Designed by Matthias Ries, the Piegato One is made of a single sheet of steel, which arrives cut, perforated and ready to fold into a sturdy little shelf.

Of course, it’s almost a shame to fold them, since the cuts in the steel have such a fascinating graphic punch all their own.

The Piegato One is available from German based Serafini in four bright colors, as well as black and white versions.  And because they are made of steel, the shelves work well as magnet boards too.

Due to the positive response for the Piegato One, Mattias Reis has now created a version with a chalkboard (seen above), and one with a mirror. These would be great in the entry for a small apartment, don’t you think?

Now, I’m not usually a big fan of shocking pink, but this rug is just the sort of cheerful detail that can make a room.  Using technology to cut crisp, whimsical designs out of thick wool felt, Selina Rose has taken an ancient material and given it a new, playful edge.

For her 2010 collection, UK based designer Selina Rose has continued her exploration of striking colors and nature inspired designs in new rugs, throws, pillows and even coasters.  The wool felt’s bright colors come from environmentally friendly dyes, making them safe as well as sustainable.

I love the clever butterfly cutouts on these pillows.  They really seem to invite you to peek beneath the wings to see what’s hidden there.So if you need a little cheer around you home, or are just curious to see more of her lovely designs, click here.  All of the products are designed and produced in the UK, but can be shipped worldwide.

Fez carpet tiles are made of 85% post consumer recycled PET (polyester) fiber, and are designed for medium traffic residential use.  The 19.7″ square tiles come in seven different colors, as well as pre-designed rug kits ranging in size from 3′ x 5′ to 8′ x 10′.  Individual tiles are on sale for $7.99 (reg. $9.99), and a 3′ x 5′ rug can be had for only $47.94.

Best of all, when you are done with the tiles, FLOR will send you a pre-paid pouch to send them back so they can be recycled into new rug material!

At only $2.97 per square foot, how can you go wrong?

100 years ago, before “sustainability” became a concept, before the word “recycling” even existed, a traditional American craft embodied both: rag rugs, the art of creating rugs from worn clothing & cast-off textiles.   Across the country housewives melded thrift and creativity, beauty and usefulness into functional works of art.

At Lark Textile Design owner/designer Janet Thomas builds on this legacy.  In her hands, the unintended sustainably of yesteryear has become a directed goal in the production of custom hand-woven and constructed rugs.

“Although I use new materials now for my rugs,” she says, “they are industry 2nds and cast offs.  Perfectly good for walking on but not good enough for your window coverings or upholstery.  I am a scavenger at heart and that mindset makes it really easy to fit into the context of today’s sustainability concerns.”

Textiles were an integral part of Janet’s life growing up, to the point of obtaining a degree in textile design from the University of Washington – afterward, she began making rugs for galleries and shops, then began working with designers and the wholesale market of custom home furnishings.  Of central importance to her are projects that highlight the hand-woven quality of the rugs and develop a mood and atmosphere in a room specific to each individual client.

There is little waste in the studio, for use is found even for the “leftovers” from larger projects, which are turned into smaller area rugs and sold.  The carbon impact of the business is reduced by the simple elimination of excess shipping: the rugs are made here in the United States and sent directly to the customers.  For Janet, sustainability is a natural offspring of long-term thinking that goes far beyond business practice:

“Working in a sustainable fashion just makes sense to me,” she says.  “It is not an effort, more a design challenge. Anyone who has ventured into the world of trying to make a living weaving will tell you that innovation is a must.  It is my hope that by looking at all aspects of my business in a sustainable way is not only good brain exercise for me today but helps generations to come by reducing my baggage that is getting dumped on them.  Everyone has to figure out their own way to make a difference.  What I consider to be the most important aspect of sustainability is education. There are millions of great people out there that just need to be informed.”

Lark rugs are available in high-relief or flatwoven style, of which many choices are available for viewing and order at the “Portfolio” section of the business’ website.  Along with the traditional wool, cotton, and synthetic yarns, her work may also include fabric ribbons and even suede and leather, which is particularly interesting worked into a high-relief rug.  (The latter are works of art in their own right and would make striking wall hangings.)  With custom projects Janet works closely with each client, working up a Colors For Approval card from the fabric & paint samples provided by the customer and then – if the client wishes to do a more in-depth evaluation – for a charge creating an optional 16” x 16” square sample which be used to determine how well the finished rug suits its intended environment.

The practical beauty of Janet’s work can provide the opportunity to engage a larger audience in the ideals of sustainable interior design, and perhaps further along into the ideals of mindful living.  How better to begin such a conversation than the furnishings of one’s daily life?

Lark Texile Design may be visited here.

Queries may be directed to:

Janet Thomas

Lark Textile Design
720 Sunset Pond Lane #2
Bellingham WA 98226

PH 360-527-0305
FX 360-527-0306

I think I need to buy these adorable wool pillows by Cushlab, so I can put one over each ear.

And those aren’t the only fun, natural fiber pillows they have…

They also have this pair made of brightly colored wool felt, or…

these subtlety toned yet whimsical pillows, which look like an homage to the Slinky.

And this linen pillow, with its charming, floral applique in wool felt, is the epitome of Spring decor.

Says Becca, Cushlab founder and creative force -

“I have a great time designing, making and thinking about cushions, and can’t understand when people aren’t as obsessed by them as I am!”

Well Becca, if we could all make cushions as fun as yours, maybe we would be equally obsessed ourselves!

Based in Kent, UK, Cushlab is able to ship internationally, and will even take commissions for custom work.  They use wool felt and linen for the majority of their pillows, donating leftover scrap material to local schools for craft projects.

