Structured Green: The blog for the best online modern, sustainable furniture store.

Structured Green has gone Treehugger!

2010-02-01T14:18:00.005-05:00

Treehugger.com: is a Discovery Company website that acts as an online media focused on all sorts of sustainability issues. They discuss anything from products, people to anything “green news” related.

This is where Structured Green comes into play, Jacob Gordon a freelance writer for the website has created a piece about Structured Green!

The piece is called: “Modern Design with Southern Heritage: Sustainable Furniture from Structured Green” by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 02. 1.10.

We are very pleased to find writers like Jacob and a community like treehugger.com that have the same concerns and interests as our team here at SG.

Thank you Jacob, who found a genuine interest in what we do with our everyday lives, and our dedication to make a difference through furniture design.

Blog by Ana

To read this article go to:
www.treehugger.com
or
www.treehugger.com/files/2010/02/modern-design-with-southern-heritage-sustainable-furniture-structured-green.php

NYC's Think Tank -The Collab- adds Structured Green to it's list of collaborators.

2010-01-28T09:19:00.001-05:00

As a recent addition to the Structured Green team, I discover new things about design and sustainability everyday. Today I learned about Collab: an idea lab in Lower Manhattan created for an amalgam of artists, scientists and thinkers to expand, exchange and teach concepts in design, technology and sustainability.
This year Structured Green will join forces with Collab providing interactive design workshops. We're excited for the opportunity to impart our knowledge on sustainable furniture from material selection to construction and finish to people who, in large part, have not had the opportunity to get hands-on experience with it.
Unless we took shop class in school, most of us don’t know the full extent of furniture design, let alone have a clue on where to start adding an environmentally friendly factor into a piece. In architecture school I learned about Sustainable Design, cross-ventilation, indoor air quality, wind and sun power, and other methods for incorporating renewable energy or choosing sustainable building materials in my design methods. But I didn't learn about putting furniture with eco-standards INSIDE the spaces we were designing.
The Structured Green class will be a primer in furniture building, making basic but beautiful pieces. Along the way we intend to educate attendees on Forest Stewardship, rapidly renewable materials, the importance of VOC and formaldehyde free adhesives and finishes and lots more!
Stay tuned!
To learn more about Collab visit: www.collab-orators.com

Post by Ana
ana@structuredgreen.com

Take your New Year's resolutions one pedal-stroke further!

2010-01-28T08:57:00.005-05:00

New year, new goals, the majority of us wish for improvements in our lives, some basic changes to help make us the best we can be. I hear a lot of the same things: “I’m going to stop smoking”; “I’m going to start going to the gym”; but since we're Structured GREEN, I'm thinking something like: “I am going to reduce my carbon footprint?” Huh? Did I just say carbon footprint?
I've been thinking about this a lot and here’s the idea, if you really want to achieve your new goals for a “better you”, you might be surprised to reaise tha mst of these manage to incorporate a “green method” into the mix. You could be a step closer to losing that holiday weight or finally stop smoking, and actually similtaneously be doing something good for the environment. What do I mean by a “green method”? Well for starters, the easiest, cheapest and oft discussed is: ride your bike more than you drive your car.
Step 1: buy a bicycle, any bicycle, get them used at a thrift store for as little as $30. You can even make it part of your fashion statement get a vintage cruiser bike, or a fancy Brompton, or a classic Dutch Cargo bike, or a concept piece like the A-bike.

Step 2: start by using your bike for short errands, just to get used to it. You need to go to the drugstore, ride your bike. You need to go get milk, easy install a cool stainless steel basket and you are on your way to a quick trip to the grocery store. My co-worker Camilla has the Madsen (see picture above) which accommodates a full week's worth of groceries.
Step 3: involve your friends and family, make it part of your weekends. Whether you are going to church, brunch or just out and about, if the weather allows it, get on your bike!!! You will not only have a healthy and fun time but you are one pedal at a time closer to achieving your goals. For those wanting to stop smoking (and from one ex-smoker to a future one) leave the cigs at home, buy a pack of sugar free gum, fill your reusable water bottle and ride-away -nothing encourages healthier lungs than trying to lug a bike up stairs or riding up a hill!

Blog by: Ana Egloff
ana@structuredgreen.com

picture thanks to http://bicycledesign.blogspot.com/

Structured Green featured in the US Small Business Association Magazine!

2009-12-03T13:24:00.004-05:00

We were just featured as the "SBA's Success Story" in the Georgia chapter magazine.

It means a lot to be supported and recognized by our community, since building community is one of the founding tenets of Structured Green.

Speaking of which, we are in the process of setting up a permanent bits and bobs recycling drop off at our studio.

The plan is to take batteries, Brita filters, Ink cartridges, CDs/DVD's, VHS/Cassettes and their cases, cell phones and crayons. The whole idea was inspired by 3R Living in Brooklyn, that has been offering this service for 5 years.

We want to offer a one stop drop off for all the little things that can indeed go onto another life but none of us know how to make it happen.

Camilla

International Interior Designers Associations comes to SG

2009-11-12T12:34:00.002-05:00

Green Drinks of Savannah in the House!

2009-11-09T11:00:00.003-05:00

Join us this Tuesday November 10th from 5:30 - 7:30pm at our Structured Green shop for some great drinks and awesome company. We are excited to host the Savannah chapter of Green Drinks at our headquaters for thier 2 year anniversary bash. They have set up some fantastic eats, music, toasters, and the best beer special in all the land. . . BYOB!
Here's how the Green Drinks folks are dropping the news:

"It’s a birthday party and house party all rolled into one. We’re honoring two successful years of GreenDrinks as well as the recently award-winning Structured Green. There’ll be live music with local musician Stan Ray, free eats and a house-load of cool, eco-hip people. Plus, we’re saving you some money (consider it the GreenDrinks Economic Stimulus Package)by announcing the first ever BYOB GreenDrinks. Thaaaat’s riiight. You get to waltz into GreenDrinks with your own mixers, brown bag, six pack or bottle o’ vino. What better way to save a few bucks than to avoid high drink costs and that pesky tip for the bartender. Oh, the joys of house parties! And, if you’re so inclined, bring a few brewskies to share with a new friend."

