Winston’s career began in TV, writing shows for the now defunct MTM company, E! Entertainment Television and
ABC Family. He branched off into publishing, advertising, editing and eventually web design all the while honing his
unique creative voice in several short films and two novels. His professional associations include Premiere maga-
zine, Divine Entertainment, Miramax, Brillstein-Grey Productions, Illume Candles, Regency Enterprises, 20th Century
Fox Film Corporation, Warner Bros. Television, The X-Files and Penthouse Online. Winston is especially proud of
his volunteer efforts for AIDS Project Los Angeles, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles and the Special
Olympics and looks forward to using this same passion to educate the world about our world through his work with
G Living.
The aim of brio54 is to offer functional, inspiring and affordable modern design to the masses, and from what I can tell, they’ve succeeded (at least at the concept stage). With a focus on conserving resources and promoting non-toxic living, the emerging development firm has created three designs for your viewing pleasure: the H1 suburban, the H2 urban infill and the H3 high ranch rehab.
And oh, what a pleasure they are to view.
While the company’s website is chock full of information, I found myself way too busy admiring the images and imagining myself there to read any of the text. The H1 is an imposing structure with a great looking deck that most homeowners can only dream about. The sleek and modern house seems ideal for entertaining (which is always my first criteria, whether I actually utilize it or not) and there’s even a basement, something most of us Angelenos never get to experience. And the natural lighting, provided a full side of windows on the main floor and strategically placed 2nd level ones? Out of this world.
China’s been under such fire lately. People are pulling out of the Beijing Olympic games right and left because of the country’s pollution issues or alleged contributions to the Darfur crisis. It seems we’re also bombarded with constant reports of Chinese manufactured lead-based toys that endanger children. But not I’m going to talk about any of that. I’m only sharing happy thoughts here as I shine the good light on one of the world’s oldest and most fascinating civilizations.
While the Chinese may not care about kids eating poisoned paint (wait — I wasn’t going to talk about that), they care a lot about the Tibetan antelope. And the rare species, which is found exclusively in China’s Tibet-Qinghai region, not has not been doing well since the late 20th Century. This medium-sized bovid, who also goes by the name of chiru, is a gregarious animal that has a life span of about eight years.
To some people, stylish and cool are the same thing. Of course, the primary definition of “cool” is temperature-based and not an oft-used slang for “hip”.
But this European Q-shaped fan manages to qualify for all definitions and might even help to inspire a couple of new ones. Its stylish design is cool looking and — by virtue of it being a fan — it keeps you cool. Created by Swiss designer Carlo Borer, this 14.2-inch diameter aluminum and stainless steel fan will keep air flowing in your house while remaining an aesthetically pleasing fixture wherever you put it.
The next person who whines about the complications of recycling is going to get an earful from me. Not about how recycling is an important responsibility, or how each of their cans, bottles, newspapers, etc. can make a difference – or about what a moron they must be – but about the fact that there’s a fancy new solution to their eco-incompetence.
To be fair, if there is a complicated aspect to recycling (and I said “if”), it surrounds plastics. As you know, there are various types, and not all them can be recycled. But you should also be able to figure out that every plastic container has a recycling symbol on it with number inside. And knowing which numbers can be recycled and which can’t is easy for you to research. Simply check online with your local recycling facilities – either the ones that come to your house to empty your bins (try your neighborhood sanitation department if you have no clue where to begin searching) or the places you go to drop off your cans, bottles, plastics, etc.
If you’re a regular follower of the Design section here on G Living, you’re probably aware of my shipping container obsession. These 32,000 pound containers, which decades ago shipped everything from furniture to clothes overseas, are now all sitting around taking up space.
Except, of course, for those that are being used to build disaster relief shelters or affordable housing, like this 1,920 square foot three-container structure in Atlanta. What this place shows is one of the many outside-the-box design possibilities for these recycled containers Continue Reading / See Additional Photos
In the unlikelihood of Sandra Bullock losing her title as America’s Sweetheart (it could happen — look at Meg Ryan) and somehow blowing through the zillions of dollars she’s made, she might be able to jumpstart a new career as a green advisor.
