Many of us have already switched to using compact fluorescent light bulbs, both for their money-saving and energy-saving qualities.  But if you have a light fixture that reveals the bulb... well, it didn't exactly become the high point of your interior designs.  Hide it under a bushel?  No!  Now you can let your eco-friendly bulbs shine proudly, with a fabulous new design called the Plumen 001!

This designer bulb uses 80% less energy and lasts 8 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs.  It has an estimated life of 8 full years - wow!  Realized by the product design firm Hulger, with assistance from British designer Samuel Wilkinson, the Plumen 001's name is derived from the word “plume,” which describes a bird’s large and showy feather.  We think you'll definitely want to show this one off.  The bulb is artistic in nature, appearing in a variety of organic shapes and sculptural outlines when viewed from different angles.

Our friends over at Q Collection recently sent out an email blast highlighting the steps they've taken to become more sustainable in their fabrics, furnishings and accessories lines. 

Here's one of my favorite pieces, the Abigail Settee:

Dining by Design Nov 18, 2009 - overlooking the main floor,
San Francisco Design Center Galleria

While I applaud the goal of charitable events, particularly Diffa's Dining by Design yearly event held in 7 American cities to raise money for AIDS research, it would be laudable to see an emphasis on sustainability alongside charity.

This was my second year of involvement with DBD in San Francisco.  In 2008, I ran the coat check booth but was not involved with the design or installation of my school's vignette (I attend Academy of Art University, see my profile for more detail).  This year I was only able to help out with the installation for a short time but I find it rewarding to get a behind-the-scenes peek into what it takes to create and install a beautiful space in just 24 hours.  (Yes, each mirrored piece on the wall in the photo below was painstakingly placed by a team including yours truly.)

October 5, 2009 is World Habitat Day, as announced by the non-profit organization Habitat for Humanity.  Why is this significant?  As Interior Designers, we would have fewer places to practice our art and business if there were no homes. 

Historically, the first recognized Interior Designer was American Elsie de Wolfe, who, in the late 1800s, rebelled against dark and fussy Victorian interiors.  Elsie created a cultural rage by painting French furniture and walls in bright white and allowing light to stream in through the windows.  She called herself "a rebel in an ugly world". 

I wonder what Elsie would think of the state of the world today: 1/3 of the U.S. population suffers from housing problems such as a high-cost burden, overcrowding, poor quality shelter and homelessness.  Across the globe, an average of one in every three city residents is living in inadequate housing with none, or few, basic services.