Happy Fourth of July! We know that you must already be celebrating in green style — with biodegradable plates, composting bins and maybe even some eco-friendly fireworks. But if you are having an itch that you still could do something to green your holiday weekend, here are a few super simple and practically free ways to make your BBQ, beach bash or rooftop gathering more about celebrating and less about waste. Uncle Sam would be proud!
July 4, 2009
July 3, 2009
Dutch designer Marieke Staps has figured out a way to grow time, instead of killing it. Her soil-powered bio-clock (is that like a biological clock?), showcased at Dutch Design Week in 2008 and most recently at Dwell on Design’s Kitchen Ecology Show last week, keeps time by plugging into mud!
July 1, 2009
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You know we’re big fans of recycling, but this Fourth of July, doesn’t it just seem like more fun to be able to tell your guests to throw their used plates and cups into the bushes instead of a recycling bin? Well okay, you probably don’t want litter on your lawn, so that first scenario might be a bit extreme. But with Branch’s brand new Biodegradable Party Kit, you’ll have everything you need for an eco-friendly fete without any of the hassle.
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June 30, 2009
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We all know that food and water are basic human needs, but what about something as simple as a place to sit? Right now, there is a pressing need for nearly 2 billion basic, low-cost seating units for schools hospitals and houses in underdeveloped countries around the globe. In response to the shortage, students Alon Tal and Fabio Alvarez teamed up with Zilca, a company that specializes in recycled materials, to find a solution. First presented last September at design fair Habitat Valencia in Spain, their senior thesis, the Reverse Project, makes cushions from re-purposed car foam for seating that is easy on the eyes, earth, and the behind!
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Dwell on Design Features More Brilliant Green Design Than Ever
Inhabitat is happy to report that Dwell on Design, the west coast’s largest modern design event, featured more smart green design than ever before this year. When we walked the floor yesterday with Dwell Publisher and President Michela O’Connor Abrams (and the carpenter and designer from HGTV’s Carter Can show), it was clear to see that the majority of the companies showcasing their products and services at the three-day festival are paying a great deal more attention to sustainability than in the past. We guestimate that about 80% of the companies there were promoting some kind of green story - in a varying shades, of course. Read on for our highlights from the show!
Sizzling Summer Shop Picks for Eco-Friendly Celebrating
BBQs, frosty drinks, swimming pools and bikinis - these are what summer dreams are made of. With all of the excitement, planning a summer that is both unforgettable and eco-conscious can seem daunting, but Independence Day (that’s next week!) is the perfect time to celebrate and commemorate all of the progress towards a less wasteful life you’ve made so far. Here are a few easy ways to make your summer sustainably stylish - right in time for the Fourth!
Living Lawn Chaise is a Grassy Human Transporter
Talk about bringing the outdoors in! This Chaise Lawn Chair is perfect for citydwellers who want that fresh cut grass feeling without the hassle of a full lawn. Designed by Deger Cengiz, the lounger is sure to elicit a chuckle from your friends. And if you really want to show them a good time, cart them around and take full advantage of the human transporter (wheelbarrow) functionality. Note: It is not recommended for use on stairs.
Ella Umbrella Stand Grows a Garden in Stormy Weather
Grey skies got you down? Turn to Simon Enever’s very clever Ella umbrella stand to brighten your home and remedy those rainy day blues. This rather elegant new age umbrella stand uses rainwater from your umbrella to feed thirsty grass and adds a fun spot of green to your foyer.
Renewable Cork Eco-Furniture and Accessories by Corque
If you’re looking for unique home accessories that are environmentally friendly and have a clean and elegant design quality, you’ll want to check out Corque’s new collection crafted with - you guessed it - cork! From the fun Rolha candle holder which allows users to turn old bottles into candelabras, to funky Topography placemats, which bring rough terrain to the table, their “Designing Living Objects” line truly showcases the versatility of cork.
Living Walls from ELT Easy Green
Here at Inhabitat we are big botanical architecture fans, but we also love seeing ideas that stand to add an extra bit of foliage to our lives. So, if you are a fan of Patrick Blanc’s Vertical Gardens or even Mass Studies’ Foliage Covered Botanical Building and you fancy your very own extra bit of wall-mounted greenery, the team behind ELT Easy Green have …
New Leaf Paper Made From Recycled Banana and Palm Fibers
It’s often hard to appreciate the novelties of paper with the ever-present impacts of global deforestation looming overhead, but one reputable company, New Leaf Paper, helps simmer our conscious frets with their consistent creations of new paper products from eco-friendly sources. New Leaf’s latest paper product, the Farm Fiber Collection is made of 100% recycled fiber of banana or palm tree harvest byproduct with a minimum of 35% post-consumer product, all chlorine free, all premium grades. Why let thousands of tons of agricultural fiber go to waste when each ton of agricultural fiber used saves an estimated 17 trees?
