GREENCulture blog We put the “green” in greenyness!

Meridian Bay Bedroom Collection

If you are looking for bedroom furniture that takes you back in time to the riches of British colonialism, then the Meridian Bay Bedroom Collection is simply perfect for you. It has the look of furniture that has been collected by a much travelled discerning buyer. It has a relaxed and comfortable look about it that is simply not available in more modern designs.

One of the attractions of the Meridian Bay Collection is the Panel Bed. It has a louvered panel as well as posts and finials that are octagonal in shape, both at the headboard as well as the footboard. It features a rich Tamarind finish which goes a long way in adding elegance and warmth to any bedroom. The unique craftsmanship is easily evident in the making of this bed and every part of the seems seeped in it.

The centerpiece of this collection is the Meridian Bay Poster Bed. The bed has a woven headboard which is accented with metal finials which creates a look of great comfort and warmth. The most dramatic aspect of the bed is its four posts. They are elegantly designed and expertly carved and finished.  They create an enchanting spiral feel as they taper towards the top.

The rest of the Meridian Bay Collection includes a Shelf Nightstand with one black laminated pull-out shelf as well as one woven shelf; the Dresser and Triple Dresser, the Three-Drawer Nightstand and the Armoire. The Regal and Royal Mirrors are indeed perfect accents to this enchanting collection.

The Meridian Bay Bedroom Collection makes use of a large variety of materials like Mahonie solids, Mahonie veneers, American Maple, metal, antiqued stone, hammered copper as well as woven cane accents. They are sure to lend a masterful character to your bedroom.

Visit Eco-Furniture.com for more unique modern and traditional style bedroom collections and platform beds.

With all the crazy stuff going on in the world today it is easy for people to forget about the least populated place in the world: Antarctica. Antarctica has a huge effect on the world’s ecosystems, although it is desolate and far from most human populations. That’s because Antarctica has about 90% of the world’s ice, and about 70% of the world’s fresh water. Most people are aware that if Greenland’s ice shelf were to fall into the sea, that the global sea level would rise by about twenty feet. However, if the majority of the fresh water on Antarctica were to fall into the sea, the sea level could rise as much as 190 feet, according to some sources like Science Daily. With global temperatures on the rise, it is in everyone’s interest to watch the Antarctic ice sheets closely.

Composite satellite image of Antarctica.

Obviously the chances of all this ice falling into the sea at once are very low. However, even a small rise in sea level by a few feet could trigger a massive chain reaction of melting in the low-lying Antarctic regions as the sea water comes into contact with the freshwater ice. This is where the danger lies. Since the ice is very cold and dry in Antarctica and other polar regions, it remains in place by sticking to the rocks. Rising sea levels can cause water to come between the ice and the Antarctic rocks, causing the ice to become un-stuck and very slippery against the rocks. The ice eventually cracks and large chunks slide into the ocean due to gravity, where they eventually melt and raise the sea level little by little. Bit by bit, the sea keeps coming into contact with more and more ice, which gets unstuck, and the process perpetuates itself indefinitely.

Once of the reasons why this is so alarming is that Antarctic ice is not just ordinary ice. Antarctic ice is extremely dense because it has been packed down for thousands of years by metric tons of other ice. Antarctica’s ice sheet is about a mile thick on average, so the ice really gets packed down. This makes Antarctic ice much denser than normal ice due to gravity. When ice has been frozen for many thousands of years and put under a lot of pressure, gravity squeezes all of the air molecules out, causing the ice to crystallize. This makes the ice blue and transparent like water, and in this state the ice is known as ‘blue ice,’ which is also the form of ice that exists in glaciers. This ice is so dense that it is the form of ice responsible for puncturing the steel hull of the Titanic.

