green space

FEEL MORE HUMAN

2008-09-05T06:55:00.000-07:00

Another one I have been meaning to talk about is Feel More Human. I really like this site. It's not making itself out to be 'greener than thou' but does say that it hopes to make a little bit of a difference. I also love the fact that the products are so stylish and modern or 'meaningful modern' as they like to call it. They also have a modern flea market where you can post furniture for sale. Only problem is this site is US based and I live in Ireland. Here are some great products from the eco friendly section, branches rug, ailanthus, knu lateral file, rekindle coffee table, zebra critter, lions, tigers & kittens..oh my

GREAT IRISH ECO BLOG

2008-09-05T06:36:00.000-07:00

I have been meaning to blog about Nicola Elizabeth Jones now for a while. She runs her own holistic interiors and feng shui business in Dublin. Her blog is a great resource for anyone wanting a more sustainable home. Nicola also has a fab greener home blog on greenme.ie. This lady is a one woman blog machine. Go check them out!

NEW WEBSITE LAUNCH SOON

2008-07-28T02:02:00.000-07:00

There has been a severe lack of posts now since May. I have been mad busy and also took a wee holiday for a friends wedding in Greece. I am currently working on a whole new site so things may be a bit random for a while. Apologies x

MARKS & SPENCERS

2008-05-05T05:08:00.000-07:00

M&S are one of the high street retailers leading the way in their effort to become green. You can read all about their Plan A on their website here. Below are a few of my top picks from their organic and fair trade ranges. My favourites are the Erin and Twiggy organic cotton eco shoppers (Erin and Twiggy’s faces look great as graphic prints) and the Fern sofa and chair. Finally a high street retailer has come up trumps and produced an environmentally friendly sofa and chair. They also stock products such as the Bamboo duvet, organic cotton towels and some great organic cookbooks. Check out their Greener Living Shop here.

PEDLARS ROCKS

2008-04-18T13:06:00.000-07:00

I love Pedlars website especially the vintage section so I have done a round up of my current interior favourites. As a former graphic designer I still hold a torch for anything with type so these original London Underground signs and printers blocks make my heart skip a tiny beat. The vintage Station Clock is an eternal classic and the retired Hovis tin planters are ingenious and sentimental all at the same time. Speaking of ingenious, check out the recycled bike chain bottle opener and the set of lids to fit used jars. Recycling heaven.

FASHION EVOLUTION

2008-04-10T05:14:00.000-07:00

Rosie from re-dress has emailed to pass on the details of the Fashion Evolution Party. Looks like an excellent night....see you there!

FASHION EVOLUTION PARTY in association with M&S
"Ethical Fashion-You Are What You Wear"
Thurs April 24th
Doors 8pm sharp
The Button Factory, Temple Bar
Tickets €12 from http://www.tickets.ie/
SPEAKERS:
International Fashion Designer & 2007's No. 1 Ethical Hero Katherine Hamnet
Mike Barry Head of Corporate Social Responsibility for M&S

STAR LITTLE THING,TIGER EMPIRE, DIRTY EPICS, JB THE DEEJAY, STEVE REDDY

HEAVEN IS......

2008-03-02T13:09:00.000-08:00

…Misterrob's latest Bird Lady II print.

I have a slight obsession with Rob Ryan's work and am such a frequent browser of his Etsy store that it could be construed as stalking. Ryan works his magic with paper and words to create amazing pieces of art. His latest Bird Lady II is one of the most exquisite pieces of illustration I have ever seen. The man also gets top marks for being environmentally friendly by printing this most recent piece with water based inks on wood free paper. Check out his work on his website and blog.

HOUSE AND HOME

2008-02-27T01:58:00.000-08:00

A big thank you to Eimear, the Editor of House and Home for the mention in the 'Green List'. The focus of this month’s fantastic House and Home is environmentally friendly design. There are great articles on people such as Brian O' Brien of Solearth, Johanna Harmala of Valoearth and Laura Farrell of Scudding Clouds. If you are interested in eco friendly design and where to source it then this is the issue for you my friends. Also a massive thank you to Paul the photographer and Rosie at Cultivate for letting us take the photos there and disrupting the whole place in the process. Cheers.

