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Adria Saracino

Creative and eco ways to spruce up your decor

by Adria Saracino on May 17

It seems everyone is scrambling to jump on the eco-friendly bandwagon these days. And you know what? That isn’t a bad thing. The more aware we are about our impact on the world, the better.

We spend so much time in our homes that it makes the perfect outlet for practicing our “green” thumb. When it comes time to spruce up your abode, consider ways that will help you follow the old adage: reduce, reuse, and recycle. Here are some ideas to get you started.

For Your Walls
Of course, the first step of decorating our homes usually begins with what we hang on the walls. One way to reduce and reuse is to scour your local second hand shop for amazing, one-of-a-kind frames. Fill them up with images from old calendars or, better yet, print out your favorite stock photos. You’ll be able to choose just what you like and, if you get tired and want a change, they’re easy to swap out.

Most of us listen to music digitally these days, which means we have stacks of CDs sitting around the house gathering dust. Luckily, their jewel cases make lovely modern frames that can be hung in interesting patterns. Here are some simple instructions to follow.

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How to Infuse South African Style into your Home

by Adria Saracino on March 29

South Africa has a rich culture. From tribal traditions of years passed to present-day cosmopolitan preferences in big cities like Johannesburg, you can find it all.

However, how do you mix the past with the present and evoke a modern interpretation of South African design into your home? Here are three principles to keep in mind that will help you blend the old with the new and create a wonderfully modern South African-inspired space.

1. Turn down the volume

modern African interior design [click to continue…]

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Keeping Your Pets and Home Safe

by Adria Saracino on January 17

For all the joy our pets bring us, taking care of them can be a lot of work. However, there are ways you can decrease the amount of work your pets require.

Aside from giving pets plenty of love and attention, make sure your home is a safe place for them to patter around. Prepping your home for any potential damage your four-legged companions might cause can not only protect them, but also minimizes damages to your home.

Here are a few tips for keeping your home pet-compatible:

1. Cover any exposed wires. If your pet likes to chew, this tip is for you. Buy cord covers for any wires that run along the floor or in places your pet is likely to explore. Here’s a DIY eco tip: use old paper towel or toilet paper rolls to weave cords through and hide them behind furniture to prevent not only tangling, but curious pets.

While it is definitely a nuisance when dogs chew through cables, it is their health that can be at risk. If your puppy is a chewer, consider investing in some dog insurance so he/she is protected in case of electrocution. There are also cat insurance options available if your kitten is the wire-tampering culprit.

2. Use a foot-pedal trash can. Let’s face it: Without a barrier, many dogs and cats will eat out of the garbage.

Aside from leaving a mess in your kitchen, there could be things in the trash can that are bad for pets. Go for the foot pedal, and nip that problem in the bud. [click to continue…]

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Ethical Gems and Gold – It’s Not Just for Jewelry!

by Adria Saracino on December 17

If you’ve seen the movie Blood Diamond, you know that the diamond trade is full of corruption and environmentally-hazardous practices. What you might not know is there is equally disastrous practices when it comes to harvesting gold and other gems.

This is a fairly new concept to me. I was looking to purchase a Mother’s ring (a great holiday or Mother’s Day gift, by the way!), when I came across Ingle & Rhode, an ethical jeweler recommended by both Vogue and Treehugger. My knowledge didn’t go far beyond the diamond-mining controversy, but after reading through the Ingle & Rhode website, I saw there is equally as much controversy surrounding gemstones and gold.

Jewelers around the world are adopting the practice of sourcing fair-trade jewelry, making sure they can determine exactly where the resources are mined from. Some are going as far to recycle platinum and gold, giving old jewelry new life.

Since the resources used in jewelry are often found in home decor items, it got me thinking that maybe there are options to make sure we utilize environmentally-friendly interior design products.

Picture Source:EeclecticRevisited.com

Gold is one of the most commonly used materials used in both jewelry and home accessories. Everything from gold-framed mirrors to candlesticks presents an opportunity to “go green.” For example, you can re-use gold home accessories, scouring flea markets and antique shops. For newer gold items, research where the materials come from before purchasing. There are plenty of fair-trade home decor options, some that give artists in developing countries the opportunity to sell their wares and get some visibility for their designs.

Why does all of this matter?

