Not only are these designs beautiful enough to be focal points of any room, but Brizo helps you save water with SmartTouch® hands-free on/off activation and H2OKinetic Technology®- giving a high-flow feeling while using half the water. With the average family of 4 using 400 gallons of water per day (that’s 100 gallons per person!), 70% of which is used indoors, it’s important to implement water-saving technology in the home wherever possible (EPA).

Brizo showerheads with H2OKinetic Technology® work to manage droplet size, velocity, spray coverage and thermal dynamics to decrease water usage by up to 40%.

On a corporate level, the company finds any way green to the manufacturing process, like being the first domestic company to use water-based cleaners instead of yucky de-greasing solvents for all their metal cleaning needs, and executing an aggressive recycling program for everything from brass stock to other various metals, cardboard and oil. In 2009 alone, Brizo recycled over 5, 218 tons of brass and 750 tons of other metals!

Check out the entire line of Brizo products to find the perfect fit for your style and start saving water today.

Read the full article by Kerrie Brynn on whatgives.com.

*Top photo credit: Sara Beugen & Stephen Mabry of Shoot My Events

Meet Zem Joaquin, our fearless ecofabulous founder, and hear from a few of the other players involved in this project: Tracen and Kimber, the founders of Reclaimed Space, discuss the “small house movement,” receiving their first call from Dwell Magazine, and take you through all of the salvaged materials used to build the MODERN LIVING Showhouse.

Josiah Cain, the principal landscape architect of Design Ecology, gives a tour of his greenhouse and shares his vision for vegetated walls on the Showhouse. See the incredible vintage furniture warehouse of Joe Marcinkowkski, owner of Metro Retro Furniture and eBay top-seller midcenturyguy, and meet Corri McFadden, eBay top seller EDrop-Off Express, as she takes us through the gorgeous pre-owned clothes, shoes and accessories that will be styled in the Showhouse closet – after all, the greenest product is often one that already exists!

We’re working on getting everything loaded for an interactive photo tour of the space, complete with info on fabric styles, paint colors, product specifications, and more! In the meantime, take a look at some of the partners involved in the project.

*Top photo credit: Sara Beugen & Stephen Mabry of Shoot My Events

Built in Austin, TX by Reclaimed Space using 80-90% salvaged material and designed by ecofabulous founder and lead designer, Zem Joaquin, the home showcases the eco products of more than twenty manufacturers, carefully selected for their superior sustainability standards and design aesthetic. From the lush living wall to the smart, energy-efficient kitchen and laundry appliances to the gorgeous vintage furniture from eBay, the result is an exceptional dwelling that is inviting, gorgeous, and incredibly eco-friendly.

Check out the house below and stay tuned for the full, interactive photo tour with featured styles, colors and more!

*Photo credit: Sara Beugen & Stephen Mabry of Shoot My Events

With several installation options, the washers and dryers can be stacked, separated, pedestalled and more – able to fit whatever corner or closet you have dedicated for your dirties. And for those of you who have endured one too many noisy rinse cycles, Electrolux offers you their Second Floor Guarantee. This state-of-the-art technology keeps even an oversized load balanced for a smooth, quiet operation.

But the best is yet to come. The washer has the largest capacity in it’s class which means less loads in the long run and less water used. With the Energy Star seal of approval we know this appliance is at least 20% more energy efficient than any alternative. If you’re in the Los Angeles area, come by for a closer look – we’ve got an Electrolux washer and dryer in Turquoise Sky going in the Modern Living Showhouse at this weekend’s Dwell on Design show, the West Coast’s largest design event. You can bid for the sustainable house on eBay – the gorgeous appliances are included!

Here’s a sneek peek of Zem’s home, but click here to read the full story and take the complete home tour!

The same warm, modern spaces created with complete environmental sensitivity, at a new attractive price point (nearly 30% less than steel-framing), means a huge step forward for sustainable building construction. Check out the virtual “Configurator” to select finishes and systems for your lifestyle as you create your own personal LivingHome – there’s even a LEED points calculator to calculate the expected rating of your design.

