2010 January | Glamorous Green

Archive for January, 2010

Juan Montoya and His Second Hand Furnishings

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending a designer series lecture at the Pacific Design Center. AD 100 and Interior Design Hall of Famer Juan Montoya spent an hour dazzling us with images of his work and insider info on how he does what he does so well.

Anytime I have the opportunity to listen to a person who is this successful, I take it. Mr. Montoya is in his 70s and is going strong after decades due to his common sense approach and passion for interior design and architecture.

One of the things I love so much about being an interior designer, is that if you’re good, you get better with age- like a fine wine. It was reassuring to hear someone I hold in such high esteem, espouse the same principle that I hold dear- a green approach to design. No he didn’t use the words “sustainable” or “eco-friendly” or “green” but he practices these things none the less. In most of his designs he uses furniture, art and accessories from the 20s, 30s and 40s, some of my favorites being Jean Michele Frank and Jacques Rhulmann.

(This one is actually one of my projects, but it’s a Rhulmann table and chairs in the Frederick Lowe Estate.)

He rarely uses carpets and instead creates design in a hard (more easily cleaned and longer lasting) surfaces. He is well known for his liberal use of exquiste veneer on columns, walls, ceilings- but always prefers to restore what is there vs. ripping it out and installing new. And the greenest of all is his attitude, his very best advice being to smile a lot.

Tags: AD 100, Frederick Lowe, Interior Design Hall of Fame, Jean Michele Frank, Juan Montoya, Pacific Design Center, Ruhlmann
Posted in Furniture, Green Living, Lectures, Public Speaking | No Comments »

Elle’s First Tea Party, No BPAs Invited

Sunday, January 24th, 2010

My daughter Elle recently celebrated her first birthday. Checks for college funds, adorable clothes, noisy toys (she loves), a soccer ball and a super stylish swimsuit were among the gifts she received. But the tea set from one of her BFFs (whose mommy happens to know a thing or two about etiquette being a deb from Houston) was our favorite. I believe all young ladies should host tea parties for their stuffed friends. Doing so teaches grace and generosity, vital ingredients to being a social success. Of course little Elle Bell took to it like a fish to water, tiaras in tow. Plus, tea sets don’t make annoying noises and they don’t require (rechargeable) batteries.

But what was unique about this tea set and the reason we loved it so much was that it is green, made from 100% recycled, plastic, milk bottles retrieved from curbside collection. The back of the recycled cardboard packaging gives a little information about how much energy green toys can save. In this case it’s equal to using 3,000 AAA batteries or enough energy to power a TV for 3 weeks or run a lap top for a month. This set also contains no BPA, phthalates or lead paint. Just a box of good ole’ fashioned, girly fun- and best of all- made in the USA. You can find one at GreenToys.com.

Tags: BPAs, Children's Toys, Energy Conservation, First Birthdays, GreenToys.com, Houston Debutant, Recycled Plastic, Tea Parties
Posted in Accesories, Green Living, Parties | 1 Comment »

Green Dining Al Fresco

Sunday, January 10th, 2010

A few days ago we headed out to Franklin Canyon for a New Year’s, first birthday celebratory picnic. While having a picnic certainly isn’t a new idea, doing it without disposables certainly did drawn some attention.

Our lunch consisted of free range, beef fillet sandwiches, beans, green salad, custard with blueberries (everything organic, of course) and a bottle of Champagne- not organic, but French- and we all know Europeans have higher eco standards for things that go in their mouths. It was served on 19th century Limoges china, an antique table cloth, with matching cloth napkins, silver utensils and hand blown glasses. Instead of cut flowers, we brought two pots of fragrant herbs to decorate the table. (Later that day they were planted in the ground at our house).

At the end of the picnic, we had almost no trash, which delighted everyone at around the table. Everything we brought was eaten, reusable or recyclable with the exception of the champage cork/wrapper and a little plastic wrap used to cover the custard ramekins. Soon we will be able to buy biodegradable plastic wrap and we can walk away as if we never visited.

THAT’S IT FOR THE TRASH!

After our lunch, we loaded up the car, left the herbs in the baby stroller (because it looked cool) and circled the lake for some more fresh air and exercise. Europeans aren’t the only ones who know how to enjoy a civilized outing.

And now we can enjoy our “decorations” for many meals to come.

Tags: biodegradeable, Franklin Canyon, free range beef, Limoges, organic food, picnic
Posted in Green Living, New Year, Parties | No Comments »

The SoCal Contractor on Design*Sponge

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

Big thanks to Grace at Design*Sponge for blowin’ up our favorite green builder Mr. SoCalContractor on one of our befores and afters.

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Fresh, green goodness! Enjoy.

Tags: bath remodel, Before and After, Design*Sponge, kitchen remodel, SoCal Contractor
Posted in Baths, Before and After, Blogs, Green Living, Kitchens | No Comments »

Happy New Year

Friday, January 1st, 2010

2009 was a sweet challenge…had a baby, traveled around the globe, filmed three tv shows, wrote a book, finished two huge projects, won an award, got no sleep, joined DAR, participated in a show case house, visited with friends and family, attended all “the events” -baby in tow and survived a recession. Looking back at the year reminds me that you can do anything. Here’s to 2010 and our new ventures, GreenDesign.org, retailing, book tours, MORE design and awards, a new home, Ford Motor Company and maybe, just maybe… another baby in the making. Success, health and happiness to all of you!

Tags: DAR, Ford, greendesign.org
Posted in Events, New Year, Uncategorized | No Comments »

[LORI DENNIS INTERIOR DESIGN]

Lori Dennis formed Lori Dennis Interior Design, specializing in green interior design, in 1998. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Coastal Living, Southern Accents, Woman's Day, Los Angeles Times, Apartment Therapy and countless other magazines, books and websites throughout the world. [more..]

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