19Feb08
Since when does something low wattage look this hot? Designer Monica Singer invites you to cut and create a one-of-a-kind pendant sculpture. The Cut Light arrives in raw form: a clear canister filled with lightweight, laser cut polyester ribbons and a complementary pair of shears. At an affordable price of $69US, anyone can snip the light fantastic.
What Makes It Fabulous:
This winged wonder puts the sexy in compact fluorescent lighting (hot incandescent bulbs will melt these babies). Energy-efficient, sculptural, cool.
Available at generate
09Jun07
Thanks to Fab Green reader Carly for turning us on to these sporty, sun-powered bags and portable chargers by Reware. The Juice Bag (shown above) gets is “juice” from the sun, thanks to thin, flexible solar panels stitched to the bag’s exterior. Perfect for charging up mp3 players, cell phones, PDA’s and digital cameras while you’re on the go. How cool.
Geek Chic: According to the website, the fabric behind the ES Series Juice Bags is made from recycled 2-liter soda bottles then stitched to meet military standards for virtual indestructibility. Juice Bags are available in either a backpack or a day pack, either can hold your laptop, but not charge it up. Yet. It’s in the works. Prices run from $229USD and up.
The Pocket Charger is a folding charger for your gadgets that can fit in your glove box, or bag. Lie back, enjoy the sun, and listen to the music.
See the full line of Reware products on their website. For other sun-squeezing alternatives check out the Solar Backpack by Voltaic Systems.
Thanks again Carly for the fab find!
04May07
A roundup of fabulously green style finds around the web…
HOT IN THE KITCHEN
FEEL-THRU STYLE
Made of
biodegradable felt. Can be converted into wall art, table runners
Spotted at
Charles & MarieFOLDING FUN
Foldschool DIY Cardboard Furniture for kids by
Truc DesignRecyclable, collapsible designs. Free pattern downloads available.
Spotted at Style Hive
01Mar07
First I fell in love with British designer Stuart Haygarth’s eclectically modern Tide Chandelier. Here’s another creation that puts the idea of “design” in “disposable.”
DISPOSABLE CHANDELIER by Stuart Haygarth
Created from 416 disposable plastic wine glasses, this jewel of a chandelier gets its colorful glow from a pink fluorescent light source (that means energy savings for you and the planet). If pink’s not your thing you can custom select from a variety of other colors. A smaller version is available using 280 glasses. Handmade in an edition of 20.
20Nov06
If Marie Antoinette were a modernist, she probably would have been drawn to this hot, acrylic Palazzo T4 Chandelier. It’s more minimalist than the popular Murano Glass Chandelier sold at Design Within Reach but at half the cost. Designed by British innovator Patricia Adler of Peppermint it can be hung indoors or out–thanks to its lightweight acrylic nature. Available in frosted blue or white, it arrives flat, to be slotted together in five minutes with a simple screwdriver. Which means it stores away just as easily. Sells for about £295 ($475 USD).
The Fab Factor: The Palazzo uses only candles, so it’s romantic and kind to your electric bill. We also give kudos for the flat-pack efficient design (less packaging upon arrival) and that it’s made from acrylic, a recyclable material.
13Oct06
How beautiful is this? A sculptural light by über Dutch designer Tord Boontje made of overlapping feather shapes cut from Mylar. A surprising poetic flight of fancy for any space. And at $80, the Icarus is also very wallet-friendly.
The Fab Factor: We love that it’s packed flat (for minimal packaging) then springs to life when it reaches its final destination. Mylar is recyclable (yippee), and the Icarus uses a low wattage bulb of 60W or less. Now that’s sustainable style.
Available at:
Modern Poverty
friend Objects in Common
Unica Home
02Aug06
If you are interested in turning your energy-draining home into an eco-friendly one, you may want to enter Whirlpool’s “Home Energy Blueprint” Contest. Whirlpool is seeking 10 homeowners to participate in a free green home makeover. Finalists receive a line of Energy Star appliances and other green goodies from Lowe’s.
The application deadline is August 4th. To apply click here.
01Aug06
Here’s a chance for designers to put their talent for style and sustainability to the test:
“Light Objects” asks participants to submit design concepts–for any product, service or system–that are thoughtful, forward-looking, elegant and environmentally beneficial. Designers are encouraged to go farther than making their entries ’sustainable’ or merely reducing the negative impact that production or use of an object has on the environment. Entries should push the concept of lightness in every way, from material selection and reduction to objects that actively improve our environment through use. The idea of “light objects” creates new opportunities for sustainable innovation in the future.”
Prizes range from $1500-3000 for winning designs. The submission deadline is August 13th, so start sketching! Click here for more information.
Via Core77
31Jul06
These limited edition Steam Direct washers by LG turn energy conservation into a style statement. Taking inspiration from textile design, LG tapped British textile company Designers Guild to create these gorgeous designs: Cloisonné – striking gloss butterflies and flowers on a black matt background; Imperial Flower – a stunning red floral damask design on a white background; the fresh spring green trailing floral on white Sevilla; and a modern geometric design of graphic circles Ribailagua.
According to LG, this eco-friendly machine uses 35% less water and 21% less energy than traditional washers. What’s more the machine’s refresh program uses steam to remove creases in garments in just 20 minutes, which they say will eliminate the need for ironing. Now that would be a perfect blend of form and function!
Currently selling at Harrods and John Lewis. Still trying to hunt down U.S. distributors without success. If you track one down, let us know!
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.
