Right now one of my favorite design trends is to hang a chandelier in the kitchen (feminine influence) and place a farmhouse type table smack dab in the middle of the room.  It feels yummy and the energy in perfect harmony.  Above photo via Sköna hem.

Love that black chandelier and this beautiful kitchen via Domino Magazine.

Drew Barrymore’s adorable kitchen via Domino Magazine.

I think I’d spend most of my time here in this kitchen if it were mine, although, I’m sure I would replace the light fixure with a fabulous chandelier. The fireplace adds an additional level of cozy to the already cozy act of eating and gathering with loved ones.

And when I say crazy, I do mean insane (savings, that is.)

There are just two days left of a 40% tea sale at T-Ching - who offer certified organic, high quality whole leaf teas and accessories.

I highly recommend getting some serious savings for a rich and decadent product. It’s the perfect time.

According to T-Ching, you won’t find anything close at these prices anywhere.

Darjeeling Imperial (shown above)

It doesn’t get much better than this. This tea is a rich, full-bodies black from Makaibari with a light amber cup and a roasted caramel mouth. 2008 2nd Flush. Certified Organic.

Starting at: $17.70
Sale: $10.62
Savings: 40%
Click here to purchase

Jun Shan Yellow - 2007 (shown at right)

This is an authentic, 2007 rare yellow tea from Hunan Province in the Dong Ting Lake area. This yellow tea is renowned in China and not often found here in the U.S. You may see teas sold as Jun Shan Silver Needles that are grown in the region, but not necessarily grown on beautiful Jun Mountain as is ours.

It is in very limited supply at the moment.

Enjoy it while it lasts. Organic Certified .

Starting at: $12.30
Sale: $7.38
Save: 40% off
Click here to purchase

Kishangani Snow Bud - 2007 (shown at left)

This is a special edition white tea grown in Kishanganj, India. The tea is comprised of individual, hand picked buds that have the appearance of silver needles.

The dried buds are visually attractive and the liquor is delicate and sweet.

Most people in the U.S. haven’t even heard of White tea. Those who have, know it as a rare tea from Fujian Province in China that is made from the individual, hand picked buds of the tea plant with no additional processing other than withering and drying. Using traditional hand-crafted artisan methods, this tea is quickly approaching the quality of the Chinese whites.

Fuding and Zheng He, watch out… here comes Kishanganj. Certified Organic
Starting at: $13.40
Sale: $8.04
Save: 40% off
Click here to purchase

The above is just a sampling of what T-Ching offers. I noticed that some teas are already selling out. To see what else is on sale visit: www.tchingstore.com.

On Saturday, I gave a talk at the Fair Trade Federation Conference (held this year in Portland, Oregon) on the subject of Design Trends for 2009.

There was no pay involved and my sole purpose was to contribute to ideas to help the industry respond to current consumer trends in the market (from the home and business interior design perspectives), and work towards keeping the global economy sustainable; all in a fair trade, respectable humanitarian and earth loving way.

It was an exhilarating experience and one that I am grateful to have participated in. About 25 people showed up for the 30 minute talk and 30 minute Q&A that followed.

I spent several weeks doing research, speaking to retailers and consumers alike, and combined my results with my own experiences as an interior designer, green designer and feng shui consultant. The nationwide audience found these parts of the talk particularly relevant:

CREATING COMFORT AT HOME

With stress levels reaching extremely high levels these days, millions of us are looking for was to create comfort around us, and increase our quality of life. According to CNN, psychic business are thriving, the NYTimes reports that chocolate businesses are booming, and remodeling companies are reporting a decrease in their remodel projects and an increase in re-design projects - with consumers buying things like sofas and chairs to create a more comfortable living space at home.

With staycations on the rise these days, along with the growing popularity of creating quiet spaces at home, many of us are wanting to enhance our personal living environments with things that have meaning.

For example, personal symbology that speaks positive affirmations to us like the Tree of Life wall hanging (shown at left), help to lift our spirits, and as Ten Thousand Villages reports [their various tree of life wall hangings] are selling quite well.