So, with that said, how can you miss out on all the fun, right? We look forward to hanging out with all our buds here in town and throwing down with Green Drinks Savannah as they turn 2.

To learn more about Green Drinks check out thier website:

http://www.greendrinkssavannah.org/

Bringing Home the Bacon

2009-10-26T16:53:00.004-04:00

We are so proud to have been recognized as a community leader in Sustainability by winning the The Creative Coast's 2009 Innovation Award for Sustainability! We'd like to give a shout out to all the judges and sponsors for making last Thursday such a magical night on Broughton Street in downtown Savannah. The food, booze, and friends made for a great evening of memories -oh, and winning the the Sustainability award was pretty sweet too.

Light foot print, and heavy award. The trophies were designed by local artists and composed of melted car parts mounted on scrap granite = 25lbs. I'm very greatful the trophy itself caused no bodily damage to others as we toted our prize from bar to bar for a quick "victory" lap in Market square.

Thanks again to all involved in the 2009 Awards Banquet. We'll see you next year. . .

Sustainable Savannah

2009-10-13T11:50:00.002-04:00

I've recently started following the blog: Sustainable Savannah.

Check out this week's particularly entertaining post on the inconsiderate nature of some driver's in our beloved little town:

http://sustainablesavannah.com/

-Camilla

2009-10-05T15:27:00.002-04:00

This is such exciting news. We're so happy to be a part of it, and are really thrilled to be in the running for the Sustainability Award along with local businesses Ikea and ReFuel Savannah.

Thanks to the Creative Coast for organizing such a rad event, and for recognizing Structured Green's passion for sustainability!

Pecha Kucha with Structured Green's Camilla

2009-09-30T15:42:00.004-04:00

Come support Camilla, tomorrow night at: S.P.A.C.E. located at 9 W. Henry St. (between Bull and Whitaker Streets). Thursday, October 1, 2009 from 8-10 pm (doors open at 7:30pm).

Devised and shared by Klein-Dytham Architecture, Pecha Kucha Night is a party. It's an art salon. It's a night of show and tell. Through word of mouth, it's now in over 180 cities around the globe.

Camilla's presentation is called I Heart Muay Thai. She'll be discussing her 8 years of studying and practicing and now teaching the martial art.

More info here.

OOps we did it again.

2009-09-22T08:14:00.001-04:00

All too often, the hunt for baby furniture leads one down a path of fairy tale turrets and country kitchen floral. Luckily, we came along with our Oops crib. Built from our Drop Detail: a composition of reclaimed and FSC certified woods, this crib is playful without being childish.

Every piece is an original, since we’re using reclaimed wood that comes from serendipitous and intriguing sources. We’ve found wood in 150-year old barns, or abandoned at the Savannah port, or reclaimed from botched installation jobs.

We use FSC certified bamboo for the sides, and finish it all with local beeswax and USDA food grade Tung Oil.

This is one that Moms and Dads can be proud of.

-SG Team

Outstanding in the Field at the Love is Love farm. September 19, 2009

2009-09-21T09:57:00.002-04:00

This weekend I had the good fortune of eating dinner at the Love is Love Farm in Douglasville, GA at an event put on by the good people of Outstanding in the Field. Chef Kevin Gillespie of The Woodfire Grill in Atlanta, and of current Top Chef fame was presiding over the outdoor kitchen, which was no small feat considering the flood warning style rain we were all enduring to be there.

For those who don’t know, as worded by the founder, Jim Denevan, “Outstanding in the Field is a roving culinary adventure - literally a restaurant without walls. Since 1999 we have set the long table at farms or gardens, on mountaintops or in sea caves, on islands or at ranches. Occasionally the table is set indoors: a beautiful refurbished barn, a cool greenhouse or a stately museum. Wherever the location, the consistent theme of each dinner is to honor the people whose good work brings nourishment to the table.

Ingredients for the meal are almost all local (sometimes sourced within inches of your seat at the table!) and generally prepared by a celebrated chef of the region. After a tour of the site, we all settle in: farmers, producers, culinary artisans, and diners sharing the long table.”

Our mission is to re-connect diners to the land and the origins of their food, and to honor the local farmers and food artisans who cultivate it.”

Farmers Judith Winfrey and Joe Reynolds operate Love is Love Farm which “focuses on heirloom and endangered vegetable varieties, and employs soil-based agricultural practices, such as continuous crop-rotation, cover cropping and labor-intensive hand weeding to cultivate the best and healthiest vegetables. All fertility and soil amendments are composed of natural sources. We believe that a direct relationship with customers and transparent growing practices are the most assured ways to preserve the safety of our food supply and protect our community as well as the environment.”

After a quick stop to Target to find Wellington boots (I have to say, I do love the rubber boots and fancy dress combo) Ryan and I wended our way to the farm, and moseyed around for an hour checking out the beautifully blooming Okra field, watching the hens in the “boudoir” section of the pen clucking and preening one another.

Just before dinner time, Joe gave us a tour of the premises, explaining his rejection of the USDA organic certification, holding himself to a higher standard, of personal conscience, synergistic practices and clean, conscientious growing, harvesting and replenishment. He has started a stunning and challenging shitake farm, and grows the most elegant Zinnias. In addition they produce an array of salad greens, aubergines, squash, beans, pears, honey, seasonal fruits, broccoli rabes, and on and on.

Finally we were seated to dinner inside the barns, alas, the rain would not abate. But it was stunning: a sultry mist in the air, and a glow of setting sun behind clouds. Everything was delectable, each course paired with a suitable wine. Every dish had a story, a provenance and description far more poetic and intriguing that an airplane ride from Chile. We got tipsy and got to know our table companion’s stories from Dublin to London to South Carolina.

