Eco Antiques: The Answers are in the Past

(photo provided by LSA)

Sometimes I wonder how "green" an eco-product really is. Sometimes, the cynic in me is frustrated by the whole eco-movement, especially in the home products arena. Somehow, the real need to take better care of our environment turned into a brand new marketplace for capital gain. No I'm not a Communist, I thoroughly enjoy most of the benefits of Capitalism, but I still have a conscience and observing eyes. I bet my savings that most of the flyover states think they're doing right by Mother Earth when purchasing Breyers "organic" ice cream, and yet they know nothing of LEED Certification or the term "carbon footprint." This worries me.

Oh, here’s another observation. What’s up with 300-thread count organic sheets costing more than regular 600-thread count cotton? Um, I care n’ stuff, but this is a no brainer, I’m sleeping on the 600.

Ok enough criticisms, that's not what this blog's about... this blog's about ideas for stylish living, so here's my take on going green: BUY ANTIQUES. Wouldn't you say that an object that has made it through the ages is truly sustainable? And, the fact that nothing new is being created helps us maintain our natural resources. Not to mention, if you buy an antique near home, you wouldn’t incur the carbon footprint of shipping from overseas. Above all, I love that a solution to our environmental challenges can be found in the past. I also enjoy challenging the visual image of what people think eco should look like.

All I'm saying is that bamboo flooring and solar panels aren't the be all and end all for solutions, rather, think about antiques as a stylish solution to our current environmental concerns.

-S

Eco Antiques: The Answers are in the Past

(photo provided by LSA)

Sometimes I wonder how "green" an eco-product really is. Sometimes, the cynic in me is frustrated by the whole eco-movement, especially in the home products arena. Somehow, the real need to take better care of our environment turned into a brand new marketplace for capital gain. No I'm not a Communist, I thoroughly enjoy most of the benefits of Capitalism, but I still have a conscience and observing eyes. I bet my savings that most of the flyover states think they're doing right by Mother Earth when purchasing Breyers "organic" ice cream, and yet they know nothing of LEED Certification or the term "carbon footprint." This worries me.

Oh, here’s another observation. What’s up with 300-thread count organic sheets costing more than regular 600-thread count cotton? Um, I care n’ stuff, but this is a no brainer, I’m sleeping on the 600.

Ok enough criticisms, that's not what this blog's about... this blog's about ideas for stylish living, so here's my take on going green: BUY ANTIQUES. Wouldn't you say that an object that has made it through the ages is truly sustainable? And, the fact that nothing new is being created helps us maintain our natural resources. Not to mention, if you buy an antique near home, you wouldn’t incur the carbon footprint of shipping from overseas. Above all, I love that a solution to our environmental challenges can be found in the past. I also enjoy challenging the visual image of what people think eco should look like.

All I'm saying is that bamboo flooring and solar panels aren't the be all and end all for solutions, rather, think about antiques as a stylish solution to our current environmental concerns.

-S

Causing A Commotion

Those who know me know that I generally shy away from reblogging from other design sites... I find that it's the only way to secure authentic and unaffected content for your reading pleasure, and I'd just personally hate to be considered an echo-chamber in the blogosphere. That being said, I always look forward to the monthly Design Commotion blog. Actually, Design Commotion's format is less like a blog and more like an online newsletter getting you up to speed on design on both a national and often international level. The format is geared at giving quick bites of info instead of full page articles, and my undiagnosed ADD brain truly appreciates that. I particularly enjoyed one of the latest pieces on the “Do hit” chair by Marijn van der Poll at Droog in SoHo.

"Van der Poll describes the chair as an interpretation of Enzo Mari’s Sof-Sof chair. It is produced as a steel cube and beat into a submissive seat with the hammer. “Repetition of the beating only strengthened the concept,” the designer said. “The Do hit can either be shaped by its owner or by me.” I’d say the Dutchman has cornered the anger-management market." - Design Commotion.

As a design observer reading this latest post, I can't help but try to forecast shifts in the way people like to live. It's my belief that we'll be seeing more furniture like the "Do hit" chair, as idiosyncratic designs begin trending in the mainstream design market in 2010.


-S

Causing A Commotion

Those who know me know that I generally shy away from reblogging from other design sites... I find that it's the only way to secure authentic and unaffected content for your reading pleasure, and I'd just personally hate to be considered an echo-chamber in the blogosphere. That being said, I always look forward to the monthly Design Commotion blog. Actually, Design Commotion's format is less like a blog and more like an online newsletter getting you up to speed on design on both a national and often international level. The format is geared at giving quick bites of info instead of full page articles, and my undiagnosed ADD brain truly appreciates that. I particularly enjoyed one of the latest pieces on the “Do hit” chair by Marijn van der Poll at Droog in SoHo.

"Van der Poll describes the chair as an interpretation of Enzo Mari’s Sof-Sof chair. It is produced as a steel cube and beat into a submissive seat with the hammer. “Repetition of the beating only strengthened the concept,” the designer said. “The Do hit can either be shaped by its owner or by me.” I’d say the Dutchman has cornered the anger-management market." - Design Commotion.

As a design observer reading this latest post, I can't help but try to forecast shifts in the way people like to live. It's my belief that we'll be seeing more furniture like the "Do hit" chair, as idiosyncratic designs begin trending in the mainstream design market in 2010.


-S

Christopher Brown: Craving Ruffles

In our vast archive of James Magni's residential projects, this dining room shot always seems to grab everyone's attention. The focal point is of course the stunning artwork. A painting by the artist, Christopher Brown, it's of Sir Anthony van Dyck- the Flemish Baroque artist who became the leading court painter in England, circa King Charles I.

I love the mix of classical elegance and sheer flamboyance in this piece.

-S

Christopher Brown: Craving Ruffles

In our vast archive of James Magni's residential projects, this dining room shot always seems to grab everyone's attention. The focal point is of course the stunning artwork. A painting by the artist, Christopher Brown, it's of Sir Anthony van Dyck- the Flemish Baroque artist who became the leading court painter in England, circa King Charles I.

I love the mix of classical elegance and sheer flamboyance in this piece.

-S

Color Stories w/ the Beckerman Sisters

There's a fine line between avant garde style and wearing flat-out costumes in fashion. Rarely do we see ladies who can stand boldly with one foot on either side of the line, claiming both as sources of inspiration. Of course, there was the fictional Carrie Bradshaw, AKA the non-fictional Patricia Field, but I digress. Which brings me to the point of this post: The Beckerman Sisters. These Toronto natives have a wonderfully colorful fashion label, but an even more relevant style blog. Beckerman Biteplate is the sisters daily fashion diary that chronicles their own personal outfits. Their fashion sensibility is undoubtedly evident, but it's their styling abilities and on-the-spot art direction for their photos that personally inspires me. I'd love to see these ladies get into interior design, or production designing for film. If nothing else, the color stories these girls tell in their outfits are something to take note of. Time and time again, I talk about the need for juxtapositions in the design marketplace, and especially the need for young talent in the shelter arena. Maybe these girls could do a line of home accessories or even a line of fabrics or wallpaper. Speaking of wallpaper, have you heard about Vivienne Westwood's collaboration with the iconic Cole & Son wallpaper company?! It's a fitting collaboration when you consider that although Vivienne Westwood's known for her rock n' roll ways, elements of Westwood’s designs are still nestled in timeless British mores, just like the century old company.


-S