'Head of the Class: A Back Bay green boutique outfits the eco-friendly with élan

by Heather Bouzan, 02-25-2008

IT'S BEEN a few months since we last checked in with Carol Smith Miller, who opened gifts-and-housewares boutique Fiddlehead (292 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.247.1120) in November. The then-retail novice is settling in nicely, reveling in the learning experience and enjoying having a hand in all aspects of the business, from shooting products for her soon-to-launch Web site, to balancing the books, to working the register. Here are some of our favorite items from Smith Miller's range of eco-friendly offerings.

A. The minimalist, clean-line design of Red Maloo's Wool Felt Laptop Sleeves ($108.50/13-inch; $123/15-inch) appeals to our aesthetic sensibilities.

B. It's amusing that Investment Design's Boston T Token Cufflinks ($38) already have a nostalgic, almost retro feel. Guess that means Charlie Cards have truly taken over.

C. Originally designed in 1944 for use on submarines and aircraft carriers, the lightweight Emeco Navy Chair ($385/side chair; $475/arm chair) is crafted from 80 percent recycled aluminum and built to last for 150 years - which gives it some serious sustainable-goods street cred.

D. With a variety of shapes and colors to choose from, Riverside Designs' Recycled Glass Dishware ($24 to $88) is a great addition to any table. Made from 100 percent recycled glass, the pieces are dishwasher safe and can stand up to light microwave heating.

E. Sure, the print is too grainy to make out, but we love having a little piece of Hollywood shoved into our back pocket: the shell of the Billboard Wallet ($20/cardholder; $22/trifold) by Vy & Elle is made from reclaimed movie billboards.

F. Made from repurposed wine bottles that are given a polished or satin finish, Transglass's glassware collection ($45 to $64), which also offers carafes, jugs, vases, and tumblers, is full of gorgeous lines and distinctive shapes.

G. We won't eat the real stuff, but we're big proponents of the soy candle. With its natural essential oils and recycled packaging (both the jar and the carton), we've found a new favorite in the Dirt Candle ($24).

H. Somewhere along the line, Zulu weavers in Africa decided to try their hand at looping brightly colored telephone wire in their signature intricate designs. The result? The Zulu Telephone Wire Basket ($30), the perfect size for a dresser-top catch-all.

I. Far softer than you might expect, Nandina's Bamboo and Organic Cotton towels ($12 to $52) are available in an array of colors and patterns.

J. Seltzer Wine Holders ($160), forged from 1930s and '40s seltzer bottles in Argentina, pop into the freezer and, once chilled, do wonders for a room-temperature bottle of white. @