It was an enchanting night. It felt adventurous and sophisticated at once, and it’s inspiring to see an idea so whimsical, become a meaningful and rooted way of spreading good food, good sense and good conscience.

-Camilla

Trees, Trips and Automobiles.

2009-09-09T13:33:00.006-04:00

Growing up in England, with a Nebraskan mother, I have always imagined taking the great American Road Trip. This summer I finally had the opportunity to do such a trip, and returned just a week ago from a month on the road. The trip went from Savannah, diagonally across the U.S., culminating in British Columbia, then a straight shot down to New Mexico and across again home, with plentiful stops along the way in National Forests, friend’s homes and the occasional super-grotty motel.

For the return ride, we (my boyfriend and I) listened to the book on tape of Thomas Friedman’s Hot, Flat and Crowded, and realised that even our ultra efficient, ultra low sulphur, diesel car, was still a blight on the world, -as we did Friedman’s math on how many pounds of carbon we were effectively dumping in our wake.

Catch 22 I guess. Stay at home, keep my horizons limited, and ride my bike, or hit the road, expand my world, and leave a hefty footprint. One day, soon I hope, we won’t have to make that choice, and experiencing the world, meeting people, seeing unrecognizable vistas, sleeping under the stars, and eating local fruits won’t have to occur at the expense of our climate and well being.

They (the wonderful, omnipresent, anonymous, they) will build the cars, the planes, find the fuels and the energy to make our living less damaging. But in the mean time, with doubting Thomas’s questioning the veracity of global warming, we will be held back, persisting with our damaging, outdated technologies, and letting us who do believe the “HYPE”, to feel bad that our green choices are limited by the technology available to us.

The book is great; more heartening and patriotic than one might think of a book that is decidedly tree-hugging. And the road trip was amazing, everything I could have hoped for, and a whole lot more. America’s an extraordinarily beautiful country, I hope our carelessness won’t go on to such an extent that we threaten that beauty permanently.

-Camilla

Fashionable & Eco-Friendly

2009-06-18T12:45:00.005-04:00

Hey there,

This is Joemy, thanks for checking in at SG. Recently I made a personal goal to buy less new and a lot more used, vintage, or more sustainable. This has made shopping very intentional and more interesting; it has also led to some cool discoveries of environmentally conscious companies becoming more transparent about their materials and processes.

I’ve long had a passion for footwear, and generally put my ideals on the back burner when it comes to a fierce pair of heels. When I stumbled upon Terra Plana, I was pleased to find modern shoes made with recycled and renewable resources using sustainable processes. Perhaps the most unusual aspect of their eco-friendly approach is their ‘Eco Matrix’ that sets out to score their products “environmental impact throughout their lifecycle: from raw material procurement, through processing, manufacture, use and finally disposal.” Meaning, all their products are rated in categories addressing comfort, style, energy use, minimal toxins, and eco-friendly materials on a scale of one to five, with a total score up to 25 clearly displayed with each product.

Not only can a person buy based on design and price, she or he can take into account the product's impact on a broader scale. I can't help but imagine how this would change our shopping habits if we had this type of information for all new products. It's easy to pick organic or fair trade over conventional, but there isn't a simple certified label for the casual consumer when it comes to materials and processes in much of the design world, nor do most companies provide easy access to this information.

With an ever-growing sense of ‘greenwash’ in the consumer market, Terra Plana is a refreshing example of a fashionable company that wants the world to know the process behind their product. It may be a simplified version of a complex reality, but the Eco-Matrix is a reassuring start of transparency and disclosure in the world of design.

If you are interested in how Structured Green sources material and our design philosophies, check out our updated website, or send us an email here. Sustainable & great design is our priority!

-Joemy

PS If you click around on our website, you can read specifics about how each piece of furniture is green and more environmentally friendly.

2009-05-25T15:17:00.002-04:00

Change is in the air here at Structured Green - and we're not just talking about the weather!
We will be relaunching the business, but with one definitive twist. However, of course, our critically acclaimed, eco-friendly aesthetic will be upheld. Starting June 1st, 2009, the SG team will be transforming into something even more spectacular!
While the details are still a surprise, you can be sure Structured Green is going to deliver only the finest modern, eco-friendly designs in furniture and home furnishings.

Check back here June 1st for the big reveal, or stop by the store and see for yourself!

Cheers!
Jessica B.
The SG Team

KEEP IT GREEN!

2009-05-13T16:13:00.000-04:00

Hello again!

Green is the new black - so get on board! I've come up with 10 Eco-Friendly tips to help you (and the environment).

1) CHANGE YOUR LIGHT BULBS.
Statistics say, that if everyone in the U.S. replaced just ONE regular light bulb with an low-energy, low-impact bulb, it would be equivalent to removing 1 MILLION cars from the road. Unbelievable.

2) USE ONE LESS PAPER NAPKIN.
Americans, on average, use about 6 paper napkins a day. By eliminating the use of only ONE napkin per day, we can prevent millions of pounds of paper ending up in landfills.

3) RECYCLE NEWSPAPER.
63 million newspapers are printed in the United States every day... and where do you think they all end up? That's right, 69% of these newspapers end up in our landfills. If we recycled ONLY the Sunday papers, we'd be saving half a million trees a WEEK.

4) REUSE YOUR WATER BOTTLES.
90% of all plastic water bottles end up in landfills. Consider refilling the same water bottle, or buy a trendy stainless steel water bottle - Eco-friendly, Eco-trendy. I love it!

5) TAKE A SHORTER SHOWER.
Cutting your shower time down by just TWO minutes can conserve about 10 gallons of water.

6) TURN OFF YOUR LIGHTS.
This is a BIG pet peeve of mine. It's probably one of the easiest ways to conserve energy, but also one of the most overlooked. Simply flip the lights off when you're leaving a room. It's that easy, people!

