LOS ANGELES—EcoChic Lifestyles’ colorful, weather-resistant new outdoor line is available now at its online store. The creator of upscale, sustainable furniture is offering free worldwide shipping on any of its one-of-a-kind furnishings through March 2015.EcoChic Lifestyles’ new outdoor line comprises the same reclaimed teak wood and iron from bridges as its original line. Consumers will find that the larger coffee-table sizes they’ve been requesting are in place. Okeanos (large) and Samudera (medium) coffee tables complement the company’s Oceanic (small) coffee table. The new Backshore (large) and Breakwater (medium) coffee tables offer fans of EcoChic Lifestyles’ Beach Buoys (small) coffee...

NATIONAL REPORT—Several leading associations that develop codes and standards to create green buildings are collaborating to align the International Green Construction Code (IgCC), ANSI/ASHRAE/IES/USGBC Standard 189.1 and the LEED green building program. The initiative is being welcomed by code officials, architects, engineers and contractors.“In just a few years we progressed from developing the first model code for green buildings to a new cooperative document that will make it easier for owners, designers, builders and code officials to deliver sustainable, high-performing buildings,” said International Code Council (ICC) Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO. “Thank you to our cooperating sponsors, ICC...

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIF.—Native Trails, known for its artisan-made kitchen and bath products, has added several new items to its copper sink collection for 2015. Copper Trough sinks build on the momentum created by the company’s recent NativeStone concrete trough sink introduction, by utilizing hand-hammered copper in the popular sink shape. Available in 30”, 36” and 48” widths, these new products will be available in June 2015.The Copper Trough Collection is hand made by coppersmiths residing in a small Mexican village. Hand hammered thousands of times over several days, the sinks retain the hallmarks of their artisan craftsmanship in...

NEW YORK—Leading textile manufacturer Carnegie introduces the vibrant Roy G. Biv textile collection. The collection spans the full spectrum with high performance upholstery and digitally printed wide width sheers that celebrate color.Upholstery patterns Buzz, Chroma and Spark are about clear bright color and the interplay of vibrant patterns against a super saturated background. Buzz offers vivid flashes of color across a saturated backdrop.Chroma’s modern mid-scale geometric pattern practically pops off the fabric’s background. Elements of this structured pattern are woven in a textural boucle yarn enhancing its dimensional effect.Spark is a versatile playful geometric. It makes graphic statement on...

SAGINAW, MICH.—Duro-Last announced that it has achieved gold certification under the NSF American National Standard for Sustainable Roofing Membranes—NSF/ANSI 347. Certified by UL, this standard represents that Duro-Last manufactures a product that is third-party verified as sustainable, durable, and high performing. The certification applies to 40, 50 and 60 mil, white, gray, dark gray, tan, and terra cotta Duro-Last membranes.NSF/ANSI 347 was written by NSF International and, according to their website, is based on lifecycle assessment principles. NSF/ANSI 347 employs an easy-to-use point system to evaluate roofing membrane products against established prerequisite requirements, performance criteria and quantifiable metrics in...

ADVANCE, N.C.—Beaufurn, the manufacturer of fashion-forward, functional designs, announced that it is introducing the Sullivan Bench. This highly practical and versatile seating unit, which is made in the United States, is appropriate for hospitality and commercial applications.The understated, minimalist frame is made of reinforced 12 gauge aluminum, that’s both durable and lightweight, with a powder coated stainless steel finish which can be customized in other powder coat colors per designer specification. The clever, modular top design may be ordered in three configuration options—three cushions, two cushions and one table or one cushion and two tables. The table may be...

STAMFORD, CONN.—Accelerating growth in markets worldwide, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced the opening of Element Vancouver Metrotown—the second Element hotel to open in Canada. Owned by Bosa Properties and managed by Atlific Hotels, Element Vancouver Metrotown is part of Bosa’s new Sovereign building, the tallest tower in Burnaby, B.C.. Offering picturesque views of the North Shore Mountains and downtown Vancouver, the new Element features 169 light-filled rooms and suites. Element Vancouver Metrotown joins Element Vaughan Southwest in the greater Toronto region and will be followed by the opening of two more Element hotels in Canada next year.“Element...

TAMPA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Tampa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Sterling Sleep Systems as a Founding Sponsor. Since starting its business 27 years ago, Sterling Sleep Systems has produced more than a million specialty mattresses sold in over 30 countries. The company builds only modular bed systems. All components are removable, interchangeable and replaceable. When beds are damaged or soiled one need only buy a replacement part instead of the complete bed system. Beds come completely apart for proper cleaning inside and out. One can address bed bug issues without discarding the mattress. Sterling mattresses can help...

PORTLAND, ORE.—Sonoma County, California-based ceiling panel and tile manufacturer Ceilume announced the opening of a large new showroom in Portland’s central eastside industrial district, according to Ceilume Showroom Manager Noah Davis.Ceilume’s 3,000 square-foot facility is geared to professional interior designers, builders and homeowners alike, and is the only manufacturer-owned ceiling showroom in the western United States, Davis said. It was built to showcase the company’s 35 different ceiling tiles and panels in vignettes developed to inspire design ideas for interiors of all types, in a setting that focuses purely on ceilings.“We selected Portland both for its design culture and...

CHICAGO—When Virgin Group opened its first hotel last month—the 250-room Virgin Hotels Chicago—what was not talked about much in the media was the green story behind the renovated historic Old Dearborn Bank Building at 203 N. Wabash Ave. Richard Branson, Virgin Group founder, and member of the B Team leaders who recently called for a global commitment to net-zero greenhouse-gas emissions by 2050, established a hotel brand with the goal of LEED Silver for each hotel. Virgin Hotels Chicago’s green story begins with its site selection. Rather than building new, Virgin Hotels chose a historic bank building and kept...