The Ray from Quicksilver: it looks tough and it means business when it comes to being earth-friendly. Designed for and made of eco-conscious materials and concepts, THE RAY features ebony wood from sustainable forests, 100% recycled steel and aluminum, 100% solvent-free links, and it needs no batteries thanks to automatic movement (which has an awesome lifespan of up to 10 years).
The watch is 86% recyclable and there's a special program in place for getting the watch back once it's long little life is over. Only 1,000 of them will be made and available starting this November for about $500 each, and you can see a cool video of how they're put together here.
Going green is all the rage and it's seeping into everything -- even into the casino gaming industry! EGM Green is now offering what they tout as the first ever 100% eco-friendly line of casino gaming products. The main attraction is their line of gaming tables (like the poker table shown above) plus they also make seating for tables and slot machines and luxury lounge furniture. Everything for indulging your hobby and getting the complete casino experience, whether in your home or business.
Speaking of that, does anybody know of any eco-friendly/LEED certified casinos?
Her hotel will apparently be environmentally friendly, although how exactly we're not sure -- except that she was quoted as saying "It's built with no fossil fuel at all... in Abu Dhabi - where they have all that oil."
Pamela was first inspired for the project after traveling to the area this past June with the Make a Wish Foundation. No word on what her hotel will be called, or when it will open for business.
I love the outdoors, and I love to bring the outdoors indoors, so it's no surprise that I'm in love with this Entwined Root furniture from Viva Terra. I agree with Daily Dose that these pieces should be used sparingly but if I get a bigger house someday I'll be looking to make room for more than just one of these unique pieces. Handmade from 100% reclaimed wood from fallen roots, branches, and trunks (trees are never cut down) each piece obviously ends up completely different from every other piece. The collection includes numerous furniture items including a table, mirror, coat stand, and stool. $149-$498
The Reef Check Foundation is an international organization dedicated to conserving tropical coral reefs and California's rocky reefs. Reef Check has been around since '96 and has volunteers in over 80 countries working on many fronts; educating the public, conducting research and managing and monitoring reefs worldwide. Recently, Reef Check volunteers conducted the first ever five year scientific study, documenting the dramatic worldwide decline in coral reef health due to over fishing, pollution and climate change. Join Reef Check in their plight to preserve one of natures most magnificent wonders!
The green movement in luxury and the new philanthropy go hand in hand and have the same basic charge, finding a way to do good and do well. Unfortunately it's not quite as easy as it sounds. After all, the luxury consumer wants to have it all they want the feeling of being green and knowing they are doing something to combat climate change but they aren't really willing to give anything up. For the companies at the American Express Publishing Luxury Summit this week, green seems to be something that they are all wrestling with, wanting to satisfy a public clamoring for green but also knowing the customer expects the same level of performance and service as they have always enjoyed. While other tiers of the green market seem to be about compromise and perhaps restraint, luxury consumers want green and fabulous in the same package.
Although luxury boating is pretty closely associated with size, not all sweet yachts are necessarily the biggest. The newest design from Sabdes is a good example of that principle at work. The Sabdes 50M Superyacht may be slightly smaller than it's predecessors but it more than makes up for what it lacks in square footage by having both cutting edge styling and several eco-friendly features. The 50M has increased fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, a specially styled hull that reduces both wave 'slamming' and the wake impact that can disrupt marine life and cause shoreline erosion, and more energy efficient LED lighting. Plus it runs on a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system that gives it higher cruising speeds than many other similarly sized yachts.
On top of all that it kind of looks like a spaceship. That's always fun.
Froote Jewelry, by designer Elizabeth Moore, is created with the intention of inspiring people to realize both their own inner beauty and how precious our lives are on this planet. The launch of Froote Jewelry will include 3 lines called Calypso, Island, and Tudor, each with individual color and gemstone themes representing inspirations like the South Pacific Islands, femininity, and glamorous tradition. And they're not only gorgeous, but they're all made to be eco-friendly by reusing precious gems, metal scraps, and recycled packaging in production.
Popular jewelry designer Rhonda Faber Green's name alone makers her a natural for "green" merchandise. Cashing in on the trend for eco-friendly merchandise, the "Green for Green" collection is two necklaces and a lapel pin, is made from recycled metals. The All Green Pendant is an 18K white gold necklace with gray rhodium and tsavorite that sells for $1,245 and the White and Green Pendant is 18K white gold with white diamonds and tsavorite set in gray rhodium for $1,395. The lapel pin is 18K white gold, gray rhodium and tsavorite for $625. "Heal the Earth" is inscribed on the back of each of the pieces, which will debut at the JA New York Show in March.