Uh oh!  I just heard the UPS truck…  Darn, it’s hard to type holding pillows to your ears.  Sigh.

I mean, how adorable is this Orange Moon lampshade from the Woolroom?  Pretty darn cute don’t you think?  I can just imagine the beautiful, warm glow that moon would give off when the light is on.If adorable isn’t what you are looking for, how about fun and modern?  The Felt Loop shade above has a very Dwell vibe to it.

I love the simplicity of this small pendant Cone shade.  Although it does have a bit of a gnomish quality to it, I’m intrigued with how they have taken advantage of wool being naturally fire retardant in order to create such a close fitting shade.

For those of you who aren’t in the market for new lighting, The Wool Room also has a lovely selection of decorative wool felt pillows, throws and accessories, which they can ship for free within Britain, and for a low cost internationally.

I love the exuberant free form swirls of the “Nimboo” pattern.  The bright color and large scale are perfect for bigger spaces.  And wait till you see how fun those swirls are on a pillow!

Hand embroidered by woman in India, these cheerful Fair Trade pillows are made of wool felt with feather inserts.

For those with a desire for something a little more subtle, Bholu also has the “Ziddi” pattern, which was inspired by the textural quality of traditional embroidery.

As with their children’s prints, all wallpapers are printed by Porter’s Paints on paper stock, using their own low to no VOC paints.  A portion of the sales for the Bholu line will be donated to the ‘Bholu Anganwadi Project’, which rebuilds “Anganwadi’s” (preschools) for slum children in under privileged communities in India.

There is such a joy that comes from owning something made with care by human hands, rather than the cold perfection of machines.  Every stitch a moment of time in that person’s life.  And knowing that Fair Trade practices means they are being fairly compensated for their work means your purchase directly contributes to their having a better life.

The Bholu collections can be found in shops all over the world, or ordered directly online.

My name is Specioza Mukobwuteta Brown. I am from Rwanda. In 1959, my country experienced a civil war (genocide) and my parents ran away into exile in Tanzania. I was brought up in Tanzania. This is where I went to school. I cam back to my original home in 2003 after Rwanda was liberated from genocide by RPF…  I am seeking a Nest loan for the growth of my business and also I need a market for my products. I started my craft business in 2004 working with women’s groups in handcrafts…. Nest loan will not only help me grow my business, but though the loan, Nest will provide women survivors of genocide and war with the tools and resources to move from crisis and poverty into stability and self-sufficiency.

Women in developing countries around the world are often among the poorest of the poor.  Microfinance organizations have had great success in providing small loans to assist these women in overcoming poverty, and gain independence.  But microloans must be paid back in cash, which can sometimes create a cycle of debt, as new loans are used to pay off the balance of earlier ones.  The loan recipients must also find a market for their wares in time to earn enough to pay off the loans.  This where Nest comes in…

To address some of these limitations to microfinance, Nest has developed a new way to assist women; we call it “microbarter.” We provide women, or cooperatives of women, with loans that allow them to purchase the supplies, training, bazaar space or raw materials needed to make their crafts. However, rather than requiring repayment in cash, we encourage women to repay their loans in product, which we would market and sell in the United States.

And such beautiful products too!  There is something very special about knowing the story behind each item, and although the emphasis is more on clothing and accessories, there are still a large number of items for the home. Nest also offers many great eco-friendly items by domestic (U.S.) designers, who donate a portion of their sales to provide additional loans through Nest.  They often donate time as mentors to loan recipients as well, giving advice on business practices, marketing and design.

With artisans based in countries all the way from Guatemala to Togo, Nest is having an impact on lives around the world.  Care to join them?

We spend almost half of our lives in the bedroom so it is extremely important to use organic and toxin free products here!  You spend somewhere around 8 hours out of each and every day with your head on your pillow and your body wrapped up in your sheets and bedding.  What we sleep on is a very personal choice, everyone likes a certain type of pillow and a certain level of softness in their sheets and blankets.  When you are in the market for a new pillow look at the labels and strive for the most organic choice possible that suits your needs (I am still looking for the best organic/comfortable pillow I can find- have not found it yet!)

Sheets and bedding are another great place to start as it seems these are easier choices to make and we tend to change our bedding sets approximately every 2 years.  I have found that I love organic cotton sheets (my favorites are from Pottery Barn right now).  They are softer than any others that I have tried, wash beautifully and I sleep well with the comfort of knowing I have made a responsible choice.  I also love linen, and 100% organic linen is an amazing product.  I cannot wait to get my hands on a set of organic linen sheets and pillow cases.  They are durable, comfortable, and green and should last you many years.

Remember if you are going to treat yourself to organic cotton or linen sheets and bedding it will be an investment for your health and for the future.

“I want to say a big Thank you to Rachel for asking me to be a guest blogger here!  At My Sparrow we strive to bring you a variety of eco friendly options for your home that are stylish and beautiful.”

All images by Elle Decor

Interior plants are one of my favorite design elements.  They bring a space to life – literally.  I find that without them something seems to be missing and that a room is unfinished. Plants add texture and go with just about anything.  The greatest benefit of plants in the home is their ability to eliminate toxins.  There are so many things in our homes that contain toxins that we don’t even know about, why not let your friendly house plant help out.  Plant them in a repurposed container or hand woven basket to make them a part of your décor.

Some great interior plants you can actually keep alive are:

Ficus lyrata Tree or the Fiddle leaf fig
Snake plant or Mother-in-laws tongue
Dracaena or Janet Craig
Benjamin ficus
Boston fern
Pothos