inhabitat

Laura Mordas-Schenkein

Laura is a LEED accredited Feng Shui consultant based in Rhinebeck, New York. Her background in psychology and passion for ecological design led her to the study of the built environment and its profound effect on our physical and emotional well-being. Her sustainable roots began on a Hudson Valley farm, and since then she has contributed research and writing to various publications, including Clean Plates.com. In her spare time she enjoys cooking and meditative hiking, with big dreams of someday running a bed and breakfast in the countryside.
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18 fun and educational gifts for tots

This holiday season, delight the tots in your life with playful eco-gifts that educate and inspire creativity....

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8 incredible parks created from landfills

Humanity has turned Earth into a giant trash pile. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that Americans...

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Breathtaking seaside hotel in Thailand practices radical reuse, grows 100% of its produce

Overlooking a private bay along the Northern Coast of Koh Samui, Thailand, The Tongsai Bay Hotel boasts more than...

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LAST CHANCE: Inhabitat is giving away an Avocado Green Mattress

We spend one third of our lives sleeping, but how many of us have taken the time to learn what's inside our mattresses?...

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10 ways to nail the rustic modern aesthetic with barn lights

We love the promises of modern design here at Inhabitat. The elegance and efficiency of modernism provides ease...

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Why a buckwheat pillow makes a good pillow

A good night's sleep is priceless this day in age. But chances are you haven't given too much thought to your pillow....

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New net-zero Solar Farmhouse from Deltec generates all its own energy

In these uncertain times of erratic weather and changing climate patterns, net-zero energy (or NZE) is quickly...

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The world's tallest vertical garden lives and breathes in Sydney

Designed by Parisian architect Jean Nouvel in collaboration with French artist and botanist Patrick Blanc, One...

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8 natural Feng Shui winter cures for the home

When it seems like winter is dragging on, purifying our homes with new energy may be just the cure. In Feng Shui,...

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Curvaceous Ex of In House is a solar-powered guest residence aligned with the natural world

Located on the property of principal architect Steven Holl himself, the Ex of In House opened this past July as...

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The top 5 Inhabitat videos of the year

From foraging for mushrooms (and avoiding the poisonous ones) to eating your banana peels instead of throwing them...

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How to give back this year

Christmas is a great day for traditions. Some families make a giant turkey, some roast chestnuts, while others...

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The best indoor gardens to gift this year

It may be difficult to imagine gardening in the dead of winter, but thanks to modern technology it's more possible...

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14 exquisite handmade gifts

If you're looking for sustainably-sourced gifts that will truly surprise your loved ones, feast your eyes on our...

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We're giving away an Artisan Moss green wall made with real moss and lichens

Moss walls are a hot new trend, and for good reason. Preserved moss is an accessible way to enhance indoor spaces...

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Why people are going nuts over this unusual pillow

"Are You freaking kidding me? This pillow is amazing!" "The best pillow you will ever sleep on!" If you look...

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Artisan Moss 'plant paintings' are maintenance-free alternatives to living walls

Any nature lover likely regards living green walls as the pinnacle of indoor landscaping, but the required maintenance,...

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8 healthy holiday desserts made with no refined sugar

Almond Cranberry Cookies With just a food processor, some fruit and nuts you can create a batch of healthful,...

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10 ingenious Halloween costumes made from recycled junk

When it comes to Halloween, Americans aren't spooked about buying new costumes or decorations. According to the...

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10 things your newborn DOESN'T need

When it comes to baby showers, new parents tend to fill up their registry list in accordance with trends, but do...

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15 brilliant green lamps for a brighter future

Origami Lampshade by Foldability We've covered Foldability's gorgeous origami lanterns since 2013, so we were...

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LAST CHANCE: Win a $500 shopping spree from IKEA to make over your dorm room

It's that time of year again -- back to school season is in full swing and we're here to help you design the smart...

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New lush green "ground floor" to welcome Tel Aviv University students by 2019

The split level design of the Lorry Lokey building integrates nature in a number of inventive ways. As the outdoor...

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6 delicious plants you can forage in your local urban park — VIDEO

Many of us are completely unaware of the delicious edible plants that surround us, especially in urban environments,...

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NASA says Earth is warming at a rate 'unprecedented in 1,000 years'

New data has confirmed that the Earth has been experiencing the hottest temperatures on record. The latest findings...

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Sati Tala's new intimate dining surface aims to boost mindful eating

A night in can often result in dinner on the couch in front of the tube, but wouldn't it be nice if we could be...

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Inhabitat spends the night in a Harvard-designed tiny cabin in the woods

For our first Getaway excursion we spent a night in the Maisie, a 160-square-foot mobile cabin built for two to...

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Photographer upcycles street trash into brilliant home decor

Kaplan always had an eye for upcycling, even before it was a trend. He told Inhabitat, "I travel a lot around the...

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INFOGRAPHIC: The real environmental impact of the 2016 Rio Olympics

The 2016 Olympics in Rio will begin in just over a week and despite several ongoing catastrophes, the games will...

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NY Attorney General sues Volkswagen for emissions fraud

In the latest development in the ongoing Volkswagen emissions scandal, the state of New York just slapped VW with...

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