You don’t believe me? You would if you’d seen her on Oprah promoting Earth Day. Sandra, who says she only uses organic or homemade cleaners, gave a terrifically informative walk-thru of ordinary household items that can be used in place of chemical-filled or pricey green cleaning products. And unlike a lot of celebrities, who always sound like they’re reciting from a script when they talk about global issues, Sandra seems to know her stuff.
Laundry is just one of those things you can’t avoid. Sure, you can ignore it for a while, but the pile will continue to grow, and eventually you’ll be faced with an emergency situation. No matter how you look at it, the laundry will win out in the end – which means you’re better off facing it head on.
Part of my problem is the seeming waste of resources: all the water that’s used up, the gas that heats the dryer, the electricity, etc. But as they say: baby steps. Even one simple change can have a big impact. I do have to admit, though, that I’m a user of dryer sheets. And I also have to fess up to the fact that until recently – despite all my moaning about resources and waste – it never occurred to me that after I throw them away, those seemingly innocuous sheets end up in a landfill – and coat my clothes with carcinogens like benzyl acetate, limonene, and chloroform.
Since Chicago has taken great strides toward becoming a greener city, it seems a good place to find architects to design headquarters for the world’s greenest city.
I’m referring to Masdar, the $22 billion development in Abu Dhabi, which is the world’s first ever zero-carbon, zero-waste and zero car city. The Chicago architecture firm of Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill has been chosen to design “the world’s first positive energy, mixed-use building”, which promises to be “the first building in history to generate power for its own assembly, through development of its solar roof pier before the underlying complex.” Continue Reading / See Additional Photos
If it’s a day ending in “Y”, there must be a new celebrity product out there. This one comes from Kate Hudson, who’s teamed up with celebrity hair stylist David Babaii to create a line of sulfate-, paraben-, petrochemical- and animal product-free hair stuff. Called David Babaii For WildAid, the products (according to the David Babii For WildAid website) are “inspired by the remarkable beauty in nature” and “made from exotic natural ingredients” like “volcanic ash from the Vanuata Islands of the South Pacific” and “rich Cupuacu Butter from the Amazon.”
If you love “The Office” like I do, you’re probably a fan of Rashida Jones (daughter of music legend Quincy), who plays Jim’s former love interest, Karen. If you’re not an “Office” watcher: A) you should be – it’s effing funny, and B) you’ll probably become a fan of Rashida Jones when you find out she’s launching her own sustainable fashion label.
Laloo is the name chosen by Rashida and her business partner Angela Wilcox. I’m sure there’s a good reason for that (maybe it stands for “Love All Leftover Organic… Overcoats”?), but what’s more important than monikers are the items themselves. Their line will consist of “swingy tanks, dresses, and layerable tees in the softest organic cotton.”
G / Design It’s amazing how easy it is to now go completely leather free, with amazing leather like fabrics by Joseph Noble. They make a range of fabrics with feel better than leather and last longer
G / Food The Ultimate Sausage and Pepper Pizza – RAW It’s Rawfully Tempting!
G / Food Chocolate Fruit and Almond Bark – D E C A D E N T and H E A L T H Y! Sooo Rawfully Tempting!
G / Food The edible cups are made entirely out of agar agar (a gelatin substitute).
G / Design a solar-powered collapsible lamp lights up when unfolded.
G / Food The Ultimate Sausage & Pepper Pizza by Rawfully Tempting
G / Food Creamy Mocha Mousse Cake
G / Video A visual poem by Tanya Davis. How To Be Alone
G / Food Killer Chocolate Fudge Mousse & Banana Parfait.
This is one DECADENT dessert and not for the feint of heart.
G / Style Well, this o so stylish hat called Double Crown O’Thorns, is definitely a bold look, especially if you wear the entire black head to toe suggestive accompanying outfit.
