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 »

Happy (almost) 4th of July weekend everyone!  Here are a few things I thought you might want to check out in the downtime between stuffing your face with hot dogs, and stuffing your fingers in your ears to watch the fireworks.  And if you’re not here in the States, stuff your faces with something good to eat and join in the fun.  Every day is a holiday somewhere!

Image via Design*Sponge

Here is a great corkboard craft for those wanting to keep track of where they’ve been, or where they plan to go.  (Design*Sponge)

I really, REALLY wish I could visit this amazing Medieval castle being built in Burgundy, France.  They are building it using the technology of the time, sans the harsh labor conditions I’m sure. (Craftzine)

Here is a must read for anyone in the design community – “Is Design Ready for a Re-think?”.  (re-nest)

I can’t be the only one who thought “Is that a pagoda?” when I saw this rendering of Nationwide Homes new Eco-Cottages. (Inhabitat)

Love these beautiful prints for Paper Cloud’s organic cotton placemat and napkin sets. (Green Your Decor)

And finally, a good review of the best of Dwell on Design 2010.  Sadly, not from me. (Inhabitat)

Just a quick little wrap up this week, with links to some great posts on ICFF (which I really hope to attend next year).

But first, don’t these kids look completely thrilled with their handy work?

Image via Build Blog

From Build Blog, the same blog that brought you the great overview of couch cushion architecture, comes a critical analysis of cardboard forts.  Truly a must read.

So, on to ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair), which took place last weekend in New York.

First, here is a nice overview of some of the standout pieces seen at the fair. (inhabitat)

Apparently there was some terrific student work too.  (Treehugger)

And lastly, a whole lot of cork showed up in all kinds of ways at ICFF this year.  Maybe I was too hasty when I said I thought this was going ot be the year of cardboard! (Treehugger)

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

A while back I signed up for a social media outlet known as Formspring.  The idea behind the site is to allow people to ask questions (which can even be posted anonymously)  of a particular person, and receive an answer that can then be viewed by anyone.  Sort of like a Q&A Twitter, only without the 140 character limit.

The nicest thing for me was that I could put a little widget on our site where people could submit questions, and then my answers would stay available on Formspring for the foreseeable future.  Beats getting emails, because with those I can only reply to one person at a time.

So I thought you might like to see a few of the questions (in bold) I’ve received in the short time it’s been up, and with luck, the answers I gave will make sense.   And please don’t hesitate to submit your own questions anytime.  I’m always happy to help someone with sustainable design! Read the rest of this entry »

Proving there is a way to re-purpose everything, look what artist Trevor O’Neil made with some discarded acoustic ceiling tiles…

“La Bombe” is a side table, with matching hanging lamp, which feels straight out of the 70’s – in a good way.  I love the orange plastic table top (40% recycled plastic), and how it positively glows with the light from the hanging lamp.  Of course, ceiling tiles aren’t the only acoustic material Trevor O’Neil has re-purposed… Read the rest of this entry »

Well, this is a little late.  Almost a Saturday wrap-up really.  What can I say?  It was a busy week!

Image via Treehugger

I find this new take on Tatami mats fascinating. (Treehugger)

A rug made out of cigarette butts?  That might be taking recycling a little far, even for me.  (DesignBoom)

Wild furniture restoration going on at Purpose Restoration – check out the flying knives on the the kitchen cart! (Design Green)

Great flat pack plywood stool design. (3rings)

Nice, simple re-use of old packing crates as drawers.  Hmmm…  I have some old wine crates… (Unplggd)

Charming, wool felt pillows based on science book illustrations. (BoingBoing)

And lastly,…

I thought I would include my own piece for HomePortfolio.com, which started out as a post on cork flooring, but really became a plea for the Iberian Lynx. (HomePortfolio)

Have a marvelous weekend everyone!  See you Monday!

Photo via Branch Home

The season of giving is approaching quickly, and Treehugger has put together a fun slideshow of sustainable furniture and other gifts to warm a green designer junkie’s heart.

Read the rest of this entry »