By Chiara Spagnoli Gabardi
It comes as no big surprise that houses reflect the souls of their owners – whether the householders are conservatively classic, wackily artistic or quietly minimalistic, it will show in the way they furnished their humble abode. You could say that the way a house is furnished makes a strong statement; owners can transform their home in a true work of art that reflects who they are. And if you care about the planet, you should be the proud owner of at least a few eco friendly design objects that represent your concerns.
Whether you’ve just moved into a new place, went through renovations of your old home or are looking for some eco friendly furniture to add that special touch to your place, we think that any conscious homeowner (or renter) will fall in love with at least one of these unconventionally chic, eco friendly design objects for the home.
1. Ambienta Grow Light
Got a green thumb? You’ll love this eco friendly lamp, created by French designer and architect Daniel Pouzet. It mixes a modern aesthetic with the beauty of nature. The hydroponic technology inside the lamp provides a clean, water efficient environment for a variety of plants to thrive, and best of all, it’s easy to maintain by adding water directly down the central column. The best part? Adding plants like orchids or spider plants will help purify your air.
Price: $230
2. Hush Seating Pod
The Hush Seating Pod by British designer Freyja Sewell is beautiful to decorate your home and is sensorially embryonic to experience. The enclosed space, which serves more as a womb-like cocoon than a chair, will lull you to sleep with tenderness. You can escape into Morpheus’ darkness by entering this quiet space, made out of a single piece of 10mm industrial wool felt. It is produced sustainably from free range sheep which produce a new fleece each year, and the internal padding of Hush is made from recycled wool fibres, by-products of the British carpet industry.
Price: $3500
3. Reclaimed Movie Reel Side Table
This sweet side table screams two things: a love of film, and a love of upcycling! Created by furniture designer Breck Armstrong in the USA, the table features an original aluminum 35mm film reel from the 1930s sandwiched between two sheets of glass and offset by a steel base made with salvaged gear parts.
Price: $850
4. Skateboard Stool
Dude! This chair is 100% eco friendly. It’s made from recycled skateboards by Jason Podlaski, who collects shattered skateboards from skate shops and skateparks in the US and Canada and turns both deck and truck into a hybrid, high-quality piece of furniture that’s built to last. The scrapes and scars on the decks create a beautiful veneer of use over the original graphics.
Price: $250
5. Paper Trophy Heads
Hunting for the perfect wall decor? Love animals? Search no longer! These clever, cruelty-free cardboard deer and moose heads are a fun way to add a trophy to your wall without having to go after Bambi’s mom. Easy to assemble, the kit includes numbered cardboard sheets and detailed instructions. Designed by Luis Rodrigalvarez of Cardboard Design.
Price: from $14
6. Hinterland Pendant
Created entirely from scattered, wooden branches along the rugged Pacific Northwest shoreline, this pendant is both rustic and elegant, each a one-of-a-kind, natural beauty. Aptly named from its materials, this pendant is hand-constructed using pegged and glued through-tenons; no fasteners detract from the abstract and natural allure of each unique fixture.
Price: from $1200
7. Paintbrush Vase
Made from recycled, old paint brushes, the Brush Vase was in fact also originally intended to hold paint brushes, but filling it with flowers or plants is a beautiful idea too – especially since there’s a glass insert to hold water.
Price: $120
8. Horton Elephant Table
Horton Hears a Who is the inspiration behind this sustainable wood elephant table. Handmade in Laos, each one is as unique as the wood from which it’s carved. Whether you use it as an eco-friendly side table or sculptural accent, it’s sure to add an artistic touch to your home.
Price: $350
9. Ghost Tree Coat Rack
This ‘ghostly’ coat rack is actually made from mangosteen, a tree famed for its nutritious fruit. But mangosteen trees only produce fruit for a number of years, and then they’re burned down to make room for new trees. To prevent those resources from being wasted, artisans in Thailand have reclaimed, trimmed, sanded and stained the trunks to form these beautiful and unique coat stands.
Price: $460
10. Fur And Flowers Doormat
Keep feet clean and guests feeling welcome with this doormat. This eco-friendly, biodegradable mat sets a welcoming tone for your home, and looks pretty cute, too! Perfect for cat lovers, of course, but never fear if you’re more of a ‘dog person’ – there’s a style there for you, too!
Price: $25
All images courtesy of the brands. Click on the title to learn more about each. Pictures 2-5 courtesy Green Design Gallery.
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