Eco-Vlog

The hottest fashion designers are turning to the past to create the style of the future. Two Phoenix-based designers, YEK and Samantha Vo, will have their work featured in a new Facebook travel series. Inspired by tradition and fueled by upcycling , their creations bring the past and present together to create the looks of tomorrow. YEK drew from his Indigenous heritage to create his moccasin sneakers. Vo was inspired by her Mexican heritage and vintage military styles to transform military surplus bags into new, fashionable works. Inhabitat interviewed these two designers to explore how they’re using sustainable materials and practices for fashion . View this post on Instagram A post shared by @dwn2mrz All of your bags are sold out! When’s the best time for shoppers to look for your bags, and is it possible to pre-order bags? Vo:  At the moment, I’m still getting into the flow of producing bags as it is a timely process for me since I make them myself and from my home studio....

This wasn’t your standard build for a  tiny home on wheels . The primary focus wasn’t on the lowest possible budget but rather on conscientious material selection and impeccable design. As a result, the First Light Tiny Home meets the owner’s desire for a “refined tramping lodge on wheels.” Translated from New Zealand terminology, that means she wanted a portable launching point she could use for hiking trips or everyday use.  It started with a vision the client had been developing for four years. With a foundational idea, she looped in New Zealand architectural design firm First Light to help hammer out the design and meet NZTA regulations regarding width, height and weight. While architects regularly deal with these restrictions, the project brought welcome challenges such as ensuring the build fit on the frame and the proper weight was observed. Related: Put this tiny home Cabin One anywhere After about a year of planning, the team enlisted Build Tiny to help construc...

Houseplants are a ubiquitous part of home décor. Not only are they an essential element in interior design, but they also improve air quality, productivity and aesthetics. In fact, they are the very definition of green design . Although popular worldwide, different regions of the world feature a highly-trending species. Sometimes, that’s because it’s a type well-suited to the environment. Other times, it’s a matter of preference and perhaps Insta-worthy appeal.  One thing is for sure though. If you’re looking for something different than what your local friends and neighbors have, you’ll want to check out these data results of the most popular houseplants in 147 countries around the world.  Related: Liven up your home with these must-have houseplants for 2022 Home-focused HouseFresh is behind the study. In explaining the methodology for the research, they said it started with a seed list of 230 most-Instagrammed plants across the globe. They combined that information with ...

Architect Joris Verhoeven’s family home, Four Seasons House , is the perfect place to fully experience Netherlands’ seasons. It’s also a model of sustainable design. The house features self-healing siding sealant, negative carbon footprint and more. Dutch seasons are known for their variation. On occasion, there are fresh springs, warm summers, rainy fall seasons and even cold winters. Used to be a Tilburg wool industry, Four Seasons House is a modern-style home located in an old sheep grazing heather field. Verhoeven wanted to enjoy the natural environment, so he created a home that is part of nature . This includes windows that look out on changing landscapes like shifting paintings. Related: This prefab, CLT home nestles into the island dunes Furthermore, the home has a roughly textured black siding that looks like dark tree trunks surrounding it. Along with a wild garden with natural plants, the home dissolves into its environment . “This seems very logical,” Verhoeven said,...

Wanderruff is a line of eco-friendly essentials for your furry friend. These sustainable pet products for dogs are designed in Vancouver by local animal lovers Anisa Musmary and Paul Irwin. Wanderruff pet products were inspired by “adventure and a passion to help protect the great outdoors.” The brand is already a leader in crafting eco-conscious dog accessories. Wanderruff combines comfort and consciousness by using recycled plastic bottles to create canvas dog leashes. Their line include durable leashes, collars and harnesses. The leashes use recycled materials instead of new fabrics or plastics to help with the planet’s plastic pollution problem. Related: Dog toy and treats from Project Hive help save bees Furthermore, Wanderruff collars come in a variety of color combinations and sizes. We love the cute collars with contrasting colors. Also, the harnesses that look like they’d fit even biggest-chested dogs, something that can be surprisingly challenging. Additionally, th...

Studio Schicketanz, led by Mary Ann Schicketanz, has designed a beautiful, net-zero home in Big Sur with views of the Pacific Ocean. The low-profile home, created for a Silicon Valley-based family, blends into a grassy hillside. What was initially planned as a weekend vacation house turned into a dreamy pandemic getaway home, where the family can enjoy the ocean-front pool. The designers created this net-zero house with high-end finishes with pieces from Coup D’etat, Larsen, Moooi, Miele, Brizio, Tai Ping, Giorgetti, Pindler and more. The pool includes petrified wood stumps by Leos Enderle and Rodney Hunter, adding to the rustic natural materials on site.A sculptural art piece by Eric Gushee and Casey McCafferty and pieces by Silvia Poloto are found throughout the home. The beds, ottomans, bookcases and media cabinets were custom made for the space. Related: Net-zero emissions area will be built on renewable energy Using local granite from Hollister, California, the home’s rock...

Optimist Drinks is offering a new line of clean, vegan and non-alcoholic botanical spirits. Launched out of Los Angeles , the brand keeps sustainable and ethical practices in mind as it provides drinks made without alcohol, sugar or additives. Optimist Drinks pairs its focus on minimizing environmental impact with a physical and mental wellness mission to back it up. To satisfy the needs of a “mindful drinking” movement, the Optimist Botanicals line uses thoughtfully sourced ingredients. The final product has no sugar, sodium, carbs or calories. So what is it made of? Optimist Botanicals offers three blends: BRIGHT, FRESH and SMOKEY. The creators call them “a liquid love letter to Los Angeles.” Each is a unique flavor reminiscent of L.A.’s various ecosystems . Related: Proud Pour wines and cider benefit bees, oceans and coral reefs Botanicals inspired by Los Angeles BRIGHT is a “sensory journey to salt-sprayed coastlines.” FRESH takes you to verdant canyons, while SMOKEY explores...