Decorigami

This month we discovered some origami inspired, sustainable accessories and lighting for the home.  Each of the three items we have selected to feature is environmentally friendly by being made of sustainable or vintage materials and some of the products even help  people as well.

The first Item we found is The Paper Vase Cover.  Designed by Dutch designer Pepe Heykoop, this origami inspired vase can transform any empty bottle into an instant accessory.  The triangle structure of the coated paper makes it easy to fold and transform the shape to fit around any empty bottle.   The Paper Vase is being made in India in a workplace that the designer and the Tiny Miracles Foundation has opened.  This has given jobs to those from the Pardeshi community that are living in the slums of Mumbai.  Sales of these vases are helping the people of the Pardeshi community to build better lives for themselves and their families.

Next we have the Orikomi paper lamp from Blaanc Borderless Architecture.  These are a series of beautiful folded paper lamps that are handmade in Portugal.  The lamps are made with minimal energy consumption and the design of the folds results in minimal material usage and little waste.  This lamp is helping the Adobe for Women Association.  Proceeds from the sales are going towards helping Mexican women construct their own houses.  In addition to the lamp itself being environmentally friendly, the Adobe for Women are focused on using sustainable construction to build the homes as well.  This product is helping people and the environment.  The best part is the lamps for sale in the Blaanc Etsy Shop are all under $100 which means they are affordable to everyone!

Lastly, we have the Origami Pillow we found on the Dear Emmeline Blog.  We love the texture the origami design of this pillow creates.  This makes the list because the original pillow on the blog was made using vintage sheets and thrift store finds.  You can even take this one step further and cover a pillow you already own.  It would be an instant update to your space without needing to use new materials.  Would you like to make one for yourself?  Then head on over to the Dear Emmeline Blog (Click here for the tutorial).

Make the Neighbors “Green” with Envy – 5 Design Tips to Make Your Home Environmentally Friendly

1.)    Reuse – The most green design decision you can make is to reuse something that already exists.  Jump on the DIY bandwagon and redo an existing piece of furniture to match the style you have now.  You would be amazed at what a coat of paint will do.  Another way to do this is to shop vintage stores and flea markets.  Another person’s trash just might be your treasure.  There are always great finds to be made.

2.)    Reclaimed/Recycled Materials – Another way to make sure you are making a positive impact on the environment is to purchase your furniture pieces from companies that use reclaimed materials to make their pieces.  Maybe you are not the DIY type or you just do not have the time.  Then choose a company that is sustainable in their products and their processes.

3.)    Organize a Swap – We all have that friend that has some fantastic things in their house that we want and that same friend may love some of the things we have in our home.  Get a group together and swap some decorative items.  Make a night out of it where everyone brings things they no longer want in their home and swaps them with their friends.  Once the swap is made the new owner can breathe some new life into the objects by redoing them or use it as it is, it’s new to you now.  This is a great and incredibly affordable way to update your space without spending a dime.

4.)    Water Conservation – Remodeling or just taking the redecoration a step further then replace water fixtures with low flow faucets, showerheads, and toilets. You will notice a significant change in your water bill.  Another way to save on water is to install foot pedal valves at your sink.  This will allow you to control water flow when your hands are busy.  You can turn the water on only when you actually need it rather than leaving it running while washing dirty hands or brushing your teeth.  The best part is by controlling the water with your feet the actual faucet will stay much cleaner much longer.

5.)    Energy Conservation – Use low voltage lighting and LED lighting where possible.  This may seem like a larger up front cost for the fixtures and light bulbs, but you will notice a difference on your electrical bill immediately.  Another easy way to save on energy is to keep the outside heat or cold out.  Invest in quality window treatments that are energy efficient.  You can buy pre-made energy efficient blackout panels for your windows, or if custom making draperies anything can be lined with an energy efficient blackout material.  You would be amazed at the amount of heat a good drapery treatment can keep out (especially here in Arizona).

Fantastic Furniture – From Trash to Treasure

Wreck Creation – Custom Reclaimed Furniture and Wall Art (Image via Wreck Creation)

We recently stumbled upon some fantastic sustainable design work coming out of Chicago.  If you live in the Chicago area or will be in the area anytime soon you defiantly need to make a stop at Wreck Creation located at 1659 N. Halsted St. in Chicago.  Furniture designer/Wood Artist Neil Galati is doing some amazing work and breathing new life into otherwise discarded objects.  The treasures you will find at Wreck Creations are made by surgically deconstructing old furniture and vintage items.  Neil then uses those items for inspiration for his creations.  He has transformed vintage objects into beautiful furniture, wall art, mirrors, accessories, and even pet beds!  He states that he does not have predetermined designs that he finds materials to construct, but to use the materials he has, let them speak to him and create from there.  On the Wreck Creations website Neil states that “at the end of the process I see the piece for the first time and I’m amazed at the direction it led me.”  So next time you are in the area pop on by and be amazed by his work as well.  It really is one of a kind, sustainable design.

Gorgeous woodwork on the detail in this bar. (Image via Wreck Creation)

Pinwheel Wall Art (Image via Wreck Creation)

Love that Wreck Creation makes things for mans best friend as well. We love this pet bed with attached feeding area. (Image via Wreck Creation)

We are in love with the furniture piece made form this vintage trunk (Image via Wreck Creation)

Monthly Mood Board – Going Green

This month we are celebrating everything green.  We know a lot of you will be celebrating everything green on March 17^th for St. Patrick’s Day, but F.I.N.D.S. will be celebrating everything green all month.  This month is all about going green and all that is fabulous in sustainable design.  Everything has come a long way in the last few years and now there are more options than ever when it comes to choosing something that not only looks good, but is good for the environment as well.  You no longer have to choose between great design and environmentally friendly.  Here are some of our picks for green products for your home.  The best part is these products are green and so are the companies that make them.

