Category archives: Art+Graphics

Design Meets Cannery Row

14Jan07

Storage that doubles as a piece of wall art? The Cesaria Evora Storage Unit by GodoyLab takes recycled cans and transforms them into a wall mounted shelving unit. Originally designed in 1997, Emiliano Godoy has created many versions since. These units strike a perfect balance of industrial style and elegance.

The DIY Version: Create your own storage unit from empty paint cans or coffee cans. Peel off the labels (you may need to soak them in water first). Paint the interior (and/or exterior) a sassy color for a two-toned graphic effect.

Personally, I’ve been wanting to design a room divider from cans for my home office. Open up the bottom with a can opener and paint the interior with a low-VOC paint (in a peacock blue). The trick is to hot glue them in an arrangement that becomes freestanding. Voila–a storage divider.

Fabulously Green reports on the latest eco-friendly products that blend style, sustainability and social responsibility. A resource for designers and shoppers alike, we showcase daily green style finds in fashion, furniture, decor pieces reflecting eco-modern chic.

Filed under Art+Graphics, Budget Decor, Interior Design, Multifunctional Design, Office Style, Refashion+Refurb| Tagged , | 3 Comments

Walls and Wares to Die For: Lily Yung

11Jan07


My fetish for felt furnishings continues with a look at the sinewy, die cut furnishings and jewelry designed by Toronto-based mixed media artist Lily Yung. Made from industrial wool felt, the pieces are dyed and hand assembled by Lily into gorgeous webs for wall panels, pillows, rugs and runners.

Not one to waste good material, Lily takes the remaining die cuts (the cut outs) and uses textile techniques to create masterful pieces of jewelry:


Lily’s personal favorite? The blue Boa FB1:

“I think the blue boa is very successful. It is simple but dramatic on
the body and fulfills my goal to incorporate the closure mechanism in
the piece and it is also adjustable to fit different neck sized and
can be easily reconfigured to be a collar or a bracelet.”

The Fab Factor: Lily’s pieces are simply stunning and beautifully crafted. Wool felt as a material that is landfill-friendly and naturally fire-retardant (goodbye to chemically-based fire-proof treatments). We love that Lily sources her wool and cutting services locally (conserves fuel/transportation), and transforms otherwise wasteful leftovers into beautiful pieces.

You can meet Lily and see her work in person at:

Virtual/Tangible v2.0 Show
@ Velvet da Vinci, San Francisco
January 24, 2007

Interior Design Show 2007
@ Direct Energy Centre, Toronto
February 22-25.

If you’re planning on attending either event, we’d love to have you share your field report with Fab Green readers!

You can see more of Lily’s work here. If you’re interested in buying or sourcing her pieces feel free to contact Lily directly.

Another entry on Lily’s beautiful wire jewelry to come later this week. Special thanks to Lily Yung for answering our many questions and sharing your work with Fab Green!

Fabulously Green reports on the latest eco-friendly products that blend style, sustainability and social responsibility. A resource for designers and shoppers alike, we showcase daily green style finds in fashion, furniture, decor pieces reflecting eco-modern chic.

Filed under Art+Graphics, Handmade, Indie, Interior Design, Jewelry, Materials+Finishes, Multifunctional Design| Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | No Comments

Graffiti Art for Grownups

30Nov06

If you are a fan of the latest wall decal trend but wish for a more greener option, these Graffiti Stencils at Urban Outfitters may be just the thing. There are ten motifs in all inspired from natural and urban objects. Stencils are made from vinyl and can be used on fabric, furniture, walls and floors. Simple choose your colors and your paints, grab a few brushes and graffiti away. Available exclusively at Urban Outtfitters online.

Traffic Motif Graffiti Stencil, UrbanOutterfitters.com, $10

Sparrow Motif Graffiti Stencil, applied (neatly) with spray paint

Deer Motif Graffiti Stencil, and a tee people will fawn over.

Powerlines Motif Graffiti Stencil, no electricity required.

The Fab Factor: Vinyl is certainly not a green material, and we hope to see alternatives from Urban Outfitters in the future. However props go to the stencils’ reusability. I also appreciate their versatility to update your home and your wardrobe alike and you can pass them on to another crafter when you’re finished. For extra eco-health factor, try using an low VOC paint (how about Yolo Colorhouse, milk paints by Anna Sova or Old Fashioned Milk Paint of Benjamin Moore’s Eco Spec paint.