Ditto Ecological Hangers Save Landfill Space
One of the debut brands at last week’s Greener by Design Conference in San Francisco was a company called Ditto Hangers, co-founded by industrial designer Gary Barker, also co-founder of Greenheart Global, Inc. It may seem trite to focus a brand on something as rudimentary as the everyday hanger, but that’s precisely why this kind of ‘re-thinking design’ is so pertinent. An estimated 8 billion polystyrene and polycarbonate hangers clog our landfills every year, and as Gary Barker points out, that’s enough to fill the Empire State Building 4.6 times!
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.
Bring Composting to Your Countertop with the Jarst Planter
Tired of saving your fruit and veggie scraps only to have to carry them to another location to compost? You’ll be happy to hear that designers Leonardo Fortino and Andrea Bartolucci have developed an ingenious solution for precisely this problem: Jarst. Featuring a seal drum and cap inside a traditional flower pot, Jarst brings composting right to your countertop and makes sure plants get the nutrients and energy they need to stay happy, healthy, and in some cases, delicious. Fresh basil, anyone?
Grass For Your Home or Office Desk
Is your desk drab or boring? Do you need a little extra feng-shui in your home or your office? Why not try a grass square to brighten up your desk and give it a little something extra. These grass squares were designed at the Shenkar College of Engineering and Design, Israel, by Uri Romano and Assaf Yogev of nine99 Design as a way to combine nature and architecture. By bringing some nature indoors like these moss mats, the designers hoped to provide a grounding piece of nature.
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.
DESIGN WEEK SALE: 25% Off Melissa Campana Flats
CALLING ALL DESIGN AFICIONADOS & ECO-FASHIONISTAS!
We know that it’s not easy to come by art designed by living legends - especially the kind that you can wear on your feet! So in honor of NY Design Week, we’re offering our eco-chic Melissa Campana flats at a chunky 25% off as an homage to the legendary Campana Brothers who designed them. Not only are these superfun Melissa slippers 100% recyclable, breathable, vegan and non-toxic, they’re also an affordable way for you to own an original Campana design that is reminiscent of the visionary pieces of furniture created by this famous duo. If you’ve been waiting for the perfect excuse to scoop up a pair of uber-cute and sustainably made Melissa flats, here it is!
Form Meets Function With the Color Changing “One” Teapot
In the market for a new teapot or kettle? This new vessel may be the perfect solution if you’re looking for a functional tea kettle that looks pretty enough to serve from. Vessel Ideation is the creator of this fashionable concept tea kettle, which was designed with both boiling and serving in mind. We love the modern look, the advanced technology, but mostly the fact that it blooms beautiful blue patterns when the water is hot enough. It’s like hypercolor for tea.
WheelLY Provides Sustainable Homeless Shelter
If you’re not homeless, it’s hard to completely understand the issues that go along with not having a home, but it’s reasonable to assume that storage and safe shelter are fairly important. Zo-Loft Architecture & Design in Italy has created an interesting prototype shelter for the homeless, or for the modern urban nomad. Designed as a portable storage and expandable tent, the WheelLY is comprised of a rolling aluminum frame with two expandable polyester resin tents, all made from completely recyclable or recycled materials.
Terra Keramik Sustainably Produced Swiss Tableware
Terra Keramik is a Swiss ceramic company that has partnered with glassmaker Glasi, and German handmade espresso accessories company Café Kultur to export their lines of sustainably produced tableware and home décor to the North American market. Their products tend to be pricey, it’s true, but their comprehensive devotion to greening their manufacture is very admirable.
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, …
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…
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…
MILAN 2009: The Best of Green Design
The 2009 Milan Furniture Fair showcased an incredible assortment of furnishings, lighting, and housewares from all over the world, ranging from the well-established designers showcased in the main exhibition halls to the young designers and start-up companies exhibiting at Salone Satellite. Although in visiting the modern and contemporary halls of the fair I was disappointed by the lack of green design, it was encouraging to see that this year the fair is focusing on quality. Although the materials and construction of most of the furniture would not be considered sustainable, the intention is that the pieces will last a lifetime. Many of the designs also allowed for modularity, or reconfiguring over time. Read on for our favorite green design finds from the show!
Whirlpool & Elmar Debut Green Living Kitchen
The rules of kitchen design have just changed. Whirlpool and Elmar recently debuted the kitchen of the future at the Milan Furniture Fair, and it’s energy efficient, eco-friendly, and interconnected. Their Green Living kitchen brings together contemporary cabinetry, advanced appliances and systems that work together in a culinary-centered symbiotic relationship.
