Colori just brought Mythic Paint to Chicago. :) I couldn’t be happier to have this paint close by. A favorite of those that have environmental illnesses, allergies, and those looking for a greener option - Mythic Paint not only performs well, but also has minimal scent and cures fast. (For those of you with serious sensitivities, remember to always test small amounts first. A great idea is the jar test as we all react very differently to different products. I have learned this the hard way!)
Michelle, the owner of Colori, is amazing and if you are in Chicago she rocks at in home color consultations . Also, her window display is by INDO projects and is stunning don’t you think?
Environmental Working Group just came out with a new cell phone exposure guide. Be sure to check it out, they have a wealth of information. While, yes, I do still have a cell phone I believe that we should be very cautious as to how much we use our phone. Mine is one of the worst, so I am sure to limit my usage. When I was electrically hypersensitive I could not use mine at all. I would seriously go stupid for a while afterwards. I thought I was just odd. And I am a little odd. But regardless, studies do back this up and show that a two minute cell phone call can alter the natural electrical activity in a child’s brain for up to an hour.
Some things that I recommend to reduce your exposure are:
1. Get a headset. The Blue Tube headset that Dr. Mercola sells on his site, I find to be the best. Also, check out Dr. Mercola’s article on cell phone exposure. It is fascinating.
2. Do not sleep with your phone next to your head. I used to do this a lot in High School. The hours that I put in on my cell phone still astonish me. I must have a skull made of steel since I am still pretty smart. (at least I think so)
3. Turn off your cell phone. I have started doing this a lot lately. It is very liberating. My friends and family have been completely annoyed by it, but I am hoping that they will get used to it soon. They keep thinking I skipped the country!
4. Do not be afraid of using a cell phone. Yes, recent studies are pretty convincing that we need to be careful. Yet, I do think that it is unrealistic for many to completely stop using cell phones. The most important thing is to be mindful of your usage habits. Everything in moderation right? And when we are afraid of something, the fear can cause more problems on our bodies then the actual thing that we are afraid of (read Deadly Emotions by Don Colbert and check out EFT).
FLUF. Locally made in Toronto. Handprinted organic cotton and unbleached hemp fabrics. I just ordered a sample set for my studio and I love them! Water based dyes and fair labor - nearly perfect… Replace the soy based cushion inserts with wool, kapok or organic cotton and then we move beyond eco-friendly and we have a healthy pillow as well.
If you can’t find a non-toxic and sustainable piece of furniture that you love, why not make your own? Thomas Wold, frequent contributor to Ready Made, has created amazing pieces using furniture that he already has or vintage furniture that he has bought. He even created some great pieces for the eco-friendly Good Hotel in San Francisco. Using old vintage furniture is a great way to be sure that any toxins that were originally in the piece have out-gassed. Then you just have to be sure to use non-toxic paint.
Greenplay, made in Chicago :), is all about creating children’s furniture that is fun, long lasting, and yes, healthy! The furniture is made with regards to all aspects of the environment - sourcing, indoor air quality, shipping, and recycling. One of the details that I like is that there are no glues used in the construction, but instead mechanical connections are used. This is better not only when it comes to recycling, but also when we look at indoor air quality. Also, there is no urea formaldehyde used in any of their products. The furniture is made primarily of recycled HDPE (high density polyethylen) , which I am typically against. I love my wood! Yet, there are no known health concerns with HDPE.
Based in Toronto, Bookhou creates home decor, furniture, bags, paintings, sculpture and kids items. They focus on small scale production, natural materials, and handcrafted items. I am a big fan of their furniture. Classic. Unfinished. And the lines…
Maramiki totally gets what it means to create a textile line that is conscious of all aspects of the design process. Working out of her home in Chicago, Mara uses only non-toxic water based dyes, uses heat to finish her designs instead of chemicals, only uses natural fibers, and prints everything by hand. She also loves doing custom work so you can work with her to create bedding, pillows, towels or yardage that is exactly what you are looking for. A true reflection of yourself.
Photos, top to bottom, from… 