Founder Steve Glenn departs next week for a cross-country speaking tour about modern prefabrication, sustainable design, and the new developments at LivingHomes. Check for dates in your area – the ecofabulous team is planning to catch him on February 16th @ 6pm at the Fillmore Design Within Reach store.

By ecofabulous founder, Zem Joaquin. Presented by The eBay Green Team.

I can get obsessed with my eBay searches but when stalking furniture, keeping it local is best (no shipping charges and less fuel needed to transport). Kijiji, eBay’s local classified site, makes it simple to search for listings in my area and meet up with the seller to view the furniture in person.

I found this well-crafted cabinet for $35 about 40 miles from my house. It was well worth the drive to find out that it was handmade by the seller’s father. The piece needed a little TLC but the craftsmanship is excellent – it’s made of solid wood, and I love the original brass hardware. What a steal!

Here are the steps I took to convert the cabinet into something fresh and beautiful, while still keeping it’s original charm:

	Step 1: Prepare the Piece & Surrounding Area I removed the doors and hardware – I originally thought that I might have to change out the pulls, but I realized they were solid brass and could easily be revived!. Laying down a drop cloth, I cleared a surface to prepare to strip the original stain.
	Step 2: Strip the Original Stain Using an eco-friendly stripper, I applied the material with a paint brush, let it sit for a few minutes, and then gently scraped off the stripper with a flat-edge scraper (sometimes called a putty knife). Depending on the original material, you might need two coats of stripper.  I wiped off any remaining residue with a cloth and then let the surface dry fully.
	Step 3: Sanding the Wood After the wood was completely dry, it was time for a little good old fashioned elbow grease. I sanded the entire piece to achieve an even surface and to take off the last remnants of the previous stain. I started with a higher grit sandpaper (like 80) and finished with a fine grit (like 220).
	Step 4: The First Coat of Stain Before applying the first coat of wood stain, I wiped off the entire piece with a dry rag (I like using old, damaged shirts) to make sure that the surface was free of any dust and particles that might get under the stain and create blemishes. I applied the stain (a non-toxic, soy-based product) with a sponge roller and then wiped off the excess with another rag.
	Step 5: The Second Coat of Stain After 24 hours I applied the second coat of stain, but this time with a brush, using full, even strokes – you want to make sure that you don’t leave any streaks or splotches.
	Step 6: Reviving the Brass Hardware While the second coat was drying I set to work on the brass hardware. Using a fine grit sandpaper (220) I was able to sand off all the tarnish to leave a sleek, brushed-metal look. This method is less toxic than using a chemical polisher and I love the textured effect.
	Step 7: The Final Gloss Coat After another 24 hours, I brushed on a low-VOC, water-based lacquer – again, make sure to use full, even strokes so that you don’t have any inconsistencies. The lacquer comes out looking milky, but don’t worry – it dries clear (think Elmer’s glue).
	Step 8: Reassemble & Admire the Job! Once everything was dry I attached the original hardware back on and voila! Instant upgrade. Ok, not so instant – but an upgrade that was definitely cost-effective and rewarding! The natural wood surface is glowing. I love the warmth of the color and the overall style. It went from mediocre to magnificent with a total cost of $70!

By ecofabulous founder, Zem Joaquin. Presented by The eBay Green Team.

I love buying vintage furniture and adding new life to a piece that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill. eBay and their local classifieds site, Kijiji, both have millions of great treasures that, with a little TLC, can be turned into something totally unique and fabulous. Now the eBay Green Team brings together thousands of eBay users who are shopping pre-owned not only because it’s chic and affordable, but because they know that the greenest product is the one that already exists.

The eBay Green Team asked me to do a few DIY furniture make-overs from pieces I bought off eBay and Kijiji in order to get you inspired to create your own. From November 4-19 the eBay Green Team will be accepting DIY entries for a chance to win a $1,000 eco shopping experience on eBay and a 2 hour eco consultation with me. So check out my video below, stay tuned for more DIY “Turning Oldies into Goodies” post in the coming weeks, and get started on a project of your own!

An Ecofabulous DIY Furniture Makeover from ecofabulous on Vimeo.