7) STOP USING PLASTIC BAGS.
Out of the 500 MILLION plastic bags that end up in landfills all over the world, 84 MILLION of them are contributed by the U.S. Invest in some eco-friendly bags to take with you to the grocery store, out shopping, or just because! The bags are super inexpensive, usually only costing $1, making them easy on the environment, and our wallets. Get 'em here!

8) RECYCLE GLASS.
Recycled glass reduces related air pollution by 20% and related water pollution by 50%. If it isn't recycled it can take a million years to decompose. Recycle those bottles!

9) BIKE INSTEAD OF DRIVE.

Summer's right around the corner - so get outside, and get on a bike! Eliminate your carbon footprint by purchasing a bike (and help yourself get in shape at the same time!)

10) PLANT A TREE.

This 5 minute task creates years of life and oxygen, and helps to reverse some of the serious forest demolition currently taking place all around the world. Try planting a beautiful Magnolia or a Birch!

Keep it GREEN!
Jessica B

New Farmers Market this Saturday in Forsyth!

2009-05-08T11:24:00.003-04:00

Hello,
This is Joemy, enjoying the summer weather and the breeze through the open door here at SG. I’ve been getting excited for tomorrow, Saturday May 9, because there are some really sweet events happening. There is the Market Bazaar at the top of Robinson Parking Garage (York & Montgomery Street) from 9am to 2pm, and GreenFest at the Morris Center. You can find me there throughout the day, selling some of our floor samples for a bargain. Swing by to check out organic bedding, throw pillows, hand screen-printed produce bags and recycled glassware. Stop by and say hi and maybe you can haggle down some prices... just a hint!

Speaking of produce bags, I never seem to be able to consistently catch a Saturday morning farmers market, but this season there is a new market in town that’s too good to miss. Plan a change in your grocery buying habits, because Forsyth Farmers Market will be open for business starting this Saturday from 9am – 1pm. It will be happening every Saturday through November 21.

The Forsyth Farmers Market will have organic and conventional farmers with a variety of produce, including fresh fruits and vegetable, a fresh flower vendor and an edible plant vendor. Every second Saturday, starting on opening day, there will be a health pavilion featuring health lectures and gardening information. The FFM will focus on food, nutrition, and community access to healthy options.

Featuring regionally grown, fresh food and food products sold by the producers, the market will provide an easily accessible venue for those in downtown Savannah and the farmers of our region. This one of the most environmentally friendly and sustainable ways to get your food that provides fresher produce and supports local economic growth. The market will be able to receive food stamps and is committed to providing a consistent resource for both farmers and consumers. I like the idea of knowing where my food has come from, who has grown it, and that I can see them every Saturday if I want to. I'm missing the first one since I'll be at GreenFest all day, but you can bet I'll be saving my grocery list for Saturdays for the rest of the season!

Saturday is looking like a great day to celebrate downtown life, and I hope I see you out and about enjoying all that Savannah has to offer!

-Joemy

Milan Furniture Fair: 2009

2009-05-04T15:11:00.016-04:00

Hey all!

Recently, the six-day long Milan Furniture Fair took place beginning on Earth Day, April 22nd, until April 27th. The expo is in it's 48th year running, and did not fail to deliver a, yet again, fabulous show. A plethora of different vendors and designers showcased Eco-friendly, sustainable, and/or recycled furniture, lighting, and other builds and creations. Below are just a handful of images I've found from the expo. Enjoy!

This design is inspired by classic, high-fashion. Think Audrey Hepburn.
The artist, Fredrik Färg, goes to flea markets and salvages old furniture, recycles them, and turns them into masterpieces such as this.

Gorgeous.

The jet black keeps it classy, simple, and elegant. But, it's the variety that make these pieces so memorable. No two chairs are the same, as they are not being manufactured from scratch. Rather, each chair is unique and different - something we here at Structured Green are devout fans of.

- - - o O o - - -

This is a great solid, laminated bamboo piece by furniture designer Ryan Frank named, 'Zig.' It's a free-standing bookcase on wheels for mobility, with an aesthetic that can't be overlooked.
Load this baby up with books and knick-knacks and it's instantly the focal point of any room.

- - - o O o - - -

Ever wonder what to do with your old cardboard boxes? This couple from Hungry designs real, durable furniture from recycled corrugated cardboard.
It is shipped to you in pieces, with simple instructions and a box of paper clips. Believe it or not, that's all that is used to hold the furniture
together! This ingenious, creative design is
almost too good to be true, consuming the smallest amount of energy and resources possible. The furniture is surprisingly durable, and relatively easy to assemble, as it requires NO tools. (Just keep it away from moisture!)
The company is called KartonArt Design, and is rather unique. They are right on board with the current Eco-frenzy, introducing fresh ideas and products into the design world. This is a company to keep your eye on for the newest, most innovative designs on the market.

- - - o O o - - -

This modular chair system is the creation of Shigeru Ban, a Japanese architect that dwells in the realm of industrial design from time to time, and when he does, it's phenomenal.

This products is probably one of the most versatile pieces of constructable, Eco-friendly furniture out there. It arrives to you in L shaped pieces, and is easily assembled. The best part - it's completely customizable. You can add or take away as many pieces as you want to create individual chairs, benches, tables, or long series of connected chairs.

Still not blown away? The pieces are made of a lightweight, composite material, comprised of recycled paper and plastic, making it completely sustainable.
Now that's Green!

- - - o O o - - -

These stools from Drill Design are Eco-friendly and very stylish. It boasts a simple, but classic stool design, with thick, planar surfaces.

It is built out of a composite wood material - alternating layers of wood veneer and colored paper, making it composed of 40% recycled product.

They are simple to assemble and disassemble, and come in many different sizes to suit your needs. They are super sturdy and durable, so they can be used whenever need be.

These are just a FEW of the hundreds of designers that came out to showcase their creations. Make sure you check out some other great entries here.

Keep it Green!
Jessica

Pecha Kucha Night a Huge Success!

