The Louis bathroom vanity comes in different shades. Here it is shown in Robin’s Egg. This sweet piece is as chic as it is eco-friendly. Perfect for a more feminine feel.

As a green interior designer, I’m always on-the-look for products that are as sustainable as they are beautiful. I was recently turned on to Waterfall Bathroom Furniture, a company whose mission is to provide the most environmentally sensitive bathroom furnishings available.

The Chinatown vanity in China Red is a sexy statement in the perfect setting to create the perfect mood. Hint, hint.

As Sales and Marketing Manager Barbara Kratus says, “All our vanities are made from FSC-certified woods, and we use only low-VOC paints. Waterfall vanities come in 13 different color options and range in size from 19” to 60” double vanities. We pride ourselves on creating luxurious furniture pieces while remaining green, offering lots of customization options (countertop materials, colors, hardware), and manufacturing in Canada using fair labor practices.”

The Diplomat in Graphite is perfect for a more masculine setting.

And check this out. CaesarStone countertops which are made out of 100% post consumer content are also offered as an option. Gorgeous sustainable and affordable bathroom luxury. We support that in a big way.

Mental note to self: I’m gettin’ me one of these for my next bathroom remodel.

For more on Waterfall Bathroom Furniture, click here.

A glimpse into the future: Masdar City–the world’s greenest place on earth

Ok, this is not a science fiction story I’m about to share with you. Although if it were, I’d be one of the first to read it…especially since it pertains to the future of our planet.

So check this out. The city of Masdar in Abu Dhabi located in the United Arab Emirates (together with The Worldwide Fund for Nature) “launched a Sustainability Action Plan to deliver the world’s greenest city – Masdar City. Located near Abu Dhabi International Airport, Masdar City will be the world’s first zero-carbon, zero-waste, car-free city, aiming to exceed the 10 sustainability principles of ‘One Planet Living™’– a global initiative launched by the Worldwide Fund for Nature and environmental consultancy BioRegional.” ::Source: The Masdar Initiative

Model of the future city with 50,000 inhabitants

Here are some of the green details as stated by The Masdar Initiative:

ZERO CARBON: 100 per cent of energy supplied by renewable energy – Photovoltaics, concentrated solar power, wind, waste to energy and other technologies

ZERO WASTE: 99 per cent diversion of waste from landfill (includes waste reduction measures, re-use of waste wherever possible, recycling, composting, waste to energy)

SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT: Zero carbon emissions from transport within the city; implementation of measures to reduce the carbon cost of journeys to the city boundaries (through facilitating and encouraging the use of public transport, vehicle sharing, supporting low emissions vehicle initiatives)

Check out the car rail system…How fun! That definitely appeals to my inner 7 year old.

SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS: Specifying high recycled materials content within building products; tracking and encouraging the reduction of embodied energy within materials and throughout the construction process; specifying the use of sustainable materials such as Forest Stewardship Council certified timber, bamboo and other products

SUSTAINABLE FOOD: Retail outlets to meet targets for supplying organic food and sustainable and or fair trade products

SUSTAINABLE WATER: Per capita water consumption to be at least 50 per cent less than the national average; all waste water to be re-used

HABITATS AND WILDLIFE: All valuable species to be conserved or relocated with positive mitigation targets

CULTURE AND HERITAGE: Architecture to integrate local values.

EQUITY AND FAIR TRADE: Fair wages and working conditions for all workers (including construction) as defined by international labour standards

HEALTH AND HAPPINESS: Facilities and events for every demographic group

Sound like a green utopia? Maybe. Or maybe, world leaders are starting to catch on to higher thinking in terms of dealing with the global crisis And just maybe, Masdar City will lead other world cities into doing the exact same thing and we’ll be out of this mess before it’s too late. That thought gives me the goose bumps all over…

I just happened to come across some funny animated short tips from animals on how to live an eco-friendly lifestyle. The best part? They were produced by Wallace and Gromit Aardman Animations studio for Animal Planet and I’ve seriously got a thing for Wallace and Gromit.

To view the eco-animated shorts, click here.

Project Earth Day Eco-Fashion Design Competition in New York City…

It’s one of those quiet Sunday mornings here today in my sweet home where I’m musing over beautiful images of Project Earth Day photographs while sipping on my tea. Life is really good.

Here are images of the event, held every year on Earth Day in New York City…

One of the winning designs in the student design competition by Judy Lee :: Source: Inhabitat

Ooohhhh I love that dress…

The perfect summer dress. Carolina, that would look adorable on you!

Another summer piece with flats….Yeah baby, I’m diggin it…

There is something profoundly important about wearing clothes that have been created with eco-consciousness. It just feels right. That coupled with style is priceless. I’m there. Jen…thinking of you.

For the full scoop on the show, click here.

Art installation at restaurant Cabbages and Condoms. Love those colors!

Ok so I’m noticing an inspiring trend these days in social activism. Instead of focusing on what is wrong, ‘new activists’ are now infusing a sense of humor into raising consciousness and it’s working. As reported in the May issue of ODE Magazine, article New Model Army, “From executive suites to department stores, new activists are showing how to get things right.”

A restaurant in Thailand, “Cabbages and Condoms” is a perfect example. Colorful condoms are handed out to customers instead of after dinner mints to promote safe sex and population control. What a grand idea–Have a great meal and then go home and make safe love. I’m diggin’ it and the most important thing; it puts a big smile on my face. This coupled with other creative methods of reducing Aids in Thailand (like my favorite–asking Buddhist monks to bless condoms), has contributed to the decrease of the disease and the reduction of population growth. Hip, hip horrah!

Check out this scene:

A waiter at Cabbages and Condoms serves a yummy tropical drink. Notice the customer’s face. Love it!

Raising consciousness with a big smile is helping to heal the planet.

For the complete article, you’ll need the new issue of ODE. I highly recommend it.

Check out this video. Team Aquaduct won a competition this year, entitled “Innovate or Die” for its pedal-powered water transportation and filtration vehicle. What a cool idea.

As reported by the official Google Blog, “Team Aquaduct was declared the winner out of 102 entries by building a unique and functional solution to provide rural communities with access to clean water.”

We love that.  Let’s get this baby to those in need…

Click here for more info.