A Modern Courting Bench – Moebius

In Victorian times, it was considered unseemly to snuggle too close to your intended until you were married.  So for all those lovesick ladies and gentlemen, the “courting bench“, was invented.  Also referred to as a tete a tete, the courting bench consisted of two seats joined together, but facing opposite directions.  Very popular amongst worried Victorian parents.  Probably not so much for the young men and women required to sit politely in them.

Those prim Victorians definitely wouldn’t have appreciated the sensuous curves of Onyx’s brilliant, and oh so modern, interpretation. Read the rest of this entry »

Not To Wine, but…

Wine is a wonderful thing.  I should know, because my husband works in the business.  Yeah, it’s tough being married to somebody who has to bring home bottle after bottle of delicious wine to taste.  I know, I know.  Your heart bleeds for me.

Anyway, wine is a multi-billion dollar, global industry, and anything that big generates a LOT of waste.  So I thought I would share some of my favorite sustainable goods made from the remnants of the wine making process…

Elegant curves define this beautiful folding chair from Whit McLeod.  Made from used oak wine barrels – many of them decades old – this chair is surprisingly comfortable and very chic. Read the rest of this entry »

ewaste unwasted – Schamburg & Alvisse

Here is an interesting interview with Marc Schamburg of Australian design firm Schamburg and Alvisse talking about the big pile of “eWaste” behind him and how it can be turned into the chair he is sitting on.

Click here to find out more about their 050 chair.

Metal Origami

I’m in the process of trying to catch up on all I’ve missed while I was “enjoying’ my annual Summer cold and laryngitis fest.  As i’ve been plowing through an amazing backlog of design websites, I thought I would share with you one of the trends that really seems to be taking hold – metal origami.

image via Yanko Design

Combining the green design communities love for the efficient use of materials with the energy savings of flatpack design, these three dimensional pieces made of a single sheet of recyclable metal are all the rage.

Here we see the Qbik steel lamp, designed by Enrico Zanolla and Andrea Di FIlippo for Miniforms Spa.  With its boxy form and heat releasing perforated top, this lamp has a very modern industrial feel.  But folded metal can also look a bit softer… Read the rest of this entry »

Artisan Profile – William Stranger of Stranger Furniture

Artisan Profile by Emerald Atkins

Stranger Furniture is proof that deeply sustainable can mean deeply beautiful.

When the roughness of bark and the “imperfections” of natural wood are respected and used, when the natural, intricate grain of a board is allowed to shine forth in all its beauty, when the source tree “speaks” for itself, the results are tangible.

William Stranger’s work encompasses not just cabinetry and tables but also humbler creations such as lamps, utensils, and cutting boards.  Each aspect of his work supports a goal of creating zero waste.  Recycling is practiced whenever possible; scrap wood is donated to schools and other artists; even sawdust is used as animal bedding and then composted in order to minimize the shop’s impact.  As the artist explained, these business choices spring from a commitment “to an evolution that will take us beyond sustainability.” Read the rest of this entry »

On the Road…

I’m off to Pasadena to pick up a beautiful artisan dining table for a home here in Orange County (I’ll show you pictures tomorrow), so I don’t really have time to do much of a post today.

Still, I wanted to leave you with something, so how about this charmingly quirky little side table I found on Etsy?  Made by seller lovenostalgicwhimsey out of a vintage red suitcase, it’s legs are detachable for easier shipment and storage.  I remember using a suitcase just like it in powder blue when I was a kid.  I felt so grown-up!  Of course, I’ve just dated myself, haven’t I?  Oops.

Well, time to hit the road…

A Tree (Table) Grows in Brooklyn – April Hannah

Check out the fun new Tree Table Collection from artist and designer April Hannah.

Recently making its debut at BKLYN Designs, this collection instantly won accolades, including the Inhabitat Editor’s Choice Award for best Kid’s Design & Newcomer.  And why not?  After all, not only are the pieces crafted entirely from sustainable materials such as FSC certified, no added formaldehyde plywood and soy based glues, but their great graphic punch is based on that icon of green – the tree.

Read the rest of this entry »

Kiss My Arse Recliner – Q Collection

I often time spend a bit of time trying to come up with a good post title.  You know, something quirky or alliterative.  However, Q Collection left me no choice but to go with the obvious…

I mean, when you name your new chair line the “Kiss My Arse Recliner“, what is left for a poor blogger to do? Read the rest of this entry »

Relaxed and Reclaimed – Martha’s Vineyard Furniture Co.

Apparently, Martha’s Vineyard isn’t just populated by tourists and summer vacation rentals.

It’s also home to the Martha’s Vineyard Furniture Company, whose specialty is making beautiful, sustainable pieces like the reclaimed barn board table above.  Read the rest of this entry »

Bamboo in Belgium – Wildspirit

I think the simple, whimsical form of the new “Springtabouret is absolutely lovely.

Designed by Dutch designer Erik Jansen for the Belgium based furniture company Wildspirit, this piece utilizes the flexibility of bamboo strips to great advantage, providing a seat that looks surprisingly comfy despite the hardness of the material.  The use of the lighter, natural color of bamboo is also rather refreshing, as opposed to the more commonly used caramelized hue.

Read the rest of this entry »