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Eco Friendly Decor

by Rima Suqi

1. Think Outside the Box

It’s perhaps not at all a coincidence that a guy with the word “junk” in his last name would end up creating something from discarded cardboard boxes. Jonathan Junker, with partner Seth Grizzle, do just that, under the guise of graypants, their Seattle-based design studio. “Scrap” is a collection of hanging lights all made from the aforementioned cardboard, in simple but sophisticated shapes that range in price from $129 to $579 (there is one floor lamp, for $1,899) at shop.graypants.com. For more information about their design studio go to www.graypants.com.

2. Show Some Leg

Here’s a chair worthy of dethroning Phlippe Starck’s now ubiquitous Louis Ghost—one of the few chic plastic chairs available today. The “Recycled Crystal Chair,” shown here, is made of 100 percent recyclable polycarbonate, available in black, white, and clear, and sold in a set of two for a very reasonable $240. www.canvashomestore.com

3. House Proud

Teaching kids about being environmentally responsible at some point has got to be a bit more fun than separating cans from paper. Perhaps your budding architect would prefer to play with a dollhouse designed by an architect, with floor-to-ceiling windows for year-round sunlight, two fireplaces, non-toxic and lead-free wood stains, and paints and recessed LED lights powered by solar panels. The danger, of course, is that the Emerson house is so beautiful you might not want the kids to get anywhere near it. $299.

4. The Glass Ceiling

Kathleen Plate founded Smart Glass as a jewelry company, but recently branched out into home, creating sculptures using the same round motifs as her jewelry. Each item is custom made—possibilities include curtains as wall separators, chandeliers, lamps, and tablescapes—hand-crafted from recycled soda, wine, beer, and salad dressing bottles. Chandeliers start at about $2,000; glass curtains from $75 per square foot. www.kathleenplate.com

5. The Daily Grind

If these salt/pepper grinders by Jens Quistgaard look familiar, it’s because they originally debuted in the 1960s and are today highly collectible. Dansk, the company Quistgaard co-founded with Ted Nierenberg in 1954, decided to bring them back, this time in Acacia wood from Tropical Forest Trust certified and approved forests (the original designs were in teak). In three styles, $39.99 each, www.crateandbarrel.com

7. Beam Me

Up After several years spent designing interiors under the name Katch I.D., sisters Pamela and Steph Katch launched Katch Design Company to showcase their four simple but very functional furniture items. Lucky Beam, shown here, is one of them. The bench is made of reclaimed pine and finished with 100 percent sustainable, petroleum-free, zero-VOC oil, and the recyclable aluminum beam is finished with solvent-free powder coat. It’s available in 6 colors, from $1,600, www.katchdesigncompany.com

8. A New Twist

Abby Kellett, the owner of Miami-based online retailer Gretel Home, is a former interior stylist with an impeccable eye. Most of her super-chic picks don’t have a green or sustainable bent, but she recently found these recycled paper bowls that are much more sophisticated than other options I’ve seen. In two sizes, $94 and $179, www.gretelhome.com

9. Deeply Felt

Heather Lins’ new line of pillows is aptly called “My Science Project,” and is based on well-known scientific diagrams that the designer feels are “unexpected in home décor.” We’d have to agree with her on that point. Each pillow is made of wool felt and sensuede (a material made of recycled plastic bottles). Choose from Anatomy, Geology, or Botany. $220 each, www.heatherlinshome.com

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