2009-04-30T14:37:00.005-04:00

Where can you get 100 people of different walks of life all together with a common goal in mind? Where was the happening spot in Savannah last night? It was here at Structured Green for Pecha Kucha night!!

The structure was simple, 10 presenters each shared 20 slides, and each slide was only up for 20 seconds. That means your 6:40 of fame starts NOW!

We heard from two painters, a musician/writer, tattoo artist, senior curator, landscape architect, a sculptor, collage artist, and even a chef! All of whom had interesting slides and stories to tell.

You know us at Structured Green, we are our namesake. That is why I was paying particular attention to the chef's presentation. You see, Robbie Wood is not just any chef, but he specializes in supplying people with elegant meals that are completely organic- pesticide and antibiotic free. He owns the Savannah based organic marketing and distribution business called Green Tomato Concepts. Their goal is not just to supply good food but also to educate people about food safety.

Green Tomato Concepts newest thing is The Fresh Box. Essentially, the Fresh Box is a grocepy order of fresh herbs, fruits, vegetables and starches that you order in advance and pick up once a week. It comes equipped with everything you need to make the recipes for that week. For the full description and all the fun to be had in the box, please follow the link to ready more about it. They are also bringing in a line of their own spice blends and then right behind that comes Peachy Baby Organic Baby Food. They are very excited to have the community be a part of their growth as new business!

Looking for local organic food in Savannah? Check out Georgia Organics for all the latest info on local events and where to shop in the area!

So, now you wish you had come to see us last night, huh? I bet! See you next time! Stay tuned at the Pecha Kucha website for info about Volume III happening in June.

Ciao Bella!
Jessie

Pecha Kucha Night: It’s all about the visuals

2009-04-27T11:51:00.011-04:00

Savannah Volume #2
Wednesday April 29, 8 PM

Hosted by Structured Green
620 E 35th Street, Savannah

Creative work demands an audience, and Pecha Kucha Night provides a fun concise structure where talk is limited and it’s all about the visuals. Each presenter shows twenty slides for twenty seconds each, packing a fun visual punch that keeps audiences interested and presentations concise. The diverse line-up of presenters on Wednesday night will each take you on a whirlwind tour of the subject matter of their choice, creating a fun art salon atmosphere. It’s a format devised by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham in 2003, spread worldwide to 187 cities, and is now happening in Savannah.

The first local Pecha Kucha Night (or PK Night for short) was held at the Sentient Bean coffee shop, a place near and dear to my heart. I’m Joemy, barista at the Sentient Bean and now Structured Green Intern. Both establishments focus on local community and sustainability, and I’m thrilled to be a part of another amazing local business.

Pecha Kucha is Japanese for the sound of conversation, and we’d love for you to join in. You and yours are invited for one of the most interesting show and tells you’ve seen since elementary school, and I hope to see you there!

Repair or Replace it? Beating the Temptation to Toss.

2009-04-26T16:15:00.007-04:00

My coffee was tasting metallic two weeks ago when I decided that it was time to invest in a new coffee maker. All of the sudden my head filled with questions I did not know how to answer. My hardy little 4-cupper had been mine for over a year, and a friends for 2 years before that. But was it really time to send her to the electronics graveyard in the sky? And where do I lay her to rest? Was I really making the right decision, or should I put up with the I've-got-a-penny-in-my-mouth taste for a while longer and take one for the recycling team? Sometimes the nasty happens. Inconveniently, your appliance goes up and it leaves you pulling a Chinese dinner outing 'Christmas Story' style... always at the wrong time. It has happened to the best of us but what are we to do? With the growing importance of recycling in today's culture, is it better to fix it, or should you bite the bullet (wait, that tastes metallic too?) and upgrade. Well, there are a few simple rules you can follow:

REPLACE
The cost of fixing the appliance is more than half or what you paid for it.
The cost of fixing the appliance is more than half of what you would pay for an new upgraded model.
Your appliance is out of warranty.
The benefits of upgrading to a better or more energy efficient model outweigh the costs of repairing your current model.
Current appliance has been repair prone.

REPAIR
Said product is totally retro and holds nostalgic value.
You already have the pricey, high-end model.
Current model cost you over 150 big ones.

"Honey, I hope you labeled
that hot dog casserole!"

And About Repairs:
Sometimes even if your appliance is no longer under warranty, the parts within it may be. For this reason you should still contact a factory-authorized repair shop and inquire- it could score you a free repair.
The road to professional repairs can be full of roadblocks. If this is the case, you may just have to bag it all together. But don't trash bag it! Recycle it!

Just like old paints, scrap metal, and grease (I love bacon), you can not just go dumping your nasties into the landfill. Well, you can... but that wouldn't be the environmentally friendly thing to do! In many cities there are recycling centers that you can either take your items to, or sometimes they have scheduled pick ups at local schools and firehouses. Google your local town electronic recycling center for more information. If you are in Savannah, check out this list, or take it to the new Eisenhower Drive Drop Off. They take hard to recycle items such as: used motor oil, electronics, lead acid batteries, Rechargeable batteries, CD/DVD's, Toner and ink cartridges, as well as the common items. Don't forget that you can also drop off used toner and ink cartridges any time at the entrance to any Best Buy.

Yes. It is great to upgrade to the newest energy efficient and Eco-friendly model, but sometimes you just can't... or don't want to. Do what I did with my coffee maker. Take it off someone elses hands! There are many places in Savannah where you can pick up used appliances for a fraction of the price and often times these models have a warranty from the new sales location. This is also a great way to do your part!

Consumer Reports has a load of valuable information on this subject and tips about different types of electronic recycling and repairing options and advise.

I've got my own little pile of electronics to take to Eisenhower this week, my beloved pot, the worst DVD player ever created, and my favorite hand held boom box I have been rocking out too since I was in 5th grade. I tried to fix it myself, but my step-dad told me it was a lost cause.

