We have to say it, Martha Stewart’s site is must-visit for all crafty, foodie, and creative person out there. Overflowing with ideas, we just love the easy to follow articles like this home-office desk from the Fabulous and Fast Furniture. Not to mention the many downloadable templates.
Ever wondered how creative you really are? This is your chance to find out. We just discovered this wonderful website where you can be your author, layout artist, publisher, all rolled into one. Simply put, you have total creative control over anything you want to produce, as long as it’s in book format, that is.
It’s www.blurb.com. Yes, the ubiquitous term used to describe any kind of copyrighted work is now a verb. The website is the perfect venue for writers, photographers, artists to publish themselves and their works without the hassles and trappings of going through the usual avenue. It’s your work, your effort at your own pace.
Blurb.com is one of the fastest growing “publish yourself” websites proliferating in cyberspace these days. With ready templates and formats, it’s a no-fuss approach to achieving literary acclaim.
For those who are finding it difficult to find a name for their design company, check out this website.
We found this website by visiting Jessica Jones’ blogspot.
Have a fun weekend everyone!
Do not forget to switch off your lights from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm tonight.
Image from http://www.ecofont.eu/look_at_ecofont_en.html
Here is another way to help save the planet. Use less ink by using a font type that allows you to do just that. Meet Ecofont, a Dutch-designed font with holes =) It is free to download, and free to use.
Cheers to simple design ideas that make an impact!
No matter how cheery we think we are, let’s admit it, we all have our morbid fascinations. It’s like looking at gory accident scenes, that even if it makes us sick, we just need to take a peek. But how about having that sense of morbid right in your living room? Wouldn’t that be something?
And that something are in fact lighting fixtures that are made to resemble a hangman’s noose. The fixtures, which are aptly called Noose Lights are the from the fanciful mind of designer by Ana-Maria Pasescu Stewart. Made of tough ropes with the power cable woven in the middle, with the height easily manipulated by a metal pulley for that touch of realness.
For sure, these noose lights would be the conversation piece for many dinner parties to come, and who knows it just might come handy one of these days. But we’re not giving you any ideas… 
photo from dezeen.com
Terra Furnishing's new spa collection
In this day and age, when commercialism is the name of the game and money is king, it’s sometimes way too easy to forget about the things that matter. The design world is not exempt from this. Although, heaven bless those kind-hearted souls that actually still care about things beyond the glitz and glamour that is entices everyone to the profession.
No, we’re not preaching. Just commending those who make a real effort to try to change the way people live and for the better of course. One such group is Terra Furnishing, a Michigan-based furniture E-retailer, who has recently joined the eco-friendly bandwagon by launching a website geared to eco-friendly handmade furniture and accessories. In a PR, released by the company, Terra Furnishings, has also incorporated in this website “an active blog where customers can find environmental news, links and quarterly product giveaways.”
Terra Furnishing offer products that are all 100% natural and made from organic resources, particularly sustainable woods such as monkey pod (acacia), farmed and/or reclaimed teak and mango are used for the hand-carved products.
Apart from a full range of products—from furniture, accessories, to pottery, glass and even jewelry items—the company has also linked up with 1% For the Planet as a member company in its recognition for the importance of environmental stewardship.
The company will soon be launching its new collection of teak spa items and that is certainly something worth looking forward. At least now you can go all out green and definitely be as stylish as you want to be.
For more information on Terra Furnishing, visit their website at www.terrafurnishings.com
Twist stools by Terra Furnishings
DOD <3 The Metal Lamp!
(Red, fiery and fun, this makes a great valentine’s present for lovers of design and whatnot. Happy Valentine’s Day everyone. )
METAL PETAL Table Lamp
Winner, THE EDGE 2009 Commercial Award for Best New Release by Kristian Aus
Autumn Products
NSW Sydney
Phone: 02 9566 4380
Mobile: 0407 952 643
Email: contact@autumnproducts.com.au
URL: www.autumnproducts.com.au
An important category (read: commercially viable!) the winning Metal Petal Table Lamp can be oriented in several ways to allow the user greater control over the level of light. Made with powder-coated steel, it is designed for easy moving and repositioning. It is designed by Kris Aus of Autumn Products, a small, Sydney based design consultancy that aims to produce work that is fun and provokes a smile.
Kris makes pieces that bring a fresh take on traditional objects to the marketplace. Another entry from Kris is the Anemone (shown below), a stool that doubles as an ice bucket, umbrella stand or as general storage. The works appeal to the design minded and to the everyday person. In general, the products are friendly, approachable and curious in terms of style, texture and materials.
