A TV show, successful book series, a new DVD … and that is just the beginning! "Danny Seo is living proof that you can save the world without sacrificing style.," according to Elle Magazine. Danny, 29, encourages America to live a greener lifestyle. His first lifestyle book Conscious Style Home (St. Martin's Press; 2001) chronicles his renovation of his parents' Green Hills, Pennsylvania home. Using easy-to-find eco-friendly materials, the beautifully photographed book received rave reviews in The New York Times, Elle, Food & Wine, Elle Decor, and USA Today, who raved "Say 'environment' to Danny Seo, and it's as if you've punched the word into the search engine Google: Out roars an avalanche of ideas and references that threatens to scramble your brain.'" His brand new books Simply Green Parties and Simply Green Giving showcases Danny's unique take and approach to stylish green living. Both books feature lush, colorful photography and clear, step-by-step instructions along with Danny's secret tips and how-to information on living the Simply Green way. As Editor-at-Large of Country Home magazine, Danny pens a monthly column for the magazine and produce feature stories for the magazine's 7.6 million readers. Each month, his "Fresh Thinking" column features clever and easy ideas to recycle anything into gorgeously chic home accessories with quick and easy tips that prove green living can be gorgeous living, too.

Below, read my exclusive interview with Danny to find out more about his early days, unique business partnerships, blogging, celebrity clients, and more.

Victoria E: Do you think being born on Earth Day seeded your passion for the planet?

Danny Seo: Well, it is an unusual "holiday" if you really think about it. April 22nd is usually marked with stories about global warming, the rainforests burning down and just overall gloom and doom. So when your birthday is on a day that's about the end of the world, you can't help but take notice. So when I was twelve, I decided I had enough of the scary headlines in the newspaper and decided–right then and there–to do something about it. Who knew I'd still be at it 18 years later!

VE: Where you parents initially hesitant when you told them you want to help people lead green lives?

DS: Not really, as long as it didn't affect their lives. Honestly, my parents not being involved in my activism at a young age was–in hindsight—a good thing. It forced me to be a critical thinker at a young age and to learn from all my mistakes. Nobody was ever there to clean up my messes or do the hard work for me. I think today, my let's-all-roll-up-our-sleeves attitude is a result of their not meddling in my work as a child.

VE: How did you team up with Call2Recycle?

DS: The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation is a wonderful non-profit program that collects old rechargeable batteries—from cordless phones, cell phones, power tools—and recycles them into new metal products. The program is call Call2Recycle. They are in over 30,000 retail stores—Lowe's, Target, Best Buy, Sony Style—and these collection boxes are free to anyone to drop off their old rechargeable batteries. I'm a big advocate of making green living as simple as possible. They've made it so easy to locate these stores, drop off your recyclables and do all the work for you. Even the stores have it easy; the boxes are postage-paid, so they just seal 'em up when full and ship them off for recycling. So easy and so green!

VE: What has your experience been like filming a TV show for Lime.com ?

DS: LIME is one of the handful of media partners that I've had the good fortune to creating educational and entertaining programming. My first series was called SIMPLY GREEN and it was shot at my real home in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Here, the viewer could see all the green projects and renovations that I did to my own home and come along as I visited stores and factories that were making everything from my kitchen counters to the antiques I bought to decorate with. I just wrapped filming a special for HGTV airing on JUNE 10th called Red, Hot & Green. Tune in on Sunday, June 10th at 8pm (EST) to check it out. I had a great time doing it.

VE: Your work has gotten massive amounts of press. Most recently, you were picked to be a Guest Co-Editor of Elle Magazine's Green Issue - what was that like?

DS: Working with the ELLE magazine staff was a LOT of fun. A lot of people have the misconception that a Guest Co-Editor would mean I just come to the office, share some ideas, and go on my merry way. But in reality, my background is magazine publishing! I was one of the first editors hired by Organic Style and I worked there for five years until they folded. So, when I was approached by ELLE to help them with their annual green issue, I insisted they put my editorial skills to good use. So I put together some fun stories in the issue including a green shopping spree with my pal Kerry Washington and a post-organic baby shower for Jennifer Meyer (aka Mrs. Tobey Maguire). I think this is their best issue yet… and I'm so glad such an influential magazine like ELLE has totally embraced the green message.

VE: More shabby chic than minimal and modern, where do you find the inspiration for your many unique ad crafty projects?

DS: I find inspiration everywhere. One thing that I do is that when I think of something clever or fun to do, I'll email myself the idea on my Blackberry. I have hundreds of must-try projects in my inbox. The resourceful side of my work is the fun part! The hard part is deciding which projects make it onto the TV show, DVDs, books, or magazine columns. I have a hard time deciding the best of the best.

VE: Along with being a writer for magazine and your own book series, TV show host, and overall green living guru, you also work with a number of celebrities, helping to green their wardrobes and homes. Who's life have you overhauled recently? What one celebrity would you love to help go green?

DS: I'm working very closely with a wonderful company called Method. They make a line of environmentally-friendly cleaning products for the home: laundry detergent, dish soap, air care, soy candles, all-purpose cleaners…you name it! So, right now, I'm starting to reach out to my celebrity clients and friends and offer them a Method Detox 101 crash course on keeping their homes sparkling clean the non-toxic way. I don't really have a dream celebrity I'd want to work with. I actually prefer working with folks who are already passionate about green issues and are truly committed to doing the right thing. Then, I know I'll get their full attention on whatever I'm suggesting they do.

VE: With all of your many eco-jobs, how do you find time to write your own blog as well?

DS: The blog was started just for fun, as an online diary of different projects I'm trying at home, things I'm thinking could be great for the home, and sometimes updates here and there about appearances I'll be making on TV or in a city around the country. It's not hard at all to do and I actually enjoy posting different projects. I put up a new post every single day and I love the immediate feedback from people on the different ideas. It's a great way to test new ideas, too…and stay connected to everyone as well.

VE: What do you think is the most common misconception Americans have about green living?

DS: That it's expensive! I keep saying ecological is economical! You can save the environment and save $$ too! Method products are a great example of this. They are biodegradable, non-toxic, not tested on animals and sold in discount stores like Target, Lowe's and Duane Reade. Now, how can you beat that? You just need to be a smart and savvy shopper. Green bargains can be found.

VE: What do you say to the folks that still believe global warming is just a myth?

DS: Well, fortunately, there are less and less skeptics now. I think if you asked someone if they believed in global warming 10 years ago, half would say they believe in it and half would think you're nuts. Today, I would say the majority of people are concerned about it. But whatever cause there is in our country—ecological or not—there will also be doubters. There isn't time to focus on the doubters; I want to teach people to be doers and change their bad eco-habits and help them influence others. The more assimilated good green habits become, the better we'll all be.

VE: Do you have any other nifty, secret/developing projects in the works that you could hint at?

DS: I wish I could say! There is a very exciting project I'm working on right now that will bring my green decorating sensibility to an even bigger audience. That's all I can say for now.

Danny Seo portrait photo by Shelly Strazis