See you there!!
Jessie

One Mans Trash is Anothers Craft

2009-04-21T20:42:00.005-04:00

This past Saturday we joined the City of Savannah in celebrating Earth Day. By “we” I mean Structured Green and me- I’m Jessie, one of the new interns here! Together with many other vendors we spread knowledge about how to be more eco-friendly in how you live, and in our case, how you shop! We handed out recycled cards with a little information on them about what we do, and something extra- a plank of reclaimed wood with a hole made in it begging for your creativity. It could be turned into a key chain, a necklace, a magnet, or anything you can imagine.

Here at Structured Green we love the idea of rebirth. We take tattered pieces destined for the salvage yard and breathe new life into them, turning them into something beautiful and functional for years to come. Every piece we claim is one less piece that goes into the landfill.

There are many ways that you can do this at home. Check out some of the ideas that were made for the Crafty By Nature Contest at www.craftstylish.com.

Something old:
Have an old jacket that has been in the closet for years and you just can’t bare to part with? Check out the inventive way this woman reused hers and still made it wearable!

Something new:
These leaf pieces are just gorgeous and worth mentioning!

Something recycled:
Saved from the Landfill! This artist is after our own heart!

Something Green:
Empty nest syndrome? Put those old toys to good use! This inspiring woman made rings from old Jenga game blocks! Kim Carneys "Ringas" are pictured.

There are other people in the community here in Savannah who are also making a difference in the Green and creative communities. Green Lifespace is a consultant agency who works with existing businesses to make their enterprise more eco-conscious. ReCORK America, the world’s leading producer of natural cork wine closures is now working with Green Lifespace to provide a recycling collection point for the corks and wine closures in the Savannah area. The uses for the collected corks is still undecided, but studies are underway to determine if the corks could be used as padded mulch for childrens play centers, or as insulation material for packaging and shipping. The corks are also being used as flooring, shoe soles, and fishing rod handles.

I have been collecting metal bottle caps for as long as I can remember. I have yet to figure out something interesting yet functional to do with them that I wouldn’t tire of a year from now. Any ideas? The table top is too overdone. And wall art… I am not sure. It would have to be pretty spectacular. For now they sit in bags and jars in my art room. Maybe one of the ways that ReCORK uses their corks and caps will inspire me! If you have made anything awesome from objects you save (picture me walking around parties and family get-togethers collecting the caps from counter tops and trash cans) by all means, post a picture in response to this blog so all can see!

If you are not feeling crafty this week, but still want to do what’s right for the earth, take yourself and a friend over to the Market at Trustees Garden. There you can pick up locally grown organic produce, dry goods, naturally made jewelry, Green body products, and many other fun things that will surprise you!

Live Long and Recycle!

Jessie

EARTH DAY – APRIL 18th, 2009, Forsyth Park

2009-04-20T16:15:00.004-04:00

EARTH DAY – APRIL 18th, 2009, Forsyth Park

With Earth Day coming up on Wednesday the 22nd, Savannah held a Recycle-fest in Forsyth Park, to heighten the awareness of the importance of recycling. Forsyth’s center sidewalk was lined with tents of venders, all of which were relevant to being eco-friendly, sustainable, and recyclable. It was a great turnout, with live music, food venders, games for the kids, and lots of free stuff.
(Fun fact: The entire performance stage was powered exclusively by solar energy, from 8:00am, until the end of the festival, at 3:00pm!)
Structured Green had a booth set up, with information about our recycled and reclaimed wood, as well as lumber from sustainable forests. We handed out samples of wood that we have on hand to construct our furniture, as well as loads of information about our showroom, and company. Also, we met some great people and saw a lot of familiar faces.

Come visit our showroom or website for more information!

Structured Green Team

The Creative Gale gusts into Savannah

2009-03-02T13:28:00.003-05:00

The Creative Gale, this Thursday March 5 at 3:00pm, will be held at our wonderful Structured Green!

A great group of speakers will be coming:

Jamie Wolf – The Creative Coast Alliance

Chris Miller – illuminomics

Nathan Belzer — Belzer Law

Brian OliverSmith — Urban Planet Mobile

Blaz Ruzic -Structured Green

Ray Wenig - Ariel Savannah Angel Partners

We're excited to meet all of the talented, connected people who are attending.

Anyone can attend this Entrepreneurial Support Infrastructure event. Just register online at this link: http://creativegale.net/savannah

See you there!

The SG team

Did we mention we do casework?

2009-01-31T20:05:00.017-05:00

Structured Green recently had the opportunity to showcase some customized style at the Savannah Home & Garden Show last weekend. We decided to create 2 modern eco-friendly kitchen cabinet designs and give Savannah another glimpse of our taste. Thanks to a little install and show space from our friends at Jamestown Designer Kitchens, we managed to make quite an impression to those who attended the show.

The topmount cabinets are made of a 3/4" natural sustainable plyboo with circular inlay workings throughout and a non-toxic eco-friendly finish.

The lower cabinets are constructed of 3/4" coconut palmwood with a unique dimensional design. The casework was decked out with state of the art cabinet features and completed with a modern caeserstone counter top.

Unfortunately, these pics don't give the cabinets all the credit earned at the Savannah Home & Garden Show, but they will have to do.

-Blaz

Come see our new look...

2009-01-29T14:51:00.004-05:00

If you haven't already, make sure you come see the new look of

Structured Green.

Savannah Recycles!

2009-01-21T21:41:00.000-05:00

Took out the Trash today after quite some time as it's delightfully difficult to fill up a rubbish can when you have the convenience of your new handy-dandy, jumbo-sized recycling bin, compliments of "Savannah Recycles". We filled it to the brim after I went around the house "de-packaging" everything. Picked up discarded goodies at Hull Park to add to my cornucopia of recyclables as well.

My compost pile is healthy and my recycling bin has been fed.

Thank you Savannah Recycles, better late than never.

