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INABA’s Pool Noodle Rooftop Opens to the Public for the Summer!

INABA’s Pool Noodle Rooftop Opens to the Public for the Summer!

Bububluooopppp! That’s the sound a pool noodle makes when it sinks in the water, and it’s also what these zany seating arrangements constructed out of oodles of the buoyant toys on a Chelsea rooftop spell out when viewed from above. We guess LA-based firm INABA really, really likes words with “oo” in them (pool, noodle, rooftop) because they are the ones that designed this insanely colorful space which will be used to host film-screenings and outdoor events throughout the summer. The rooftop will also be open to the public at select times, so don’t miss your chance to test out one of the noodle chairs for yourself. If you really want to complete the picture, bring a poodle!

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Beautiful Solar Storage Barn Built From Raw Materials

Beautiful Solar Storage Barn Built From Raw Materials

Who says materials have to be scraped, buffed, and varnished to be beautiful? Recently, we spotted a beautiful storage barn that proves raw materials can make a breathtaking exterior. The building’s site was once home to a scrap lumber yard where the owner was looking to restrain the sprawl of the wood and stone. The architects, Gray Organschi Architecture, designed a simple structure that not only stores the materials, but operates off-grid on an isolated site. With accessibility in mind, the lumber is organized on the exterior of the building in rectangular cubby holes, creating a wonderful mosaic-like texture that proves that functionality and aesthetics can go hand-in-hand.

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Leo Kempf’s Recycled Cardboard Conversation Table

Leo Kempf’s Recycled Cardboard Conversation Table

We’ve all heard of pieces of furniture that act as conversation pieces, but how about a table that not only starts conversations but actually looks like a giant speech bubble? Brilliant! Constructed entirely of scrap pieces of cardboard, Leo Kempf’s conversation table is sturdy, witty, and an excellent option if you’re looking for a coffee table that will get your guests talking every time they come over.

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Recycled Fiber Furniture Filled With Air

Recycled Fiber Furniture Filled With Air

Designed by Mario Bellini for Meritalia, an Italian furniture maker, the Via Lattea furniture line looks like a collection of homemade marshmallows. Light as air, these chairs and couches are made from steel mesh combined with recycled fiber sacks formerly used to transport grain, stones, and sugar. Bellini and Meritalia showed their new line this year at the Milan Furniture Fair and we’re fascinated by the glowing chairs and air-filled sacs.

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Comfy Chair Made From Reclaimed Playground Slide

Comfy Chair Made From Reclaimed Playground Slide

Designed by Evan Dublin, this brightly-hued slide chair is sure to give any room a brilliant pop of color. A slick example of found design, the chair is crafted from a deconstructed playground set reclaimed from a New York City salvage yard. Evan set the slide on end, upholstered it with cushy padding, and finished it with a wood base for a playful …

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Skate Parks Jump the Gap To Green Design

Skate Parks Jump the Gap To Green Design

It seems like almost every community has a skate park–a place for the youngins’ to go, try out some sick tricks, and hang out with friends. City officials like them because they keep kids off the streets, and kids like them because they provide an adult-free haven where kids can be on their own. But despite their appeal, skate parks are basically empty swimming pools, made almost entirely out of concrete, and do nothing to reduce urban heat island effect or filter stormwater. Now, however, skate park designers are starting to incorporate greener features and nature into their designs. Read on to see how projects like the Ed Benedict Skate Plaza in Portland, Oregon are leading the charge.

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Links Roundup of the Week: Graduation

Links Roundup of the Week: Graduation


In the midst of a crazy week of exciting design exhibitions, events, and parties, we realized that thousands of students are on the verge of graduation. We truly believe that students provide us with a peek into the future of design, and we were impressed by Pratt’s student booth at Bklyn Designs, as well as their graduating students’ exhibition (look out for upcoming coverage). So this week we wanted to …

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Uhuru Scrap Metal Stoolen

Uhuru Scrap Metal Stoolen

The passionate Uhuru design team launched several new products at BKLYN Designs last week. It is hard to select a favorite from all of their sophisticated, yet quirky furniture designs, but we can say that their new stools made us do a double take. All of their work is produced from sustainable materials such as locally reclaimed wood and steel, but it is unexpected and inspiring to see scrap metal look so inviting to sit on. It is commendable that they have made such a mechanical material take on such natural form.

