Tag archives: modern

Uhuru | Reclaiming Design


This Brooklyn-based design-build studio knows how to look at something old in an unexpected way. Founded in 2004 by a quartet of designers, Uhuru is a company that loves to rescue materials around town and transform them into clean, contemporary furnishings. Their latest love is heart pine, a popular construction material 25 years ago. This beautifully-grained wood is excavated from demolished buildings and given second life — like the Stoolen Lite stool above.

This Fenced In table converts an abandoned cast iron fence into furniture. This collection is all manufactured locally in Red Hook Brooklyn.

You can find more pieces and work by Uhuru on their website.

Funky Wall Coverage by Chiasso

chiasso_flow3d
Originally uploaded by fabulouslygreen.

If you’ve been reading Fabulously Green for awhile now you’ve noticed a preference for texture–be it wall finishes, rugs, clothing, etc. So when I saw these Flow 3D Wall Tiles by Chiasso I was definitely intrigued. Made from 100% pre- and post-consumer recycled paper, these tiles are shipped out unpainted so that owners can paint and mount them in any pattern they wish [all you need is double stick tape and a little imagination]. Which is perfect for apartment dwellers or folks who love to switch up their style (i.e. me).

I’ll admit that I’m probably more attracted to the V2 Tiles by Mio or the Inhabit Wall Slats featured in a previous entry You’re My Wonderwall. It’s just personal taste. But for those who prefer a little more funky and the opportunity to create your own masterpiece, these babies might just be up your alley.

Available for $40 (set of 12) at Chiasso

Lighting Gets Hot

One of the most ingenious products featured at the hauteGREEN exhibit last month was the ThermaLamp designed by London-based G|O|E Design. It literally relies on you to make the move from a conventional to eco-friendly bulb for it to work and “bloom.”

Step 1: Therma Lamp arrives in flat form on your doorstep. You install a standard incandescent bulb in the fixture to wilt the thermo-softening petals into a desired shape (finally making use of some of the excessive heat that emits from our everyday bulbs).

Step 2: Once you’ve achieved the look you want, switch the bulb to an eco-friendly, low wattage bulb. Voila, you’ve co-created an energy efficient, light sculpture.

What else makes them fabulously green:
They’re lightweight, require minimal packaging, made by local manufacturers, and as a thermo-softening plastic, it can be recycled (and has been made in part from recycled material).

You are also forced to part ways with that everyday light bulb if you want to keep your new piece of art from discoloring or turning brittle. You might even see some savings on your next electrical bill.

Although available primarily in Europe, G|O|E is able to ship to the US. Reasonably priced at £45.

Thanks to Campbell at G|O|E for giving me the ThermaLamp for Dummies tutorial and for answering my barrage of technical questions. I appreciate their candor about what pieces are eco-friendly and which aren’t in their collection — demonstrating their integrity as designers. That’s what I call being socially responsible.