DARCY GOES ECO

2008-02-15T11:20:00.000-08:00

The actor Colin Firth and his wife Livia have opened an eco store in Chiswick, London. Firth, his wife and two partners have renovated the shop building to high eco standards and hope to be up and running with solar panels and a roof garden in the very near future. The store stocks eco products, furniture, accessories and books over three floors. There is a consultancy in the basement where you can get advice on interiors, energy efficient appliances, solar energy etc. Their website should be up and running soon and I for one am looking forward to browsing. Fingers crossed for a Dublin branch soon then.

FRUITFUL

2008-02-15T11:18:00.000-08:00

Through Design for Democracy 08 I came across designer Adam Moody who has come up trumps with his Objectify fruit bowl. I adore the shape, laser cut pattern and the fact that it is made from sustainably managed hoop pine. At first glance I actually thought it was a magazine rack so it could be multi purpose (another big plus). It comes in four easy to assemble pieces and can hold up to six pieces of fruit. You can buy it here from Vanilla Design Store. No room for mouldy looking fruit in this beautiful bowl though.

PIECES OF YOU

2008-02-12T12:05:00.000-08:00

The excellent Inhabitat has once more brought some great eco housewares to our attention. Bridget West from Pieces Of You creates furniture, cushions, artwork and bags from recycled and ethically sourced textiles. My love of many things graphic means that Bridget's clever and eco friendly accessories have won a place in my heart. I'm such a sucker for type and textiles.

I AM NOT A PAPER CUP

2008-02-12T05:24:00.000-08:00

So long disposable cups, I love this I am not a paper cup from DCI. Its a double walled porcelain cup with a silicone lid and can be washed safely in the dishwasher. They will be released in April at the bargain price of $20. Perfect for caffeine lovers everywhere.

HOUSE OF VINTAGE DREAMS

2008-02-08T10:09:00.000-08:00

Who would live in a house like this? The answer is me given half a chance. Our Showhome based in South East London is both a home and a store. Elle Decoration has named it one of the hottest home shops in the UK. The owners set out to source mid century Scandinavian and British design for themselves but ended up taking it to a whole different level. Now you can visit their house and buy designs by the likes of Arne Jacobsen, Hans Wegner and Tapio Wirrkala. You can view all the items for sale on their great website here. Below are my top picks 60's dressing table by Interlubke, 70's spice jars, 60's Danish teak chair, Arne Jacobsen chairs, Aluminium table lamps, Teak caddies.

MODERN MARVELS

2008-02-01T10:22:00.000-08:00

Another fantastic place for vintage goodies is the Dublin based, kirkmodern. This website is stocked full of midcentury marvels, specialising in Scandinavian and post war British design. If you're looking for fabulous interior accessories this website is a one stop shop. Below is a collection of my current favourites which includes ceramics, glassware, a 1950's sweet tin and a school poster on 'soap making'.

TOTALLY ACE

2008-01-30T11:11:00.000-08:00

I am madly in love with the design of the Ace in Portland. It's aimed at creative types on a low budget (tick) and even has rooms with bunks for bands on tour. A lot of the former hotel built in 1912 was retained as it was under preservation and much of the materials were salvaged and restored such as bathtubs, doorknobs and signs. Other items used in the design were sourced locally in order to keep the ecological footprint down like the ingenious use of tables made of stacked books from bargain bins in local shops. Artists from around the city painted murals in the rooms so each room has an individual quality to it. There is a photo booth in the lobby and the front desk is made from a factory unit. My favourite thing about his hotel is that it has record players in the rooms and you can borrow vinyl from the front desk. Alex Calderwood of the Ace Group is quoted as saying “things that are slightly imperfect have soul” and I couldn’t agree more. Check out the equally excellent website here.

TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX

2008-01-28T10:32:00.000-08:00

I was taking a short cut through Habitat to Dame St the other day and I spotted the most fantastic armchair in 20th Century Furniture. Unfortunately I couldn't stop because I was on my way to meet a friend so I didn't get the details or price (which is probably a blessing in disguise). Anyway, I looked up the website when I got home but boo hoo, it wasn't online. I did however find another few beauties to drool over.

