If the kitchen truly is – as the saying goes – the heart of the home, then it’s extra important that it be eco-friendly! Kitchens are one of the most overwhelming areas of a house to design or renovate, because
How to Design an Eco-Friendly Kitchen
9 of the Healthiest Plant Proteins
The Canadian government recently overhauled its food guide – getting rid of the long-standing “four food groups” and offering a clear message. Eat more plants. Eat less dairy and meat. Not only am I happy about this change because it confirms my family and I
How to Find Land to Build Your Dream Home On + Our House in the Trees Update
Whenever we tell people about our land one of the first questions they ask is, “How many acres do you have?” Now, 40 acres may not be a lot if you come from a farming family and own a quarter section (160 acres) or
The 5 Most Popular Of Houses and Trees Posts of 2018
It’s that time of year again! And by “that time” I mean time to take a look back at the five most visited Of Houses and Trees posts of 2018. This year was an exciting ride as I saw my
10 Eco-Friendly Pinterest Trends for 2019
Each year, everybody’s favourite idea-gathering platform releases their projected upcoming trends. Covering ten categories, including travel, health, wellness, home decor and more – 100 Pinterest Trends for 2019 is a wealth of information for consumers, business owners, marketers and bloggers like me.
How To Paint a DIY Christmas Tree Sign
Every year I like to do a tree-inspired holiday decor DIY. Last year it was my mason jar snow globes and this year it’s a Christmas tree sign made out of words. And the words I chose? Why, lyrics from “Oh, Christmas Tree,” of course.
I used the same method to paint this Christmas tree sign as I did for my love arrow sign, which I originally learned how to do here. I thought a video of how to create a handpainted sign – holiday-related or not – would be helpful so I made one… just for YOU! (To be honest, it’s also for myself when I forget how to do this and have to watch my own video to remember. Kind of like how I have to follow my own recipes when I forget how to make something.)
So here’s my video of how to paint a Christmas tree sign. You can also follow the written instructions down below if that’s more your learning-style. Happy handpainting!
5 Reasons Why You Should Buy Organic Underwear
Yup. We’re talking about underwear. Why? Well, because Of Houses and Trees is about sustainable everything. And your undies – they’re an everything. Now, I’m a huge proponent for buying whatever you can secondhand. I even wrote a whole post about the
5 of the Most Innovative Trends in Sustainable Design
I write a lot on Of Houses and Trees about eco-friendly interior design and decor, but those aspects are really only part of the sustainability package. Of course, what comes first is the building itself. I touched on this topic in my post 5 of Canada’s Most Sustainable Buildings, but one of the coolest things about sustainable design (other than it’s planet-saving powers) is that it’s constantly evolving. New technologies plus new ideas meet and mingle and suddenly an ingenious green product or practice is born. And with another year coming to an end, it’s always inspiring to take a look at current and upcoming innovative sustainable architecture trends. From showing off solar to filling walls with straw – here are 5 of the most innovative trends in sustainable design.
9 Eco-Friendly Ideas for Christmas Stocking Stuffer Gifts
Ah, the Christmas stocking. Stocking stuffer gifts are unfortunately one of those holiday traditions that can be… well… really wasteful. Don’t get me wrong, I love stockings and I certainly would not advocate for getting rid of them, but they shouldn’t be an excuse to buy crap. You know what I’m talking about. Cheap trinkets. Chocolates wrapped in plastic in a box wrapped in plastic. Gag gifts that are good for a laugh and then immediately discarded. I’ll admit, I’ve thoughtlessly bought junky stocking stuffer gifts in the past. But this year I vow to do better. Shall we do better together?
5 Current Home Decor Trends That Are Eco-Friendly
Home trends may come and go, but there’s one trend that better not be going anywhere and that’s eco-friendly decor! I truly believe that this is where the design and decor world is headed anyway. Essentially, it has to. Our planet’s population is growing and our resources are depleting. And I strongly believe that NOW, not tomorrow, not next year, is the time to make a change.
Of course, change can be overwhelming. Which is why the best way to do it is in small, easy to manage bits. If you haven’t done so yet, greening your home decor is such a simple (and fun!) way to make a change.