01Dec06
I’m a veritable addict for convertible, collapsible, multifunctional pieces (like the modern murphy beds we all went crazy for last month). So falling in love with designer Akemi Tanaka’s furniture collection was inevitable:
The Tagei is available only through the designer. Personally I love the striped fabric she’s chosen for upholstery, but it can be upholstered using other custom fabrics if you request it.
Some photos of the Tagei “at home” [via Inhabitat]
And a glimpse of Akemi Tanaka’s Futaba coffee table-loveseat that debuted last year:
Futaba by Akemi Takana, available at inmod
The Fab Factor: Akemi Takana’s collection is hand-crafted from renewable bamboo plywood and finished off with an eco-friendly non-voc danish oil. The three standard upholstery fabric options are sustainable too. An elegant example of space-saving, versatile design.
Via Design Milk
14Nov06
I’ve always been fascinated by collapsible design, especially when it’s done with style. So it’s no surprise that I flipped over these handsome and multifunctional wall beds designed by British furniture company CLEI. When I showed these to my husband he wanted to downgrade into a smaller place just so we could try one.
Atoll Bed w/Sofa in white, shown with bed closed
Voila! Truly efficient and elegant. I can’t speak to comfort so if any of you own or have tested one of these beauties we want to hear from you.
Atoll Bed with wenge finish. Now you see it…
Now you don’t.
Lollipop Bunk Beds
Too sweet!
The Fab Factor: I’ll make the plug that efficient design which promotes small space style can be green. Afterall, who treads lighter on the planet, a person living in an eco-friendly McMansion, or a person living efficiently in a 650 sf. loft?
Reader’s Note: We wrote CLEI several weeks ago to learn more about the materials used in building these modern day Murphy beds, but haven’t heard back. We can only assume that the materials used are not considered sustainable to date.
29Aug06
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.
Manufactured by NAGAYANAGI co.,ltd.
Via MocoLoco
17Jul06
One of my favorite online modern boutiques 2modern has gone green. Their new site, 2modern|eco, showcases their favorite eco-modern designers like Mebel Furniture (Lublin Double Bench shown above).
Products that meet style and sustainability are marked with a green icon on their original site. They’ve now added eco-descriptions to all green products.
2modern|eco also offers green living tips other eco-topics. Shopping on the eco site is currently by designer only–so no simple “browse by category” feature yet. But it’s a great first step. Add to that their low-price guarantee and free shipping on orders $50 makes 2modern|eco simply 2fabulous.
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.
Filed under Art+Graphics, Eco Glam, Furnishings, Handmade, Indie, Interior Design, Multifunctional Design, Refashion+Refurb, Unique, Urban Style|
Tagged Eco-friendly, Handmade, Indie, Non-toxic, Tabletop |
15Jun06
The Boxer Shelf by Material Furniture is going on my personal wish list because:
1. It’s a tangerine dream (though available in 6 colors)
2. It’s a shelf and a screen — attracting the Gemini in me who loves dual purpose pieces.
3. It’s made from 100% recycled wood fiber and is formaldehyde-free (no toxic fumes).
The Flipper Screen also by MF is something to flip over–literally. The discs can lay flat for create a solid panel, or turn down when you need extra storage. Available in Walnut or Maple finishes, it’s made in the U.S. from FSC-certified wood, meaning it comes from a carefully harvested forest. With nine total flippable screen shelves, you can create __ different arrangements? Well, it’s a lot anyway.
Futaba by Akemi Takana, available at inmod
