Also haunting, ethereal, sublime, and a bit luscious – all at the same time.

This beautiful line of wood veneer wallpaper from Trove, including the Alcyone design shown above, is available in a wide variety of cloth backed, FSC certified veneers, such as maple, oak, cherry, walnut, birch, and bamboo..  Any motif from their library of wallpaper designs can be chosen, and printed in sizes up to 42″ wide x 120″ high.

Because they use non-toxic, translucent inks, the natural wood grain of the veneer can be seen through the pattern, giving the design a subtle, watercolor effect.

Trove, already known for their use of environmentally friendly inks and nature inspired patterns, has really upped their green creed with this line.  A Class “A” fire-rated product, the veneer can be used in both commercial and residential projects, and there is the potential for earning up to 9 LEED points with its use.

Now, one of the bittersweet aspects of writing about amazing wall treatments such as this is that I can never use them in my own home.  You see, we have 85 year old plaster walls with a very bumpy sand texture, making wallpaper an impossibility.  So imagine my delight to find out that Trove will also make this veneer with a paper backing, suitable for use on furniture, doors, cabinetry and the like.  Oooh, the possibilities!

If this blog had a theme song, it would most likely be “Revolution”, by The Beatles.  After all, we are writing about the revolution going on in areas as diverse as technology and handcraft.  We are also writing about the evolution of the interior design profession as we attempt to meet the changing needs of our planet – needs such as sustainability, non-toxicity, and energy efficiency.

So if “Revolution” is our theme song, this credenza would have to be our theme furniture.  Why?  Well, take a look inside…

The Evolution Revolution credenza, by Ilan Dei, hides a rock n’ roll  heart within its more sedate exterior.

Part of Ilan Dei Studios’ Namibia Collection, the limited edition Evolution Revolution credenza is made of FSC certified walnut.  The credenza’s softly undulating doors were inspired by Ilan Dei’s travels to the coastline of Namibia, while the raucous revolution going on inside was inspired by street graffiti near their studio in Venice, CA.

Speaking of the studio, there is also an attached gallery called A.N.T., (for Art, Nature, and Technology).  The description on their website sounds intriguing…

“Dei created the space out of a recycled shipping container, then transformed the inside into a serene gallery space using salvaged wood floors, clean white walls and an innovative skylight that runs the length of the building. The skylight is arched and opened at each end allowing wind to flow through the space, keeping it cool and reminding those inside of the forces of nature that surround them.“

Oooh…  Sounds like it’s time for a road trip!  Yep, a day visiting galleries in Venice, CA..  It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it.

image via Shelterrific

Here are some really CUTE pillows from recycled materials, by Alexandra Ferguson. (Shelteriffic)

West Elm’s new line of FSC certified office furniture, designed by students at Pratt. (Inhabitat)

A lovely new kitchen, made of reclaimed materials, that looks absolutely classic. (re-nest)

GE has unveiled their latest technology in super efficient OLED lighting. (Inhabitat)

It takes 5,000 cocoons to provide enough silk for one kimono!  And this guy is raising the caterpillars, spinning the silk, and weaving it all by himself. (BoingBoing)

The first U.S. Certified Passive House, in Louisiana of all places. (Treehugger)

And finally, the most adorable ad, made on a whim by an 11 year old girl, for Harmony Art organic cotton fabrics.  Seriously, somebody hire this girl! (The Journey is the Prize)

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Recently making its debut at BKLYN Designs, this collection instantly won accolades, including the Inhabitat Editor’s Choice Award for best Kid’s Design & Newcomer.  And why not?  After all, not only are the pieces crafted entirely from sustainable materials such as FSC certified, no added formaldehyde plywood and soy based glues, but their great graphic punch is based on that icon of green – the tree.

Nicely bridging the gap between modern and playful that often exists in contemporary kids furniture, April Hannah’s debut collection hits all the right notes.

She was even kind enough to offer the grown-ups a desk in their own size.  For once parent’s don’t have to envy their kids having all the fun!

Click here to inquire as to availability.  And yes, April Hannah is based in Brooklyn.  With such amazing “trees”, how could she not be?

…has become another man’s business.

SAGE in Design’s president and founder, David Lasher, has taken recycling to a sophisticated new level with the Raul Bench.  With a seat constructed from a mixture of 100% recycled newsprint, old corrugated cardboard and agricultural fibers, all sitting on a base made of 89.5% recycled steel, this is furniture with serious sustainability in mind.

I love the image of trash used as a printed pattern for the seat.  SAGE in Design can also use a company’s packaging materials for corporate branding which are then heat pressed into the seat panel, or the seat can be left “natural”.

Says Lasher of their furniture:

“…at Sage in Design we like to do things that people say can’t be done and our mission is simple we need to put an end to landfill waste and learn how to use our waste to build products. Most companies like to believe we can solve our waste problem by starting at the beginning of our waste cycle. We believe in starting at the end of the waste cycle, because the only way to solve a problem is at the root of the problem, Landfill.”

Of course, it’s not all trash talk at SAGE in Design.  They also make pieces out of materials like FSC certified wood, such as the Strata Bench.

Designed using Swamp Cypress (of all things!), layered with either FSC Maple, or FSC Teak, the Strata bench has a striking, yet simple form.  Like the Raul Bench, it has a recycled steel frame (stainless steel can also be requested).  All finishes are no or low VOC, and both pieces are made in the United States.