I am loving this teak G plan nest of tables, the Charlottenburg lamp by Paul Henningson and this fantastic Danish teak dining table.

POWER TO THE PRINT

2008-01-27T10:12:00.001-08:00

Check out these organic duvet covers and throws from design public. Love the bold print. Sometimes we all neeed a bit of pattern in our lives.

LIMERICK STYLE

2008-01-27T09:40:00.000-08:00

Thank you so much to Maz from Style Treaty for adding me in her links. Style Treaty is a blog about fashion, interiors, food, books...basically everything that's good. Check it out here.

PRINT PASSION

2008-01-27T09:25:00.000-08:00

These cushion covers by Fokus Fabrics are another great find on Matteriashop. I love the graphic monochrome crane print. Made from organic cotton and hemp it goes to show that you don't have to compromise on style when it comes to soft furnishings. I do so love my graphic print textiles.

LOVIN' THE LIGHT

2008-01-27T03:18:00.000-08:00

Matteriashop set up by two friends Anu and Monica has lots of well designed and eco smart products on it's website. I absolutely love this Bloom light below. During the day it acts like a funky pot plant taking in energy from the sun. Then lo and behold, at night you turn it over and it's a table lamp. I'm such a sucker for multi-tasking design.

HOMEBUG

2008-01-25T03:10:00.000-08:00

I have to say a massive thank you to the lovely Zee at homebug for the mention. I have been an avid fan of her blog since she started last year. The girl's got great style and a way with the words! One of the best design blogs there is. Pictured below is a new mood board she has been working on for her den. Check it out here.

ULTIMA THULE

2008-01-22T12:07:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm still keeping the Finnish theme. There is just so much excellent design originating from this place that I could go on for weeks (but don't worry, I won't). Tapio Wirkkala is another amazing designer from Finland. He is most famously known for his beautifully designed glass. For a long time now I have been lusting after a set of Ultima Thule glasses and jug. Designed in 1968 its frosty distinctive shape is based on the icy landscapes of Wirkkala's home country. You can pick up vintage Tapio glass on ebay and other similar sites, you just need to keep a sharp look out. Oh so pretty.

BAMBU

2008-01-21T13:18:00.000-08:00

Artek, the Finnish furniture and lighting company set up in 1938 has always created simplistic, functional and well designed products. One of its founding members was none other than the man mentioned below, Alvar Aalto. Artek still produces Aalto’s classic designs but with Tom Dixon as Creative Director now things are moving on. Last year the company launched their Bambu range. They have kept the same simple, functional style but used laminated bamboo to create a chair, coffee table and dining table. These beauties could work just about anywhere.

FABULOUS FINLAND

2008-01-20T09:36:00.000-08:00

Since I have been speaking about Alvar Aalto I thought I would do a round up of my favourite pieces by him. Aalto is my favourite architect/designer of all time. I have always been in awe of Finnish designers and the inspiration they draw from nature and their landscape. Aalto was one of the first truly holistic architects and designers. Here are three iconic designs by him, the stunning curving Savoy vase, the fabulous Tea Trolley 900 and the fab organic Beehive light. Beautiful, beautiful and beautiful.

VALOEARTH

2008-01-20T09:14:00.000-08:00

Eleanor Flegg has produced a good article in the Sunday Times 'Home' section this week on ethical and fair trade furniture. One of the companies she discussed was Valoearth, whose owner, Johanna Harmala is a niece of the late, great Alvar Aalto. The company whose showroom is based near South Circular Road, Dublin sources contemporary furniture and lighting from producers who respect the environment. Their products can be viewed online at here or by appointment at their showroom.

LOST WEEKEND

2008-01-17T03:51:00.001-08:00

The people of the 'sunny south east', especially me, are very grateful to Emily and Declan of Lost Weekend for opening their fantastic shop in Wexford. Their shop is a haven for design lovers everywhere. For me it is the lure of the vintage furniture that brings me back each time. Buying vintage furniture is considered better for the environment for a number of reasons such as cutting down on landfill and not requiring additional manufacturing. Buying furniture owned by someone else also means there is always character and history attached to it and if it is a quality item it will have a good resale value as well. Here are some of my favourite items on their website at the moment.