When this ice becomes unstuck and falls into the sea, it is practically irreplaceable because it has been formed over thousands of years and is much denser than normal ice. This issue is compounded by the fact that it is so cold in Antarctica that little to no precipitation usually falls. Technically Antarctica is considered a desert! It is literally too cold and dry to snow in most places in Antarctica. Therefore the replacement rate of this ice is nowhere near the rate that it is being destroyed. What this means is that once we start this process of the destruction of Antarctica’s ice sheet, it cannot be stopped. We all need to pay attention to Antarctica’s sensitive ecosystem and take every opportunity to protect it, or the global environment that we know now may change forever.

EcoTumbler - 71 gallon

Going green is the buzzword everybody seems to be obsessed with, across the globe. If you’re an environment friendly person, or are wondering how to start being one what’s a better way than using the Eco Tumbler- a trendy, aesthetically designed composter, made of recycled material.

The EcoTumbler can accommodate a good 71 gallons of compost, which includes kitchen waste and garden waste, and of course other related organic waste (like yard waste). Based on sound knowledge and a good deal of time spent making composters, the company has come out with this efficient design, using induction tubes and other scientific methods to churn out the best compost for you in a matter of 4-6 days. This compost can be in turn used to enrich the soil and give your garden the much needed nutritional boost.

Besides the eco-friendly nature of this tumbler being a huge factor, the design further adds to its appeal. The globular shape is aesthetically very pleasing, the rich green colour is given to fit well into your garden environment, the stand makes sure the tumbler is stable and in place. All these factors make for a fun experience wherein you can personally handle all processes and don’t have to depend on a professional to do them. The easily accessible open top provides for easy handling.

The tumbler comes in dark forest green color and it carries a year’s warranty against any defects on the manufacturer’s side. The base comes included in the package and does not have to be bought separately. The design is sturdy and firm but also very easy to use. The design has been patented. Including installation, all operation of the eco tumbler can be handled with ease, only with the help of a few household tools.

Browse our Composters.com site for a wide selection of composting and gardening equipment and supplies including compost bins, compost tumblers, rain barrels and more.

Women + Poor Air Quality = Risk

It’s not enough that today’s women are so busy they barely have time for themselves, but now women have to worry about air pollution. A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine stated that air pollution, particularly in the urban environment, is directly linked to fatal and non-fatal heart disease and stroke in older women. Can the same be said for men? Nope! Women have smaller blood vessels than men and are more susceptible to particles getting deep into the lungs, causing inflammation and ultimately leading to heart disease and strokes.

But there is a solution. The EPA recommends using HEPA air purifiers in the home and office, as this can greatly reduce the amount of indoor airborne pollutants, creating a breathing environment that is actually healthier than outdoor urban air. So by having your indoor air cleaned of at least 90% of airborne pollutants, you are providing a healthy lifestyle and actually reducing your risk of contributing to lung inflammation, heart disease and stroke due to high concentrations of airborne pollutants.

Thankfully, HEPA air purifiers come in many sizes and are very affordable. At GreenCulture, we carry only the top quality brands of HEPA air purifiers, such as the Alen Paralda Air Purifier, and sell them at prices that fit any budget. We know a woman’s life can be hectic, so maybe our making air purifier shopping simple can contribute a little to making a woman’s life just a tad easier.

Does your bed feel crowded?

Does your bed feel crowded with your partner and pets? Well, it’s more crowded than you may think. Did you know that there are thousands of dust mites in your bed as well. Yep, you read that right – THOUSANDS! But fear not, for microscopic dust mites, though creepy looking, are utterly harmless to humans and your pets. However, it is their droppings and shed skin casts that can cause allergic reactions in humans, including bringing on asthma attacks.

An average dust mite leaves behind their feces 20 times per day. It is the protein in these dropping and their skin casts that cause the allergic reactions, so that is why it is so important to regularly wash your sheets and pillow cases. But keep in mind that the bed is not the only place our sloppy little freeloaders dwell – carpets, couches and anyplace we plant ourselves are prime places for dust mites to call home. So make sure to regularly wipe down your furniture and vacuum you carpets.

