Your Custom Text Here
As the summer winds down, price cheap I feel, taste and smell the chalk. See, I was a teacher for many years and chalk was a constant companion. I stumbled on this whimsical video over on Poppytalk and it made me smile.
Maybe some of you who are heading back to school or putting kids on the bus? Are you feeling the chalk too?
https://youtu.be/6gvOVWKKxmo
Image: Keith Haring Chalkboard
One thing I learned early in my writing career was to record my thoughts immediately after an event - anything that could be deemed post-worthy. This is especially true for emotional subjects. Once the moment is passed, it no longer tugs. So, last week I wrote this post after my friends, Brad and Cindy came to visit. Here's an excerpt:
"Here’s the scenario: As a young family you buy a home in a vibrant community, raise a few children and nurture enduring friendships. One by one, the children empty the nest. You find the once-perfect home and community no longer meets your needs. The empty rooms, the maintenance of keeping a large house and gardens, the increasingly far proximity to those fledglings that flew the nest, and a new sense of freedom that makes for a restlessness that builds until it gives way to a wanderlust that takes hold.
This happened to two of my favorite people. We raised our babies together, discussed our kid’s schooling, commiserated about teenage angst, had endless conversations about the interconnected lives of the members of our community, and then we watched our respective children (all five of them) fly away from the nest. Then...my friends flew the coop. They sold the family home, left their friends tearfully behind, and set off on a new adult-sized adventure. Eventually, they rerooted in a new community and a new home."
Have you or anyone in your life rerooted? CLICK HERE FOR MORE
Artwork: Bradley Clark
Inhabitat is one of the top environmental blogs in the world. Their mission is simple, “Green Design is Good Design ~ Good Design is Green Design.” Inhabitat also believes, “Green Design Will Save The World.”
I follow Inhabitat daily, and want to thank them for choosing an idea from an econesting post. Their post titled: Time Flies With the Recycled Aluminum Epigram Clock via econesting displays on Inhabitat's front page today.
Inhabitat is a top notch “green” blog that continues to provide innovative ideas, while provoking the cautionary green vs. sustainable issue. They share a frustration that I also have about considering “green design” as a new category in the field. Is “green design” separate from good design? Inhabitat doesn’t think so:
“We believe that all design should be inherently “Green”. Good design is not about color, style or trends – but instead about thoughtfully considering the user, the experience, the social context and the impact of an object on the surrounding environment. No design can be considered good design unless it at least attempts to address some of these concerns.”
I am pleased Inhabitat picked up A Clock With a Conscience (and a mother's gush), for the same reasons I chose the witty Epigram Clock. It encompasses all that is good about design: It is thoughtful and cleverly designed, with a nod towards environmental impact (the clock contains up to 70% recycled content), and it was created within the social context of giving back (a percentage of the proceeds goes directly to the International Rescue Committee, an organization that responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives). The clock also represents what all design should – form, function and style.
What do you believe constitutes good design? Are you in agreement that green design can save the world?
This clock not only looks good, it does good! It was designed by iconic graphic designer, Milton Glaser.
Before I get to all that goodness, I have to tell you about one of my kids (gush). You may click away now if you have no use for that nonsense (the gushing). But if you stay, I promise you'll find out what this has to do with the clock.
My daughter is a very talented graphic designer/artist (gush, gush), who now has an awesome job in her chosen field. When she graduated from RISD, she landed a much-coveted internship with Milton Glaser. She got a rare glimpse into his design genius. Maybe even more importantly, she learned first-hand how a designer creates a culture of making a difference through design. You may recall, Milton designed the I ♥ NY logo for the New York State Department of Commerce. His design became the most frequently imitated logo design in human history. Anyway, my daughter shared with me a link to the Botanist-Socially Responsible Modern Products and Milton's Epigram Clock. Since I just wrote about clocks, it seemed fitting to add this witty one to the mix.
Now we can get on with the business at hand (thanks for not clicking away!) What’s so good about the Epigram Clock? It constitutes socially responsible design because a percentage of the proceeds from the Epigram Clock goes directly to the International Rescue Committee. “The IRC responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster.”
Socially responsible design seems like something we should teach to all kids. Maybe as consumers (and parents), we could set an example and start a socially responsible cultural movement of our own. Why? Because...time flies.
Credits: Botanist
There’s something nostalgic about driftwood. It’s already lived a whole other life before it was uprooted from the ground and set adrift to sea. The sand, wind, water and waves have a way of uniquely weathering the patina of fallen wood like no manmade finish can do.
Driftwood Rack
The DIY Driftwood Rack from Sunset is simple, beautiful and free. It’s the same idea as this coat rack.
Driftwood Headboard
This rustic handcrafted headboard lined up next to the linen bedding, created by artisan Trisha Rose, sets a calming bedroom mood. Doesn’t it?
Driftwood Table
This one-of-kind table made from a piece of driftwood we found along the shores of the Hudson River (see, you thought I was only partial to the ocean), sports a slab top of black walnut from a downed tree found on our property. Here’s a tutorial for making driftwood tables. We left out the polyurethane and used Gorilla Glue, which is non-toxic after it dries.
Driftwood Wall Art
My Uncle Danny was a master of reuse. His renditions of eco-art could be found all over the nooks and crannies of his seaside home that my cousin, Amy and her family now live in. He created this piece in the 1960’s, and it is still displayed on an outside wall of the home.
Note: Before you head out beachcombing for driftwood, check your local state beach authority for regulations about collecting scavenged wood.
Credits: All Driftwood Furniture, Sunset, Cabin On The Water
More beach-inspired projects: 
Beachcombing With a Purpose: 2 DIY Shell Projects
DIY Decorating With Nautical Knots
What The Sea Left Behind
Sun Senses: Beach Inspired Home Decor