Treehugger has a great article on How to green your furniture if you would like further info.

ORTOLAN

2008-01-17T02:33:00.001-08:00

Over at Design Sponge I found a piece on US company Ortolan. They make beautiful home accessories using 100% organic cotton and 100% natural kapok fillers. I absolutely love the graphic patterns and illustrations they create. Prices start at $24 for a napkin up to $1400 for a blanket. With my January finances they way they are though, the only thing in my budget range would be a tea towel or maybe one napkin. Always nice to look though.

GORGEOUS & GREEN

2008-01-15T06:02:00.001-08:00

I came across this Californian house over at the excellent Inhabitat site. The Beitcher Residence combines sustainable materials and the latest green technologies to create an amazing home that manages to be beautifully designed and environmentally friendly. Renewable Bamboo and Palm wood have been used for ceilings and floors in the interior and creates a cosy but contemporary atmosphere. Strawboard has been used to create the cabinets throughout the house whilst Cesar stone was used for the countertops. The large amount of glazing ensures that this home is light filled and benefits from solar energy. This droolworthy green residence truly is a credit to the architects (W3 Architects) and owners.

WHAT THE BOOK?

2008-01-14T07:08:00.001-08:00

Continuing the book theme, here are two more books that I have always found helpful. Alan Berman’s The Healthy Home Handbook is a good choice for anyone trying to make their home more environmentally friendly. I am a big fan of books that have lots of beautiful interior shots that I can drool over and this book is no exception. However it’s not all about aesthetics, there is lots of practical advice that is expertly and clearly explained too. Great for both inspiration and information.

WHAT THE BOOK TOO

2008-01-14T07:06:00.000-08:00

The second book is The Whole House Book by Cindy Harris and Pat Borer. This is a bible for anyone with an interest in ecological building. Cindy and Pat have both been involved in the Centre for Alternative Technology which has earned them many years of valuable experience in the field. This book covers everything from the initial site, to choosing materials and a selection of case studies. If it’s information you’re after then look no further.

SEO GOOD

2008-01-10T03:48:00.000-08:00

Danny Seo is one of the leaders of the field when it comes to environmentally friendly homes. I bought his book Conscious Style Home a couple of years ago and I would recommend it to anyone interested in sustainable design. You can read his daily blog here. He has currently worked on a range of eco friendly products with the US retailing giants JC Penny in their effort to Go Green. Here are a few of the items that will be available in the stores.

WINTER? BRING IT ON

2008-01-10T03:21:00.000-08:00

Oh my, I found these beauties over at one of my favourite sustainable design sites, Treehugger. They are wood pellet stoves with a difference. The flame is right at the front so it provides the same pleasurable effect as a fireplace. The design however is miles from your average 'cottagey' type stove that seems to take up the majority of the market. Simple, clean lines that will work well in contemporary homes and it can be remotely controlled with a GSM phone. They are produced by an Italian company called MCZ. I’d never leave the house again.

GO VINTAGE

2008-01-09T12:25:00.000-08:00

Etsy is always a good place to source individual and quirky pieces. Whilst having a wee browse today I came across White Elephant Vintage. Two friends Jane and Hollie who are passionate about vintage interior accessories run it. I am posting pics of my favourite items on their site at the moment. I mean who doesn’t want a vintage fan, globe and shoe form thingy in their home?

FLIPPIN' FANTASTIC

2008-01-09T06:01:00.000-08:00

I have just across this excellent design at Treehugger. Made by Flip Furniture in the UK this piece is a good solution for people who like to mix it up a little. It changes from coffee table to dining table in two easy moves and it is made from FSC certified wood. Multi tasking heaven.

