VerdeLifestyles

Considered a “woody grass,” not a tree, bamboo can be used in the production of furniture, décor, kitchenware — even clothing and food — with sustainability in mind!

Adding a new, sustainable wooden stool to your home is an easy way to incorporate warm, natural tones into your décor. Use them as seating for kids or adults, as side tables for a living room sofa, or as a place to show off a special work of art or unique artifact!

Would you live in a house made out of hay? In Alabama, a group of professors and architecture students has been devising inspiring ways to reuse materials in homes and community buildings since 1993. The project is called Rural Studio, and was founded by Auburn University professors Samuel Mockbee and Dennis K. Ruth to give students practical experience in the field. Each year the group implements designs for four or five modest (but innovative) buildings in rural Alabama.

Bamboo rugs are as versatile in style as they are in utility. Whether you’re looking for a light natural tone, deep, warming ones, or something that will pop — like crimson — there’s a rug out there to suit your needs. Lightweight and easy to clean, bamboo rugs can be used anywhere a traditional cotton or wool rug might be used, providing a nice visual change of pace.

If you’re not sure what style might be right for your home, let us help inspire you!

The holiday season of 2011 is coming to a close — no more carols, lights, or ugly sweaters! You may feel a wave of relief, glad for the peace and maybe a quiet weekend without plans. But, if you live in Michigan like we do, you may soon realize that four to five more months of winter stretch before you, as seemingly endless as the grey, gloomy sky. You may start thinking about taking a nice mid-winter vacation. How about a ski trip?

Now that the Season of Giving is fully upon us, do you find yourself scrambling to think of one more present, send one more card, or plan your menu? It wouldnâ€t be the holidays without a little last-minute frenzy, but as youâ€re wrapping up all your preparations, here are five quick tips to make your holiday a little greener!

In the United States, annual waste from gift wrap and shopping bags totals about four million tons, according to earth911.com. Some eco-conscious consumers save used wrapping paper for future gift-giving or stick to gift bags, which can be easier to repurpose. But the Japanese have been using cloth for centuries to wrap gifts, in a process called furoshiki.

Real or fake? When it comes to Christmas trees, this is a question that has plagued eco-conscious consumers for some time. And while researchers have come to opposite conclusions regarding the environmental impact of pre-cut versus plastic trees, there is a new option that may provide a clearer solution: a living tree.