Fabulously Green reports on the latest eco-friendly products that blend style, sustainability and social responsibility. A resource for designers and shoppers alike, we showcase daily green style finds in fashion, furniture, decor pieces reflecting eco-modern chic.

Filed under Art+Graphics, Interior Design, Materials+Finishes, Small Space Style, Urban Style| Tagged , | 4 Comments

Magnetic Interiors

22Nov06

If you’ve been following trends in interior design this year, no doubt you’ve seen the very sticky appeal of decorative wall decals. One of my design blog idols Design*Sponge surveyed design enthusiasts about the trend (here are her results) – but it looks like many (self included) still find them hopelessly a-peeling with lots of creative possibilities still to explore.

Here’s one variation that captures my green-little heart: magnetic rather than vinyl wall decals from Magscapes (the Dots series shown above). Designed by Patricia Adler of Peppermint (we featured her innovative Palazzo T4 Chandelier just yesterday) these decals give users a chance to design and redesign their interiors. To your heart’s content.

Magnetic rather than sticky, it’s actually the wallpaper that holds the secret. It’s specially made to be receptive to the decals and hold them permanently or temporarily. The decals are cut from rubber sheets similar to the backings on refrigerator magnets and voila–you can pin up and play.


The Fab Factor: The reusability gives a green edge over vinyl decals that can only be used once. According to the Magscapes, the decals and paper are made without lead, or hazardous chemicals so they’re safe to use in kid’s rooms, kitchens, wherever your inspiration takes you.

Design range is slightly limited, but you can work with them to create custom designs of your own. Still wondering about its recyclability and manufacturing standards and will update when we hear more.

Available online through Magscapes and through . Free samples available in Europe only.

Fabulously Green reports on the latest eco-friendly products that blend style, sustainability and social responsibility. A resource for designers and shoppers alike, we showcase daily green style finds in fashion, furniture, decor pieces reflecting eco-modern chic.

Filed under Art+Graphics, Interior Design, Materials+Finishes, Small Space Style, Unique| Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sarah Cihat: Rockin' Dishware

09Nov06

We’re loyal fans of Sarah Cihat’s collection of rehabilitated dishware. Bold motifs, rich colors. Plates are sourced locally from her neighborhood Good Will or Salvation Army and given new life. In honor of this season’s rocker chic trend, we thought you’d get a kick out of some of these pieces that look as good on your wall as they do on your dining table.


Axel Rose playing Sweet Plate o’Mine…

The Fab Factor: Recycled and refashioned plates, we love their double duty function as dining accessory or a work of art. Made using non-toxic glazes and handcrafted by Sarah Cihat herself. Not to mention a positive example of rockers in rehab.

Sarah Cihat dishware is available in retail stores in the US, Canada and Japan. You can also e-mail her directly for custom orders. Ceramics range in price from $35-59 each.

Fabulously Green reports on the latest eco-friendly products that blend style, sustainability and social responsibility. A resource for designers and shoppers alike, we showcase daily green style finds in fashion, furniture, decor pieces reflecting eco-modern chic.

Filed under Art+Graphics, Handmade, Indie, Refashion+Refurb, Urban Style| Tagged , , , , , | No Comments

Fab Finds at Hi+Lo Modern

01Nov06

Oops. I had saved this entry for Halloween (an homage to orange is the best that I can do) so it’s being served a tad bit late. I found these pumpkin-colored beauties at Hi+Lo Modern, an excellent vintage boutique for modern wares. Many fab finds to be had if you particularly like Scandinavian style pieces.

Mod Tile Panel, Signed by Espinoza
Four beautiful decorative tile pieces square-mounted on wood with hanger. Orange, cream, brown and black, a combination of matte and gloss finishes.

Mid-early 70’s Mod Wesclox Ballmatic Alarm Clock

They just don’t make manual wind clocks anymore, but after hearing about the draining effects of sleeping in bedrooms with too much electricity, I’m thinking of going this way myself. How fun are these? Vintage and apparently unused. Available in orange or hot pink, $80

The Fab Factor: Vintage modern pieces that bring character to your home rather than the landfill.

For more beautiful vintage collectibles, ceramics, fabrics, and tableware visit hi+lo modern.