WILD CHILD

2008-01-09T05:04:00.000-08:00

I am a huge fan of homebug and whilst perusing the site have been reminded that it's sale time over at Wildchild. This shop is great for design classics and quirky pieces. Although I am quite obsessive about furniture I think my favourite pieces in the shop have to be the old electronics stuff. They have some great retro stereo systems and radios in store. Here are some of my current favourites from the website.

UNTO THIS LAST

2008-01-05T13:27:00.000-08:00

Ooh, so many things I could purchase from Unto This Last. I love the simple shapes and designs of their products. They are a London based company and use birch plywood from cultivated forests in Latvia and Finland for its sustainability and structural integrity. At the moment they don't seem to deliver outside London and for this my credit card thanks them.

TWISTED CITIES

2008-01-04T08:20:00.000-08:00

Sixixis are a bespoke furniture company based in Cornwall. I first spotted their chaise lounge No 4 in an interiors magazine last year. Since last year their range and popularity has understandably expanded. They are a company who quote high environmental standards and use local unseasoned timber such as oak or ash in their impossibly bendy designs. My favourite pieces are the cityscape coathangers. I just need to choose which city I would like hanging on my wall now. Wonder if there is any chance they will create a Dublin one soon?

GRAHAM & BROWN

2007-12-02T12:07:00.000-08:00

Graham & Brown have collaborated with Central St Martins students to produce some excellent designs based on the environment. I love the eco highway print which was designed to encourage children to think about their carbon footprint. This cute, graphic design features futuristic cars that run on milk instead of petrol. Sweet eh?

This long standing wallpaper company claim that all their paper requirements are either recycled or sourced from managed forests. The also carry the FSC logo to show that their paper comes from sustainably managed forests. So at about 50% of your wallpaper roll comes from renewable resources.

Bittern Feather

Fossil

Eco Highway

MOD GREEN POD

2007-11-29T05:39:00.000-08:00

It's not that easy to find eco friendly wallpaper that does not compromise on style. Mod Green Pod have come up trumps and produced these great designs that are made from water-based, non-toxic inks. The wallpaper is also glazed with a non-toxic, water-based glaze that enables you to wipe them with a sponge. Great for anyone who has a budding little artist in the house.

CAT

2007-11-26T06:21:00.000-08:00

Well, I have just come back (very reluctantly) from a week in the mountains in Wales. I took part in a course on ‘Sustainable Homes’ in the Centre for Alternative Technology in Snowdonia. It is nestled in an old slate quarry surrounded by the most beautiful scenery (and a few good little pubs). There were about 14 of us doing the course and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. Everyone on the course was there for different reasons whether they were building their own house, making changes at work or just a general interest. We all stayed onsite and attended lectures from 9.30 till 6pm. We covered so much in the week from Building Materials, Renewable Energy to Sewage (surprisingly, it was the girls who weren’t fazed by checking out the workings of the composting loo!!). I think the best bits were when we were taken on site tours to see how the various buildings/systems worked. I could read books about solar thermal energy till I'm blue in the face but there is nothing like seeing it right in front of you to help understand. The lecturers were passionate, informative, funny and very eager to help people who are involved in their own projects. I would highly recommend this course for anyone interested in sustainable living but the centre runs different courses throughout the year so you can choose whichever course suits you best.

LITTLE GREEN BAG

2007-11-15T10:59:00.001-08:00

When I was browsing ReForm School I came across this amazing bag so I decided to do a round up of my favourite eco shoppers. This 'For Like Ever' is made from recycled cotton and is recyclable. It is only available from ReForm School and is currently my favourite 'Like Ever'.

JUTE BEAUT

2007-11-15T10:58:00.001-08:00

Howies, the ethical clothing company designed my second favourite shopper. Not only does this jute shopper have a clear message it is also bio-degradable. Unfortunately it is currently sold out but here's hoping they decide to reprint.

MAD MONOCHROME

2007-11-15T10:53:00.001-08:00

This monochromatic masterpiece is one of a series from Envirosax. There are five different series to choose from including Retro graphic, Retro Kitchen, Flora, Monochromatic and Amazonia. So much choice!

