This handsome table was designed and crafted by British Columbia furniture maker Sticks + Stones. Over 90% of the materials they use are sourced within 100 miles of their shop, and they focus on using wood that is either reclaimed, or FSC certified. The concrete that composes the middle section of the table contains recycled glass and fly ash.
I love the subtle depression that spans both concrete and wood, although I’m not so sure how practical that is in real life. If I had a table like this, I’d want to pour just a tiny bit of water in that depression and float a flower in it. If you have this table, how would you use that built in bowl?
When I was taking art classes, mistakenly thinking that I might someday actually get the hang of it, one of the things we practiced over and over was shading. It was like magic creating a ball out of what was once only a flat circle on my paper, but my favorite “trick” was turning a simple square or rectangle into a cylinder. Once I started interior design classes, I fell back on that cylinder shape over and over in renderings where I needed a side table. Such a nice break from the more standard cube shape, or table with four legs. Still, they lacked a certain pizzaz. The only cylinder shaped tables I knew of back then were plain in shape and texture. Wish I had realized then what a great side table a tree trunk makes!
Now days, tree trunks are all the rage for home interiors. Their range of textures and natural variation of shape add a certain quirky charm to a room. Above is a simple version made of fallen Cypress, from West Elm.
Here, these tree trunks by Nickadoo have been given legs, which makes them sort of adorable, don’t you think?
All the more so because it was the winning entry, by Savannah College of Art & Design student Ryland Quillen, for the Project UDesign “eco-friendly” furniture contest, sponsored in part by Century Furniture, a company that has taken many measures to make their products more sustainable, including FSC certified frames and low-VOC finishes. I think it’s wonderful that, not only did this student receive a $1,000 prize, but more importantly, he will have his chair added to Century Furniture’s line, and receive a substantial commission off every unit sold. That is a terrific accomplishment, and a great way to kick start a new career.
All that being said, I wish the other cosponsors of the contest weren’t Cargill’s brand of “soy foam” (a product that is really no more sustainable than regular foam), and Toray’s Ultrasuede. Wouldn’t it be lovely to see a chair like this made in a truly sustainable fashion? With bio-degradable, “stuffing”, free of chemical fire retardents? And what about natural fiber fabrics? Maybe next year…
For a really in depth analysis of why soy foam and Ultrasuede are poor choices for sustainable design, please read this excellent article by O Ecotextiles. They say it better than I ever could – and with a lot more scientific data!
OK. Ha ha. Giggle giggle. Yeah, I said I love “wood”. Whatever.
Anyway, I do, so this gorgeous wood tile, new this year from Ann Sacks, has my heart singing.
Called the Bosque Collection, the tiles come in several different lengths and widths. You can also choose from three different thicknesses, enabling you to mix and match for a more textured look on your wall. And best of all…? Read the rest of this entry »
Kids have an amazing ability to find the true joy in simplicity. For instance, have you ever known a kid who got one of those flashy, noisy, button laden toys for a gift, only to toss it aside after a few minutes play and then spend hours turning the box it came in into a vehicle for a favorite doll or stuffed animal? So why spend the money on all those expensive, battery laden toys when you could get something great like this?
The Hut-Hut Kids is the old fashioned rocking horse taken modern, sustainable, and sleek. Designed and produced by Kalon Studios, and available in five FSC certified woods such as black walnut (shown above), bamboo, and even cork, this seat’s simple styling gives a kid’s imagination room to grow. So whether they want to say “hut hut” (giddy-up to camels) to a trusty steed with one hump or two (or maybe a horse, pony, elephant or tiger), they can create their own adventure as they wish.
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.
You say you want a revolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
You tell me that it’s evolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world…
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…
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)
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)
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.
The interioRevolution is a design blog devoted exclusively to sustainable interior design. Through product reviews, guest blogs by experts in their fields, special features and spirited discussion, the interioRevolution provides new knowledge and expands the dialogue on sustainable interior design.
