ECO DOG

As pets are part of our families, holistic wellbeing and a greener approach to life should certainly be extended to those with paws and hairier bodies.

In a mission to extend our health and eco concerns to Dot and Dário, we got Eco Dog, a gorgeous book on healthy living for canines, filled with upbeat photography and precious advice.

Comprehensive and beautifully done, this guide covers everything one should know when creating the best eco environment for our four-legged friends, from how to shop for and make non-toxic grooming products and eco-friendly pest control, and how to bake organic dog treats, to how to create a canine first aid kit.

As a plus, at the end of the book there's also a resource guide to organizations, publications and products on the subject.

( Written by Lola, Photography by Lola and Álvaro )

ECO CONTENT

We all know that having a chaotic and stressful lifestyle isn't good for you. There's no denying it.
We also know that whenever possible we should eat organic, fairtrade and (in an ideal world we would all be) vegetarian.We're also aware of harmful chemicals in everyday products... Not only the supermarket kind (which besides being in the large majority cruelly tested on animals, are also dangerous chemical cocktails) but also some mainstream luxury natural brands who appear more eco fill their products with parabens and other harmful chemicals.

I've been a vegetarian since i was 15, and having recently turned 30, i'm everyday more aware of what my actions may result in the greater picture.I always take the holistic approach in life, and being an health and beauty junkie, for me it's an absolute must to use products which aren't tested on animals. Then i look for something which is made from natural ingredients, preferably organic, and aren't packed full with the aforementioned chemicals. And at the end the day, i still have to enjoy the product's texture, smell (or lack of it), and the end result on my skin and hair...

Because it's a hard task to pick your favourites from the jumble of ethical and non-ethical brands, Content, in London's Marylebone, is an eco-luxury boutique filled with some of the best all-natural beauty and wellbeing products on offer.The owner, Imelda Burke, has researched for 2 years for brands which are Soil Association Certified, Ecocert approved, carbon neutral, and free of animal testing, parabens, petrochemicals, phthalates, SLS, synthetic fragrances and further 25 commonly used synthetic chemicals.

Far from the hippie look that unfortunately is often associated with green issues, it's a glamorous black space with beautiful vintage furniture and an array of exquisite brands such as Suki, Ila, Dr Hauschka, Jo Wood Organics, Suzanne aux Bains, Baby Bear Shop, Stem Organics, Pure Potions, John Masters Organics haircare, Tea and Philosophy teas, Postlethwaite's tinctures, Tsi-La 100% natural fragrances, and the delightful nail polish range from Butter London, which is totally free from Formaldehyde, Toluene and DBP.

Catering for all the family, you'll find products for the smallest and the most senior members, so shop online or, if in the neighbourhood, drop by. Let's make Earth Day every single day.

CONTENT Beauty Wellbeing at 14 Bulstrode St., Marylebone

( Written by Lola, Photos courtesy of Content )

CANINE SNAPSHOTS

Here at La Maison de Lola we are great fans of dogs.
Besides our little female companion Dot ( pictured above ) we love all dogs, big and small, fluffy and short haired, mutt and pure breed.
Picturing half a century ( since the early 1900s to the fifties ) of anonymous snapshots of dogs, Phaidon lauched a book called Dogs, an essential photo portfolio for lovers of man's best friend.
Showing dogs in the most mundane settings, such as two puppies popping out of a hat case or a child swimming with his four-legged companion, this book reveals how dogs are so important to us and that the world without them definitely wouldn't be the same...

(Written by Álvaro, Photographed by Lola)

TABLE MANNERS

People Will Always Need Plates, in addition to their London architecture themed collection, has a lovely range for pets called For All You Little Animals.

The bone china petware, made and decorated in Stoke on Trent, features illustrations of animal homes and is available in two sizes: 18 cm for dogs and cats, and 12 cms for smaller cats and others creatures such as rabbits and guinea pigs.

The bowls look better when empty - when you can see the design - so make sure your pet cleans up his/her meals really well!

( Written and Photographed by Lola )

MONKEY SAY, MONKEY DO

One of the things we like best is to accessorize our studio with beautiful objects, and this wooden monkey designed in the fifties by Kay Bojesen really fits the bill. Entirely made from teak and limba, this playful design icon is not only great to decorate, but it's also an amusing vintage looking toy.
Articulated and composed by 13 pieces, this iconic monkey from Rosendahl also has two other wooden friends: an elephant and a bear.