CUSHION CENTRAL

2007-11-15T08:21:00.000-08:00

These fabulous Kstudio cushions are from the super cool ReForm School. Kstudio are a mother and daughter team who use only sustainable materials to create home accessories and bags. I love the simple illustrations and colours that these guys use. These cushions would brighten up any sofa!!

GRAPHIC & GORGEOUS

2007-11-12T13:35:00.000-08:00

These two fantastic pieces are from Eco-artware.com

I can't think of a better way to display the number of your house than with these graphic beauties. They are by a guy called Boris Bally and are made from recycled aluminum traffic signs.

Bring a little bit of NYC into your home with this excellent clock made with from pieces salvaged from retired Yellow Cabs. Apparently the average lifespan for a cab in New York is two years! At least now they get to prolong their existence as eco artwork in someone’s home.

READYMADE

2007-11-11T06:47:00.000-08:00

How To Make {Almost} EverythingA Do-It-Yourself Primer. Well, I think the clue is in the name here. Compiled by the makers of ReadyMade this book is a bible for people who like to do it themselves. The projects are broken down into six different raw materials: paper, plastic, metal, wood, glass, and fabric so it's up to you to choose your own medium. Get makin'.

SIMPLE YOU SAY?

2007-11-11T06:22:00.000-08:00

I have been an avid fan of Lotta Jansdotter’s simple but beautiful textiles for some time now. The San Francisco based designer has now brought out a book of her most popular sewing patterns for all to try. There are reusable pattern sheets for bags, bed linen, notebooks etc. The best thing is that everything is explained so simply and clearly, that even a complete novice like myself can have a go. I will definitely be buying this and taking it along to our new ‘Craft Club Night’. Would also make a great Christmas present for a ‘handy with a sewing machine' type friend.

THE GOOD LIFE

2007-11-11T05:23:00.000-08:00

I came across this first book A Slice of Organic Life -Get closer to the soil without going the whole hog yesterday and decided it would be a fantastic present for a certain friend of mine for Christmas. It's a collection of about 80 simple eco projects, explained step by step with plenty of images to get you inspired. I like the simple, straightforward design and the fact that you don’t have to move to the country, live on a farm or own masses of livestock to partake. It’s one of those presents that you know your friend will enjoy but you also kind of want to keep for yourself.

GREEN TEA ANYONE?

2007-11-08T06:38:00.000-08:00

So, on my Traffic coffee table (see below) I would definitely have to use this fantastic Old/New Tea Set by Christine Misiak. She re uses parts from old discarded tea sets to create these stunning and kind to the environment new ones.

RYAN FRANK

2007-11-08T06:04:00.000-08:00

Ryan Frank is a product designer originally from South Africa but now works in London. I am a massive fan of his work as he cleverly uses salvaged wood, shopping bags and eco emulsion to create beautifully designed furniture. I love, love, love the shapes of his Strata range which is built from waste wood from old battered office furniture and FSC birch ply. His Inkuku chair (Zulu for chicken) is made entirely from plastic shopping bags. Who would have thought it could look so good? Personally, I would very much like to be putting my cup of coffee down on the Traffic table (above)

http://www.ryanfrank.net/

REFORM 07 CONFERENCE

2007-11-08T05:36:00.000-08:00

The reform conference took place in NCAD on Tues 6th as part of Design Week in Dublin. It was organised by Cultivate, the sustainable living and learning centre housed in Temple Bar. To be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect or how relevant it would be to my work but I was very pleasantly surprised. Both the speakers and workshops were all extremely inspiring and thought provoking. I decided to join in the workshop run by Simon O'Rafferty form the EcoDesign Centre in Wales in the afternoon. Simon divided us into groups and gave us two products which we had to decide amongst oursleves which design we thought was more sustainable. Given the choice between a Hummer and a Smart car might seem like a one horse race but surprisingly it wasn't all clear cut. It was good to meet up with others who had an interest in sustainable design and it looks like it will continue to be an ongoing thing. Rosie and Kate from Cultivate are hoping to organise a monthly meet up for designers from all backgrounds to meet and discuss relevant topics and swap information. If anyone is interested in this they should keep an eye on the blog http://reformconference07.blogspot.com/