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.

Here on this Fontenay coffee table, it is easy to see how the type of wine, and the length of time a barrel is used, provide a rich variation in staining.

That beautiful variation is also evident in this richly patterned “barn door” by master furniture maker Cliff Spencer, also made of reclaimed oak from wine barrels.  I so wish I had a place in my house or studio to put one!

And of course, the oak can be used to create a stunning floor, like this custom one, also by Fortenay.

There are other great materials to be reused too.  For instance, wine corks make a terrific flooring, as these sweet round tiles cut from surplus wine corks show. And yes, that’s a picture of a shower floor.  Believe it or not, these tiles install just like regular ceramic tiles, with standard thin set and grout.  The only difference is the water based urethane you finish them with once they are installed.

Yemm & Hart has gone so far as to collect used wine corks, reprocessing them into 3′ x 3′ tiles, that can be applied to floors, walls or even as a surfacing material for furniture.

And of course, no post would be complete without things made from wine bottles.  Now, I could write an entire post on lovely vases, glasses and decorative items made from bottles, and maybe I will someday, but for now I wanted you to see a couple of more unusual applications.

Here are some marvelous color block pendant lamps by Jerry Kott.  Handcut from recycled wine bottles, and then reassembled, they would look striking suspended over a kitchen island, or a stylish wet bar.

Another piece I just love is this sideboard.  Designed and handcrafted by Blue Moon Bottles from recycled steel, glass and wine bottle punts (the bottom end of the bottle), it looks so pretty and yet truly useful at the same time.

To really appreciate how pretty the punts look in this table though, you have to see them with a little light coming through.  It reminds me a bit of the stained glass windows made from cut bottle bottoms that were at a Mexican restaurant I ate at as a kid.  They absolutely fascinated me.  Ah nostalgia… I have a sudden craving for cheese enchiladas now!

So, do you have a favorite piece of furniture, decorative piece, or building material you’ve seen made from the remnants of winemaking (and drinking!)?  Please feel free to share it in the comments below.

Meanwhile, just so you know, I’m on vacation.  Not a “throw all cares to the winds, sipping margaritas by the pool, can’t be reached by cell phone” type of vacation, but a little time off nonetheless. So I hope you won’t mind the brevity of my writing for the next several days.  I have some serious relaxing to do.  Maybe with a glass or two of wine in hand…

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)

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!

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!

Question 1

i’m looking for a premixed, precolored japanese style plaster (seen before but don’t know source)

You may be thinking of Eco De Vita, by Shikoku International. I first ran across it a few years ago, but it was only available from a few distributors in the U.S.. Now they are focusing more attention on the U.S. market, and have a division based out here.

I particularly love their Eco De Vita WRK, which has bits of straw in the formula, but they have many other types as well. You can get a pretty good idea from their website – http://www.shikokuinternational.com/index.html

Question 2

Do you have trouble finding green design stuff to write about?

lol! Hardly. My biggest problem is trying to keep up with everything that is out there! That’s why I do the Friday Wrap-up. I want to make sure that people who read the blog are finding out about things as quickly as I am, but I don’t always have time to post about them myself. I already have a backlog of file folders, and bookmarked pages, and samples aplenty – all just waiting for me to find the time to write about them.

I think one of the best things about blogging on design is that it is a constantly changing landscape, full of new ideas and products. There is never a lack of material.

Question 3

Can you help me find porcelian top cabinets or enamel top cabinets?

That’s a tough one. If you are talking about enamel top cabinets like the old Hoosier Cabinets, the only manufacturer I knew of is no longer making them. Of course, antique Hoosiers are not TOO hard to find, so keeping an eye on Ebay or Craigslist might yield something. – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoosier_cabinet

If you are looking for something more like the enamel coated steel cabinets from the 40’s to 50’s, then I highly recommend starting with the blog Retro Renovation. I did a quick search for “enamel countertop” and came up with a bunch of information. – http://retrorenovation.com/?s=enamel+counter

Question 4

What do you think is the best flooring for a bedroom?

Cork, cork and more cork! Cork is so perfect because it has all the advantages of carpet (sound dampening, warmer to the touch that hard flooring) without the disadvantages (dust mites, dirt accumulation, quick wear).

Best of all is that cork is such a sustainable material. It’s just the bark of the cork oak, which is harvested every 7-10 years, without harm to the tree. The forest provide terrific shelter for wildlife, and are mostly undisturbed except when the cork is harvested.

“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…This is a sofa David Bowie, circa 1976, might have lounged on.   What a great retro feel this “Dulce de Leche Divan” has, with  that mass of dark cork it’s carved from.

Trevor O’Neil works mainly with reclaimed materials for both his furniture, and his line of jewelry.  Cork is a favorite component, and I’m hoping he continues to pursue new designs with the acoustic tiles as well.

As to why he has a fascination with all things acoustic?  Well, something tells me that the this DJ console he created might give us a clue.  Utilizing the same reclaimed cork that the sofa was made from, Trevor also incorporated some discarded pine beams from his childhood home.  I think he may have raided my parent’s house for the old audio equipment!

Trevor O’Neil’s work can be found on his website, his Etsy store and at the Tojo Gallery.

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.

Photo via 1a.m.

I had planned to write a post about this great, inexpensive headboard/wallband solution from Studio 1a.m., but re-nest did such a nice job with their post, I thought I would just let them tell you about it.

Photo via design*sponge

For a free, DIY wall design, consider this remarkably sophisticated looking sculpture made from toilet paper rolls – seen on design*sponge.

And last but not least…

If you are living or visiting Soho between now and Christmas Eve, you should definitely check out the temporary Here/Nau/NYC retail store at 69 Mercer Street.  It was created by Jean-Pierre Veillet, a project designer from Portland, Ore., utilizing all recycled materials.  You can read the New York Times article about it here.  And if you do go see it, feel free to email us with your impressions on how successful (or not) the use of so many discarded items is.  Maybe we can use it as fodder for a design strategy post.

Have a great weekend everyone!