Now, you just have to love someone who calls themselves “The Crazy Belt Lady“, don’t you think?
And just as the name implies, Leslie Dickinson is crazy about belts. Lots and lots of old belts – all woven together to form the seating for chairs she has refurbished.
I swear I see one of the of the funky black leather belts I used to wear back in college… Read the rest of this entry
Occasionally I run across something that defies description and leaves me grappling with words as one grapples with wet soap in the tub. Look at this chair:
It’s a piece of furniture. It’s a work of art. So lovely!
But do you describe it? For that matter, how do you describe much of what Tom Raffield produces in his workshop in Cornwall, England? The gentleman’s website modestly labels his product “steam bent lighting and furniture,” but there’s more to the story than that.
This is art.
The little wooden robot sits there, head cocked, arms outstretched, vacant drilled eyes staring into space. Its expression is puzzled and innocent. It looks like it wants a hug. It’s cute.
Sometimes, in the earnest seriousness of striving to live green, we forget our sense of humor. Marjolaine Poulin of M Design hasn’t forgotten… and she loves nothing better than to make other people smile, hence the little army of wooden robots marching out of her workshop in El Salvador.
Marjolaine (“Mao”) has taken scrap wood & discarded furniture and raised them both into art.
A native of Quebec, Canada, Mao splits her time between Montreal and El Salvador, always looking for inspiration. Her introduction to woodworking came in 2004 in Guatemala, where she learned classical bamboo carpentry from a Taiwanese master. Shortly afterward she began crafting her own designs hoping to promote bamboo’s many advantages as a building material in Central America.
Although it isn’t a strict policy, I try not to feature Etsy sellers more than once. I’m glad I’m not strict about it, because if I was, I couldn’t show you this little gem…
Crafted in New Orleans by Matthew Holdren – whose gorgeous beds I featured back in May – the Kerlerec Desk is a pitch perfect piece of salvaged wood furniture.
For me, colder weather brings thoughts of cozy mornings by the fire, wool sweaters, and hot cups of tea.
This little stool fits into my daydream perfectly. Created by Etsy seller Hogenbirk Knitwear, this handmade stool, with its knitted wool cover is the epitome of simple, stylish Dutch design.
Sweet, no? Read the rest of this entry
I just returned from a brief (but fun) business trip to San Francisco, and once again I remember why I love to travel. Seeing new places, making new friends, and getting out of my daily routine are so invigorating to me. Now all I can think about are the places I want to go next!
Since I have such a severe case of wanderlust, I thought it appropriate to make this week’s “Etsy Find” a globe and map themed one. Enjoy!
Map covered wooden chair by New Yorganize.
Collier’s 1935 Map Drawer Pulls by Sherry Truitt
All the world’s a stage,… and that means there is a LOT of scenery that needs to be built!
Unfortunately, with all that scenery construction comes a lot of leftover scrap wood. Enter Etsy seller duolocal to the rescue – stage left.
Part of duolocal’s Load-Out series, the Drop-Cut side table is constructed entirely of leftover scrap lumber from theatrical productions. Finished with no-VOC linseed oil, this table has a cleverly designed notch, just perfect for large books to rest in.
Looking for that pop of color and graphic appeal for a room? Check this out…
This fun little table was created out of a recycled traffic sign by Etsy seller J Ryde Visuals.
This table would be perfect for what my parents refer to as a “drink stand”. You know, that place you put your cup of coffee in the morning while you curl up in your chair reading the paper,… on your iPad. Read the rest of this entry
I had to take my dog to the vet this morning, for what may turn out to be a fractured leg, so my post today is necessarily brief. In fact, the sight of her trying to make it to the back of the vet’s office on just three legs is more on my mind than the design work I need to get done today. Not good.
That being said, her situation did get me to thinking about leg injuries in general, and that in turn brought Charles and Ray Eames WWII leg splint to mind (I’m a design geek – it’s how my mind works). A masterful example of form AND function, the commission from the U.S. Navy to design a leg splint enabled the Eameses to develop and perfect the plywood molding technology they had begun to explore just a few years prior. This allowed them to later design and produce the iconic, mid-century plywood furniture they are now most famous for.
When you think of it, some pretty significant design innovations have come out of completely unrelated needs. Do you know of any others? What’s your favorite story of great design arising from new technologies?
Thanks for visiting (and cross you fingers for my dog)!
Rachel
The title of this post pretty much sums it up. Behold, a chair made entirely of hinges…
Kinda cool, no? Probably not the most comfortable seat in the house, but definitely a conversation piece.
This chair was created by Etsy seller Neva Starr out of 122 old metal door hinges, welded together.
Says Neva Starr…
This chair is one of my favorite pieces. The original state of these hinges has been carefully preserved as each one has a story to tell. Some still carry remnants of the past. Bits of old paint and wood are the clues as to where they have been. Read the rest of this entry
The interioRevolution is a design blog devoted exclusively to sustainable interior design. Through product reviews, guest blogs by experts in their fields, special features and spirited discussion, the interioRevolution provides new knowledge and expands the dialogue on sustainable interior design.