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VIDEO: Tennis Ball Chair Designer Hugh Hayden

VIDEO: Tennis Ball Chair Designer Hugh Hayden

We love being on hand for the Spring design shows because they offer rare up close and personal access to the designers we mostly admire from afar the rest of the year. This year, we were fortunate enough to score some face time with FUNature creator Hugh Hayden at BKLYN Designs. In between bounces in his whimsical chairs, we listened as Hayden discussed everything from the short lifespan of a tennis ball to how …

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Palo Samko’s “Only Men’s” Chest with Top Secret Surprise

Palo Samko’s “Only Men’s” Chest with Top Secret Surprise

How many times have you found yourself saying, “I sure wish I had a hidden drawer to keep all of my top secret documents”? Carpenter and designer extraordinaire Palo Samko must have heard you, because he created just that–an elegant chest of drawers with a cleverly concealed compartment for storing your most treasured possessions. Each bureau is made to order by Samko, who uses reclaimed materials such as plywood, pine and buttery tan leather. This chest and its secret drawer are so sweet, you may want to have a backup location for your valuables because you’ll probably end up showing all your friends!

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VIDEO: Inhabitat Green Tour of BKLYN Designs

VIDEO: Inhabitat Green Tour of BKLYN Designs

It’s hard to capture all of the excitement of this year’s BKLYN Designs in words and photos alone – which is why we’re thrilled to bring you a video tour of our favorite green design picks from the show! Follow Inhabitat founder Jill Fehrenbacher and crew as they scout out hot new products and get exclusive interviews with the designers that created them. For more coverage of the stellar show, be …

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Green Coup d’Grace Media Console by Object Interiors

Green Coup d’Grace Media Console by Object Interiors

Extraordinary green designers Object Interiors unveiled their new Live Earth collection at this year’s BKLYN Designs, and we were particularly struck by their Coup d’Grace Media Console (such a fitting name!). Made from a formaldehyde and VOC-free MDF shell, the console reflects the mission of the collection “to connect all the raw, natural elements that make up the construction of a finished piece” and provide “a sensory connection with live things reflected in the furniture around you.” Dried grasses are embedded into the console’s front sliding doors, which are translucent panels comprised of 3Form eco-resin. The patented material is constructed using 40 percent post-consumer recycled waste and is an increasingly popular, PVC-free alternative to plastic. Even better, eco-resin can be returned to 3Form for recycling at the end of its lifespan.

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Levent & Romme’s Elegant Laser-Cut Paper Lamps

Levent & Romme’s Elegant Laser-Cut Paper Lamps

These wonderful patterned paper lamps from Brooklyn–based Levent & Romme really caught our eye at this year’s BKLYN Designs show. Realized first as pen and ink illustrations, the patterns are then cut into a single sheet of thick watercolor paper. The paper is softly textured and opaque enough to make the designs pop, and the rigidity lends itself to the shades’ intricate cuts. Upping the coolness (and sustainability) quotient, the shade fits together using a tabbed design so that it forms a tube without any fasteners or adhesives.

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Multi-Purpose toyChaise by Iglooplay

Multi-Purpose toyChaise by Iglooplay

Some really great designs for kids are debuting at this year’s BKLYN Designs, like this toyChaise by Iglooplay. We think parents will appreciate it even more than the kids though, because of its storage capacity and multiple uses. It’s perfect to play on top of, use as a desk, or lean back and rest …

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Argington’s New Collection is the Stuff of Dreams

Argington’s New Collection is the Stuff of Dreams

Most people view bunk beds with fondness and a sense of nostalgia. But when we spied Argington’s awesome new collection of kids’ furniture, which included a one-of-a-kind bamboo version of their Uffizi bunk bed set, our feelings were more adult — and decidedly less becoming: first we felt envy, then longing, until finally, we were just …

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Ecosystems Bada Table Transforms into a Loveseat

Ecosystems Bada Table Transforms into a Loveseat

Whether you’re an advocate of low-footprint living or a space-restricted city dweller looking to get the most milage out of your dining room, Ecosystems‘ brand new transforming Bada table may be just the piece you’re looking for. Crafted entirely from reclaimed walnut, the slick table features an ingenious design that transforms into a loveseat with a flick of the wrist, saving on both the space and materials consumed by multiple pieces of furniture.