1.)    First we have this sectional sofa call 1112 Platform Sofa w/Chaise from South of Urban.  Not only is this made with sustainable materials, but it is modern and stylish as well.  South of Urban uses local resources and partners with other sustainable businesses.  It is their goal to use as much salvaged, reclaimed, and recycled material as possible.  This particular piece is offered in many different fabric options from the Maharam Fluent collection or the Maharam Scout (upgrade option).  All the Maharam fabric is Greenguard Certified and made from recycled materials.

2.)    We love the idea of using two of these Koper Reclaimed Wood end tables from Viesso in place of a coffee table.  The wood has been reclaimed from buildings that were torn down in Los Angeles, bringing new life to some old pieces.  Each one is finished with a natural linseed oil.

3.)    Also from South of Urban is the 1301 Z Lounger.  This chair is also upholstered in Maharam fabrics which are Greenguard Certified and made from recycled materials.

4.)    We are in love with the Kaktus Stool from Digs.  This stool is made from 100% recycled aluminum.  Designed by Enrico Bressan, it was inspired from the fibrous skeleton of the Staghorn Cholla Cactus.  It is also suitable for indoor or outdoor use.

5.)    We think the Wooly Media Cabinet from Iannone is the perfect place to rest your TV and hide all the components.  This cabinet is made with sustainable kirei board, FSC certified maple plywood and FSC certified laminate, as well as 100% German wool felt.  We love the mix of material that brings many natural elements to the piece and the color is great too.  It adds an unexpected pop of color to the space.

6.)    Also from Iannone is the Grassy Shelf.  This is made of sustainable bamboo plywood, maple, and birch dowels.  It is finished with a non-toxic oil and wax finish.  We love the lines of the shelf with the detail of the wooden dowels.  It also takes on a wood slab look with the way the shelves have been cut to take on the look of a natural wood edge.

7.)    One of the favorite accessories we found recently are these Transglass Cut Vases from Digs.  They are made from recycled wine and beer bottles by artisans.  Each piece is unique and has slight variations in size, shape and color.  The lines of these vases add interest to your space.  These vases will definitely get noticed in your home.

8.)    If all the furniture and accessories in your room are sustainable then your lighting should be too.  We were so excited to find the Big Bang and Middle Bang from Stickbulb.  These lights have it all.  We are in love with how sculptural these are.  It is an art piece in itself.  What makes these really cool though is the sustainable aspects.  They are energy efficient using LED bulbs and made of reclaimed materials.  The Stickbulbs can be made from sun-bleached ipe that was salvaged form Coney Island’s boardwalk and reclaimed southern yellow pine from demolished buildings.  It is always fun when the materials already have their own story.

9.)    Lastly, we have the Transglass Double Vase, also from Digs. Made from recycled wine and beer bottles from artisans.  We love the shape and color of these vases.  Like the Transglass vases in number 7, these would be a great, earth-friendly item to add to any space.

Design Finds – MicroDwell 2014

This weekend we attended the Micro Dwellings 2014 exhibit at the Shemer Art Center.  We had attended this event the last time they had it in November 2012.  The first time we went we had a great time walking through each of the dwellings and seeing the differences in the design, interiors, and materials used that each team had.  All of the builders are present so you are free to talk with them and discuss their inspirations and how they brought everything together.  We were so impressed we just had to check it out again this time.

This year was a mix of fully complete units like the one pictured above and other units that showed how they were built.  The above unit was made with a few different types of salvaged wood, steel, glass, and faux grass on the “front porch” area.  This would make a great place to live, use as a guest room, or even work from.  The windows had a frosted design on them to let a lot of light into the space, but still give the privacy that would be needed if this was used as a private residence.

Another unit (pictured above top) was set up to serve as an office.  There was a desk, sitting area, and stylish lighting inside.  Most of the furniture in this unit was from West Elm.  The unit pictured above on the bottom was a very open space.  This particular unit was built on an old bus chassis that was salvaged.  It did have on option to add sleeping arrangements.  We liked the salvaged wood design on the wall representing the Arizona flag.

There were 15 different structures in all, from an old trailer that was converted into a basic RV like unit that can be moved anywhere you would need it to move (pictured above left), to an all steel unit meant to stay in one place that could serve as a living space complete with kitchen and bathroom (above middle).  The builder of that one actually told us they could swap out the steel with aluminum and it would be light enough to hook to a truck and transport wherever you would need just like an RV.  Another called The Cinderbox was made of burnt wood (pictured above right).

All in all it was a great exhibit.  In addition to the dwellings on display there is a MicroArt Exhibition that is featuring 18 Arizona artists as well as lectures and demonstrations.  Everything from welding and woodcutting to how to using solar energy.  You can see how they use solar panels to power a microdwelling for all your electrical needs and even see a demonstration on how to cook with solar energy.

The exhibit makes for a great afternoon outing and may even inspire you to get your own microdwelling.  I for one would like a shipping container microdwelling located on a beach somewhere.  A friend of ours wants his in the woods up north of Phoenix.  There are lots of ideas and you will be amazed at how much you can do with a unit that is 600 square feet or less.

If you are in the Phoenix area and would like to check the exhibit out you can.  The MicroDwellings will be on display through March 23^rd from 10am-6pm daily.  For more information visit http://www.microdwelling.net