Recycled Eggshell Stationary by Nicolas Cheng
Designer Nicolas Cheng of Studioroom906 is presenting this beautiful set of stationary made from recycled eggshells at the Milan Furniture Fair this week. In his “Childhood Memories” collection, Cheng uses wasted eggshells that undergo a “high pressure technique” to create a new material that utilizes the existing proteins and mineral crystals from the shells. 100 recycled eggshells are used per set which includes a pencil, pencil holder, eraser and A5 paper.
Glassware Made from Recycled Wine Bottles
Drink and be merry - the bottles you leave behind have a new life ahead of them. The Green Glass Company of Wisconsin takes used and unwanted bottles from wineries and has created a diverse collection of glassware that’s fun and chic. The tops of bottles are twisted off to form goblets while their lower halves are transformed into matching tumblers. No glass is wasted and the process is done with the environment in mind.
Dwell’s Innovate It! Design Competition
Attention all inventors, designers, and fans of efficient industrial design! Our friends at Dwell recently announced the second phase of their Innovate It! contest, which calls upon you to take ordinary items and reinvent them into better, brighter paradigms of efficient design. They’re looking for inspired improvements to three everyday items in need of a rework - the common coffee …
Orange Dish Rack Grows a Green Herb Garden
One of fifteen finalists in our Spring Greening DIY Design Contest, Nibha Jain and Srikanth Jalasutram’s “Orange” dish drying rack puts wet dishes to work by using their droplets to water a mini herb garden. Clothes pins attached to one side hold flatware and smaller items while the built in rack is suitable for anything you can throw at it (but the kitchen sink!). The tray has an inclined base which funnels water drips towards a small plant of your choosing, making this an ingenious invention for keeping cooking herbs close at hand. If you agree, be sure to vote for it in our Spring Greening Contest!
Project H Abject Object Party next Thursday in LA!
Calling all Los Angeles residents who love ping pong, free beer, and design for humanity… Project H, the product design nonprofit, is debuting their Los Angeles chapter’s Abject Object initiative next Thursday evening, April 9th, from 7-10pm at GOOD Magazine’s headquarters in Los Angeles. The 17-week long partnership with the Downtown Women’s Center homeless shelter has resulted in the development of four retail garments and products that teach skills and bring profits to homeless individuals. Come to the party to see the products (including a purse that turns into a hammock!), meet the chapter, donate to the project, and of course for the ping pong, free beer, and Project H raffle.
Grow a Garden Indoors With the Lightpot
For those who would love to grow more plants indoors, this new Lightpot by Studio Shulab may be just the thing you need. Half table lamp and half modern plant pot, the Lightpot features a telescoping LED light and shade, which raises up as the plant gets bigger. More fashionable than the Aerogarden, we could actually be proud …
ECO DECORATING: Mod Green Pod Wallpaper
Traditional wall coverings often use PVC, a harmful and toxic material that has been known to leech into the air, so buying toxin-free textiles is an important health consideration that can’t be ignored. Mod Green Pod was founded by Lisa and Nancy Mims as a means to offer safer —and more fashionable— alternatives to conventional textile prints. Their products not just graphically gorgeous, but green in their materiality, completely free of vinyl, and use water-based inks on 100% certified organic cotton-based fabric.
Chuck Waste Paper Basket Made of Waste Paper!
Studio Crank’s Chuck trash basket is a vessel for paper waste, made from paper waste. A waste-less waste paper basket, Chuck is constructed of 100% recycled cardboard, printed with low VOC based inks and is totally recyclable. The eco-ficient design is in perfect keeping with the desires of the environmentally savvy lifestyle that believes and lives the concept of ecological sustainability. What better way to walk the walk than to dispose of your trash in a can made from the same material?
The EcoDrain Cuts Water Heater Use by 40%
A hot shower is relaxing, but is also a huge waste of energy: we heat our water with massive amounts of natural gas, oil or electricity, then transport the heated water to our tubs for a few seconds of sudsing, before washing it down the drain full of raw, wasted heat and energy! What if we could recapture this untapped source of wasted energy by transferring the heat from that shower waste-water to cold incoming water? The EcoDrain, a simple heat exchange unit, does just that, saving water heater use by up to 40%.
MIO Debuts Line of Eco Products for Target!
We loved MIO’s Flat Pack Origami table at first sight and couldn’t wait to see what would come next from this Philly fave. Luckily for us, Brothers Isaac and Jaime Salm do not disappoint. Just in time for the long dog days of summer, the duo has teamed with Target to launch a new line of beautiful, sustainable, and affordable eco-outdoor goodies, like the herb planter pots made from recycled paper (above), all for under $100.