( Written by Álvaro, Photographed by Lola )

PICTURE PERFECT

There aren't many things we love more than animals, photography, and wallpaper, so when the three come together it's very hard to not take notice.
Catherine Ledner, a Los Angeles based photographer, captures some of the most beautiful and quirky images of the other inhabitants of our planet. In front of strongly textured wallpaper, creatures such as the orangutan (seen here), zebra, parrot, or goat, are left to do their own thing while the photographer gets her shot.
The end result is an interior styled Noah's Ark that's so lovely and unique, it's bound to bring a smile to everyone's face.

( Written by Lola, Photo courtesy of Catherine Ledner )

EVERYDAY PIECES

Besides one very lovely female dog named Dot, our life is also shared with two rather playful male cats, named Fibi and Tobias.

We're always on a quest for beautiful things to surround us with, and because we love animals, beautifully designed pet accessories are definately a must, but unfortunately so very hard to come by.

A few months back, we discovered Everyday Studio, a design company based in San Francisco which makes modern accessories for pets which won't clash with 'human furniture'.

We particularly love Pet Dish, a free-standing diner in colourful steel and removable stainless steel bowls (the canary one is especially fetching), and Pouce, a Gehry inspired multifunctional piece of furniture for both play and sleep, with claw-friendly corrugated cardboard and an area where your cat can nap.

( Written and Photographed by Lola )

OAK, OAK, AND AWAY

We're obviously passionate about toys, and wherever we are, we often find ourselves in the most exquisite toy shops feeling like kids in a... well, in a toy shop! Because we love them so much, we can't help ourselves but to write a post or two on the subject.

Sedici animals, designed in 1957 by Enzo Mari and manufactured by Danese, are a cute version of the old days' wooden toy.

Portraying such diverse creatures as the elephant, the kangaroo, the bear, or the camel, made from oak and serving many purposes, these animals can as easily be used as a fun 3 D puzzle for children, or as decorative pieces for a jungle-chic bedroom.

( Written and Photographed by Lola )

PLANTING THE AESTHETIC SEED

Many people don't realise the importance of surrounding children with beautiful objects and toys. Our visual memories from when we were small do play a huge part in our aesthetic values when we become adults, so giving something well-made and beautiful to a child will, in more ways than one, help shape their one individual sense of good taste.

Although not a toy, i still remember when, aged four, i would ask my father how to write a word and type it in his beautiful Valentina typewriter, which later i learnt was designed by Ettore Sottsass. Although not very fond of the colour red, learning to write in such a marvelous object is a part of my history which i will cherish forever, and nowadays, has much more significance than having memory of discovering the world through something mass-marketed or not beautifully made.

Because playtime should be visually educative, Puppy by Magis

( shown here ), designed by Eero Aarnio, is a cute sit-on-dog which comes in four sizes - small, medium, large, and XL - and three colours - green, white, and orange, and will ensure hours

of endless fun.

( Written and Photographed by Lola )

JUNGLE FEVER

If you don’t feel like going to the zoo and see the elephants, why not bring one home with you? This wonderful mammal was one of Charles & Ray Eames’ favourite animals – lots of images of this amicable giant could be found in their photographic archive – and as a result, the american couple made one of the most desired pieces amongst collectors: the Eames Plywood Elephant.

Great for kids playing around, this friendly companion will certainly give your child hours of good clean fun. Reissued by Vitra in a limited edition of 1000 units, this amazing toy made of bent plywood is making great sucess with the most stylish children.

So hurry up and get yours!

( Written by Álvaro / Photo courtesy of Vitra )

STYLISH POOCH

We love dogs, and what's not to love? Great companions, warm, cuddly, pure and honest, and let's face it, as cute as they come. Because La Maison de Lola has its very own little friend named Dot (because of her dots), we are always delighted to see something beautiful and stylish for the canine bunch.

Paul Smith has a line just for dogs, but we particularly love his trademark multistripe dog collar (available in sizes small, medium and large), the swirl grained lead (to create contrast), and the metal dog collar tag, which is just adorable and gives your pooch a little playmate of his own.

Definitely too cool for (canine) school!

( Written and Photographed by Lola / Stills courtesy of Paul Smith)

ANIMAL KINGDOM

Having recently exhibited his work at two Paul Smith locations – first at the famously pink angeleno shop, and afterwards at the designers’ New York showroom – Peter Clark approaches art in a truly fun and appealing way.
By using old maps, stamps, letters, buttons, playing cards, paper boxes and lots of other vintage memorabilia to create his wonderful collages of dogs - assuming the typical character and attitude of each breed – and other animals, Clarks’ work is all about muted colours, texture and a witty sense of humour.
We’ll certainly keep an eye open for his work.

( Written by Álvaro )