Out on newsstands now, the April issue of COUNTRY HOME magazine features my Pennsylvania home in our first-ever green issue.

You can see an interesting before and after slide show of my home on the Country Home website as well.   It’s interesting for me to see what the home used to look like before a few coats of eco-friendly paint, new energy-efficient appliances and some resourceful decorating were all put into place.

Go pickup the April issue of Country Home and let me know what you think.

I get a lot of emails asking me where I bought the branch candlesticks in my home.   When I’ve had photo shoots in my house, they always seem to end up in the final layouts.    I love them because they’re made from recycled aluminum and they have a cool, shiny organic texture to them.

Well, here’s the good news: they’re on sale.    At Viva Terra, they were originaly $179 for two candlesticks; now they’re $125 for the pair.

So, stock up.

When I lived on a Christmas tree farm in Reading, PA (I know, how idyllic, right?), my neighbor ran a thriving e-commerce business next door selling hand-poured soy candles.

As a magazine editor, I’m used to getting a ton of different candles from companies hoping I’ll write about them in my column.    My point: I have no reason to buy candles when there are dozens and dozens of them in my cupboard waiting to be burned.

But these candles are just incredible.   

1. They last a long time.  Soy candles burn more slowly than paraffin candles.
2. The scent is so rich and dense.   The candles that smell like buttercream and pumpkin pie envelop your whole house with sweet goodness without the calories.
3. The best part: they aren’t expensive.

So, even with a cupboard of candles waiting to be burned, I still stock up on my favorite candles from It’s a Soy.   They ship quickly, sometimes throw in some free gifts and freebies, and the candles are worth every penny.    So, for sweet-smelling candles I turn to the them…and for citrusy, clean-smelling ones, I turn to Method Home ones.

Which candles do you love?  Share your picks here!

For a long time, people have always expressed how expensive green design can be.    Sure, they want to sleep on an all-organic bed, but they don’t have the thousands of dollars it takes to achieve a healthy sleep.

So, once in a while, I do find some great ecological finds out there that are also easy on the pocket book.

Pier 1 is an interesting company.    I heard a statistic that wherever you are in the United States—ANYWHERE—there is a Pier 1 store at least something like 25 miles away from you.    As a magazine editor, that’s great, because if we recommned a Pier 1 product, everyone who reads our magazine can surely find it if they want it.

Anyway, I recently came across this garden stool and was reminded how transitional and multi-functional furniture can also be green.   This piece can be used as extra seating (it’s very strong), a side table, thrown into the garden for seating, or a few can be bunched together as a coffee table.   And for $129, that’s not bad for something that can do four things.

Another thing about Pier 1 is recycled glass.   If you need cups, dishes, bowls, etc, check Pier 1 first.  They usually have a wide variety of dishware made from recycled glass at very low prices.   And it’s usually on sale.   Now, how can you beat that?

I’m heading down to High Point in North Carolina this week for the big "event" (I can’t think of the right word here… but it is quite the event) down there.  All the latest and greatest in home furnishing will be shown for buyers, retailers and editors to gawk, stare and make note of.   On Thursday night, I’m hosting a party for Furniture Today that’s celebrating their first green issue.   Somehow, I ended up on the cover!  How exciting.

But anyway, this brings me to my point: green furniture.   It was only a matter of time before some big-box retailer produced a green line of furniture.    Up first: Crate and Barrel.

Their standard white, fluffy sofa has gotten a green makeover.  Some highlights:

• Frames are constructed of hardwood certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and the Forest Stewardship Council.
• Plump seat cushions are filled with Preserve™, the first soy-based poly-foam, then wrapped in downproof ticking.
• Back cushions are made from recycled post-consumer fibers and encased in downproof ticking.
• And these crisp whites do not need to be slipcovered because we’ve chosen a white cotton fabric specially treated to prevent stains.
• Leg stain and fabric protection are environmentally friendly, water-based products.

Price: $1,999.

Lockhart Sofa Collection