homeowners are looking for an option that's a little more streamlined and easy to work with. That's where Timeline comes in. This brilliant option can be used for all sorts of home applications, from your floor to your ceiling and more, and offers the same color depth and texture that reclaimed wood does, but avoiding all the problems that are often associated with working with reclaimed lumber. And it's also a great eco option. How does Timeline do it all? Keep clicking to find out and get inspired.

Noted environmentalist and actor Adrian Grenier has just moved SHFT.com headquarters to the W Hollywood and The Residences. Grenier cofounded SHFT in 2009 with film producer Peter Glatzer as a way to inform and inspire others about environmentalism and sustainability. SHFT will use the new headquarters at the W Residences for hosting private events and screenings, conducting meetings, producing lifestyle and video content, and displaying SHFT-curated products.

"The Residences at W Hollywood is a fantastic property that marries sustainable luxury living and great innovation in the heart of Hollywood," Grenier said in a press statement. "It's an ideal partnership because the property is a reflection of what SHFT stands for, and we're excited to start producing art shows and music series, and in general to start bringing the creative SHFT community to our new home."

Keep clicking to tour the space, and to get inspired with some ideas on going eco chic at your home, too!

Photos courtesy of SHFT

Adrian Grenier photo courtesy of Getty

For travelers craving an adventure, Sweden's Treehotel is a must-book vacation destination. The two-year-old "hotel" is located an hour by car from Luleå airport, with five very unique structures already built and in operation. In total, 24 rooms are planned for this forested area around Harads. Of course, there's also a sauna as well — it wouldn't be a Scandinavian stay without one.

The treerooms are suspended off the ground and can be accessed by various methods depending on room, with ramps or bridges two of the ways to get to your room. These eco-friendly and absolutely adventurous spaces are a delight to the senses. Keep clicking to take a quick tour of Sweden's Treehotel.

Picnic season is in full swing, and while convenience is crucial, you also want to be sure to avoid creating excess waste. If your idea of eco-friendly picnic fare conjures visions of tan hemp napkins and outdated designs, think again. You're going to be surprised by what's available these days. We've combed the web to pull together picnic products that are so cute, you might not even believe they're eco-friendly.

Sustainable decor should never compromise stylish design, and with so many amazing green brands on the market, it's easier to find a variety of looks to suit all types of aesthetics. In honor of Earth Day, we scoured the market to find eco-friendly textiles and rugs that are not only easy on the eyes and the earth, but also the wallet. If you're looking for beautiful sustainable decor to bring into your home this Spring, take a look at some of the pieces that are making our eco-shopping list!