Stool by Mater for SPACE Denmark are beautiful on many levels. Their perfectly imperfect form with just the right splay of the leg and minimal but noticable upholstered seat pad create a real craftsman composition. If that’s not enough, the pieces are made from FSC certified wood and recycled aluminum. The stools are produced in a SUSBIZ workshop, an initiative for the promotion of sustainable business practices in support of local native craftspeople in India.
Designer Emily Pilloton’s nonprofit Studio H took up residence in Bertie County North Carolina to take a chance on improving the lives of school children through design.
We first learned about Emily Pilloton back in 2006 when we came across her Human Nest chair at the HAUTE Green exhibit in Brooklyn during New York’s design week. Pilloton’s take on the nesting instinct was a bamboo frame embelished with layers of scrap fabric. We loved her thought process and creativity then and are inspired by her design-in-action via H-Studio now.
When a Santa Barbara couple decided to develop a live-work space for a downtown living experience, they found themselves looking for modern design online: “I took a leap of faith and purchased virtually every item for this space online, from faucets and appliances to lighting and furnishings.” It was through that virtual shopping experience that they happened upon the Pixel Burst Bench designed by Yves Behar for Botanist: “As soon as I saw the Botanist benches online, I knew I had found exactly what I was looking for: versatility, uniqueness, graphic punch – they definitely have the “Wow!’ factor”.
The couple was also pleased that a portion of the sale would benefit a non-profit. Botanist invites each of it’s designers to select a nonprofit that will benefit from the sale of their pieces. In the case of Pixel Burst, Yves Behar designated Surfrider Foundation – particularly fitting for a bench that resides in Santa Barbara.
The Botanist Series is an eco-friendly furniture and home accessories line with a committment to great design and social responsibility. Botanist boasts designs from the likes of Milton Glaser, Massimo, Karim Rashid, Tord Boontje and Yves Behar and supports designer-designated organizations including the Cancer Research Institute, Greenpeace, Save the Children and the Foundation Fighting Blindness.
What do you see? A pile of junk wood? We see the endless potential for beautiful new reclaimed wood furniture.
The Muir collection was inspired to save the forests we all love. We use reclaimed wood rescued from old, local buildings that have been slated for tear down. The California Integrated Waste Management Board estimates that wood waste from construction and demolition represent 28% of the municipal waste stream every year. By rescuing the old growth timber and reclaiming it to make our collection of modern furniture, we’re contributing to a sustainable future for all of us.
The only thing more beautiful than rescuing the vintage hard wood, is the quality of the wood itself. Much of the reclaimed wood was originally harvested and milled 50 to 100 years ago, and has been seasoned in sunny Southern California for decades. This gives the wood unparalleled stability and resistance to future distortion or structural movement. The grain of the timber, with its tight growth rings, shows the superior density of the wood in old growth trees.
We work with reclaimed woods because it’s both a sustainable choice and much higher in quality over the new-growth, ecologically grown woods. Plus, the natural, aged patina and color of old growth timber gives the furniture a look and feel that can not be replicated in new wood.
Solid wood furniture has a distinct beauty and character. When it’s finished with rich, water-based, non-toxic stains you can enjoy it without introducing excess toxins into your home.
The Muir collection is made entirely from locally sourced reclaimed wood and handcrafted in Los Angeles. Products made in the USA support our local economy and cut down on shipping pollution.
Contributed by Nicole, co-founder Amenity Home
P.S. The Muir Collection is 15% off through January 31 2011!
Natural, simple and beautiful – The all wood Botanist Bench by Dario Antonioni. American made from sustainably harvested wood in satin finished walnut or rift oak. Ships within 48 hours. For a limited time, the All Wood Botanist Bench is offered at a 25% discount with code GOT_WOOD_25. @ Botanist
We are big fans of Amenity Home’s sustainable designs for the home. So we are are pleased to make two announcements:
ONE: The Amenity Home Studio is now open to the public. They are located at 453 South Spring Street – #918 – Los Angeles, 90013.
TWO: Amenity Home is having their Semi-Annual Sale beginning November 11th – 13th. I speak from experience; last year I purchased several Amenity designs at the sample sale. The quality is outstanding, they look as beautiful as they did the day they were purchased. So don’t miss this sale.
190 Aire Sofa by Piero Lissoni accomplishes alot with a little. The lightest sofa in Cassina’s I Contemporanei Collection, Aire uses 65% less expanded polyurethane than a standard sofa. About 80% of the sofa’s mass is recyclable. How did Lissoni acheive this? A steel tube frame is covered in a techincal fabric. The fabric is stretched tightly over the frame creating a tensile structure. The structure is then covered with polyester padding and polyurethane cushioning is used in key areas. Then the entire construction is covered with a leather or fabric cover. Aire delivers on style and comfort in an environmentally friendly way. @ Context.
Bionic Lanterns – Edgy, almosty spooky graphic in black steel. A portion of the procees benefit the Scleroderma Society of Ontario.
From The Botanist Series of socially responsible designs… a collection of notable designers have come together to create environmentally responsible products with a portion of the proceeds going to charitable causes. It is possible to create, profit and give back
Puf Fup – from Portugese designer Ana Mestre for Susdesign at Touch LA. A freeform pouf made from cork. Touch LA features many thoughtful and original sustainable designs from all over the world. This piece is from Susdesign, a research and consultancy studio based in Lisbon Portugal – their goal is to help us think, produce and consume in a more sustainable manner. @ Touch.
Light up the night with Soji Modern Solar Lanterns. Each is outfitted with a little solar battery – charges by day, casts a warm amber glow by night. Hang them in the trees or set them on tables. Soji is available in pearl, white or mineral. @ Abode NY.