And since their droppings and skin casts are so small, a lot of it becomes airborne, too. That’s why it’s recommended that you use a HEPA air purifier in your favorite living areas. HEPA air purifiers catch particles that are 0.3 microns in size and larger, thus cleaning your indoor air of more than 90% of airborne particles. You may not be able to entirely rid your home of dust mites, but at least you can clean up after them and allow yourself to breathe easier.

HEPA vs. Ozone

Trends and hype can be exciting, but they don’t always have our best interests in mind. Consider the buzz around ozone-generating devices being marketed as a health boosting solution to indoor air quality problems. Upper atmosphere ozone is a layer of gasses that protects us from skin damaging ultraviolet sun rays, but ground level ozone is really SMOG! Who wants to buy something creates that smog in your home?

The US Federal and State Clean Air Legislation lists what breathing in excessive ozone can do to a person:

• Eye, nose, throat, and lung irritation.
• Significant temporary decreases in lung capacity in healthy, exercising adults.
• Asthmatic individuals are especially susceptible to ozone toxicity, which includes constricting airways.
• Can cause increased sensitivity to airborne allergens and other irritants, and it can impair the body’s immune system.
• Summertime ozone episodes in the northeastern U.S. lead to 10-20% increases in hospital admissions and emergency room visits.
• Human population studies of long-term exposures to low-level ozone indicate that it may lead to permanent reduction in lung capacity; animal studies have shown chronic high-level exposures can cause lasting structural damage in the lungs.
• Children, especially asthmatics, are most at risk from exposure to ozone.

A high efficiency particle air filter (HEPA) air cleaner is a better and proven way to clean indoor air. Check out the evaluations of household air cleaners that have been published by the Consumers Report, the American Lung Association and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The former two reports give explicit warnings against ozone-generating devices. As the Consumer Reports’ authors conclude, after performing tests, they “wouldn’t recommend an ozone generator even as a last resort.”

UV light vs. bacteria

Ever wonder why you never got sick during those hot, summer days at the beach or pool? (Getting sunburn doesn’t count) The sun casts a special wavelength of ultraviolet light called UV-C which neutralizes flu viruses and other pathogens. In fact, UV-C also neutralizes bacteria, fungi and molds. That’s why hospitals and laboratories use UV-C on their work surfaces, indoor air and equipment to reduce the risk of infection. Also, pharmaceutical manufacturing and food processing facilities use UV-C to sterilize water.

The way UV-C neutralizes viruses and other pathogens is that the UV-C damages the RNA and DNA, removing the virus’ capacity to reproduce. It’s the virus’ capacity to reproduce that causes sickness and infection.

Just keep these advantages in mind when using UV light in, say, an air purifier to clean your indoor air:

• Ultraviolet light is a non-chemical approach to disinfection.
• Because ultraviolet light works by physically damaging the DNA, viruses and other germs cannot develop resistance or immunity to it. Microorganisms will remain susceptible to UV-C light.
• It makes your environment healthier in general, providing the benefit of disabling all kinds of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and molds.

Here’s something to file under sustainably cool — the Solar Radio. Made with new solar cell technology to power the handheld flat-screen device, which features NXT SurfaceSound speaker and Force Sensitive Resistors for its solar cell powered touch sensitive input, this eco-friendly device is the perfect little radio for a Sunday afternoon picnic.

Ever wanted to have your very own Hobbit home? Sure you have. We all have at some point (especially after watching Lord of the Rings). A family man in Wales wanted just that and built his own low impact, environmentally-friendly Hobbit-style home with the help of some family and friends. A couple thousand man hours and approximately £3000 later, the on-going family home project is coming to fruition. Built with nothing more than spare wood, lime plaster, straw bales, solar panels, and a few eco-friendly necessities and utilities, living a sustainable lifestyle can actually be quite affordable. Of course, the matter of having access to land for a project like this is a difficult proposition. The point of it, however, like all worthwhile endeavors is the possibility of achieving a sustainable way of living in some fashion.

