Monthly Archives: August 2010
Weekly Favorites
| August 30, 2010 | Posted by Linsi Brownson under accessories, favorite things, Gather, holidays, redefine home, Seasonal, weekly favorites |
It may be nearing the end of summer, but that’s no reason to head inside just yet. This weather is perfect for spending relaxing evenings on the porch or hosting a Labor Day shindig out-of-doors.
My favorite things this week are inspired by nature and perfect for some late summer gatherings.
The Portland Collection dinnerware by Thomas Paul is a great way to serve guests inside and out.
Handmade Cheese Plate by Luna Reece. A great serving piece year-round
The Reed organic flannel blanket is perfect for a cooler evening.
Often overlooked as a useful object, Tweet the bird would come in handy for holding down napkins or tablecloths on a windier day.
These beer bottle votives are great on the deck and easy to carry when it’s time to bring the party inside
These weighty tea towels can be used in so many ways – as placemats or napkins, to cover less-than-perfect outdoor seating.
Happy Monday!
Historic Preservation, Adaptive Reuse… & Glassblowing?
| August 26, 2010 | Posted by Lauren Moss under architecture, Guest Bloggers, Inspiration, Sustainable Living |
If there’s a magical time to visit New England, it’s almost here, as the transition to autumn provides the opportunity to witness a visually spectacular natural process- the changing of fall colors. During the several peak weeks in September and October, the natural landscape becomes dominated by vibrant shades of red, orange and yellow.
Within this extraordinary setting, picturesque towns and villages and traditional architecture provide a context that creates a sense of time, place and authenticity. This meaningful relationship between the natural and built environments underscores the relevance of historic preservation, a key topic in the dialogue of sustainable architecture today.
A personal favorite example of adaptive reuse (using an existing structure for a new function or purpose) is the building below, located in Quechee, Vermont, adjacent to the Ottauquechee River.
This masonry building was renovated in 1981 by Simon Pearce, an Irish glassblower who brought his craft to the states and converted the 19th century woolen mill to a glassblowing factory. The renovation included the addition of a restaurant and retail space, as well as the incorporation of a new hydroelectric turbine, tucked beneath the building to utilize the site’s natural resources to provide power to the factory.
Back outside, the cantilevered addition of the Simon Pearce Restaurant provides architectural contrast to the existing design language and responds to its unique site, creating a truly dramatic dining experience, especially when the expansive window wall is open, further enhancing a connection to the natural beauty of the site.
www.simonpearce.com
Hovering over the rushing waterfall, the dining room design highlights the connection of old and new and exposes original materials to maintain a strong sense of place, rooted in history and community. The fantastic restaurant uses seasonal local ingredients from nearby farms.
The workshop has been producing its own electricity for over 25 years and guests are encouraged to take a look at the equipment that harnesses the energy of moving water, as well as visit the workshop and learn about the art of glassblowing.
www.simonpearce.com
This inclusive, education-focused approach is consistent with the company’s philosophy and commitment to innovation within the context of tradition and history. The importance of craft, function, longevity, and local production is evident in the beautiful pieces created by these artists and seeing the process is just as inspiring…
Learn more about Simon Pearce and the history of the Mill at www.simonpearce.com.
Well, Hello!
| August 18, 2010 | Posted by Morgan G under Guest Bloggers, Outdoors, plants and gardens, Sustainable Living |
One day last week hubs calls me out to the yard insisting that I “really need to see something” before “he gets rid of it”. Boys really know how to sell potentially scary/gross sights, right? I found him, arms folded, standing in front of my favorite planter box – that half wine barrel that houses our two tomatillo plants. He pointed. At what? I didn’t know. “Lean over,” he said. And I did and…I still didn’t see anything. “There,” he pointed. Oh me, oh my. He showed me my first tomato worm.
So Much On Sale
| August 16, 2010 | Posted by Linsi Brownson under accessories, announcements, redefine home, weekly favorites |
In Lieu of my weekly list of favorites, I’m going to shamelessly promote our first big sale at Redefine Home
I’ve marked down almost everything on the site and I’m really excited to see what kind of response we get. Even as I was changing things throughout the day I got sales, which seems to me like a good sign of things to come. I love sales, and clearly I am not alone 
But wait, there’s more! (I’ve been wanting to do that for awhile…) We’re also giving 15% off my favorite collections by TAG Home, Luna Reece and Relight Candles.
I’m also excited because we have loads of new things coming in, so I’ll be busy getting all the new inventory set up over the next few weeks. So stay tuned, and go check out our sale!
Happy Monday.
How To Green-ify Your Grocery Shopping Experience
| August 10, 2010 | Posted by Nicole L. under Body, food, Guest Bloggers |
Ah, the weekend. Two special days on which I can do anything I please, even if it’s nothing but watch television. I reserve my right to park my butt on the sofa and watch the Science Channel all day in my jammies. I could literally spend an entire weekend watching that show Morgan Freeman narrates about about space, time travel and black holes. I love that stuff.
So, on my two special days of the week, the last thing I want to do is trek across my congested metropolis to do my weekend grocery shopping. See, I’m always searching for superfoods that are tasty and good for the body and, if you have “exotic” items on your list, traveling to several grocery stores may be the only way to get ‘er done. Sadly, one can’t find decent almond butter at Alberstons and you can’t get things like garbage bags at Trader Joe’s – hence multiple trips. So, what’s an eco-conscious gal (or guy) to do?
It’s really simple – just talk to the grocery store manager.
Oh, but not so fast. First, we know that some grocery stores (ahem, TJ’s) adhere to some pretty strict, corporate standards and – despite how much we may plead with a local manager to just carry some garbage bags already! – they probably will never carry convenience items. So our best bet is to target the big guys – you know the ones – who may be willing to bend a little to adjust to the preferences of a local crowd.
It’s a fairly simple conversation which should go something like this:
You: Hello there. Listen, I really like the convenience of this big supermarket you’ve got here. It’s close to my house, super-clean, has wide aisles which are easy to navigate and – wow – it’s really bright in here.
Grocery Store Manager: Thank you!
You: But, y’know, I find myself driving all over town to pick up some items you don’t carry and I would much prefer to visit less than 4 grocery stores to get all my shopping done. Plus, it’s my day off and I’ve got several episodes of Through The Wormhole: With Morgan Freeman waiting for me on my DVR at home.
GSM: Okay … what kind of items are you talking about?
You: Nothing too crazy – agave nectar, almond butter and organic coconut oil.
GSM: I don’t think that will be a problem.
You: Great, thank you! Oh, by the way, would you consider dimming your lights during daylight hours to conserve energy?
GSM: Absolutely!
Give your store of choice at least 3 weeks to stock their shelves with the items you requested and don’t forget to thank the manager personally once they arrive. This will make any future requests more likely to be granted. And it was easy – all you have to do is ask.
Just one simple conversation could net you an extra couple hours of weekend time which you can use to spend time with family, ride a bike or watch 2.5 episodes of fascinating television.
Nicole Longstreath has a problem with premium cable. She also writes a blog about being socially responsible, please check it out at www.aviewfromtheedge.net/blog
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