RETAIL ROUNDUP:Recycled furniture stylized

If you stop in to view the couches at South Coast Plaza’s new Environment Furniture store, be aware of one thing: The patches and stains on the upholstery are not the result of unruly customers or a mishap at the warehouse.

Rather, those blemishes came all the way from Brazil, where the canvas that now lines Environment Furniture’s couches once served as tarp on flat-bed trucks.

The furniture store, which opened on the Bear Street side of the mall this week, offers strictly organic and recycled materials, and very few of the products look like they just toppled off the assembly line.

“Each piece is unique,” said showroom manager Lina Tonkunas. “It shows the history of what it’s gone through.”

Environment Furniture offers beds, chairs, tables, rugs and other home essentials. The store, Tonkunas said, stuck with natural materials to aid the environment, but the rustic designs had their own appeal.

“Our demographic is more people who are environmentally conscious or socially conscious, but we do tend to get a hipster crowd,” she said.

“There’s really nothing on the market like this.”

Bulgari home to items of exquisite tastes

Outside the new Bulgari twin store on the other side of South Coast Plaza, two 15-carat yellow diamond earrings shine in the window display. They’re a prominent part of the store, but they will likely be shipped back to Bulgari’s flagship in New York if they haven’t sold in a week or two — so interested customers should whip out the $3.2 million before it’s too late.

Bulgari, which opened in South Coast Plaza in 1994, reopened last week as a double store, with jewelry on one side and accessories on the other.

The twin store, which is only the second the company has launched, features two different entrances with a Bulgari sign over each one. A passage in the back connects the two.

In addition to the earrings, the accessory store features a pair of crocodile-skin handbags — also offered for a short period of time — that go for $100,000 and $88,000.

Those in the cheaper seats can pick among sunglasses, perfumes, colognes and other chic items.

Beat airline luggage hassles with tips

Summer is almost over and the tourist season is ebbing … but those interested in preparing for the holidays can attend a free packing demonstration Saturday at Benchley Luggage and Gifts in Fashion Island.

The demonstration, which starts at 2 p.m., includes tips on how to organize and pack a one- to two-week wardrobe in a 21-inch carry-on bag, how to deal with airline regulations and how to keep your luggage safe.

Call (949) 759-9101 to reserve a spot or for more information.