Here are just some of the environmental concerns:

  • There is a risk of cyanide leaching into soil and groundwater when mining gold (gold can be chemically dissolved by cyanide). See more gold-mining environmental concerns here.
  • Diamond-mining is destructive to land, causing concerns for returning the land to its original form in order to decrease the likelihood of soil degradation. See more diamond-mining environmental concerns here.
  • There is also corruption and political unrest around diamond mining, especially in Africa where rebels use illegally exported diamonds to fund civil war. Learn more about conflict diamonds here.

So before you purchase gold, platinum or gemstones, either jewelry or home decor, make sure you know where the materials came from in order to preserve the environment and do your part in stopping political unrest.

Adria Saracino is the owner of Seattle fashion blog The Emerald Closet. You can find her tweeting about fashion @Emerald_Closet. Looking for more from Adria? Check out her personal website at www.adriasaracino.com.

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Fashion and Appliances Intersect: Common Washing Problems & How They Ruin Your Clothes

by Adria Saracino on November 1

We don’t often think of appliances when we talk about fashion, but they are integral to the upkeep and care of our wardrobes.

Laundry Basket - SimplyWash.com

How you wash your clothes is dependent on the fabrics and care instructions recommended by the manufacturer (located on the tags found inside the garment). While I will always recommend following the instructions found on these tags, sometimes you can run into unforeseen challenges that could result in damaged clothes. The culprit is usually unknown problems with your appliances or unknowingly adding harmful items to your wash loads. In order to save your clothes (and your wallets), I’ve outlined some of the most common causes of ruined clothes due to washing and how to solve for the problem.

Excess Detergent Left in Clothes

Unless you use organic products, detergents are filled with chemicals used to wash your clothes. These chemicals are relatively safe (we’ll save the organic vs. non-organic “safety” debate for another day) to use because the washing machine agitator removes the detergent from the clothes.

However, if the washing machine agitator is not working properly or you are hand-washing garments, detergent may stay in the fibers of your clothes. This can lead to skin irritation and the eventual breakdown of the fabric due to excessive chemical exposure. Thus, it is really important to make sure your agitator is working properly.

According to this appliance repair infographic by PartSelect appliances, defunct agitators are one of the most common problems found in older washing machines. Since this is relatively inexpensive ($15) and easy to fix, I’d recommend checking your agitator annually to make sure everything is in good working order. [click to continue…]

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15 Everyday Household Items That Moonlight As Fashion Lifesavers

by Adria Saracino on October 4

Fashion and beauty require a lot of maintenance. From dry cleaning and alterations to frizz and pimples, we are constantly striving to look our best.

However, all that maintenance can come with a hefty price tag. Dry cleaning alone can cost well over $100 for one modest trip.

Dryer Sheet

Image Source: RealSimple.com

Lucky for us, there are a lot of common household items that double as fashion and beauty lifesavers. Here are some insider secrets on the second function you didn’t know your household items had…

1. Masking Tape: This sticky household item is perfect for removing lint and dog hair without ruining your clothes. Simply take a longer piece and run it across the areas that need care, lifting every so often so as not to stretch fabric.

2. Dryer Sheet: These are your lifesaver in winter. Simply run it over your hair to eliminate static and minimize frizz. Need another use for those dry sheets? Stick them in smelly shoes to eliminate odor. [click to continue…]

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Mad For Plaid: Bringing the Runway Into Your Home

by Adria Saracino on September 6

Interior and fashion designers have been drawing inspiration from each other for years. From fabrics to colors and patterns to themes, it’s easy to translate looks from the runway into designs for your own home.

The plaid fashion trend continues to repeat itself year after year. This past March’s fashion week was full of plaid looks for fall 2011.

plaid fashion trends 2011

Plaid is the best of both worlds: it’s classic, yet it can easily been modernized with sleek line widths and colors. It’s easy to infuse the iconic fashion print into your home, and I’m not talking through just blankets and throws. Plaid can be versatile, so don’t be afraid to combine it with different prints in order to add texture and depth to your space. From furniture to walls, we’ve found our favorite plaid looks to inspire you to add some plaid to your home during your next remodeling project.

interior deisgn trends with plaid

Photo Credits (Clockwise From Top Left): entryway, wall art, chair, lamp, chair, chairs. Top fashion photo found here.

Adria Saracino is the owner of Seattle fashion blog The Emerald Closet. You can find her tweeting about fashion @Emerald_Closet. Looking for more from Adria? Check out her personal website at www.adriasaracino.com.

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