FABULOUS FINLAND

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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.