Of course, that means my son will be bringing home loads and loads of old school papers, most of which we really don’t need to keep.  Perhaps we should get this multifunctional paper shredder/coffee table?  Actually, with the way things are going for BP in the Gulf, they might want to invest in a bunch of them for all their executives soon.  Just sayin’.  (Design Sponge)

Sadly, I point you now to the final installment of the Cardboard Fort Architecture series.  This scholarly set of posts has been full of architectural achievement and analysis the likes of which you rarely see.  OK.  Actually, it’s just damn hilarious – and the kids are SO cute! (Build Blog)

So what do you think about the recent study claiming LEED certification does nothing to ensure the interior environment isn’t still toxic? (re-nest)

I was so happy to see my friends at L.A. Box Collective mentioned on Inhabitat!  If you are in SoCal, you should check out their new show. (Inhabitat)

The new issue of Lonny is here!  Now if I could only get an iPad to read it on, my life would be (almost) complete. (Table Tonic)

And speaking of iPads, if I ever do get one, this is what I’m going to put it in. (Inhabitat)

That’s it for now.  Wishing you a blissful weekend!

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.

Designed for use as a stool, Spring might also make a pretty side table with a small glass top balanced on it.

Since it is relatively light weight and easy to pick up and move, it makes for great party seating too.

So what would you use the Spring for?

If you are furniture designer Bill More, you get beautiful tables like this…

Constructed using steel and bamboo, the Ventralis coffee table is one of two striking table designs available through More’s Forged Elements furniture line.

Says More:

“Since I started designing and building furniture over ten years ago I have been conscious of my environmental impact. I always search for used materials and recycled ingredients to work with. Unfortunately, when you need to produce a consistent, high quality product, this is often a great challenge. So when I inevitably have to use new materials, my conscience makes me feel uneasy. I see bamboo and steel as lesser evils, since even new steel is created from a good percentage of recycled content and bamboo grows like a weed. I am constantly searching for new ways to lessen my impact as a craftsman.”

One of the things I found most intriguing with the Forged Elements tables, other than the lovely recycled resin insert across the top, is the fact that they have been designed with collapsible legs, making them shippable as a flat pack item.  Those legs would also come in handy should you need to store them away for a period of time, though I can’t imagine wanting to tuck something so lovely out of sight.

Bill More also designs and handcrafts custom furniture, starting with hand drawings, and then working up to full renderings before actual construction begins.

This fascinating asymmetrical cabinet was made using steel, walnut, stainless steel and slate.

Another favorite material in his designs are the recycled glass tiles from Bedrock Industries in Seattle, as seen in the side table above.

I asked Bill More how long he has considered sustainability as part of design process…

“For as long as I can remember I have had a goal of living a sustainable lifestyle, and I have always tried to translate this into my craft. I believe that if you choose to produce yet another product in this world, you have an obligation to put some thought about where the materials come from and where they are going. Thankfully, there are more manufacturers these days inventing environmentally friendly materials to work with. My ultimate goal is to spend half of my time working on growing food and sustaining my physical needs, and then be creative for the rest of the day…… I am getting closer.”

That sounds like a lifestyle we could all hope to achieve.

* According to the Steel Recycling Institute, more steel is recycled in the U.S., than any other material.

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…

Meanwhile, here are some of the items that caught my eye across the internet on those rare moments when I had a chance to look.

image via inhabitat

Inhabitat has a story about how Fashion4Home is taking votes on which pieces they should put into production from their new line of bamboo furniture.

Image via InteriorDesign

Check out the new kid in town!  Penny Bonda at the Design Green blog tells us about BioSurf, a bio based alternative to p-lam.

Image via InteriorDesign

Also seen on the Design Green blog is this adorable recycled cardboard desk and seat.

Image via Treehugger

On a more serious note, Treehugger posted about a new research study on the effects of PBDEs on women trying to conceive.  PBDEs are one of the most common fire retardants added to mattresses and upholstered furniture.  The study is an important reminder of why it’s so important for interior designers to learn about these issues, and educate their clients and the public.

See you next week.

image from michaelarras

First up is this fun cocktail/coffee table by Michael Arras.  Created from multiple free form circles of bamboo plywood that are joined together using mortise and tenon joints, it has a a nice, organic feel to it.  Made to order for $699 with a 3 to 4 week lead time.

image via upcycler

Next we have the striking Castitas Low Table, constructed by upcycler out of reclaimed and upcycled old growth wood.  This table is one of a kind and signed.  $1,950

image via barnowlfurniture

Salvaged cherry from the floor of an Illinois barn built in 1886 was used to make this simple but beautiful dining table.  From barnowldesign for $800 – an absolute steal if you ask me!  3 week lead time.

image via hlevinedesign

Lastly, we have this elegant design for a coffee table, with a top made of Paperstone, and base from FSC certified Black Walnut.  Large in scale, but delicate in appearance, this table is handmade to order by Henry Levine Design. $2,250 with a 4-8 week lead time.

"Floating Blue" by Vetrazzo - Joel Puliatti, ©2008 Joel Puliatti for Vetrazzo, puliattiphoto@yahoo.com.

1. Recycled Glass Terrazo – Terrazo is an age old method of creating hard surfaces by combining aggregate, such as marble chips, with concrete.  The resulting material is poured into place and smoothed out using grinders and polishers. Companies such as Vetrazzo, Enviroglass, and Icestone have taken this method and replaced the stone aggregate with pre and post consumer glass chips, creating eye catching surfaces.

Caesarstone Ruby Reflections (recycled content)

2. Composite (Engineered) Stone – A suitable, and less destructive, substitute for granite countertops.  Composite countertops consist of some sort of stone aggregate, ranging in size from powder to pea size granules, combined with polymers and epoxy.  Pigment may also be added.  Manufacturers such as Caesarstone and Okite offer GreenGuard certified product.

Paperstone - Grass Kitchen: Paneltech International.

3. Paper – Composed of hundreds of sheets of compressed paper, and saturated with non-toxic resin, paper countertops, such as Richlite and Paperstone,  provide a clean, elegant look with surprising durability.

Plyboo Squared - USGBC Headquarters Washington, D.C.

4. Wood & Bamboo – In many late 19th century kitchens, wood countertops were the norm.  By the early 20th century though, tile and other easy to sanitize hard surfaces had all but replaced them in most kitchens.  However, wood is seeing a resurgence in popularity, due in part to an understanding of its natural anti-bacterial properties, as well as the warmer look.  Bamboo has similar properties to wood and, when purchased from a reputable manufacturer such as Plyboo or Teragren, is made with non-toxic adhesives and responsibly harvested material.

Durum by Torzo Surfaces

5. Resin Infused Composite – Something of a hybrid, this surface takes composite board, such as Kirei and OSB, and saturates it with resin, much like that used for paper countertops.  Because the resin and pigment permeate the material, it can be fabricated without need for staining or touch-ups. It also makes it resistant to water, allowing it to be used for bathroom and kitchen counters.

Conrete integral sink by Sonoma Stone

6. Concrete – Whether poured in place, or slab, lightweight concrete makes a lovely, versatile countertop surface.  With the addition of pigment, surface detailing and various types of aggregate, this material can be endlessly customized.  Perhaps one of the biggest advantages is the ability to create integral sinks, which provide a seamless surface transition.  There are many artisans who specialize in creating and installing concrete countertops, as well as some larger companies such as Sonoma Stone.