You've probably heard by now that the much-hyped light bulb phase-out begins this fall in the United States, which means it's high time to switch out any old energy-guzzling incandescent light bulbs you have for more energy-efficient options. Not sure which energy efficient light bulbs are best for you and your sophisticated design sensibility? Don't reach for that CFL bulb just yet! Light-emitting diode (LED) technology has advanced considerably over the past few years in terms of efficiency, durability, and appearance, which means today’s LED light bulbs are hands-down the best choice for design-savvy consumers who want to save money on their energy bill without sacrificing light quality or aesthetics. And because LED bulbs last up to 22 years, not only do you not have to worry about changing the bulb constantly and fiddling with your lamps – you’ll also save additional money from not having to buy new bulbs every year.

Wondering what types of lamps work best with the new generation of LED light bulbs? We’ve rounded up 24 of our favorite green, designer lamps that go well with low energy LED bulbs. From dramatic ceiling lamps and chandeliers, to floor lamps, task lamps and table lamps, read on for our top green lighting fixtures.

 

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Memorial Day — the unofficial start of summer in the US — is behind us, and that means longer days and brighter sunshine in the coming months. When shopping for new sunglasses, there are a couple of important factors to take into account: A good pair of shades should protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, they should look cool, and they should also look out for the planet. Beginning with the “Malibu Tortoise” ($85) by Woodwear (pictured), we’ve rounded up our top 14 favorite green sunglasses of the season. Head over to Ecouterre to take a peek at them all.

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If you're in Berlin looking for some cool new designs and vintage wares, then the City West's DOM is the perfect spot to spend an afternoon. Whether you want to splurge on a classic piece or would prefer to just "window shop", you'll love boutique owner Christian Koban's carefully curated picks (some of which he designed himself), which include everything from cool LEGO products to CREATE BIKES. We recently stopped by this stylish shop and were blown away not only by their collection, but by the fact that that the shop sits inside of an old brick tunnel decked out with furniture and decor are made up of repurposed tires!

 

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The summer season is nearly upon us, and relaxing in a hammock or on the beach with a good book sounds delightful. Sure you could download a bestseller onto your Kindle, but libraries are all the rage right now. Swing by one of these pop-up libraries to grab a new book and leave one behind for the next person. These little book-lending outposts aren't as formal as their state-run counterparts, but you'll be sure to find an interesting read. If you're feeling ambitious, you could even check out our favorites and start a pop-up library in your own local community!

 

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With all the money buying a hybrid vehicle could save at the pump, some drivers might be hoping to splurge on something a little more luxurious than a Prius. That's exactly the idea behind the new Lexus ES300h, the first ever hybrid ES, which will be hitting US dealerships in mid-August. We first spotted this best-of-both-worlds ride at the New York Auto Show back in April, but were finally able to get behind the wheel ourselves for a test drive this month. Read on to see what we thought about the way the car handled and the fuel economy we were able to maintain even while pushing 80mph on the winding backroads of Oregon wine country.

 

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If ever there was an image that summed up man's disregard for the environment, then it would be the abandoned ships lying in Mo'ynoq in western Uzbekistan. Today, Mo'ynoq is more or less deserted, but it used to be a prosperous port town and the vast expanse of desert surrounding it used to be the Aral Sea. So what happened?

 

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Here’s one design that really “cleaned up” at New York Design Week – an LED lamp disguised as a broom. Spotted by our editors at ICFF, the MoodBroom by Peteris Zilbers looks like a mundane mop at first glance, but upon further inspection, you can see that it is actually a source of light. The quirky design is named for the fact that its light color can be switched to match the owner’s mood, and the humorious lamp had showgoers doing double-takes all day long.

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Like many Americans, you may be lighting up the barbecue this holiday weekend — but if you want to set yourself apart from the bands of boring black grills, take a cue from our guide to stylish green grills. From DIY creations to hot spots that also double up as planting pots, whether you’re cooking up a sustainably raised burger or a tofu dog, each of these grills will help you streamline your holiday resource use without limiting your fun!

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Food doesn't just delight in delicious snacks and meals -- there are a whole crop of designers, artists and photographers using the tasty medium to create some of the strangest and most awe-inspiring designs we've ever seen. Using everything from fish scales to orange peels to chocolate, check out these 6 wacky yet sustainable examples of how people are playing with food -- and creating something awesome while at it!

 

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Wang Shu was officially honored with architecture's most coveted recognition, the Pritzker Prize, in a ceremony in Beijing on May 25 where he was awarded with the bronze medallion and a $100,000 grant. Shu is the first Chinese architect to receive the award, and the prize marks a turning point for Shu's studio, Amateur Architecture, which he runs with his wife Lu Wenyu out of Hangzhou. Responsible for a number of large cultural and social projects in his native country, Wang Shu has become known for work that is "deeply rooted in its context and yet universal." Some of Wang Shu's most well known projects include the Library of Wenzheng College at Suzhou University, the Ningbo Contemporary Art Museum, the Ningbo History Museum, phase 1 and 2 of the Xingshan Campus of the China Academy of Art, and the Vertical Courtyard Apartments. Shu is also the head of the Architecture Department of the China Academy of Art.

 

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David Trubridge Design studio, located in Whakatu Industrial Park in New Zealand, crafts beautiful organic furniture using timber from sustainably-managed plantations. We've gushed over Trubridge's flat-pack lamps before, so we excited to meet up with him during New York Design Week at Wanted Design where he showcased a new smaller series of pendant lamps that can be strung up in sets, a line of outdoor-friendly aluminum coral lights, and his Baskets of Knowledge collection, which was inspired by a Maori myth.

 

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If you’re daydreaming about your next vacation, and looking for something a little off the beaten path, why not consider embarking on a global design tour? The world is full of inspiring destinations for travelers looking for a recharge, and you only need to do a bit of googling to plan a unique design vacation. Come along with Inhabitat for a brief tour of our favorite design destinations around the globe – from scuba diving to an amazing underwater art installation in Mexico to jetsetting to an ultra-modern designer hotel that towers over <a href="NYC’s iconic High Line park and meandering through the world’s largest wooden structure, which recently rose in Seville. Read on for 10 of our favorite, must-see design destinations!

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Really, Lady Gaga? While we’re not surprised about Gaga’s second meat dress, which she proudly tweeted a photo of herself wearing while playing a show in Tokyo, we are disappointed. Hopefully she can think of another outrageous fashion statement to make with less of an ick factor next time, although we can’t be sure if this one is faux or not.  Click ahead to read more about the sirloin frock and let us know what you think of the ensemble.

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If you’ve ever seen police officers walking around in full gear during a heat wave, you’ve probably felt a little faint just looking at them.  Lucky for them, scientists from the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) have devised a new “smart” protective garment that cools down your body instead of keeping it heated up.  With a mini-fan and a cooling water system, police officers are way more likely to be able to stay cool under pressure.  Click ahead to check out this innovative new garment!

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