'Salone del Mobile looks to green'

Sustainability was one of the main trends at the Salone del Mobile last week in Milan, as designers presented pieces culled mostly from recyclable and eco-friendly materials.

The largest furniture fair in the world, an event for furniture and fashion fanatics alike, drew a crowd of 350,000 and generated 250 million euros ($337) during the six-day fair period.

Attendees have their pick of the 2,542 exhibitors, in addition to the open-door events often put together by leading Italian fashion houses hoping to fuel sales.

Lamps by David Trubridge of New Zealand

Among the exhibitors, Swedish companies like Sodra and Wastberg created paper lamps and Munich-based designers Saskia and Stefan Diez created an overnight bag from a paper that is waterproof, tearproof and recyclable.

From a mix of cardboard boxes and plywood, the German-based Formentwicklung showed tables. Another German brand named Plicio presented foldable chairs inspired by a ladybug’s wings and crafted of wood and rubber. The origami-like chair when lain flat can be folded into different shapes.

Ecomat bricks

Alasdhair Willis, husband of eco-friendly fashion designer Stella McCartney and head of a British design and manufacturing company told WWD that, “You can’t be a citizen of the world without being aware of the environment.”

A colorful conglomeration of recycled pet bottle pieces, a chandelier (below) designed by South African Heath Nash was one of the many eco-friendly pieces on display. A hand wire structure was attached to the rescued bottles.

One of my favorite designs was a set of foldable lamps in an innovative fauna shape. New Zealand designer David Trubridge created the lamps (above top), which he sought to use as an example of reducing CO2 emissions by using energy efficient LED bulbs.

Heath Nash designed this chandelier made from recycled pet bottles

Lego lovers eat your heart out. Ecomat (above middle) showcased a collection of colorful bricks that not only resemble the plastic Lego blocks, but can be actually used to build permanent and temporary structures. The bricks are made of recycled materials and its low weight reportedly reduces CO2 emissions as well.

Exhibiting students also took a shot at designing sustainable furniture, this time looking to food for inspiration. Chairs sculpted by University of San Marino students were actually composed of flour, yeast, malt, banana fiber, brown rice, malt and liquorice root.

At the Salone del Mobile, it was another year in showcasing the finest from established and emerging talent and in driving sales. For the eco-minded, the growing number of sustainable designs was further proof that the environment is just as important inside the home as it is out.

*Photos courtesy of http://agreenliving.org and http://inhabit.com

'What's Your Mood Say?'

You might remember slipping a murky colored stone onto your finger as a child, watching as in minutes the thermochromic accessory changed its hue from a deep blue to a misty gray. The mood ring claimed to change according to your mood, even though it was really your body temperature that determined the ring’s color.

Everyone wanted to know then: Was I calm and relaxed like the color blue or nervous and stressed like the color black?

The mood ring is not the first time that a person associated a mood or personality with a color. Color has always played a part in our lives – from our choice of curtains and color of our walls, to the color of a dress or car. Did you know that when it comes to buying, three out of every four purchases is determined by color?

Classic mood ring

Discover the meaning behind a color and what your next choice color pick has to say about you:

Royal and Tranquil

Perhaps one of the most popular colors, blue is the color representative of the sky and peace. It is a color closely associated with royalty. It is known for its calming affects and is therefore often used in hospitals and nurseries. If blue is your favorite color, you are a harmonious person who is capable, sensitive and compassionate. You are cautious in your fashion choices and conscientious of ongoing projects.

Upbeat and Artistic

A little mellow yellow

The color yellow could not have a sunnier disposition. It is a color associated with those that are creative, artistic and innovative. Those who are drawn to yellow are optimistic and tend to be cerebral, idealistic and imaginative.

Passionate and moody

Red is the color of love, hate, courage and joy. With such a spectrum of associations, it is no wonder that red is the moodiest of all colors. Those who desire attention or who would like to create a cheerful atmosphere turn to red. If red is your color, you are a bit impulsive, sexy and maybe even athletic.

Lavish and Strong

The color purple

The color of luxury and sensuality, we find the color purple used often in religious garb or bottled as a lavender perfume scent. It is rich and lavish, a symbolic of opulence. If purple is your color, you are glamorous, strong and observant.

Now look at that set of pillows on the sofa or that silk blouse hanging in the closet and tell me: “What does its color say about you?”