I'm all for live, green, piney-smelling needle-dropping Christmas trees myself, but if you're not then this Flatpack Christmas Tree might be an interesting option. I'm not sure what kind of home decor this sort of tree would look best in -- I'm thinking something contemporary, but it's awfully plain and unexciting looking. And how do you decorate it? I have to say I think it makes one ugly Christmas tree, but as a general decor item it could be really cool. Available from Büro North in 3 sizes ranging from 1' to 7.5' it may be eco-friendly but that doesn't mean it's cheap: $1414 for the full-sized version.
Another Bahamas project has been announced and this one has a sustainable angle. Star Island is a 35-acre island in a protected sound ten minutes by boat from harbor island. The resort will be home to private homes and resort residences with facilities that will include a spa, restaurants, bars, pools, tennis courts and a "no-fuel" marina.
The developers have pledged that each part of the development and operation will be sustainable. This includes everything from alternative energy such as solar, wind and microhydro to shade-grown organic coffee in the restaurants and bamboo sheets on the beds. The plan is to have Star Island be entirely off the grid and 100% energy self-sufficient.
Buildings will be designed to meet LEED-certification requirements and will use technology such as cold-formed steel, insulated concrete forms, LED lighting and geothermal temperature-control devices. The island's water needs will be met by a rain-harvesting system and underground tanks with drinking water purified through reverse osmosis systems. This unique development is planned to be open in late 2009.
Here's a great chance to both do something great for the environment and get something fun to show for it: adopt yourself an olive tree!Nudo, an olive grove in Italy, is offering people the chance to support small scale artisanal farming (instead of the large mechanized operations that damage the earth) by adopting a specific olive tree. And when you adopt an olive tree in the grove for one year not only do you get the satisfaction from the environmental effort, but you also get all the produce from your tree. You'll get a Spring Package with the olive oil from your tree, and then an Autumn Package of more olive oil and some handmade olive oil soap. $130/year.
Even if you're not generally a fan of houseplants, terrariums are a great way to bring some life and green indoors in a way that keeps with structured and styled decor -- you get all the benefits of a houseplant but without the potentially unruly appearance and dead leaves falling all over.
These darling little Esque Terrariums from Velocity are perfect to sit anywhere. Hand-blown, each one is unique and signed by the artist. They're made from 100% recycled glass and heated in a furnace powered completely by wind energy -- truly "green" art in more ways than one! The plant isn't included, and they're available in two sizes (8" and 12"). $600-$800
The Sunrise Springs Resort is a quiet eco-friendly resort in Santa Fe, New Mexico which has been receiving rave reviews. The resort includes private casita rooms with kitchenettes, master bathrooms, computer alcoves, elegant gas fireplaces, and private patios (some also have a yoga/meditation studio) as well as pond-view and garden-view rooms. Megan Hill, the creator of the resort is a former gallery owner, and so there is plenty of art on display in public areas and the guest rooms. The resort has a Japanese Tea House which does traditional tea ceremonies and meals are served at the Blue Heron restaurant, which focuses on organic ingredients and slow food. The spa offers massages, facials and more New-Agey treatments like sound healing and holographic therapy. A three-night stay during the Santa Fe Fiesta, a celebration of Santa Fe history and culture, September 6-8, costs $899 for a stay in a superior casita plus daily breakfast buffet for two in the Blue Heron Restaurant.
We can become more environmentally friendly at home but often when we are out on the town. Many hotels, resorts and spas are making efforts to go green but what about something more local, the place you go for lunch or dinner. The Green Restaurant Association℠ (GRA) is a a national non-profit organization that helps restaurants become more environmentally sustainable. They have started a list of restaurants around the United States that have met their standards. Standards include implementing a comprehensive recycling system for all products that are accepted by local recycling companies and being free of Styrofoam products. Restaurants must also take environmental steps such as adding energy efficient practices, water efficiencies, sustainable food and non-toxic cleaning products to make the list. Their list so far includes 122 restaurants and lists how many steps each restaurant has taken on the road to green.
Ugh, isn't 
.jpg)
