Halloween can be great fun for kids and adults alike, but with all the sweets, costmumes, pumpkins and lights being used the environmental impact can soon add up. Luckily, there are a few things we can all do to make our Halloween celebrations a little better for the planet.
Reusing old costumes (for example by swapping them between friends and families) can be a great way to get something new for nothing. If old costumes aren't your thing, then costumes can easily be created by recycling any old rubbish found lying around the home - I think a newspaper monster could be a pretty scary costume!
Buying fairtrade sweets and chocolate, like the selection of Divine chocolate at Ecocentric, means that the producers are getting a fair deal - always good for your conscience. Organic pumkins are also a great way to cut down on your negative environmental imprint, and instead of throwing away the seeds, why not wash, then gently toast and salt them for a tasty snack?
Eco-friendly decorations for your Halloween party are also easy and fun to make. You can use of a whole range of used packaging, like washed crisp packets and chocolate wrappers, to make shiny bunting, and old tin cans with holes poked in them make nice little lanterns with a candle in them. For a safer version, Ecocentric's Candela lights give out a lovely warm glow, but are cool to the touch and rechargeable.
However you celebrate Halloween, I hope you have a ghoulish - and green - day!
Friday, 31 October 2008
Thursday, 30 October 2008
Eco-home focus on Dream Homes tonight
Just a quick heads up for tonight's episode of Dream Homes:
On the site of an old signal box in Wisbech, newlyweds Russell and Delia Swann are building a brand new house - with their bare hands. Using the latest sustainable methods, including recycled yogurt pots in the kitchen, this is going to be one of the greenest houses in the country. But all that’s in the future. The reality is that, just three months after their wedding, Oliver Heath finds Russell and Delia living in a caravan at the start of one of the coldest winters on record.
Catch it at 9pm tonight on the Discovery Channel (repeated tomorrow at 8pm and Sunday at 7pm)
On the site of an old signal box in Wisbech, newlyweds Russell and Delia Swann are building a brand new house - with their bare hands. Using the latest sustainable methods, including recycled yogurt pots in the kitchen, this is going to be one of the greenest houses in the country. But all that’s in the future. The reality is that, just three months after their wedding, Oliver Heath finds Russell and Delia living in a caravan at the start of one of the coldest winters on record.
Catch it at 9pm tonight on the Discovery Channel (repeated tomorrow at 8pm and Sunday at 7pm)
Wednesday, 29 October 2008
Win free personal design advice from Oliver Heath PLUS a copy of his award winning new book 'Urban Eco Chic'
We're giving you the chance to get your home interior decorating question answered by Oliver Heath, and to win a copy of his new book.
Oliver is an award winning TV designer and architect, and founder of online eco homewares and eco gift store ecocentric.
In this special competition Oliver will be personally answering 5 of your best design questions by email. This is a fantastic chance to get a fresh, professional eye on your home design challenges and inject a bit of eco chic style into your life, all for free!
AND if that isn't enough, you also have a great chance to WIN a copy of Oliver's new book - 'Urban Eco Chic' - with a personal dedication from Oliver to you.
Although only 5 people will get the exclusive chance to get their questions answered by Oliver, we will be addressing the other issues raised by your questions here in our blog over the next month. Make sure to keep coming back to check if your question topic has come up!
To enter the competition, just fill in your name, email and your question for Oliver in the online form.
Full terms and conditions are available here
Hurry! The competition closes at midnight on 12th November...
Oliver is an award winning TV designer and architect, and founder of online eco homewares and eco gift store ecocentric.
In this special competition Oliver will be personally answering 5 of your best design questions by email. This is a fantastic chance to get a fresh, professional eye on your home design challenges and inject a bit of eco chic style into your life, all for free!
AND if that isn't enough, you also have a great chance to WIN a copy of Oliver's new book - 'Urban Eco Chic' - with a personal dedication from Oliver to you.
Although only 5 people will get the exclusive chance to get their questions answered by Oliver, we will be addressing the other issues raised by your questions here in our blog over the next month. Make sure to keep coming back to check if your question topic has come up!
To enter the competition, just fill in your name, email and your question for Oliver in the online form.
Full terms and conditions are available here
Hurry! The competition closes at midnight on 12th November...
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
childrens bedrooms
Good news – my wife Katie just had a little baby girl! Added to that over the last month we have moved house – believe me these are two major life changes that shouldn’t happen anywhere near each other!
However it has got me thinking ever more about designing eco children’s bedrooms.
As there wont be too much energy use, your main concerns will be the creation of a happy and healthy space for your precious child to live, sleep (and occasionally scream!) in. Remember that childrens immune systems are in development and so more susceptible to the effect of toxins.
The main things to think about are:
- Reducing toxins found in furniture, paints, and toys
- Reducing dust levels – cutting down on unhealthy dust mite.
- Good natural ventilation- cutting out the build up of damp and potential mould
- Safe Low energy lighting
Floors
Natural wood floors are great for interior design, they will also help to cut down on surfaces that trap dust (such as carpets. But if you do want some soft surfaces, try rugs or whip stitched sections of natural carpets made of wool with natural backings.
Walls
Paint walls in natural paints that don’t contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) which can off gas toxins onto the floor or surfaces below. VOCs are found at their highest levels in conventional eggshell or gloss paints
Furniture such as beds, wardrobes and chairs
Choose solid wood furniture that wont contain formaldehyde resin glues (found in MDF, chipboard and plywood) which can off gas. Vintage furniture can look great when given a lick of paint or even a little wall paper.
Beds
Mattresses can trap high levels of dust which leads to dust mites, these can be vacuumed clear. Alternatively you could use a closed cell structure natural latex mattress or use organic fibre mattresses which wont have been exposed to toxins in the production of the materials.