Savannah Home & Garden Show (Jan. 23-25)

2009-01-21T16:57:00.000-05:00

That's right folks, Structured Green is hit'n the 9th annual Low Country Living Home and Garden show at the Savannah Convention Center January 23rd through the 25th. We are very excited to participate in this year's festivities and we look forward to meeting new people and businesses alike. Structured Green will be showing off various room layouts and accessories in our oversized booth space. We are thrilled to bring in some of our top manufacturers such as RC Green, Amenity, Atlantico, Knu, Offi, and Oeuf to display modern eco-friendly furniture at it's finest. We are bringing plenty of local flare and sustainable accessories to appeal to everyone under the sun -or in this case a convention ceiling.

So, if your in the greater Savannah, GA. area this weekend, The Low Country Home Show is the place to be. The show takes place Fri 2:00-7:00, Sat. 10:00-7:00, and Sun. 11:00-5:00 and tickets are only $7! Here's a link to check it out:

http://www.showtechnology.com/shows/Savannah/Savannah.html

Structured Green will be work'n it like champs and look forward to meeting tons of great folk.

Savannah Enmark Bridge Run -Camilla's 5k POV

2008-12-08T14:30:00.000-05:00

First of all, I was really disappointed that my bright green, shiny Zentai suit (head to toe spandex unitard!) didn't arrive in time for the race, so I was regular old me in sweat shirt and running tights.

All was not lost because my first race experience was one of the most fun days I've had in a while.

I managed to not set my alarm clock, so the day started off somewhat panicked, but once my running partners and I made it down to the Savannah Civic Center, we realised there were SO many people there that everything was moving behind schedule anyway.

We froze our bums off waiting to board the Grey Line Trolley that would take us across the bridge to the start line on Hutchinson Island. Driving over it for the first time made me see not only how much of an incline I'd soon be dealing with, but also how exposed and frankly, scary, the bridge is.

The start line was dense with walkers and joggers and seasoned runners alike. We warmed up as best we could, and then the crowd began to move and we realised that this was it: THE START.

We had to high tail it, weaving and sometimes bumping into people as we raced to make up time and move ahead of the masses. I started to worry that 1. I'd lose my running partners and 2. Get tired from trying to dodge and sprint past people.

Before we knew it we were a good amount ahead and onto the ever-increasing climb. Even though I've run for many years, I've never raced. The crowds urge you to go faster and it feels good to hurry past people, but knowing I'm inexperienced, I kept thinking I might use up all my get-up-and-go too soon.

The climb didn't feel as bad as I anticipated, and somewhere around the top I reminded myself to take in the view. Before I knew it I was hurtling down the hill and past the 2 mile mark.

Once onto the last 1000 meters, my lovely boyfriend was there on his bike egging me on when I needed it most. And once I saw the finish I did my best to go into a sprint. I saw the race clock at 28.07 and was happy at least to have done the run under 30 minutes then happier still when I found out my chip time was 26:38.

Afterwards I felt thoroughly accomplished and, well, hyper. I'm ready to sign-up for another, if not a 10k!

I'll let my fellow Structured Green running man tell his tale of doing the Bridge run dressed as a leprechaun!

Until next time.

Camilla

Your Moment of Green

2008-12-05T10:31:00.000-05:00

Camilla

Structured Green Hosts SCAD's Interior Design Show

2008-11-26T11:32:00.000-05:00

Structured Green was proud to give host to 3 prominent SCAD Interior Design students' final projects on 11/20/08. More than 30 parents, friends, and interested enthusiasts came to the Structured Green show room to enjoy display and conversation from the participants. The function help shed light on the incredible talent developed at Savannah College of Art and Design and allow the students to fully showcase thier well crafted projects. It's always a privalege for Structured Green to highlight local talent and encourage new development and creativity in the forever changing dynamics of interior design.

The Landings Renovation Home Tour and EXPO

2008-11-13T12:10:00.000-05:00

Structured Green is happy to announce that we are participating in The Landings Renovation Home Tour and EXPO this Sun. 11/16 from 12pm - 5pm at the Plantation Club. The Landings is one of Savannah's premier living destinations consisting of a master plan of 4,000 + fine households and offering amenities such as; golfing, tennis, fishing, dinning, fitness, boating, and much more. There is not enough room on this page to possibly illustrate the unique character and lifestyle of The Landings, so I'll just plug a nice Link to thier page for exploring.

Structured Green is very excited to feature our products and resources to thousands of unique residents in The Landings this weekend. This is the 1st time the event will host the EXPO portion of the event to help link residents to various home rennovation specialists. We look forward to the opportunity to share our eco-friendly appeal and design to The Landings culture and be a part of the Skidaway Island atmoshphere.

Organic in Savannah

2008-11-05T15:29:00.000-05:00

I moved to Savannah from Brooklyn, NY a couple of months ago.

I came here with fantasies of Spanish moss, peach pie, sunny days and soireés in courtyards.

It's all true, except for the peach pie. The mythic Georgia peach seems to be completely missing from the local geography, let alone the local supermarkets and farmers markets.

I am, well, dejected.

Nonetheless, the missing peach aside, I am so thankful for Savannah's small but hardy infrastructure supporting local agriculture, local business and the organic and/or eco-intelligent movement. For instance, Georgia Organics, a brilliant organisation, pools the resources of local organic farmers and business making a hub of activitiy and events for those of us who stand by a healthier, more sustainable way of life.

There is still so much more that can happen. What I love about the size of Savannnah is that I really feel I can affect change. With a smaller community, but a no less active and dedicated one, the opportunities to augment and develop the green movement seem manageable and best of all, personal.

Here, I can very easily meet the farmers, the designers, the artists, the activists and thinkers who are part of a larger move to treat the world gently, while still maintaining the economy, creativity and growth.

It's a beautiful thing.

So, while were at it, can someone please find me a Georgia peach farm?