Filed under Art+Graphics, Furnishings, Furniture, Gadgets, Interior Design, Refashion+Refurb, Vintage| Tagged , | No Comments

Sofa Brick: Corky Art

29Aug06

sofa_brick3sofa_brick2
Lego’s for adults? Yes and better! These Sofa Bricks by Japanese designer Aya Koike invite users to tap their inner-designer to create a wall, a piece of furniture, or an art piece. Made of soft molded eco-friendly cork, they’re lightweight, comfortable and sturdy. Perfect melding of fun and function.

sofa_brick2

Manufactured by NAGAYANAGI co.,ltd.

Via MocoLoco

Fabulously Green reports on the latest eco-friendly products that blend style, sustainability and social responsibility. A resource for designers and shoppers alike, we showcase daily green style finds in fashion, furniture, decor pieces reflecting eco-modern chic.

Filed under Art+Graphics, Furniture, Interior Design, Materials+Finishes, Multifunctional Design, Urban Style| Tagged , | No Comments

Wrap Me in Light

26Jul06

What happens when you team up an architectural designer, a filmmaker, a media scientist and an LED entrepreneur? Future-forward textiles that literally light up a room.

LUME’s ingenious gang of four Talia Dorsey, Joshua Dorsey, Mathew Laiborwitz and Eran Plonski have created a revolutionary line of LED-lit fabrics that can be stretched, draped and tailored. Energy efficiency never looked this beautiful.

Fabulously Green reports on the latest eco-friendly products that blend style, sustainability and social responsibility. A resource for designers and shoppers alike, we showcase daily green style finds in fashion, furniture, decor pieces reflecting eco-modern chic.

Filed under Art+Graphics, Lighting, Textiles+Fabrics, Unique| Tagged , | No Comments

Searching Hi+Lo for Vintage Modern Wares

14Jul06

This past February my husband and I cruised to Palm Springs to visit friends and check out the annual Modernism show but was let down by the paltry selection and left empty-handed. And since my life ping pongs between work and design school, I haven’t had the time to hit the weekend flea markets here in L.A. So when I saw today’s Design*Sponge post featuring New York’s Hi+Lo vintage boutique I got excited. Voted “Best Bet” by New York Magazine Hi+Lo offers an impressive range of high quality, vintage modern design including ceramics, furnishings, jewelry, fashion, art and rare books. No need to make your way through piles of musty doilies to find the gems–they are available online. They ship in the U.S. and internationally. Generaly high-end prices but occasionally you’ll find that perfect budget find.

MAJA ISOLA MARIMEKKO WALL HANGING($75)

RUTH REEVES ABSTRACT TRAY, melamine plastic with incised mark on the bottom, circa 1954 ($275)

JORGEN JENSEN PEWTER CAT’S EYE RINGS, signed by artist ($40-85 each)

MOD CHROME FLOWER LINK BELT, Chrome flower belt, originally bought in Paris, $100 (ooh lala)

Fabulously Green reports on the latest eco-friendly products that blend style, sustainability and social responsibility. A resource for designers and shoppers alike, we showcase daily green style finds in fashion, furniture, decor pieces reflecting eco-modern chic.

Filed under Art+Graphics, Furniture, Gadgets, Handmade, Interior Design, Jewelry, Unique, Vintage| Tagged , , | No Comments

Sarah Cihat: Delicious Dishware

10Jul06

Who ever thought rehab could be this fun? Sarah Cihat’s line of Rehabilitated Dishware are handsome enough to showcase on your tabletop or as focal points on your wall. Cihat visits Goodwill and Salvation Army in search of unwanted plates and gives them new life with bold colors and high contrast graphics. Cihat can even design custom styles for customers.

Why they’re fabulous:

  • Cihat’s glazes are food safe and non toxic commercial grade.
  • Products are packaged in Envirofill or reused packaging material.
  • Plastic, glaze, water and porcelain slip bottles used in production are recycled in her studio.

Unfortunately they’re not recyclable. But as gorgeous as they are, why would you want to?

Available in the U.S. and Japan. Visit SarahCihat.com for stores.

Fabulously Green reports on the latest eco-friendly products that blend style, sustainability and social responsibility. A resource for designers and shoppers alike, we showcase daily green style finds in fashion, furniture, decor pieces reflecting eco-modern chic.

Filed under Art+Graphics, Eco Glam, Furnishings, Handmade, Indie, Interior Design, Multifunctional Design, Refashion+Refurb, Unique, Urban Style| Tagged , , , , | No Comments