Executive Occasional Living Room Furniture

The Executive Occasional Living Room Furniture shines with sophistication and richness. The items in this collection are functional yet elegantly beautiful. They are crafted out of only the finest select hardwoods and come in warm rosewood and walnut veneers and silver hardware. The collection looks professional but still comfortable enough to fit into any living room.

The Madison Sofa Table, the Madison Cocktail Table and the Madison Lamp Table all have one shelf. Another common feature in all the Madison Tables is a slight curve to the table legs, bringing soft beauty to the simple structures. The Grand Central lamp table has a polished edge glass top and one wooden shelf, and the design is unique and contemporary.

A living room is never complete with an entertainment console, and the Riverside Entertainment Console serves this role well. Each of the two doors has an adjustable wooden shelf behind it. Two adjustable glass shelves are found in the center portion of the console, and a light and grommets are available for electrical cords.

The Riverside Entertainment Hutch has three drawers, perfect in size for the storing of new CDs or old-fashioned vinyl albums. There are 9 shelves, 3 of which are adjustable so as to maneuver around a sound system, and also have grommets.

The Columbus Circle Console has four faux leather doors, and it is small but roomy. There are 5 adjustable shelves and grommets, which make this small structure very versatile.

The Tribeca Pass-Through Bookcase has four push-through drawers and 5 adjustable shelves. The bookcase is made of clean cut lines but still manages to allow plenty of room for experimentation and variety.

The Executive Occasional Collection comes with a warranty from the item manufacturer against any material defects and workmanship that may be realized for one year. All items are made from sustainable harvested wood, causing as little damage as possible to the environment as a whole.

You can find this exquisite collection and other living room furniture at Eco-Furniture.com.

Shin Coffee Table

This simple living room coffee table with its oriental conception evokes a tranquil environment that is prevalent throughout the Shin collection. The dark oak finish that compliments the unassuming curvature of the design creates a modest yet elegant addition to your living room. The two side tables sold as a single set with the Shin coffee table enables a combination to fit in comfortably to any living room with ease. Yet at the same time offer manifest sophistication and grace that would exceed what is expected of center piece.

The knock-down construction enables uncomplicated and simple assembly. The coffee table is 54 inches long and 24 inches wide and at a height of 14 inches it allows comfort and ease that all coffee tables should offer. Each of the side tables are elegantly designed at a length of 26 inches, a width of 20 inches and are of a convenient height of 20 inches. The coffee table weighing in at 52 pounds is effortlessly transported or maneuvered it to any position or location you desire. The same goes for the side tables which clock in at 40 pounds each.

This product is manufactured using hardwood solids as raw materials and is topped off with a finish of oak veneers that allow an elegantly simple aura to scatter around it, and the raw materials used in this product are sustainably produced.

According to a recent survey, going green may prove to be more difficult for the average consumer as the expense of convenience and comfort is far too great. A third of Americans in the new study shows that they would give up their iPods if they knew it harmed the environment. Although the poll showed 60%  of Americans are looking for greener products, if modern conveniences were no longer convenient or comfortable, roughly 30% of people would not go out of their way for the greener alternative. “Conveniences have become necessities,” says Suzanne Shelton, whose firm conducted the survey. It’s awfully common sense to attribute comfort and convenience as barriers to any alternative lifestyle. It requires a kind of passion to undertake and change the way we live our lives, which is not a simple and easy endeavor. If the average consumer can find green products as easily as they do any other product, whether in a store or online, then perhaps we can bridge the gap and see the trend to go green widen.

Madagascar Bedroom Set Collection

A new bedroom furniture collection coming soon to Eco-Furniture.com is one that is sure to give your bedroom a look of tropic paradise. The Madagascar Bedroom Collection is an exquisitely designed furniture set made from Mozambique and Prima Vera veneers in warm cognac and black smoke finish. The bedroom set includes a platform bed in the Minuet (featuring two puck lights on both ends of the headboard) and Ballad editions (Queen, King, and Cal King sizes), Pier Nightstands, Demi Dresser, and Mirror. The Pier Nightstands feature a touch latch center drawer that holds a charging station and a puck light with touch dimmer switch.