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

Vermont Woods Studios Fine Furniture – Sustainable and Undeniably Creative

Whether you love the taste of a chilled glass of Merlot with dinner or desire an exquisite conversation piece for your next get-together, doesn’t an original, hand-carved work of art sound divine? Consider the Custom Artisan Wine Cabinet by Vermont Woods Studios, which creates fine furniture pieces from sustainable sources. Unique and elegant in every way, an artistic exterior keeps your collection of wines and glasses hidden – a beautiful piece for the home of any wine connoisseur. Crafted in the state of Vermont, sculptors use eco-friendly, natural solid hardwood to create each custom-built piece. As with the majority of pieces offered at Vermont Woods Studios, you can order your customized wine cabinet to include names, dates, and other creative personalization. The base price for this particular piece is $16,800, which includes shipping and a lifetime guarantee. Green Satin Fainting Couch I would love to own this particular piece in my home – not just because green is my favorite color, but because this is such a striking design. I'd just stand there, look at it from a distance, and surely faint if anyone should ever plop down on it. Allow the curves of this magnificent piece to mesmerize you with figured tiger maple or any other wood you desire. And if green isn’t your color – you can choose another…right along with textured fabric of your choice. Base Price: $20,000.00 Custom TV-Media Center - Armoire Imagine storing your entertainment in this eye-catching reproduction of a Louis XIV 18th century-style armoire. Embrace the beauty of historic French furniture, allowing an artisan to add your very own personal appeal. Base Price: $27,500.00 Custom Poker-Game Table Vermont Woods Studios even has something for the luxury poker player with a handcrafted, poker-game table and matching chairs. Collaborate with an artisan to add your own finishing touches, such as elaborate inlays, retractable drink holders, and custom fabric. Just some of the eco-friendly natural woods to consider: oak, walnut, cherry, maple, and mahogany. Base Price: $26,000.00 Other luxury, eco-friendly standouts include: Custom Mahogany Loveseat (l) (BP: $6,500.00); Heart Shaped Valentines Chairs (c) (BP: $2,999.00); Quilted Vermont Rocking Chair (r) (BP: $1,995.00) Interested in any of the above pieces, contact Vermont Woods Studios for a custom quote. Images: Vermont Woods Studios