I bought this telephone bench off eBay for $75. My vision was to create a fun but sophisticated piece for my daughter’s room. She has a little jungle in her room, so I chose a gorgeous organic cotton fabric from Rubie Green to echo the animal print theme.

Here are the steps I took to transform the telephone bench into something a little more modern:

	Step 1: Remove the Seat I unscrewed the bottom of the seat and popped it out, setting is aside for later. First, I needed to address the wood.
	Step 2: Sand to Prepare the Wood Surface Using a buffer pad, I lightly sanded all of the wood. Since I’d decided to paint the piece black I didn’t need to labor too long, 20 minutes was plenty. Just needed to make it smooth and rub out any minor inconsistencies and it takes off any discoloration as well as opens up the grain of the wood so that the new coat will apply well.
	Step 3: Apply the Primer As you see in the video, I chose to rent a power sprayer (about $60 for the day) for this piece because there are so many angles and curves and I wanted to get a nice, even coat… and it makes everything go much faster. When you use the sprayer, hold the nozzle about one foot away from the surface and use even, fan-like motions, back and forth. I had the paint shop tint my low-VOC primer gray so that I wouldn’t have to use as many coats of black paint.
	Step 4: The First Coat of Paint After the primer is completely dry (usually 24 hours, but you can sometimes speed this up with the use of a blow dryer), it’s time to paint. First, I lightly sanded the primed wood to smooth out any dried drips or unevenness and to get the surface ready to receive the paint. My paint is virtually free of VOC’s. VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) are what give paint that toxic smell, so it’s best to try to avoid them all together. I applied the paint in the same way as the primer, keeping the power sprayer slow and steady, back and forth.
	Step 5: A Second Coat of Paint After another 24 hours (or however long it takes for the coat to dry), I applied another coat of paint. You can continue to apply paint until you have the desired depth of color – I only needed two coats since my primer was tinted.
	Step 6: Reupholster the Seat First, I removed the staples on the back with a slotted screwdriver and pliers. If you want to replace the cushion, make sure to choose from one of the many sustainable options (organic cotton, organic wool, natural tapped rubber). NearSea Naturals is a great online resource for eco-friendly batting and stuffing, or you can order custom-cut 100% natural latex cushions from foamorder.com (scroll down to the bottom of the page). Next, I laid out the fabric to make sure it was smooth – you can use an iron or steamer to eliminate any creases. I used the old seat as a template to cut a piece of the same size from the new fabric, paying attention to where I wanted the pattern to line up on the seat. I placed the fabric on the cushion and pulled taut. I then used a staple gun to fasten the fabric to the back of the seat. Make sure to fold the fabric neatly around the corners (think of a hospital bed corner) and use plenty of staples.
	Step 7: The Final Gloss Coat Using a low-VOC, water-based lacquer I brushed on a final clear glossy coat. Don’t worry if it looks milky when you first apply it, it dries clear (think Elmer’s glue). Make sure the paint is completely dry before this final coat so as not to cause any bubbling under the surface. This coat can be reapplied multiple times for a glass-like finish.
	Step 8: Reassemble & Admire the Job! The final step was to place the seat back on the bench and fasten with the original screws. Ta-da! The transformation was incredible, it completely elevated the style of the telephone bench. My daughter loves it, and the black color will work with anything – even if she wants to change the fabric down the road. The completed project cost just over $200 but it’s personalized, totally eco, and stylized enough to sell for a pretty penny. Plus, I have extra fabric left over! Just enough for a pillow… but that is for another post!

Available in a multitude of bright colors, as well as light and dark wood-grains, the furniture requires no tools or hardware to assemble so kids can even join in on the building of their shelves. The trick? Industrial strength tape adheres the pieces together, and while the boards are 62% lighter than particle board, they’re just as strong!

A founding member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council, Way Basics works with furniture banks around the country to provide household furnishings to those in need – with the ultimate goal to make it easy and fun to build sustainable furniture that fits real life and improve the planet at the same time.

Come see Way Basics furniture in The ecofabulous Lounge at The Opportunity Green Conference in Los Angeles this weekend! Or stay tuned for pics from the event!