Why you might wonder? Well, the tree is symbolic of life, hope and growth. We are currently in a time of re-birth - we are recreating systems -  and the symbol of the tree fits into all of home decor styles, transcending things like politics and economics. Tree hangings come in all shapes, sizes and price ranges.

The idea of increasing our comfort levels is also supported by Pottery Barn’s March Catalog with the cover stating, “Make Yourself Comfortable” alongside a photo of an inviting living room scene. (Imho, if Pottery Barn is showing it, it’s a current design trend).

I was also recently interviewed for the March issue of Oregon Home Magazine for advice on how to decorate a living room space as a calm sanctuary.  Oregon Home is a high-end home decor magazine and up until that point I had never been asked how to decorate a living room space (by a major media publication) with that theme in mind. To me that says that it’s a growing theme in people’s minds.

Overall, the growing trend these days of “taking better care of ourselves” by creating spaces that nurture our inner Spirit, is good news. We humans, especially in this country, need to slow down a bit, take some deep breaths and love ourselves along the way. We deserve it.

For more details on various product and service design trends in 2009, just ask (me). Please use the Contact Page.

It’s the second year here at Planet Pink n’ Green that we are honoring life on earth without electricity, and enjoying the simpler things around us that make us happy.

Tonight from 8:30 to 9:30 pm, millions of people around the globe will turn off ALL their electricity in honor of Earth Hour.

Let’s get this eco-groove on. That’s 60 minutes of no electricity and probably one of the most powerful statements we can make as a world collective.

Imagine the possibilities of what we can do in that one hour. I see a lot of love making in many ways. We can light candles, calm our hearts, listen to our breath, sing and kiss in the dark, and celebrate the planet by conserving.

Ah, what healing. We could use some of that right about now.

When I found out about the creatives behind the photographic gallery G2 in Los Angeles, I was inspired. All proceeds from art sales are donated to environmental causes. That and the photography exhibited shows the magic and beauty of our planet.

Daniel and Susan Gottlieb (shown at right) are the vision behind the gallery and their mission is to play a key role in bringing awareness of environmental issues to the public.

I was curious how one arrives at such a destination and asked the Gottlieb’s to answer some questions. They graciously agreed to the following interview:

CJ: Why did you decide to open G2 gallery?

S&D: We both have a lifelong interest in photography and Susan has had a very long-standing involvement with environmental conservation.  Our interest in travel took us to many places that begged to be photographed and as our collection of photographs grew we needed a place to display them.  We ended up with a world class gallery building in a world class art area (Venice, California) and decided that we wanted to display and sell world class nature and wildlife photographers.

CJ: What does G2 mean?

S&D: Dan’s last name is Gottlieb and Susan’s last name is Gottlieb – hence G2.

CJ: How long has G2 been a dream for both of you?

S&D: G2 has been in the making for a long time and came into existence with a coming together of several facts - our travels which produce much of our photography, our interest in conservation and education and our finally having enough money to make a gallery a reality.  With that in mind, the gallery was in the making for several years.

CJ: What has been your biggest inspiration?

S&D: For Susan, the beauty of the natural world is her inspiration.  For Dan, Antarctica has been his biggest inspiration.

CJ: What is it about photograph as an art form that represents your vision of the environment?

S&D: Photography is the most accurate depiction of our natural world and all its beauty. It is hard to improve on Mother Nature.

CJ: What is currently you favorite photographic work?

S&D: There are too many favorites to name just one. It is very hard to be surrounded by so many beautiful pictures and choose one as a favorite.

CJ: How is G2 unique?

S&D: G2 is unique in that, in Los Angeles, it is the only gallery dedicated to wildlife and nature photography.  The gallery donates all proceeds from art sales to environmental charities and sponsors lectures on the environment and environmental photography.

CJ: Do you support new creative photographers on the scene?

S&D: Yes we do.  Anyone who wishes to can enter the jury process set up at the gallery. And if accepted their work will be shown. In addition, we plan to start a photography contest which will allow photographers, known and unknown, to enter their work.

CJ: What advice would you give to artists in this field who are following their dream?

S&D: Since photography as an art form is in its infancy, photographers have to have perseverance and a belief in themselves and their art.  In addition, they must keep up with all the latest technology and techniques.

For more information on G2 and upcoming exhibits, follow this.