SAGE in Design offers many other items to the retail and hospitality trade, for use in hotels, retail shops and malls, amongst other places.  They have upholstered furniture, tables, planters, and even trash receptacles.

Yes, they are actually making trash cans out of trash.   Take that landfill!

Luckily, it’s not my eyes, or yours for that matter, that need adjustment to look at this great B-Bit armoire.  The butterfly is purposefully pixelated and rendered in squares of several different wood veneers.  Open it up…

and the well organized white oak interior can be seen.

In many of their new pieces, animals of the air provide the charm, whether it’s the pixelated butterfly, the little bird on the Trees Graphic Tall Dresser above, or…

the slightly disconcerting bee hanging out on the Dandelion Graphic Tall Dresser.

For those not as into all things flying, there are also simpler designs like Scrappers Nesting, a neat set of nesting tables using scrap wood for decorative inlay.

To see more great pieces from Iannone Design’s 2010 collection, as well as previous work, you can go to their website.

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

I’m planning on a whole post on this great group of wood artisans soon, so I won’t get into too much detail.  Suffice to say, their exhibit asking you to match which raw, reclaimed wood was the source for which beautiful piece of furniture, was by far the most interesting and fun space at AltBuild.  Thanks Leigh for answering all my questions and showing me how much I still need to learn about wood!

I was also pleased to meet Sarah from Pacific Coast Teak, the U.S. importers of ProTeak, which I posted about a while back.  They had a nice display of some of the beautiful kitchen carts made from the FSC certified teak lumber.  Really lovely.

I’m going to have tot ake a closer look at this Woca oil I ran across.  It looks like a nice line of wood oils and stains that are extremely low odor and non-toxic.  Have any of you, dear readers, tried it before?  I’d love to hear what you thought of it.  I’m especially intrigued by the “color oil” stains.

Here’s an idea.  Take fast growing, FSC certified softwood, and then use a non-toxic technology to give it the properties of more durable hardwood.  That’s what the folks at Accoya have managed to do with their exterior grade product.  I saw a sample, and it really is quite remarkable.

And, last but not least, I give you the EnviroLoo – “a new American-made solar heated evaporative human waste system”!

And you thought I was only going to write about furniture and stuff…

So, here is one of the first things I saw written about from Milan this week.  Tokujin Yoshioka’s “Memory” chair.  Created from recycled aluminum, it changes shape every time someone sits in it. (Inhabitat)

To see more amazing furniture, lighting and products from Milan Design Week, check out Inhabitat’s “Best of” slide show. (Inhabitat)

Here are some cool wildlife portraits made from old topographical maps.  This one is actually from last week, but too lovely not to mention. (BoingBoing)

I love this wallpaper using old newspapers to create a grasscloth look.  Fairly expensive, but for the right room it could be stunning. (Design Green)

Love this rustic yet very modern take on the picnic bench, using brightly colored enameled aluminum and FSC certified redwood. (re-nest)

Recycled gym floor decor – fun! (Green Your Decor)

Finally, is this the greenest bulb of all? (Design Green)

Happy weekend everyone!

Case in point, this lovely little vanity by Waterfall Bathroom Furniture.  Designed most especially with children in mind, the “The Mailbox” vanity is made in Canada of FSC certified wood, and comes with a matching footstool that tucks neatly underneath.  Available in 13 different low-VOC finish colors, to match most decors.  You can even order it with your choice of either a Caesarstone or a 3-Form countertop.

And if you are looking for something a bit more elegant, there is always “The Louis”…Whether you are a princess or a just wish you were, “The Louis” has an elegance that is sure to please.  And how charming is that Robin’s Egg blue?

And for those who are seeking simplicity, there is always “The Minimalist“, a no fuss solution to limited materials use that still provides needed storage, while taking up the same basic footprint of a pedestal sink.

There are several more great designs available, and I encourage you to take a look at them and let us know what YOUR favorite is.

Thanks to a new “British Invasion”, there is now an affordable, attractive, environmentally friendly solution for Plantation shutters.  Originally started in the U.K. as, of all things, The California Company, the British born shutter business saw an opportunity here in the U.S., and opened shop here in 2009 as The Shutter Store.

Designed for the do it yourself homeowner, The Shutter Store provides custom made, FSC certified wood shutters in just about every color and finish.  In fact, they will also match their paint finishes to any Sherwin Williams color – so black, white or hot pink, they can create what you’ve always wanted.  There is even the option of leaving the wood unfinished (at a 10% discount), which is great for those who want to go completely natural and use only an oil or wax finish.

For their painted shutters, they use fine grained FSC certified Poplar, but for the unfinished and stained shutters, the stronger grain of FSC certified Elm makes it the wood of choice.

For those who aren’t quite sure about ordering and installing shutters by themselves, The Shutter Store provides helpful videos and instructions to get you through the process.  And, if you really aren’t the DIY sort, you could always hire a local handyman to do the installation for you.

There are some real benefits to using The Shutter Store, such as the shutters all being made to order (reducing waste), the fact that all the wood is FSC certified, the large range of styles and colors, as well as the cost savings compared to other wood shutters.   Of course, some of that savings may come from the shutters being manufactured in China.  I was assured that the factory is operated with a fair trade policy, and that shutters are shipped via sea freight to conserve on fuel.  While I would love every item that is used in a home to be made by a local artisan, I think it’s important to recognize that economic realities make that impossible for most families.  The Shutter Store is offering a quality product, at an affordable price, made from sustainable materials, and I think that is a big step in the right direction.

What do you think?