THE EDGE at the Australian International Furntiure Fair was truly an inspiring experience. As promised, here are some of the winners of the Awards (Thanks Uli Hasel!):
STACK-IT Stool
Winner THE EDGE 2009 Concept Award for Best New Prototype by Luke Leenders
Bach Industrial Design
NSW Glebe
Mobile: 0401 249 196
Email: luke_leenders@yahoo.com.au
Since his graduation in 2003, Luke Leenders has been working for a Sydney based joinery company. In his spare time, he designs and constructs furniture prototypes, including chairs, stools and light fittings. Recently, Luke has been using computer aided manufacturing techniques such as CNC routing to develop design prototypes.
Stack-It Stool, (one of DOD’s faves!) requires minimal components, no screws or glue. The design is said to be compatible with any sheet material, e.g. recycled plastic, eco-ply. A flat-pack- design that nests efficiently. Made Down Under by designer and is available from the designer.
TABLE AND SEATS
Winner, THE EDGE 2009 Student Award for Best New Work by a Student, Jacob Wong
Lidcombe TAFE
NSW Sydney
Mobile: 0416 724 888
Email: Jacobi.designs@yahoo.com
Jacob Wong is a Furniture Design student at Lidcombe TAFE. These pieces are made from GVA White Birch Plywood, foam, and fabric. (Actual photos of the prototypes will be available next week. But since we wanted this out, we show you the rendition. It is the concept that counts!)
ZEOPOD.01 Pouf
Winner THE EDGE 2009 Green Award for the Most Sustainable Product by Wilma van Boxtel
Deseos Design
WA Swanbourne
Phone: 08 9384 6610
Mobile: 0431 919 632
Email: Wilma@deseosdesign.com
URL: www.deseosdesign.com
ZEOPOD.01 is a low seat made of biodegradable plastic. The shape is inspired by natural seedpods. There are two sizes, medium 620Ø and large 720Ø. Zeoform (Zelfo), eco-foam, eco-wool. Made in Australia by Zeoform and is available from www.deseosdesign.com.
Wilma van Boxtel is a Dutch industrial designer who has made Australia her home. Deseos Design, Wilma’s business, specializes in developing attractive and functional products for commercial success while using sustainable practices.
from http://www.interiordesign.net/article/CA6628843.html
Artists are artists. The greatest of whom have the ability to adapt to whatever branch of art they are presented. Zaha Hadid is one such artist.
Partnering with French label Lacoste, Zaha Hadid is in the process of finalizing a footwear collection. Crossing over her field, architecture, Zaha seems to do her shoe design in a yet very architectural fashion—concept first, modeling next and manufacturing last.
She derived her inspiration from the brand’s logo, a crocodile. The shoe’s material, leather, is given a pattern of the brand’s logo thereby insinuating crocodile skin. The form, of course, is very Zaha Hadid—very fluid and seamless.
Get your own pair of Zaha Hadid’s shoes on its limited release of 1,000 pairs this March 2009. A larger release of 10,000 pairs is set for release on May. We just hope they give at least a few pairs for sale here in the Philippines.
The Problem of Being Green
March 30, 2009 — drunkondesignBeing a couch potato has its benefits, you get exposed to very relevant information. And by relevant information, we don’t mean the newest development in your favorite teleserye but we do mean things that can help save the planet.
One of the more interesting shows in cable is Living with Ed. For those who have been living under a rock, and has no idea what the show is about, Living with Ed is the hit reality TV series with actor Ed Begley Junior and wife, Rachelle.
Don’t dismiss it as your run-of-the-mill reality show, Living with Ed is about the home life of the couple and their efforts to go green. And we’re telling you, “efforts” is such an understatement, and obsession may be a more fitting word to describe Ed.
Last week’s episode featured several products that piqued my interest: lawn turf and insulation. Why on earth, you may ask would I be interested with turf or insulation? Here’s why: the turf completely requires no watering and the insulation is completely soy-based.
The turf is synthetic but looks so real, and as mentioned earlier requires no watering and only minimal maintenance. So not only do you save on
image from artificialturfsupply.com
your water bills but you save up on what could be gallons and gallons of precious water.
The soy-based insulation on the other hand was featured as a solution to noise pollution in the home of actress Beverly D’Angelo. It works with the same efficacy and effectiveness as plastic foam insulation, but the fact that it is plant-based makes for something biodegradable. And as with any insulation, it helps modulate interior temperature, keeping the cool or the heat in, therefore doing away with excessive use of airconditioning, or heating and lowering your energy bills. It may look like taho, or look good enough to be eaten, its benefit as noise pollution reducer simply dandy in keeping at bay noise from all our neighbor’s belting out videoke songs, all while being green.
There’s one simple catch though. While any green advocate would go gaga on the prospect of getting their hands on these products, you may be hard pressed in finding a supplier here in the shores. This is the great dilemma, so many good and green products out there, and it still remains to be just that—out there. If only someone would take the first step to bringing them all here…is there anyone?
On a related note, we are happy to report that the recently concluded Earth Hour last Saturday was a success, and the Philippines ranked as the highest in participation with 647 towns and cities turning off their lights for the event.Now, ain’t that grand?