It’s hot here.  OK, not as hot as some of you have been suffering through lately, but still, it’s definitely a nice tall glass of icy lemonade weather.  Luckily, it’s supposed to start cooling down a bit for the weekend.

Via Design*Sponge

Till the weather cools though, I’ll have to just content myself with looking at how refreshing this pretty, wooden textile stamp looks. (Design*Sponge)

This fountain would look refreshing, if only it wouldn’t fall apart the minute you add water. (Craftzine)

Love this simple and effective filing cabinet makeover! (re-nest)

Ooh!  Does Room&Board actually have organic cotton pillows from Mod Green Pod at their stores now? That would be wonderful! (GreenYourDecor)

And finally, a new use for an unloved plant.  Could the future of sustainable fabrics be the stinging nettle? (Treehugger)

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

This last Sunday, my husband and I took our son to the Annual Origami Festival at the CSULB Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden.  The normally tranquil space, its large pond filled with jewel colored koi, had been transformed into a bustling garden full of happy, paper folding families.  Origami aficionados and amateurs alike were busily creating flowers, boxes, cranes,… hats, brooches, pterodactyls,… whatever their fingers could fold.

I was killing time, wandering around while my son tried to convince a very overstuffed koi fish to take one more piece of fish chow, when I ran across a lovely sight…

A loom!  Now, I’m not a weaver, but I did once take a class, and I find the whole process fascinating.  As I stood in front of this loom and stared at the work in progress, I wondered what on earth the yarn was made of.  I couldn’t figure it out.  Was it jute?  No, not rough enough.  Was it wool?  No, no fibers sticking out.  Well, what the heck was it?? Read the rest of this entry »

The international scope of sustainable design never ceases to amaze and inspire me.

Take for instance this beautiful wooden pendant lamp by Korean designer Kwon Jae Min.  For this piece, he used the natural fissures found in wood to allow the escape of light, creating an intriguingly ethereal design.  Appropriate to it’s form, the piece is named “Crack Bowl Light”, a name which has (most likely unintentional) implications in American culture that can’t help but raise an eyebrow or two. Read the rest of this entry »

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 »

The second in a series of artisan profiles by contributing writer Emerald Atkins.

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.” Read the rest of this entry »

I’m very pleased to welcome Emerald Atkins as a contributing blogger for TIR.  A talented writer, jewelry maker and mother, Emerald will be providing us with a series of in-depth profiles of some of the wonderful artisans involved in sustainable furnishings and crafts.   To begin the series, she has interviewed my favorite handmade tile maker, Bronwyn Simons.  Enjoy!

Quality, tradition, sustainability, an artful approach to life and business…  In Terra Home’s rural studio in the heart of Denman Island, in British Columbia, founder Bronwyn Simons pursues all these ideals.  For her sustainability is not just a business practice but a reflection of the philosophy that guides her life.

Beauty in the everyday.  Serenity in a single tile.

Read the rest of this entry »

I came, I saw, I…, only stayed for a couple of hours.  Yes, AltBuild, aka the Alternative Building Materials & Design Expo, was smaller this year.  In fact, I would say almost half the size it was at its zenith a couple of years ago, which I’m sure is just another indicator of how our economy has affected the building industry.

That being said, there were still a few cool things to look at, like the work of L.A. Box Collective…

Read the rest of this entry »

I’m so pleased to tell you about a wonderful new online source for sustainable home decor – Redefine Home!

Just launched today, Redefine Home is the ambitious and amazing interiors shop belonging to Linsi Brownson and her husband David Betz.

Filled with artisan crafts and vintage finds, there is something to please everyone.

Redefine Home sees decorating as an ongoing process, more of a cultivation of things you love and things you need.  We strive to offer a collection of beautiful everyday items mixed with one of a kind treasures and furniture designs inspired by just about everything.  We recognize that some things are a splurge and some are a steal, and we like it that way. – From the Redefine Home website

Read the rest of this entry »

Back in the old days of design school, I remember announcing to anyone who cared to listen that “wallpaper was horrible stuff”.   And in my defense, back in the 90’s, it was.  Nasty, boring, trite, beige colored stuff.  Often with a little ducky border at the top.

Oh my, have things changed…

Oh So Faux

Consider the lovely patterns and colors available from decorative arts company, Alpha Workshop. Read the rest of this entry »

Last week, Brandon Morrison of Whyrhymer Furniture received the coveted Stars of Design Award at the Pacific Design Center.  It couldn’t happen to a nicer and more talented guy.

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Brandon, and his wonderful wife Sundeep, for several years now, and I can say without equivocation that he is one of the most gifted furniture designers I know.  I could go on and on about how he came by his design sensibility without any formal training, how that lack of training gives his designs a natural grace and uniqueness that might not otherwise have been possible, or even just how much I dream of owning one of his chairs someday.  But really, nothing is going to say it as well as his work itself, so take a look…

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