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Tennis Ball Chair by Hugh Hayden

Tennis Ball Chair by Hugh Hayden

What do you think of when you think “green design?” Probably not a chair made entirely of recycled tennis balls! This fun and unexpected take on recycling by furniture designer Hugh Hayden is precisely why we named his enormously playful FUNATURE Tennis Ball Chair the winner of our BKLYN Designs Most Innovative Use of Materials Award. Not only is his choice of medium (297 repurposed tennis balls) smart and simple, it’s also fun and engaging. And when it comes to getting people talking about sustainable design, the Tennis Ball Chair is the perfect eco conversation piece.

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Balancing Buoy Chair by Evan Dewhirst

Balancing Buoy Chair by Evan Dewhirst

This year the Pratt booth at Bklyn Designs showcased an impressive body of creative work by students, making it clear that the budding designers view sustainability as integral to the development of a design, not as an afterthought to be accounted for later. We were particularly impressed with the Evan Dewhirst’s ergonomic Buoy Chair, and we’re excited to announce that it won our Best Student Design Award! The Buoy Chair is made up of a water buoy, an aluminum body and a cork top, all held together by a harness inside the chair, making it free of glues and epoxies. Sitting upon the stool encourages active balance, upright posture, and is a lot of fun!

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Ecosystems BADA Table Transforms Into a Love-Seat

Ecosystems BADA Table Transforms Into a Love-Seat

We viewed dozens of innovative, noteworthy designs at BKLYN Designs last week. In fact, we were so blown away by the caliber of work we encountered that we wondered how we’d EVER single out 5 selections for our Editors’ Choice Awards. When it came time to choose our Best in Show honoree, however, we reached a consensus pretty quickly: EcoSystems. The green-to-the-core design firm’s two newly unveiled offerings — an innovative collection of ready-made furniture and one awesome transforming table — just blew us away.

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Inhabitat Editors’ Choice Awards @ BKLYN Designs

Inhabitat Editors’ Choice Awards @ BKLYN Designs

DRUMROLL PLEASE…

We are excited to announce the Inhabitat Editor’s Choice Awards for BKLYN Designs 2009! As we walked through the BKLYN Designs show this year we were thrilled to see fresh new faces and established designers alike unveiling an inspired assortment of locally-sourced designs made from recycled materials, elegant energy-efficient lighting solutions, and beautifully crafted furniture of every fit and form. Read on for our picks for the finest trends in future-forward furniture design!

MOST INNOVATIVE USE OF MATERIALS: FUNATURE BY HUGH HAYDEN
Hugh Hayden’s fresh new line of FUNature repurposes plastic balls into a bright bunch of furnishing solutions. We were particularly impressed with his tennis ball chair, which is composed entirely of recycled tennis balls that have lost their bounce.

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN: PAPER LAMPS BY LEVENT & ROMME
Levent & Romme’s elegant lamps consist of a single sheet of paper that has been laser-cut to let light shine through in beautiful patterns.

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Inhabitat Reports from BKLYN Designs 2009!

Inhabitat Reports from BKLYN Designs 2009!

Yesterday morning, the Inhabitat team gathered in DUMBO for the opening of BKLYN Designs our favorite locally-grown furniture design show. In its seventh year, the annual showcase of locally-designed furniture provides visitors with sampling of the best in the borough. We saw lots of our old green BKLYN favorites such as Brave Space and Uhuru as well as plenty of exciting new faces and designs — and were especially excited to see what this year’s Pratt students had in store for us. This year’s show, while smaller than last year, proves once again that functionality, eco-sensitivity and beauty can come together under a smart designer. If you live in New York City, we hope you make it out to DUMBO before the weekend is over, to catch our BKLYN Designs Editors’ Choice Awards – which will be given out on our green design walking tour at 3pm on Sunday. To entice you, here are some of our favorite designs from the show…

And don’t forget to check out our photo album >

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Hugh Hayden’s FUNiture Tennis Ball Chair

UHURU Booth 2009

Hugh Hayden showcases his colorful FUNiture

Recycled Sweater Stools by Sara Ebert (at the Pratt booth)

Buoy Chair by Evan Dewhirst (at the Pratt booth)

