Inspired

Since I started blogging for Merida in October, I've really heavily started to research interior design in order to develop my own taste. I've been reading Architectural Digest and compulsively blog surfing - and let me just tell you - it is overwhelming how many beautiful homes and inspiring ideas there are out there!

My inspiration today are these two bathrooms. I LOVE the converted barn door! And as for the elephant towel holder, you will notice as you continue to read my blog that I have an affinity for everything Indian.

Plum Island

Plum Island in Newburyport, MA is one of my absolute favorite beaches. Its an easy drive from home, has gorgeous views, charming summer cottages, fairly large waves for the Cape Ann area, and is very close to downtown Newburyport which is always fun.

Everyone that is familiar with Plum Island knows that it has been severely eroding over the past few years. And with this months torrential downpours and flooding in Massachusetts, I'm worried that Plum Island might no longer be the same place I know and love. Already a few homes have lost decks and porches into the water, and the geography of the island has been changing dramatically.

These are some photos of Plum the way I remember it. Hopefully I'll head up there soon- as soon as the weather is warm enough- and let you know how it is looking.

My Latest Articles

SO there has been a flurry of activity on the MeridaHome blog over the past few days. Here is an index of my latest articles, so you can check them out. They are listed starting with the most recent:

Employee Spotlight: Sustainability Director -an inside look into MeridaHome's journey into becoming a green company.

Vintage Travel Posters - how to decorate your home with vintage prints.

Paint: The Good and the Bad -how certain household paints can harm your health because of VOCs.

Color Wheel in Interior Design -an intro to the color wheel, color choice for dummies!

Not Just for Sweaters - history of wool in rug making-especially how it can be/not be sustainable.

Composting with Style -how to make composting at home look good.

Green on the Runway

Former Project Runway Contestant, Leanne Marshall, just came out with her Spring 2010 line, and it is all eco-friendly clothing! Here is a sneak peek:

Remember Step It Up '07?

In the spring of 2007, America was finally getting excited to make a difference and go green. This attitude culminated in the April, 2007 Step It Up rally which happened at hundreds of locations accross the country.


At St. Lawrence University's rally I spoke in front of hundreds of people about how students could change little things in their every day lives in order to become more sustainable.





I also helped organize a group of students to plant over 50 trees on campus!



Sadly, it seems like since 2007, the green movement has become a little over-exposed and people are getting sick of it. We just have to think back to the days when we were really inspired to make a difference, and remember that we still can!

Keep stepping it up in 2010!

No More Disposable Lattes

Bringing your own mug to Starbucks or Dunks isn't just for hippies anymore! Jessica Alba carries around her travel mug even when she has her baby in arm as well (above). So, forget the paper or plastic disposable cups and bring your own stylish one instead.

I love this Lilly Pulitzer mug


And my sister got me one of these french press travel mugs by Bodum, so you can have top notch coffee everywhere you go. It is FABULOUS!

Index of My MeridaHome Articles

Not sure if its worth checking out my work on the MeridaHome Blog?

well here is an index of all of the articles I've written for them that have been posted thus far. Here the are starting with the most recent:

Trashion - spotlight on a growing NGO in Ghana that collects plastic trash off the streets and turns it in to stylish handbags.

5 Easy Ways to Reuse Glass Bottles - along with pictures of how I did so in my apartment.

Recycle Your Fleece - Spotlight on Patagonia's sustainability efforts.

Candles 101 - Soy, beeswax, petroleum.... a guide to whats really in your candles.

What Are You Sitting On? - Spotlight on Emeco's Cash for Clunkers Chairs Program.

Jute - An introduction to one of Merida's natural fibers.

Sisal - An introduction to another one of Merida's eco-friendly fibers.

Another Perspective on Copenhagen - Opinion piece on the Copenhagen Climate Summit

Recent Grads Going Green - along with quotes from friends that are trying to do so!

I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas -How to save energy in the Winter.

Designing the Greenest Dorm Room - After helping publish St. Lawrence University's Green Guide, I know how to create the greenest dorm room. trust me.

Introduction: Me, Myself, & Sustainability - Who I am and why I care.

The Green Routine - my cheesiest article.

Doris Duke's Shangri La

The first time I fell in love with interior design was when I first saw photos of Doris Duke's home in Hawaii. Duke created her own Shangri La in Hawaii. She used authentic items from all over the Islamic world and drew inspiration to create her own paradise. I would LOVE to visit her house (now a museum) someday.

Top Ten Fav Twitterers

Twitter helps feed my need for news and gossip in a to-the-point quick way. However, twitter is completely ueseless if you aren't following interesting feeds. My favorite feeds so far are:

1. @nprnews - This one is obvious. I'm an NPR junkie.

2. @BostonUpdate - The city's quick & easy news and culture outlet.

3. @StLawU - Keeps me posted on my alma mater.

4. @GlobalPost - The best and most interesting international news source.

5. @ChelseaLately - Always good for a laugh

6. @EPAgov - The best of the EPA twitter feeds

7. @TTranscript - Keeps me posted on my hometown

8. @TWYE - If you know what this is, then you already know what a helpful tool it
is (if not and you're on a diet, check out http://www.tweetwhatyoueat.com/ to see what all the fuss is about)

9. @MeridaHome - Shameless plug for my company, but the twitter feed does have great links, deals, contests, and advice for people at all interest levels of green design.

10. @CameronBruns - another shameless plug.

Seeing Scandinavian Design in Person

Now that interior design is part of my job, I often think back to the house I lived in while abroad. I studied in Copenhagen for four months, but I ended up living an hour outside the city on a small Danish farm. However, the decor in my host family's house was anything but rural; it was sleek, modern, clean....the epitome of Scandinavian.

Very First Post!

I tend to be among the school of people that think that personal blogs are kind of awkward, but at the same time, I'm absolutely obsessed and have been wanting to make one of my own for a couple of weeks now. So here we are!

Since October 2009, I've been blogging about sustainability and interior design for a Boston-based company that makes and sells eco-friendly natural fiber area rugs. Writing for this company, Merida Meridian (http://www.meridahome.com/), has been absolutely inspiring. Because, while I hadn't thought about rugs very much before working for Merida, it really reminded me that sustainability issues touch all aspects of everyday life. Blogging for Merida has also been a lot of fun because I've gotten to explore the world of design and fashion - which was totally new to me - but has become another one of my new obsessions. My Merida blog which can be found at http://blog.meridahome.com/is still going to be my #1 priority, but I decided to make this, my own personal blog, to further supplement my Merida writing and to add more of my own personal flare. Afterall, sustainable design is not my one and only passion: I also love Art, Travel, Politics, and everything Boston.

So get pumped people because you have just entered Boston Green Blog!
hej hej,
Cameron