It's Hip to be Warm

Keeping warm this winter is important to keep you and your family healthy and happy. Most conventional means of heating homes are ultimately through the burning of fossil fuels or wood, but heat doesn’t just come from turning up the thermostat or throwing a log on the fire any more. The cold of winter is just beginning and it’s not too late to invest in an eco-friendly and chic alternative to conventional heat. Check out an eco-fireplace to keep you warm and stylish for this and winters to come. Try the Zeta EcoSmart Fire brings us their award winning Zeta model. This stylish fireplace is made up of timber, leather, and stainless steel, with glass screens on either side of the fire. The Zeta, which is located on a secure swivel stainless steel base, acts almost as a space heater, portable and able to heat the area around it. It is available in four different exterior colors: Nero, Ranch Hide, Latte, and Ciocolatta. The flames for this chic fireplace are fueled by denatured ethanol, a renewable biofuel. Or Maybe the Fire Ribbon Another company, Spark Fires, created a beautiful fireplace known as the Fire Ribbon. This “versatile installation” fireplace does not require any ventilation, so can be installed in your home with ease. This fireplace is over 95% efficient and can run on either natural gas or propane. This stylish fireplace will be a welcome addition to any home this winter. Bringing the Heat with the Igloo If the Zeta and Fire Ribbon are too conventional for you, you will love the Igloo made by EcoSmart. The fireplace consists of a stainless steel bench with flames, suspended by glass. The Igloo is a visual and a practical gem, with flames that reflect off the glass to create a beautiful dancing effect. The Igloo, also running on denatured ethanol, is truly an eco-conscious luxury and a fashion forward way to heat your home. So when it comes to keeping warm this winter, invest in an environmentally friendly fireplace that doesn’t sacrifice aesthetics for function. Image Credit: EcoSmart, Inhabit.com

Reclaimed Furniture: Luxurious Home Decor

The Green Connoisseur has featured gorgeous eco-friendly furniture and reclaimed wood furniture several times, showing the luxurious side of 'green' home decor. Whether it's a vintage piece that has been reclaimed and put to use, or a new piece of furniture that has been created with recycled products - eco-friendly furniture can be luxurious and beautiful. Here are a few new pieces for you to feast your eyes on, all available at Urban Woods. The Wilcox Collection This bedroom set is clean and modern with straight lines and simple design. Created from both vintage, reclaimed wood and new pieces, this set is perfect for someone with a simple and modern taste. It could easily be softened by adding luxurious fabrics and throw pillows, and is versatile enough to work in any home or apartment. Created from a 'patchwork' design, the wood is framed and stained with a natural, water-based stain. The vintage wood has been finished in a low VOC acrylic. The Trousdale Collection This collection is whimsical and puts you in mind of a cozy bed and breakfast. Created from reclaimed wood, the Trousdale Collection features highlights of Kirei board. Kirei board is an environmentally sustainable design element, created from agricultural fiber. The collection includes the charming and beautiful bed, as well as the matching dresser and night stand. The Melrose Collection The Melrose Collection features a chunky design, with sturdy and beautiful reclaimed wood. This is an elegant collection that includes hints of modern design, but is lovable for the obvious history of the wood. The large club chairs feature comfortable and thick cushions, covered in organic cotton upholstery. The collection is completed with an over-sized coffee table, fully functional media center and an elegant open ended bookcase. The Palisades Collection This dining room collection is modern and beautiful, created from reclaimed wood, organic cotton upholstery and solid wood legs created from massive-sized beams. This collection features three chairs and a low bench which surround the gorgeous dining table - as well as a side table and a huge mirror to create the illusion of more space. This is perfect for a small apartment dining room and is sturdy enough to last as long as the room it's sitting in. All of these luxurious collections are gorgeous, and each one of them is created from reclaimed wood and eco-friendly products. I'd have to say the Palisades collection is my favorite of all, showcasing history within the modern and charming design. However, each of the collections from Urban Woods shows exactly how luxurious eco-friendly can be. Photo Credits: www.UrbanWoods.net