Camilla[at]structuredgreen[dot]com

Green? Whatever Dude

2008-11-04T01:56:00.000-05:00

Have you ever been in a discussion with a friend or acquaintance about the "green" revolution. Your friend is one of those people that thinks it's BS and tells you that these "treehuggers" are idiots and there is no such thing as global warming. I had this experience with a buddy of mine a few months ago (about 6 months ago). I was so taken back by the things that he had to say that I just kept my mouth shut and took it all in. Well, here is my response:

Dude, wake up. Most everyone knows that global warming is happening; is it just the natural life cycle of the earth or is it because of the human races need to burn fossil fuels. I don't know, but let's figure it out.

Yes, there is green washing, but if you do business with a reputable company then there is a pretty good chance that you will not fall victim to that. You spend 2 weeks researching the new t.v. you wanted, what's another 30 mins. of research to make sure the place you are doing business with is a legitimate business.

Drill here, drill now: sure, drill where ever you want to, but lets figure out a better way to do it, burn it, and better yet get to the point when we don't need it. There are better ways to produce energy, more efficient ways to produce energy, lets do it that way.

Yes, there are no perfect products out there, but there are a lot out there that are much better than the others, do some research on the materials that are used, where the are sourced from, how are they are put together, how are they shipped.

The "green" revolution is not a fad, and companies that are producing, selling, and running in a more eco-friendly way are not jumping on the bandwagon, they are researching materials, studying business practices, designing more efficient products. They are creating a better place, living healthier lives, and influencing policy makers to make better decisions. It is being label as "green", but this movement is about being efficient. More efficient in the way materials are manufactured, more efficient in the way we make energy, more efficient in the way that we build, more efficient in transporting goods, more efficient in the way that we consume.

Dude, I don't care if you don't believe in global warming, really I don't. What I do care about is that you realize that this "green" movement is about figuring out how to design, make, produce, consume, and live in a more EFFICIENT way.

So, here is how I plan to help; First, I promise to pressure the companies that I deal with to take the next step, to never settle for good enough, to become more efficient next year than they are this year. Second, I promise that I will continue to design and create products that push the boundaries of sustainable design, to produce a product that you purchase, not based on the green attributes but because it was the exact product that you needed. And lastly, to educate as many people as I can on the subject so that the companies that are green washing are forced to actually be green or to no longer be able to advertise as such.

My hope that in a few years you will be able to walk into a store and pick up anything on the shelf and wouldn't have to ask why its "green", my hope is that it is no longer a question, that everything is "green." But I guess at that point you would be right, at that point, the "green" movement would have been a fad.

Living in a material world

2008-10-30T15:37:00.001-04:00

Today the Structured Green crew had the pleasure of donating our marvelous podium made for the Creative Coast's inaugural Innovation Awards last Friday, to the Herty Advanced Materials Development Center. The podium is built from reclaimed timber and covered in beautifully rusted tin sheets (cast-offs from the set of the Bagger Vance movie).

Herty is a fascinating company who deal in the creation, testing and development of new materials. It may sound vague but in actuality these guys are helping people to produce and market cutting edge material innovations.

For us, this is a crucial sector. With new discoveries being made in material science, we're given the media to create pieces of furniture who's life cycle, from inception onward, is low to no impact on our environment.

More good news on the horizon, we'll be sure to keep you posted.

Structured Green contributes to the Creative Coast Alliance's 2008 Innovative Awards Ceremony

2008-10-27T16:08:00.000-04:00

Structured Green was proud to have participated in this year's Creative Coast Alliance Innovative Awards Ceremony. The food, sponsors, and contributions to the event were nothing short of spectacular. The awards show was a first for Structured Green and we were truly honored to have had the privilage to participate in the annual showcase.

We helped develop an "eco-friendly" stage set up accompanied by a comfy modern lounge area for all guests to enjoy. The stage podium was constructed from salvaged lumber from a delapidated home and covered w/ scrap metal from a local junk yard -it sounds creepy, but check out the result in the pic above. The stage back drop is a 10' version of the Creative Coast's logo constructed entirely from various aluminum cans -over 600! 11 Matching "leaves" were built out from random cans as well and placed at ground level around the stage. We also managed to sneek a small bamboo table on stage to showcase the intricate trophies designed for the event.

The Friday night event was truely spectacular and our friends at the Creative Coast sure knew how to put on a good show. Everyone at Structured Green had a blast and we look forward to the next big event.

Structured Green announces the addition of RC Green

2008-05-21T22:16:00.000-04:00

Structured Green is pleased to introduce rcgreen's line of sustainable sofas to our eco-friendly gallery. Robert Cramer, rcgreen's founder and designer, has been making, designing, and selling furniture for more than 15 years. After spending some time researching his practices, he realized that he needed to make some changes to create a product that was both well designed and eco-friendly. The frames of the sustainable sofas are made with FSC wood, recycled steal is used for the springs and screws, glues and stains are non toxic and formaldehyde free, cushions and pillows are made from soy foam, and the sofa is finished with a range of eco-friendly fabrics.

Robert has designed rooms for The Stoli Hotel, Al Gore’s vip suite for Live Earth, The Oscars, The Golden Globes, Sundance Film Festival, Hollywood Life, and much more. Please take some time to explore rcgreen’s line, and if you don’t see anything you like, contact us, rcgreen builds to customers specs as well.

Structured Green is now a member of 1% For The Planet

2008-05-21T22:07:00.000-04:00

Structured Green is pleased to announce they are now a member of 1% For The Planet. This is an organization where members donate 1% of all sales to a non-profit environmental organization. As of January 1, 2008, Structured Green has chosen to support two organizations, the wetlands and environmental education. We will donate 1% to preserving our beautiful wetlands for future generations, and another 1 % to educating children to create a more sustainable future for our earth. 1% For The Planet is enabling businesses to take a leading role in being environmental stewards and to set an example for the rest of the business community. These companies embrace the notion that the sustainability of the natural environment is fundamental to the sustainability of business, and Structured Green is happy to be a part of it!