-S. Gonzalez

Photos courtesy of funnycrave.com; elouisvuitton.org

'From Trash to Treasure'

Before

Everyone has one. A drawer in their desk, bureau or side table that houses all of life’s odds and ends: cables, rubber bands, spare change, spare keys, batteries, pencils, erasers, plugs and other essential but non-essential miscellaneous items.

Well enough of keeping this your household dirty secret. In just one hour, you can transform your junk drawer into your go-to drawer. This may not be your typical decorating/fashion tip, but it’s the starting point if you want to continue those crafty décor projects, you’re going to need to find your tape, pencils and screwdriver.

20 minutes: Empty, sort and throw out

For the first 20 minutes, empty out all the contents of your drawer in a clean, uncluttered surface. Then separate and group items that go together (pens and pencils, spare change, keys, etc.).

During this time, you should be throwing out any items that are no longer useful, or have become outdated and are not used anymore.

Items that don’t belong and take up too much space should be placed and labeled in separate plastic bags, to be housed somewhere else later. Labeling items that you would like to keep, but are likely to forget its purpose, won’t take up too much of your time.

After

30 minutes: Restructure and redo

This next half-hour will be spent finding creative storage items to remedy your junk problem. For example, votive holders and tea cups can store items like paper clips, loose change and pens. Ring dishes serve as a good place to keep rubber bands. For the future, considering buying kits for your much-needed tools or sewing supplies. The kits will already come packed in a handy box for easy storage.

Line the bottoms of your drawer with a colorful drawer line, wallpaper, or place mat. This will keep the holders from sliding around.

10 minutes: Put it all away

The last 10 minutes will be placing your sorted groups into assorted containers. The containers will prevent your things from getting jumbled around into the drawer and messy to begin with.

In putting the items away, think of arranging the drawer in such a way that every container fits neatly. The items that you use most should be placed at the front of the drawer, will the rest should fall to the back.

**Rather not look for containers around the house? Go shopping for some junk desk drawer organizers. Yes, they exist!

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of apartmenttherapy.com

'Small Space, Big-Time Solutions'

“Small is beautiful,” I find myself saying when others like to tease me about my tiny 5’1 frame.

In fact, the phrase “small is beautiful” tends to apply to most of my life: my miniscule cell phone, my appetite for bite-size foods and desserts, my fondness of small dogs like min pins and terriers, and my love of major cities.

Unlike others that dream of owning an expansive house or stretching their legs out on acres of land, I never dreamed of much more than a cozy luxury apartment close to friends and family with all the amenities and location, location, location.

For now, I’m satisfied with my 800-square foot space located just outside the city. Decorating can be a challenge, though. Just as I, petite as I am, must concern myself with proportion, fit and color when tackling my wardrobe, the same rules apply to decorating a small space.

Mirrors widen this space instantly

Take the time to reflect

Using mirrors to make spaces appear larger is a classic decorating tactic. The mirrors not only create depth with the trompe-l’oeil of its reflection, but mirrors also invite natural and artificial light to bounce light deep into the room. Mirrors over vanities, wardrobe-length mirrors and large wall mirrors make for good investments when trying to accentuate a small room.

Small furniture doesn't overwhelm this small room

Scale it down

The last thing you would want to do is purchase a hefty-size piece of furniture for a small room with low ceilings. Everyone will have that oversized couch confused for Alice in Alice in Wonderland when the character drinks a mysterious elixir and grows to gargantuan size.

Look for furnishings in scaled-down proportions: open back chairs, a small love seat or sofa, a slim rocker, a wrought-iron or open headboard for the bed. Make sure to keep the eye level view obstructed. And if you opt for taller furniture, do remember to place it on the far side of the wall, opposite the room’s entrance.

Positioning furniture at an angle makes this small room look larger

Take it from another angle

Now that you have the furniture in the right size and fit, it’s time to position it. The longest line in any given room is its diagonal. When furniture is placed at a 45 degree angle or less, the eye focuses more on the longer diagonal line that you have created instead of noticing the shortness of the length of the wall.

The angling of the furniture does not have to be too well-thought out. Play with the space and use the empty corners for some additional storage space.

And you will have yourself saying “small is beautiful” in no time.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of www.casasugar.com; www.apartmenttherapy.com; www.lovelyundergrad.com