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Links Roundup of the Week: We <3 NYC

Links Roundup of the Week: We <3 NYC

As designers and thinkers gather at this week’s BKLYN Designs and next week’s International Contemporary Furniture Fair, we are reminded that cities, especially New York City, are a place of inspiration and experimentation for design. The issue of sustainability has challenged some to re-tool their methods, while others have always infused their work with eco-consciousness. In dense urban environments where space is scarce and expensive, we see that innovative designers and artists constantly seek new ways …

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BKLYN Designs: Rockabye Storage Rocker from CASAKids

BKLYN Designs: Rockabye Storage Rocker from CASAKids

BKLYN Designs starts today, and we can’t wait to see this sweet Rockabye Storage Rocker from CASAKids. Tots can hop on the eco-friendly bandwagon in this multifunctional rocking chair that features a lift-up seat and doubles as a storage space for books, art supplies and other treasures. Made of Baltic Birch Plywood and non-toxic painted MDF, this rocker for the pint-sized …

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BKLYN Designs Starts Today!

BKLYN Designs Starts Today!

BKLYN Designs starts today!
BKLYN Designs starts today and we couldn’t be more excited! Running from May 8-10, this awesome showcase of local furniture design kicks off NY Design Week, and is one of our favorite events of the year. The inhabitat team is here right now, walking around the showroom to try all the fabulous eco-friendly furniture on display, so we can report it back to you guys this weekend.

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BKLYN DESIGNS STARTS TOMORROW!

BKLYN DESIGNS STARTS TOMORROW!

HEY DESIGN LOVING NEW YORKERS! BKLYN Designs starts tomorrow and we couldn’t be more excited! Running from May 8-10, this awesome showcase of local furniture design kicks off NY Design Week, and is one of our favorite events of the year. We’ll be pressing our noses up against the glass bright and early tomorrow morning and – as soon as doors open – racing around to see all the fabulous eco-friendly furniture on display, so we can report it back to you guys this weekend.

This year at BKLYN Designs we’ll be doing something new: we’ll be giving out ‘Editors’ Choice Awards’ to recognize our favorite green designs from the show during our annual Mother’s Day Green Design Tour this Sunday. We’re looking forward to seeing fresh new furnishings, great green products, and energy-efficient lighting solutions, so stay tuned for more coverage to come and if you’d like to join us at the event you can pick up tickets here!

And if you’re not in NYC, keep it tuned to Inhabitat this weekend and next week for all the latest on BKLYN Designs 2009

+ BKLYN Designs 2009

+ Inhabitat BKLYN Designs Coverage

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BKLYN DESIGNS SNEAK PEEK: Argington Toy Box

BKLYN DESIGNS SNEAK PEEK: Argington Toy Box

Brooklyn Designs is one of our favorite design shows, and one reason why is that it boasts an amazing array of eco-friendly kids’ furniture. Today, we’ve been fortunate enough to sneak a peek at one of those pieces, the Fuji Toy Box from Argington. Long a classic arbiter of good, green …

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Inhabitat Giving Out Awards at BKYLN Designs 2009!

Inhabitat Giving Out Awards at BKYLN Designs 2009!

DRUMROLL PLEASE! New York Design Week is about to begin and we’re kicking things off this weekend with our first ever Green Design Awards at BKLYN Designs! Running from May 8-10, this incredible showcase of locally-sourced design is one of our favorite events of the year, and we’ll be giving out ‘Editors’ Choice Awards’ to recognize our favorite pieces during our annual Mother’s Day Green Design Tour this Sunday. We’re looking forward to scores of fresh new furnishings, great green products, and energy-efficient lighting solutions, so stay tuned for more coverage to come and if you’d like to join us at the event you can pick up tickets here!

+ BKLYN Designs 2009

+ Inhabitat BKLYN Designs Coverage

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BKYLN Sneak Peak: EcoSystems’ Snug-it! Desk

BKYLN Sneak Peak: EcoSystems’ Snug-it! Desk

One of Inhabitat’s favorite eco-design posses, EcoSystems, will be unveiling its new line at next week’s BKLYN Designs showcase, but for you lucky readers we have an early offering: their new ‘snug-it!’ collection of affordable eco furniture, named after the brand’s innovative hardware connectors. One of our favorite pieces from the snug-it! collection is this desk, made from bamboo and FSC Appleply, both with natural oil finish.

