Old School

With only 17 days until our kiddos head back to school here in Long Beach, NY (*gasp!*) I'm busy gathering up the required school supplies to meet the first bell just in time, which means I'm doing far better than I did last year when I was staring at nearly bare shelves in three different big box stores the day before school resumed. And also different from last year's last minute nightmare, I've committed to buying only environmentally friendly school supplies for my son this year, checking off every item on the list with recycled, sustainable or nontoxic products. In my book, what's the sense in educating our children for the future while we trash the planet that beholds that very future?!? Here's a sampling of what made my cut (P.S. I ordered most items from Amazon to reduce packaging or bought them in person, but have listed individual sources here as well just to be fair):

Processed without chlorine, and containing 100% recycled paper, I don't mind how many of these New Leaf Composition Notebooks my son goes through this school year ($4.99 each).

To help me stick to my eco-friendly shopping goals, these Coccoina Glue Sticks are solvent and petroleum free, and smell vaguely of sweet almond ($3.95 from www.theultimategreenstore.com).

Even if homework gets harder this year, these Paper Mate's Earth Write 100% Recycled Pencils with non-smudge erasers are easy on the planet ($7.89/box of 48 at Office Depot).

Treesmart offers several sets of tree-free recycled newspaper pencil sets including this great conventional colored pencil alternative: tube of 12 ($5.95).

Storex Pocket Folders are made from post-consumer recycled poly ($1.99 each at Staples) so they definitely make the grade in durability.

Despite the supply list mandating laminated or otherwise tough-wearing folders like those above, I couldn't resist a few of these New Leaf Reborn Refuse Recycled Two Pocket Folders when filling my Amazon cart ($4.99 each).

Fiskars 5" Kids Recycled Blunt Scissors are safe for kids but get the job done, featuring comfy 100% recycled handles and recycled packaging ($3.99 each).

Get Clean Basic H2 Organic Super Cleaning Wipes tackle all the messes my 2nd grader can make without any of the harmful chemicals ($9.10).

There are no binders on the 2nd grade supply list, but older children will surely need a few of these customizable Project Binders from Naked Binder, made of 100% post-consumer waste recycled book board and 100% cotton cloth binding in a wide array of colors ($7.50 - $10.00).

Monday Color: Black & White

This Monday, I'm taking a short break from "color" and bringing you a big dose of Black and White for my weekly pairing. This combination runs rampant in ultra contemporary decors, but has also found its grounding in every style, from transitional to coastal.

Images above:

1. Black and white rooms can easily go stiff and cold, but this living room strikes a perfect balance of contrast and warmth.

2. This black and white bedroom is easy on the eyes, with ebony nightstands, simple bedding, cowhide poofs, and abundant gray mid tones (found on www.decorationchannel.com)

3. This youthful take on black and white was one of the few kids rooms I was able to find in which the parents didn't sneak in at least another accent color, from a round-up on The Boo and the Boy.

4. Found on decor pad, I love the way the white sofa pops on the black wall, as does the stunning Roberto Dutesco photograph.

5. This bathroom found on www.housetohome.co.uk avoids starkness by sticking to the classics (i.e.: the wainscoting, the black and white floor, the black seat on white porcelain toilet).

6. A gorgeous black and white living area found in Celerie Kemble's famed book Black & White (via Casa Sugar).

7. Black and white pattern used sparingly is simultaneously playful and sophisticated, as evidenced in this bedroom found on decor pad.

8. Soft angles keep this contemporary black and white living room from being too cold.

9. Double-Sided Damask Canvas Room Divider from Wayfair.

10. Madeline Weinrib's Black and White Zig Zag Rug.

11.Reversible Montecito Bedding from Z Gallerie.

12. The Pierre Paulin Butterfly Chair puts a funky twist on this simple, timeless form (available through Hive Modern).

13. Graham & Brown's Reflection Wallpaper takes basic stripes to another level.

14. Black and White Ikat Throw Pillow from Etsy Shop pillowhomedecor.

Cost-cutting Country Decor

Since I traveled from my Long Island beachside home to a friend's upstate Farmhouse yesterday, I've decided to continue my budget decor theme, but with a country twist today. The same rules of repurposing and honoring nature apply to any good country-themed home, but if you don't have time to scour yard sales and flea markets, then here's a few ideas:

With great chairs averaging a few hundred bucks a piece, save a little dough by forgoing individual seating on one side of your dining table in favor of a country style bench like this one from Poppy Cottage on Etsy ($450.00).