Toys
Buy solid wooden toys and avoid plastic toys particularly those made of PVC (like rubber bath ducks) which contain phthalates- which have been shown to cause a wide array of health issues affecting the liver, kidney, lung and blood pressure, but most importantly is their reported effect on the reproductive tract of boys.
Lighting
It goes without saying that you should use low energy bulbs but I advise using the bulbs that have the curly filament encased within a conventional bulb shaped cover. Low energy bulbs contain small quantities of mercury which can be released if broken. Alternatively use a tough lamp shade such as polypropylene, which can be recycled at the end of its useful life.
Heating and ventilation– thermostatic valves
Bedrooms need to be both heated and properly ventilated – this will keep the rooms living conditions healthy and comfortable. Children’s bedrooms should be kept at between 64.5 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, this can be achieved by using a thermostatic radiator valve to regulate room temperature.
Use trickle vents in the windows to maintain regular air changes, this will reduce the build up of damp and mould.
However it has got me thinking ever more about designing eco children’s bedrooms.As there wont be too much energy use, your main concerns will be the creation of a happy and healthy space for your precious child to live, sleep (and occasionally scream!) in. Remember that childrens immune systems are in development and so more susceptible to the effect of toxins.
The main things to think about are:
- Reducing toxins found in furniture, paints, and toys
- Reducing dust levels – cutting down on unhealthy dust mite.
- Good natural ventilation- cutting out the build up of damp and potential mould
- Safe Low energy lighting
Floors
Natural wood floors are great for interior design, they will also help to cut down on surfaces that trap dust (such as carpets. But if you do want some soft surfaces, try rugs or whip stitched sections of natural carpets made of wool with natural backings.
Walls
Paint walls in natural paints that don’t contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) which can off gas toxins onto the floor or surfaces below. VOCs are found at their highest levels in conventional eggshell or gloss paints
Furniture such as beds, wardrobes and chairs
Choose solid wood furniture that wont contain formaldehyde resin glues (found in MDF, chipboard and plywood) which can off gas. Vintage furniture can look great when given a lick of paint or even a little wall paper.
Beds
Mattresses can trap high levels of dust which leads to dust mites, these can be vacuumed clear. Alternatively you could use a closed cell structure natural latex mattress or use organic fibre mattresses which wont have been exposed to toxins in the production of the materials.
Toys Buy solid wooden toys and avoid plastic toys particularly those made of PVC (like rubber bath ducks) which contain phthalates- which have been shown to cause a wide array of health issues affecting the liver, kidney, lung and blood pressure, but most importantly is their reported effect on the reproductive tract of boys.
Lighting
It goes without saying that you should use low energy bulbs but I advise using the bulbs that have the curly filament encased within a conventional bulb shaped cover. Low energy bulbs contain small quantities of mercury which can be released if broken. Alternatively use a tough lamp shade such as polypropylene, which can be recycled at the end of its useful life.
Heating and ventilation– thermostatic valves
Bedrooms need to be both heated and properly ventilated – this will keep the rooms living conditions healthy and comfortable. Children’s bedrooms should be kept at between 64.5 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, this can be achieved by using a thermostatic radiator valve to regulate room temperature.
Use trickle vents in the windows to maintain regular air changes, this will reduce the build up of damp and mould.
Monday, 27 October 2008
Oliver's book wins green award
Oliver launched his new book 'Urban Eco Chic' last month and it has already picked up an award. The ultimate onlne luxury lifestyle magazine Hot Brands Cool Places gave the book its Green Award.Urban Eco Chic is a design-led guide to eco-decorating, helping interior designers, green builders, and homeowners make eco-friendly choices that transform the home into a sanctuary of sustainable style. The book is filled with loads of inspiring colour photographs and presents the visionary eco-style of green designer Oliver Heath, who believes in balancing the elements of nature, vintage, and technology.
Urban Eco Chic is also about achieving a balance between function and style, teamed with a conscious effort to reduce one's environmental impact. Urban Eco Chic combines the use of pioneering technologies powered by the least energy possible, sustainable natural materials that leave the lightest footprint and recycled or recyclable products such as vintage furniture and accessories.
Oliver is giving sneak previews of elements of the book on his style column on the ecocentric website.
Read the Hot Brands Cool Places review of the book here
Oliver will personally sign all copies of the book bought from ecocentric, and you can also request he add a special dedication - an ideal Christmas gift!
Saturday, 25 October 2008
Recycling is high design
Want a sneaky peak round Oliver's home?
In this video he made for Recycle Now Oliver shows how the glass and plastic that we faithfully put out for the council to take away each week becomes beautifully designed products that can be incorporated into the design of your home.
Oliver really believes in sustainable design and in this tour round his home he shows you exactly how he has practiced what he preaches - and gives some great advice along the way.
To pick up some great recycled home accessories and other recycled and eco gifts, check out ecocentric
In this video he made for Recycle Now Oliver shows how the glass and plastic that we faithfully put out for the council to take away each week becomes beautifully designed products that can be incorporated into the design of your home.
Oliver really believes in sustainable design and in this tour round his home he shows you exactly how he has practiced what he preaches - and gives some great advice along the way.
To pick up some great recycled home accessories and other recycled and eco gifts, check out ecocentric
Friday, 24 October 2008
Congratulations to the Peoples Award winners
Congratulations go to the Zon hearing aid who won the Peoples Choice Award from Cooper Hewitt Design Awards
It was a hot contest, in which our Ovetto recycled recycling bin held its own. It was great to see over one fifth of the nominees were green or sustainable designs, showing that this sector can compete against the big boys in the design world - a trend that I'm sure will only increase over the years.
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