Kristan Cunningham» Tip of the Hat

Bright Idea California

Kristan — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 19:00:36 +0000

According to Tracy Seipel of the San Jose Mercery News, “Californians can start saying goodbye to traditional 100-watt incandescent light bulbs now that the state has become the first in the country to require a new standard for the screw-base bulbs.

Experts say the new rules, which took effect New Year’s Day, will save residents money and energy. California is already the nation’s leader in energy-efficiency standards. As of Saturday, what used to be a 100-watt light bulb manufactured and sold in California will have to use 72 watts or less. The 72-watt replacement bulb, also called an energy-saving halogen light, will provide the same amount of light, called lumens, for lower energy cost.

Similar new standards for traditional 75-watt, 60-watt and 40-watt incandescent bulbs will go into effect in California over the next few years, with wattages reduced to 53, 43 and 29 respectively.

The new rule does not ban incandescent light bulbs; it just requires those bulbs to be 25 to 30 percent more efficient. And it only affects incandescent light bulbs manufactured in 2011 or later, not those already in use or on store shelves.”

As far as I’m concerned, no one should be using 100-watt bulbs for anything but plucking their eyebrows anyway, (Far too bright. I am strictly 40-watts or less on a dimmer!) so I’m totally for this new law. Not to mention how important it is to be energy conscious as well as design conscious of course!

Gifts That Give Back

Kristan — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 17:02:04 +0000

With the oncoming holiday season, I try to remind myself that this season of giving is a time to be generous with not only loved ones, but with charities and causes I believe in. But time is scarce and money is certainly tight for many people. So use this list and kill two birds with one stone: buy gifts for those on your list that give back!

Origami Banks $22-$24 from West Elm
$5 is given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for every bank purchased

World of Good has a whole category of products that each support a cause.
Hawk Earrings made from Recycled Car Parts, $35

Herban Lifestyle Man: Men’s Shaving Soap, $8

Red Stripe Recycled Lawn Chair Web Wallet, $15

Global Good Partners is dedicated to alleviating poverty and promoting social justice and funds women-led market initiatives in local communities in 24 countries.
Medium Grass Basket from Swaziland, $76

Handmade Silk Tie from Cambodia, $24

Pangea Organics has pledged to donate 5% of profits to Women for Women International to help women move from victims to survivors to active citizens.
Holiday Home Warming Set, $32

Nest empowers female artists and artisans around the world using a combination of interest-free microfinance loans, mentoring from established designers, as well as a market in which to sell their crafts.
Dahbo Scarf from Kenya, $32

Nadia Tote from Morrocco, $38

Good Cards ( CharityNavigator.org ) are the gift certificates of the philanthropy world. You set the price; recipients pick the charity. Perfect for the people on your list who have everything!

Home Improvement Improving Lives

Kristan — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 16:12:06 +0000

There have been times in my career when I’ve practically LIVED at Home Depot. Seriously, I can’t do a project without at least 4 or 5 runs. Well, now I can feel great about giving them my business. There is an amazing philanthropic arm of the home improvement giant called The Home Depot Foundation (TDHF) and they’ve teamed up with Habitat for Humanity and together they will build 5,000 houses in five years. The news came in September 8th’s announcement of the 2010 Partners in Sustainable Building grantees. According to Mother Nature Network, “Thus far, 1,500 homes built under the eco-auspices of the program have been completed and in 2010-2011, THDF aims to build 2,400 more. Through the program, 135 Habitat for Humanity affiliates across 42 states (see the complete list here) will be granted $3,000 for each home built to EnergyStar standards and $5,000 for each home built to a more rigorous green building standard.”

Kelly Caferelli, the president of THDF, wrote on her blog, “I’m so proud of this initiative, because it’s having a real impact on families’ health and their ability to save money each month. For instance, in St. Louis, Missouri a homeowner saved so much in utility bills that she was able to purchase everything her children needed for the new school year, an annual expense she could not previously afford. And in Grayson County Texas after months of 100+ degree temperatures, a homeowner reported that her highest electric bill was only $100. These kinds of savings are real and can often mean the difference between making the ends meet each month or not.”

Now that is REAL home improvement.

Photo courtesy of Lauren Keith

Hope Floats with Down East Doormats

Kristan — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:01:32 +0000

I just love it when I find a product that I love, and then find out there’s a worthy cause and an ingenious idea behind it. That’s what happened with Down East Doormats. I saw one and loved it on purely aesthetic grounds. They’re colorful, fun, slightly industrial and right up my alley. So how psyched was I to learn that the company that makes them, The Maine Float Rope Co., is dedicated to a great endeavor. See, in Maine, lobster fisherman use float-rope to tether multiple traps together on the ocean floor. The problem with float-rope is that it can entangle whales, which sometimes leads to their injury or death. Now, Maine lobstermen are required to replace float-rope with sink-rope. But Penny Johnson (the company’s owner) had a brilliant idea- to collect and recycle the rope and turn it into terrific, colorful and virtually indestructible doormats. There are tons of choices of colors, both bright and muted, solid or striped. Now that’s a purchase you can feel good about!

Jamie Oliver Does Food and Does Good

Kristan — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 15:45:16 +0000

When the oh-so-adorable famed “Naked Chef” Jamie Oliver came out with the show Food Revolution, I was captivated. His campaign to change the way American’s think about food and help break our kids addictions to snacks and processed food is such a wonderful cause. Not to mention, he focused on a school district in my home state of West Virginia, so I know first hand how monumental the health and obesity problems are. It’s more than a TV show- he’s truly trying to start a revolution. To get people talking and moving and changing the way they eat and feed their families. High 5, Jamie…

So I was pleased to find that there is a way to support his good work. Not only can you sign a petition to support the Food Revolution, but he has some pretty fabulous, affordable goods for sale on his website too. I love the idea of supporting Jamie, as I know he will only do more good with the profits! He’s got everything from kids products to kitchen wares to gardening goods. And they’re good looking to boot!

Pinch Pot

Worm Food Compost Bucket

Cotton Tea Towel

Etched Glass Storage Jar

Kid’s Birdhouse Kit

I

Kristan — Tue, 04 May 2010 04:10:14 +0000

My good friend Angelo Surmelis- fellow TV host and all round super fantastic person and designer- has come out with a line of totally affordable and totally crave-worthy furniture that you can get thru Kohls called angelo:Home, Modern Classics. My personal fave is this well designed and oft needed apartment-sized Hepburn sofa: bigger than a loveseat, smaller than a couch. It sports a simple, straightforward silhouette, saddle colored leather, nailhead trim detail…I could go on and on- about the sofa as well as this lovely fella.