Click here to find out more about their 050 chair.

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…

Somehow, Los Angeles based designer Brooke Woosley has taken a single sheet of aluminum, and given it lightness of form that belies its heavier nature.  Inspired by origami, the Oru table has a glossy white auto finish top, with a matte blue underside.  The folds are created using a water jet to cut perforated lines along which to bend the metal.

A similar technique of perforation was used to make the folds for the Noshi Stool by Designloop, although here the material is laser cut steel.  Unlike the previous pieces however, this one is in production and available for purchase ($243).  Cute, handy, and very, very durable, the Noshi also comes in grey and black.

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.

Mavis Monkey

Just launched last month, the Bholu line of wallpapers from Australia based Porter’s Paints has whimsy aplenty.  Printed on paperstock with low to no VOC paint, this line was created by noted designer Jodie Fried, as part of her Bholu collection of interior products and accessories.

But beyond being cute and environmentally friendly, Bholu wallpaper has another draw…

Frederick Elephant

Porter’s Paints will be donating a portion of the sales for the Bholu line to the ‘Bholu Anganwadi Project’, which rebuilds “Anganwadi’s” (preschools) for slum children in under privileged communities in India.  They have already succeeded in building 8 schools, with more than 280 children attending.

“It is the beauty of India that inspires me; the colour, the textures, the patterns, the people and the celebrations, but most of all it is the artisans and children that we work with that inspire my designs and bring them to life. It is very exciting to be collaborating with Porter’s Paints and taking the Bholu textile range, into another dimension and craft; in turn continuing to give back to their communities. “  – Jodie Fried

Marjorie the Duck

I think the prints are so much fun.  Sweet and playful without being at all twee.

And those adorable stuffed animals?  They are available too!

Handmade out of felt by woman in India, under Fair Trade standards, the designs are based on the drawings of children in the community.

Tomorrow I’ll take a look at what Bholu has to offer for those with a desire for something a little more on the grown-up side.

Created from Moso Bamboo, one of the most eco-friendly species of this fast growing plant, the award winning Wambamboo line of furniture by Kent Gration deftly combines a modernist style with an ancient building material.

Very conscientious about the environmental impact of the furniture line, Wambamboo follows the supply chain from it’s beginnings in the Zheijang province of China, where the bamboo boards, veneers and poles are sourced and manufactured, to it’s end point in Brisbane Australia where the furniture is crafted.

By using no harmful chemicals in the production of the pieces, and by using a naturally biodegradable material, Wambamboo seeks to ensure that these pieces will cause no environmental harm once they reach the end of their useful life.  Considering that, according to one study, furniture constituted over 42% of illegally dumped rubbish in Australia, it is easy to see why this is a critical aspect of Kent Gration’s design thought process.

Of course, it’s not all seriousness and responsibility.  Playing with the inherent layer variation found in bamboo boards, Wambamboo can use the DNA sequence of the long term user to customize the cutouts that decorate the seat of the Rolf stool.

Wambamboo also includes some beautiful lighting in it’s portfolio.  Inspired by the skyward reach of bamboo, Kent Gration designed these handsome Zhu Lamps to evoke the feeling of standing in a bamboo forest.

To find out more, visit the Wambamboo website.

Ok, remember how I said I was in a silly mood this morning?  Well, wouldn’t you be if you were writing a post on a furniture line called Wambamboo?  So, in honor of silliness, and tight pants, I give you this…

Jen graciously allowed us to borrow her scan of the newspaper article.  She is an accomplished writer in her own right, and I highly encourage you to take a look at her blog www.jenleheny.com, as well as all the other great blogs listed.