Mind & Body

 

Breezy Living

Slow down this summer and appreciate the great outdoors.

Jane Tuv
7/2007

 

 

 

  You can start at home by heading to your backyard, patio, or balcony, and stretching out on one of these natural and recycled loungers. Made from durable, fast-growing hemp, the extra-wide Pan World Traders Two-Person Hammock ($159; www.ecopatio.com) shown at right is naturally resistant to mildew and will stand up to the elements.

The Recyclers Raft Air Mattress ($50; www.recyclersraft.com) offers a new use for discarded soda bottles: unzip the polyester-canvas shell and fill it with 26 empty two-liter plastic bottles to make a floating raft that holds up to 300 pounds.

Made by Amish woodworkers and designed to seat two people comfortably, the Amish Poly Lumber Fan- Back Swing ($274; www.dutchcrafters.com) looks like hardwood but is actually 90 percent recycled plastic, which won't splinter or fade.

The London Woods Teak Adirondack Chair ($350; www.londonwoods.com) is manufactured from teak, a hardwood that repels water (and termites) due to its high oil content. The wood comes from plantations where the trees are regularly replanted.