Earth Tones: Design Squish's Eco Picks

Anastasia is an artist and a co-creator of Design Squish, a blog about design, craft, art and sustainable living. Design Squish hopes to inspire the rediscovery of a frugal and simple life designed to live in harmony with the natural world.

My tastes, obsessions and concern with the natural world are shaped by memories of my life in Russia and my current life in New York. The experiences of both locations and cultures have influenced my beliefs and aesthetic choices.  

This mug by lenni08 reminds me of where I grew up. There are many birch trees in Russia — it's considered the national tree.

This necklace made of birch bark by bettula is inspired by the discarded and unusual. You don’t have to think very hard to figure out which tree is my favorite.

When I was growing up, people in Russia did not have a lot of money to buy new wares, so they made belongings out of other objects. To this day I think it is pretty cool to see objects and materials being reused, like this rotating bike wheel pot rack by plaidclad.

These pieces caught my eye because of their bike-inspired design. During my childhood in Russia, we used a bike to get to the market or the river because we didn't have a car. Now the New York bike scene is picking up, with people turning to an inexpensive and environmentally-friendly means of transportation. I like this Bike Evolution t-shirt printed with eco-friendly water based ink by wearendo and the Copper and Chain Bikey Bracelet made from recycled bicycle chain by hourglassproductions.

I am drawn to comfortable, soft accessories from reclaimed materials. I like these baby slippers made from recycled, felted 100% lambswool sweaters and recycled leather by woolybaby. This upcycled slouch bag is made from the sleeves of a man's wool dress coat by betsyandbess.

These beautiful and valuable bits and pieces almost disappeared into the garbage pile forever! Get inspired to recycle by the digit recycled leather necklace by mainichi and shift key typewriter vintage pendant necklace by PreciousPastimes.

This neglected dresser was salvaged and restored by rubyrhino1 and made into a vintage masterpiece.  It reminds me of our summer dacha in Russia.

Nature photography by InmostLight reminds me to think about the long-term impact an item may have on the earth.

Are you eco-conscious when you shop? Tell us how in the comments below.

Earth Tones Series | Shop Eco-friendly Items