CasaSugar

Casa Verde: Finest Laundry Powder

CasaSugar — Fri, 22 May 2009 06:15:58 -0700

I've switched over from the grocery store usuals like Tide and All to eco-friendly laundry detergents from brands like Method, Clorox Green Works, and Seventh Generation, and I've shown you how to make your own eco-friendly detergent. But eco detergents are nothing new. The Laundry, a Milwaukee-based laundering service, has been making its Finest Laundry Powder ($24.95), an organic, biodegradable, additive-free, dye-free, and bleach-free detergent, for over 50 years. The powder works with all washing machines, and with everything from fine knits to towels to tough denim. Beyond that, its packaging is environmentally conscious as well: order its sturdy reusable container with scoop once, and then follow up with plastic bag refills. Oh, and did I mention the packaging is gorgeous?

Nice and New: Amy Butler's New Organic Quilt Line

CasaSugar — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 06:15:32 -0800

One of my favorite textile designers, Amy Butler, has teamed up with Welspun textiles to create a new organic home textiles line. Don't hold your breath quite yet, since you still have a few months before you can snap up the full line: the quilts will be available starting in June through Bed, Bath & Beyond. The quilts range in price from $99.99 for a twin size to $179 for a king, making these pieces not only beautiful and eco, but affordable as well.

If you can't wait until June to see the entire line, good news: as a preview to this new line, Amy Butler for Welspun is offering the limited edition Kyoto quilt through Amy Butler's site. I also had the chance to check out a preview image of the rest of the line, and it looks absolutely lovely! I'll update you as soon as more photos become available.

Casa Verde: West Elm's Green Line

CasaSugar — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:00:06 -0800

In the past few years, many companies have been making the transition to greener products. West Elm has definitely been a part of this movement, and its catalog now contains products that are organic, recycled, or reclaimed. I'm partial to this natural tree-stump side table ($199), which is crafted from fallen cypress trees. While the line isn't perfect yet, I think it's definitely a step in the right direction.

To see some of my other favorites from West Elm's green line, read more.

Sale Alert: Ortolan Summer Sale

CasaSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:00:54 -0700

Ortolan is currently holding its Summer Sale, offering 20 percent off all items in store when you enter the promotional code summer20 at checkout. Ortolan sells gorgeous, classic linens for the kitchen, bedroom, and bath printed and embroidered with sophisticated and timeless motifs. Ortolan's also a very environmentally conscious company. Its Spring collection used 100 percent Certified Organic Cotton, and all of its packaging uses 100 percent recycled material. Additionally, the company tries to source and produce materials locally. Here are a few items from the sale that I wouldn't mind taking home:
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Roundup: Beautifully Designed Organic Bedding

CasaSugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 07:00:04 -0700

In the past few years, organic bedding, which had previously been eco-friendly but not very design-savvy, has really come into its own, with beautiful patterns and vibrant colors spicing up a selection of organic cotton. I'm happy to see this textile gain mass appeal, and given its reasonable price point, there's really no excuse not to transition to organic bedding.

To see a roundup of my favorite organic bedding, and to hear more about the health risks of using conventional cotton bedding, read more.

Did you know that US farmers apply nearly 1/3 of a pound of chemical fertilizers and pesticides for every pound of cotton they harvest? Conventional cotton crops account for 25 percent of all chemicals used in the United States. Furthermore, many non-organic cotton sheets are treated with formaldehyde, which helps them avoid wrinkling. And since there's no law requiring companies to label sheets that use formaldehyde, they usually don't. These sheets don’t even have to have a label informing you of what they were treated with! Formaldehyde is a cancer-causing chemical that, unfortunately, is found in many common household items like furniture, particle board (which is actually used in the construction of your house), paints, and carpet.

By choosing organic bedding, you can reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals, and know that you're doing your part to reduce pesticide use on farmland as well. Oh, and now, thanks to great new designs, you can keep your boudoir looking chic at the same time.

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Casa Quickie: Organic Bug Repellent

CasaSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:00:51 -0700

As much as a I hate to have bugs in my personal space, I'm also repelled by having chemicals on my skin. I prefer to be free of those artificial substances whenever possible. When it comes to keeping bugs away, I live by the same rules. One simple way to make chemical-free bug repellent is to mix witch hazel with a few drops of tea tree, lavender, or peppermint oil in a spray bottle. Just shake the bottle before each use and lightly mist your skin, and you'll be free and clear of that bothersome buzzing. Voilà!

