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…
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)
Stranger Furniture is proof that deeply sustainable can mean deeply beautiful.
When the roughness of bark and the “imperfections” of natural wood are respected and used, when the natural, intricate grain of a board is allowed to shine forth in all its beauty, when the source tree “speaks” for itself, the results are tangible.
William Stranger’s work encompasses not just cabinetry and tables but also humbler creations such as lamps, utensils, and cutting boards. Each aspect of his work supports a goal of creating zero waste. Recycling is practiced whenever possible; scrap wood is donated to schools and other artists; even sawdust is used as animal bedding and then composted in order to minimize the shop’s impact. As the artist explained, these business choices spring from a commitment “to an evolution that will take us beyond sustainability.” Read the rest of this entry »
Leather floors? Admit it, the idea sounds kinda sexy.
100% recycled leather floors? Totally sexy!
If you’ve ever wanted to impress your snooty acquaintances, surprise your treehugging friends, and talk your spouse (or client) into something they won’t think of as being too crunchy granola, TORLYS Leather flooring may be for you.
I came, I saw, I…, only stayed for a couple of hours. Yes, AltBuild, aka the Alternative Building Materials & Design Expo, was smaller this year. In fact, I would say almost half the size it was at its zenith a couple of years ago, which I’m sure is just another indicator of how our economy has affected the building industry.
That being said, there were still a few cool things to look at, like the work of L.A. Box Collective…
I’m so pleased to tell you about a wonderful new online source for sustainable home decor – Redefine Home!
Just launched today, Redefine Home is the ambitious and amazing interiors shop belonging to Linsi Brownson and her husband David Betz.
Filled with artisan crafts and vintage finds, there is something to please everyone.
Redefine Home sees decorating as an ongoing process, more of a cultivation of things you love and things you need. We strive to offer a collection of beautiful everyday items mixed with one of a kind treasures and furniture designs inspired by just about everything. We recognize that some things are a splurge and some are a steal, and we like it that way. – From the Redefine Home website
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 »
Are you an interior designer? Then you, or the firm you work for, probably have a lot of outdated samples lying around. Why not help out a student and donate them to Save a Sample? (reNest)
A fun table made of salvaged wood, with a little slice of color. (inhabitat)
If you love cardboard furniture, and even if you don’t, you should see this post on Treehugger – if only for the huge cardboard Leaning Tower of Pisa. (Treehugger)
Here’s a story about Christie’s upcoming Green Auction. Everything from an original painting by Damien Hirst to a day on a movie set with Hugh Jackman will be up for bid, all to benefit several environmental charities. (The Huffington Post)
The week has flown by. I was so busy running around looking at all sorts of new design in the showrooms during West Week and Spring Market that I didn’t notice I was getting worn out. Had to spend Thursday resting and recuperating. The cat appreciated having me hold still long enough that he could perch on my lap and drool on my computer. He’s a giver that cat.
I want to thank our wonderful guest blogger this week, Linsi Brownson of Inspired Design Daily! She wrote beautifully – as always.
So onto this weeks Wrap-up!
Image via Inhabitat
I don’t know why but every time I look at this image, the theme from Close Encounters of the Third Kind plays round in my head. These are in fact new energy efficient “Trex” lamps, and they are definitely worth a closer look. (via Inhabitat)
How about aluminum tiles made from retired airplanes? You can even get them with old rivets and dings left in. (via re-nest)
A good list of 10 water efficient kitchen faucets, priced from high to low. (via re-nest)
Beautiful tile made from the waste by-products of the fishing industry (via The Thread Post)
Cute kids furniture made of cardboard, from Riki Watanabe designs first conceived of in 1965. (via Chictip)
I always advise people not to get a memory foam mattress. Now you can read why. (via Treehugger)
And lastly, although it’s not really about green interior design, Planet 100’s Top 5 Eco Contradictions is a great way to understand a little more about greenwashing.
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.
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 