Follow the DIY journey of this reclaimed wood barndoor-inspired headboard on the Our Vintage Home Love blog, or snatch up an old door from ebay (like the one pictured above) for $150 and simply prop up behind your bed.

These Vintage Metal Parts Bins from NapaStyle come in 4 authentic colors and are $39 each. A similar item would be much cheaper if found at a flea market, but haggle-free, to-your-door vintage decor has its price.

Set of 2 Recycled Magazine Baskets add a colorful, eclectic feel to any country decor ($87.99 at sears.com)

The Shiraleah Woven Wool Throw brings a touch of softness and texture to any country-inspired living room ($138 from Amazon).

A convenient little side table made from recycled oak wine barrels ($151 at Wine Vine Imports, available in several finishes).

Perfectly sized for an entryway, bath or kitchen, this recycled Brown Rag Rug was handmade from recycled cotton (available through Back Porch Country on Etsy for $54).

Cost-Cutting Coastal Decor

Achieving coastal style in your home without breaking the bank or trashing the planet seem to go hand-in-hand to me. A beachside aesthetic is most authentically achieved by combining found objects, secondhand cast-offs and a few new pieces, which is most certainly a budget-friendly mix. And since nautical decorating styles pay homage to the beautiful beaches and oceans that surround us, it only makes sense to chose home decor items that are green enough to honor the great blue. If you don't have the time to scour garage sales or go beach-combing, you can still achieve the look of a seaside retreat with pieces like these:

Sweat-shop free and made from recycled cotton, this throw would add instant nautical style to any plain sofa In2Green Sea Star Eco Friendly Throw ($115 from Wayfair).

Bring the beachy look of rattan to your dining table with this sustainable Bamboo Double Wine Holder from World Market ($9.99).

This would be a great DIY project with an antique bottle and found wire, or order this set, filled with sand and tiny shells, from BeachBumChix on Etsy for $20.

Storage, ottoman and coffee-table in one, this eco-friendly natural seagrass Holbrook Trunk from Pottery Barn is a multi-functional wonder at $299.

A budget-friendly dose of coastal lure: Driftwood Lamp (on sale for $149.99 at Cabella's).

Cover a lot of ground with this eco-friendly Lhasa 8' x 10' Natural Tan and Beige Wool/Jute Area Rug (on sale for $292.39 at Overstock.com)

For hallways, I love the mix of blues and khakis in this Recycled Denim Jute Runner from West Elm ($99).

Kitchen Envy

They say the kitchen is the heart of the home, it is also the room that sees some of the highest return on investment for renovators, and churns out the very sustenance we need to live. That's a lot of pressure for one little old room!!

I'm working with a client right now on Long Island who is trying to achieve her "dream" kitchen on a slightly nightmarish budget, but the results are coming along beautifully and she'll be much closer to the dream than ever as construction wraps up this week. As we ruminated over every countertop, hardware, cabinet and backsplash detail, I couldn't help but fantasize a little further about my own future ideal kitchen (which will undoubtedly be on just such a budget). My cost-cutters will include minimal upper cabinets (if any), salvage yard finds, and reclaimed wood counters that I can abuse to my heart's content. But like my client, I pine for lots of white and farmhouse details. Feast your eyes on a few of my favorite inspiration kitchens:

(from House Beautiful)

(found on www.trendey.com)

(from http://seacottage.blogspot.com)

(from a friend who knows the specs of my dream kitchen and how much I love bread, actual source unknown)

(found on Country Living)

(Elle Decor image from Arcadian Lighting's guest post on The Vintage Wren)

(from Natural Home & Garden, also featured in one of my former posts on reclaimed wood)

(from freshhomeideas.com)

(from Remodelista)

(from the Cortizo Decor blog)