Green Design Girl

:: eco-fabulous modern design :: 100% granola free :: since 2008 ::

[greendesigngirl]

Stylegarage at Toronto's Interior Design Show, 2015. 

Canadian furniture retailer Stylegarage is a long-time fave of mine and I was excited to first feature their modern designs on HGTV Canada way back in the summer of 2005 on a show called Design To Win. I'm so happy to see how far they've come, with an added location in Vancouver and a new massive location in Toronto. 

I love Stylegarage because their made-to-order furniture collection is made in Canada, they're big on supporting local craftspeople and they source sustainable materials to use in their designs whenever possible. Not to mention that I appreciate the craftsmanship of their sleek designs, which sometimes tie in fun elements of Canadiana quirk and smart DIY design projects. 

Their sustainability efforts are real and they have a policy of using water-based finishes "as they are significantly healthier than oil-based clearcoats and stains. Finishing is done in a spray booth using charcoal filtration to ensure that no chemical waste is released into the outside air." Impressive!

The first design to catch my eye at Stylegarage's Toronto Interior Design Show booth this year was their fabulous Hex Ottoman. I'm a sucker for all things plaid/tartan and even more so when red and geometric shapes are involved. Bonus green points? Their inner fill is made with excess foam and fibre that was upcycled from their eco-friendly manufacturing process. Sweet. 

I also loved seeing the Canadian mid-century modern classic Spanner Lounge Chair With Arms come back to life. Originally created in 1950 by Russell Spanner,"who was an amateur wrestling champion, and was known to test the strength of his designs by jumping on them and throwing them across the factory floor" -- an anecdote that made my day. 

The chair had been out of production for more than 50 years when Stylegarage collaborated with the Spanner family to revive the iconic design. Again, I'm loving the red of the seat's woven strapping, which pairs so beautifully with the solid birch frame. A successful Canadian comeback indeed.  

-click photos to zoom in and see captions-

[more faves from this year's Toronto Interior Design Show to come!]

[greendesigngirl]

I was interviewed by Sun Media's Connie Adair about my favourite modern green designs. This article appeared in various print editions across Canada. If you've been following this blog for a while, you'll recognize a few of these names and products.

CLICK THE ABOVE PHOTO TWICE to zoom in for easy reading. 

[codependence-blog]

“You should be allowed to be a modern city dweller and still care about the environment.”

.:Graham Hill, Treehugger's founder and a fellow Canuck who, along with myself and a group of passionate greenies, participated in the first Green Design Summit.

(quote via codependence)

[greendesigngirl]

Green Design Girl turned 7 today! Thanks so much to Tumblr for sending me this fun birthday cupcake. A nice message to start my day with! It was indeed in January of 2008 that I started this beloved site, fuelled by my love for modern green design. Thanks again to my Tumblr followers and blog supporters. Many of you have been around for the full 7 year ride and I do appreciate it. Wishing you all a creative and inspiring 2015! 

~

[greendesigngirl]

Do allow your personality to shine through by surrounding yourself with a few objects that you genuinely love. Be sure to edit your choices for a clean and balanced look.

My "Designer Do" for my Bio as a Finalist on HGTV Canada's Designer Superstar Challenge. 

[emeco]

“The Emeco chair was a gift from Klaus Nienkamper Jr., the Toronto furniture retailer. He shot it up with his guns at his farm, north of the city. The bullets are still lodged in it.” 

[greendesigngirl]

Castor Design's Brian Richer on his Hudson Chair, which found its home in his industrial loft in downtown Toronto. Love the story behind this one! Looking back at some great articles about Canadian Designers and this is one of my faves. Read the whole article in The Globe and Mail.

[greendesigngirl]

Don’t be afraid to experiment often with new colours in your paint and accessory choices. They are inexpensive and easy to replace, and most importantly, maintaining a fresh look will keep you inspired!

My "Designer Don't" for my Bio as a Finalist on HGTV Canada's Designer Superstar Challenge. 

[biff]

[greendesigngirl]

Tally Lacma Ring by frucci

Artist Francesca Vitali has handmade this fabulous ring using a newsletter from the L.A. Craft Museum as her recycled source and some beautifully textured silver.

I also adore this bracelet, made with recycled magazine pages and sterling silver rivets. I'll be posting more of her unique designs soon. I'm in love with her work!

[glucksteinhome-deactivated20160]

Sari rugs. These gorgeous rugs from Elte are made from recycled vintage saris. Up to 100 saris are used per rug and the look is unique and sophisticated.

[greendesigngirl]

Stunning! Love the colours and textures. I've used saris in my designs for HGTV before, but I've never seen recycled ones used in such a creative way. Love it!

[klausnienkamperkingst]

Neon Love Lamp by Thrush Holmes available through Klaus in 9 colours: ruby red, violet, ultraviolet, incandescent, marine blue, ultramarine blue, warm pink, hot pink and sun.

[greendesigngirl]

I adore these neon lamps, available at one of my top fave design stores in Toronto, Klaus by Nienkämper. I'm loving the whole 80's revived neon trend, from fashion to interior design. Fun!

[greendesigngirl]

tranSglass by Tord Boontje + Emma Woffenden @ Artecnica.

Who says recycled can't be beautiful? Wine bottles made works of art. 

[greendesigngirl]

The quality of my work depends on the quality of music I listen to. I have very strict rules. When I need to be extremely creative, early in the morning, I need to listen to music I know perfectly. Then when I do daily tasks, I can discover new things.

.:Philippe Starck

[greendesigngirl]

tranSglass by Tord Boontje + Emma Woffenden @ Artecnica.

I'm not sure if they started from scratch with this wine bottle, but it cleverly gives the illusion of two existing bottles having been joined together, doesn't it? The ultra modern "Double Vase" is seamless and a definite conversation piece.

[greendesigngirl]

Alentejo Cork Bowls by Daniel Michalik.

Michalik uses recycled cork to create modern eco-friendly accessories that would work well in a variety of decor schemes. The Alentejo Cork Bowls were inspired by the traditional drinking vessel used by cork harvesters to stay hydrated in the hot, arid fields where cork grows. Each of these simple, clean-lined bowls is handmade (the larger ones in Portugal; the smaller ones in Brooklyn), resulting in each piece being unique in shape and style.

:more on Michalik:

[greendesigngirl]

UP THERE is a beautiful and breathtaking little film about mural hand painted advertising.

"I've seen traffic accidents. I've seen naked girls. I've seen shootings. I've seen fights. And they don't even know that you're there." .:NYC Muralist

While living in New York I was fascinated by two things that were close to the sky: The industrial rooftops that surrounded me and the old school hand painting muralists that I was happy to catch in action from time to time. This short film is a great homage to these increasingly rare artists, who are rapidly being replaced by digitally printed vinyl. 

(video via nicolesanberg)

[greendesigngirl]

Bamboo Owl Clock by Decoy Lab.

I just came across the lovely creations of Decoy Lab on Etsy. Most of their clocks and home accessories seem to be laser cut, using the ever sustainable bamboo. The owl and nature trends are bigger than ever this year, in everything from jewellery and fashion to wallpaper and home décor accessories.

I am even more smitten with the delicate Kirie Bamboo Clock, named after the Japanese word for "paper cutting," from which the artist has drawn inspiration.

I could spend hours on Etsy. They have so many talented artists and unique designs on the site, just waiting to be discovered. 

[greendesigngirl]

The best trips, like the best love affairs, never really end.

.:Pico Iyer for Salon Magazine in an epic piece on Why We Travel.