DIY: Organic Fly Trap

CasaSugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:00:13 -0700

If you don't feel like spending your endless Summer chasing flies around with a swatter, a fly trap may be more like it. I recently came across a DIY for making an organic fly trap, and since this season goes hand-in-hand with the little pests, I decided to summarize it for you. You should have most, if not all, of the supplies already in your home.

Supplies:

A two-liter soda bottle (used)
Sharp knife
A wire hanger
Match, lighter, or stove gas flame
Electric tape
Bait (like a small piece of meat or dog poo mixed with water!)

To hear the steps, read more.

Remove the bottle cap.
Cut through the bottle a third of the way down.
Place the bait in the base of the bottle (the bottom two-thirds).
Invert the top third of the bottle, and slide it into the base.
Tape the two pieces of the bottle together.
Bend some wire into a U shape (for hanging), with ends angled inwards.
Heat up the ends of the wire, and bore two holes into either side of the bottle by pressing with the hot wire.
Make sure the wire is securely hooked into the bottle.
Now, hang your fly trap and relish in fly-less, chemical-free bliss!

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Get the Look: Organic Modern Elegance

CasaSugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 06:15:00 -0700

While I find modern design a little cold at times, I'm definitely a fan when it's warmed up with natural elements. Take, for instance, this room, which might look too spare if it weren't for the sheepskin rug (tossed over the back of a chair), the beautiful plants, and the natural rug on the floor. Of course, the stunning view outside doesn't hurt, either. Smack dab in the center of this photo is that beautiful natural wood stool, which really relaxes the entire room. Another unexpected element is the strip of wallpaper visible on the far right of the photo, which lends a playful touch to this room.

Are you interested in creating a similar look? I've rounded up some pieces that will help you get the look. See them when you read more.

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Steal of the Day: Organic Leopard Print Duvet Cover

CasaSugar — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 04:30:13 -0700

Add some animal magnetism to your bedroom with this West Elm organic cotton snow leopard duvet cover (full/queen on sale for $69.99, originally $99 ). This duvet cover is in a 250-thread-count organic cotton, and comes with matching shams (sold separately). I love the brown color scheme, which helps to tone down a potentially over-the-top pattern. What about you? Would you dress your bed with a leopard print?

Steal of the Day: Fleurette Duvet Cover

CasaSugar — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 08:13:33 -0800

I'm a little stunned by several details on today's steal. First, it's organic cotton. Second, the thread count is a solid 250. Third, it's a gorgeous, Parisian flea market-inspired pattern. And finally, this Fleurette duvet cover ($29.99, originally $99) is an unbelievable steal. People, you can't even buy the yardage to make this duvet cover for that little. Available only in full/queen, this printed duvet cover has button closures and reverses to solid French blue. There's a limited supply of covers, so hurry and grab one while it's still available, and while you're at it, pick up the matching pillowcases as well.

Organic Cotton Pin-Tuck Duvet Cover + Shams - $19.00	Organic Noodle Bath Mat - $26.00
Organic Cotton Blanket - $69.00	Corner-Leg Platform Bed Frame - $549.00
Corner-Leg Platform Headboard - $299.00	Recycled Glass Drinkware - $5.50
Organic Matelasse Duvet Cover + Shams - $24.00	Shadow Leaf Organic Duvet Cover + Shams - $19.00
Reversible Side Tables - $249.00	Striped Jute/Cotton Rug - $129.00
Recycled Glass Round Bowl - $8.00	Organic Ikat Towels - $9.00

Pure Comfort by DKNY - $115.00	Grid Print Organic Sheet Set - $139.00
Area Organic Mist Charcoal Sheets - $100.00	Organic Cotton Vintage Paisley Bedding - $69.00
Clodagh Deep Sea Duvet, 100% Organic Cotton Sateen - $89.99	Area Organic Details Sheets - $120.00
Unison - Organic Larch Blanket - $58.00	Organic Cotton Fiore Bedding - $169.00
Area Organic Navy White Duvet - $220.00	Amenity - Organic Cove Duvet - $330.00
Organic Cotton Antique Stripe Bedding - $99.00	Tile Organic Sheet Set - Select Items - $129.00
Avery Organic Duvet Cover & Sham - $39.00	Tatum Organic Bedding Ensemble - $239.00
Olivetta Owl Organic Duvet Cover & Sham - $29.00	Unison Tatami Organic Ivory Duvet and Cases - $44.00