I tend to think good design is minimal. I love the idea behind “Slot Furniture“. This company and its 3-in-1 design was recently featured on the “Contemporist” – one of the better resources out there for contemporary furniture design. This design is functional and attractive. However, I would like to bounce on it and see how durable and stable it is!

In previous posts we discussed the use of environmentally friendly products. Whether it relates to products that consume less energy or using recycled material, we need to change the way we look at our resources and reduce the strain on the environment. In theory, this is a great concept and as a furniture designer, I have always kept an eye out for companies that promote this same ideal. Truth is, being environmentally sound is great to talk about, but you see so little being done commercially to get recycled materials onto the mainstream market. Thanks to David Lasher, President of “Sage in Design,” that gap has been made a lot smaller.

Sage in Design is located in Vista, California and is committed to identifying, developing and providing the contract furniture and commercial retail industries with environmentally-sound alternatives to traditional site furnishings. Each of the products they represent is selected for its unique contribution to the environment, whether through design, fabrication or energy saving capabilities. Product attributes include fabrication from 100% recycled paper, recycled plastic or glass, reclaimed or FSC-certified woods, paints and finishes with low or no VOCs, natural fabrics, and environmentally-sound production or packaging processes.

Check out some of these quotes from the Sage in Design site:

“As I watch my family grow, I have become interested in giving back to the world that my kids will inherit one day. Having been in the contract furniture industry for more than 25 years, I know that there is an incredible void in the industry for ‘green’ alternatives,” explains Lasher.

“Businesses are finally starting to realize the benefits of green products, both in terms of a moral business philosophy that gives back to the environment, and also from a fiscal and PR perspective. We are determined to make it easy for our customers to go green.”

I strongly encourage you to visit the Sage in Design website (http://www.sageindesign.com/index.php) to see more about their philosophy, mission, and product offerings.If you know of other companies out there that are doing the same thing, drop us a comment or email to keith@re-function.com!

If your decor is Modern I can appreciate the delimna. How to organize your worldly possessions and while at the same time maintaining your ideal of a clean, no frills, no extras, life. Check out the Sistema Concept by Italian manufacturere Doimo Design. Not only are these designs modern they are very flexible offering a ton of options. {Via: Furnishism }

See more: http://www.digsdigs.com/15-inspiration-photos-of-living-room-storage-organizing-sistema-concept-by-doimodesign/#ixzz0n3MUgcch

As designers of furniture, we often get caught up in the beauty of the material. Wood. Simple, strong, organic and plain wood is classic and a brilliant material to work with. Given that, ever think of using cardboard? Yeap. So much emphasis is being put on green and recyclable material, why not? It is inexpensive, light-weight but durable and somewhat dense. Others are using it successfully now. Check out some of these uses:

Foldschool Cardboard Furniture

FlexibleLove

Cardboard Bookshelf and Sideboard by Reinhard Dienes

Cardboard will play a larger role in our materials. Consider it as a replacement for the core material of wood.  Why not? It is lighter and its density is fair. Considering it is readily available and very green I think it deserves a closer look.

In the last post we took a look at some work that made me scratch my head and wonder, “what are you thinking?” On the flip side, I would like to create a routine feature on this blog that highlights beautiful, creative work. As I was browsing the blogs I came across Straight Line Designs, a Vancouver, BC company that really speaks to the essence of fun and imaginative furniture design. Judson Beaumont appears to be the lead conceptual designer for Straight Line Designs. Not only is his work full of imagination and fun, the material and craftsmanship in the furniture is also there.

It looks like Straight Line Designs will do just about anything a client requests from custom furniture design to entire custom-designed living spaces. They were responsible for the Cotsen Children’s Library (Princeton NJ) being transformed into a literary wonderland. In addition, they were also featured on HGTV’s “I Want That!”

You should check out the Straight Line Designs site  and there work. Following are a few designs that really appealed to me:

Brian Dresser - Stained MDF

"Melting" Cabinet 2003 - Clear MDF

10th Anniversary Cindy Dresser

Whitney Lou - Stained Solid Maple and Maple Veneer