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BKLYN Designs Sneak Peek: Uhuru Designs

BKLYN Designs Sneak Peek: Uhuru Designs

Lots of up-and-coming and established designers will present new collections at BKLYN Designs this weekend, and we don’t want to miss a single, solitary piece of work—which is why we love getting an advanced look at what’s to come! Bill Higendorf, co-founder of Brooklyn–based furniture company Uhuru Design, sent us a sneak peak of the three new locally and sustainably produced designs he and partner Jason Horvath are debuting at BKLYN Designs this week. While they’re every bit as functional as Uhuru’s previous products, the limited edition Stitched Table, Standard Chair and Metal Stoolen have a little added oomph that sets them apart.

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SMART, ECONOMICAL GREEN GIFTS FOR MOTHER’S DAY

SMART, ECONOMICAL GREEN GIFTS FOR MOTHER’S DAY

Mother’s day is fast approaching, so don’t forget! (NEXT SUNDAY MAY 10th). This year, if you are looking to save some green while offering thoughtful green gifts, we’ve got some great ideas for you! You can easily find environmentally friendly Mother’s Day gifts that won’t break the bank if you just shop smart. Try some of these eco-friendly, …

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GREEN MOTHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE

GREEN MOTHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE

It’s that time of year when we show our appreciation to the women who gave life to us – our moms! And while we here at Inhabitat don’t necessarily believe in buying into all the hype behind this hallmark holiday, we also think that Mother’s Day is an important holiday for women, and a great way to get our favorite ladies into the green spirit. Check out our eco-friendly picks for Mother’s Day gifts that are sure to please both your mom and Mother Earth…

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BKLYN Designs Sneak Peak: Hugh Hayden’s FUNature

BKLYN Designs Sneak Peak: Hugh Hayden’s FUNature

We’re gearing up for the start of BKLYN Designs next week and are excited to offer a few sneak peaks of some amazing and talented designers who are focusing on green design. First up is FUNature, a furniture line created by Hugh Hayden, a relative newcomer in the world of design. Hayden’s new line of chairs and tables was inspired by the messy yet imaginative and comfortable experience of ball-pools (like the kind you played in at Chuck E Cheese, but without the gross unknown at the bottom). His environmentally conscious line is perfect for adults as well as children and is sure to bring back fun memories.

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Bright Idea: Claudio Fiumicelli Hexagon LED Lamp

Bright Idea: Claudio Fiumicelli Hexagon LED Lamp

Claudio Fiumicelli really knows how to light up a room! The Studiodsgn artist presented his futuristic C60 LED modular lighting unit at the Zona Tortona design event to critical acclaim. Resembling an illuminated transparent soccer ball, the C60 is comprised of hexagonal pieces that attach to each other in a spherical or planar structure and 360 LED lights, C60 can be hung, mounted on a wall or displayed simply on a flat surface.

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GREEN MOTHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE

GREEN MOTHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE


It’s that time of year when we show our appreciation to the women who gave life to us – our moms! And while we here at Inhabitat don’t necessarily believe in buying into all the hype behind this hallmark holiday, we also think that Mother’s Day is an important holiday for women, and a great way to get our favorite ladies into the green spirit. Check out our eco-friendly picks for Mother’s Day gifts that are sure to please both your mom and Mother Earth…

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BKLYN Designs Begins Next Friday!

BKLYN Designs Begins Next Friday!

Heads up East Coast design junkies! BKLYN Designs, New York’s preeminent showcase of locally-sourced green design is kicking off next week from May 8th through the 10th, and Inhabitat will be on the scene to bring you all of the latest from the show. Based upon the tremendous success of last year’s event we’re looking forward to another weekend filled with brand new releases by an acclaimed set of sustainable designers, enlightening lectures, and our very own Jill Fehrenbacher will be hosting another Mother’s Day Green Design Tour. We’ll also be kicking off our first ever Inhabitat awards, where we will carefully vet all designs on display and give awards to our favorite green designers at this year’s show. Check out our BKLYN Designs coverage from last year and don’t miss out on this groundbreaking event – buy your tickets today!

+ BKLYN Designs 2009

+ BKLYN Designs 2008 Coverage

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