photo/A+R
With retail sales down and expected to continue plummeting, will buyers eschew green products in favor of less-expensive fare? Not if retailers expand their definition of “eco-friendly,” said Andy Griffith, one-half of the team behind the wildly popular A + R stores in Los Angeles, CA.

photo: Smith & Hawken

West Coast Green 2008 showed off innovative green ways to build homes and structures. But it didn't stop there. Also featured at the convention were eco-friendly ways to decorate. NaturesCast is one such way, utilizing dry leaves and twigs harvested from forests around Compostela, Province of Cebu, The Philippines.

Thonet chairs are the classic and quintessential french cafe chair. We have been looking at them in french films, paintings and restaurants forever. Particularly the No.14--it was created in 1862, and by 1930 almost 50 million had been sold. Le Corbusier said "Never has anything been created more elegant and better in its conception, more precise in its execution, and more excellently functional."

We have all had our "Martha Stewart moment" when somehow we pull off something so fashionable and stylish that it seems to be an out of body experience. For your very own Martha moment, we offer the following eco-chic ideas to spruce up your apartment. Don't sneer yet; there are some very cool decorating tips to be found amongst the chaff.

Photo credit: Getty Images / James Woodson

A handmade pony tale holder and rag doll made of recycled fabric, available on Etsy.

:: Make baby happy with homemade organic baby food.

:: Spruce up your work pad with potted plants and herbs.

:: Live in NYC? Reap the benefits of renewable energy.
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Image credit: Coffeeshopdays.com

Image courtesy of Getty Images.

Jeanie Pyun, editor of Sprig and Kelly LaPlante, an eco interior-designer with over 10 years experience hosted a Discussion on Washington Post.com last Thursday to offer tips to help you green your style.