eco-chic design

colorful glass cups with a social conscience

As a fan of design that not only looks good but also does good I love glassybaby’s hand-blown votives that give back to the community. I found the colorful votives that double as glasses or vases while looking for additional ways to give to Haiti besides traditional donations. Glassybaby’s blog mentioned the option to donate 10% of any glassybaby purchase to the Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti through the end of February.

It’s no surprise since the founder Lee Rhodes started the company in 2001 while battling cancer. Her glassybaby goodwill program supports cancer related causes and designated colors of her gorgeous glass cups are dedicated to different charities. I love that glassybaby supports the local economy and craftsmanship since the beautiful and colorful cups are hand-blown by glassblowers in and around her Seattle studio. Glassybaby votives have been produced in over 450 different colors and come in opaque, translucent, and deeply colored hues. They add color to any room, dinner party, or even fireplace mantel and look stunning as a group. The inspiring votives are a great way to remind ourselves that we’re all connected and to hopefully keep on giving. Thanks to their timeless design they are the perfect housewarming gift for green homes. The company strives towards an eco-friendly status. Currently all product boxes are built from recycled material and glassybaby donates excess glass created during production to a local artist who transforms it into glass art.

modern recycled glassware

Upcoming Thanksgiving makes me realize how grateful I am for everyday things like access to clean water. That’s why I love the sustainable concept behind the tranSglass tumblers that are part of the Design w/Conscience program founded by Artecnica in 2002. The program combines modern design with the traditional craft of artisan-made goods to promote self-sustaining communities in underdeveloped countries.

In the case of the tranSglass tableware collection designers Emma Woffenden and Tord Boontje collaborated with Guatemalan craftsmen through the help of the non-profit organization Aid to Artisans. The results are these gorgeous glass vessels made from recycled post-consumer wine or beer bottles. All bottles were collected from local restaurants or recycling plants around Guatemala City then cleaned, handcut into new shapes and polished. The collection includes eco-modern vases, carafes, tumblers and candleholders in different shades of green, clear and brown with a polished or satin finish. The sleek and sustainable glass designs are perfect for modern eco-homes. It’s no surprise that the sustainable tranSglass collection is part of the permanent collection at the MoMA here in New York.

gorgeously green glass design

Always on the lookout for cool recycled glass I was excited to find Esque Studio’s hand-blown glass pieces at the sustainable display at NYIGF last week. The Portland based studio founded by Justin Parker and Andi Kovel makes recycled glass look innovative and may I say even futuristic-esque. The display featured the Wax Collector Candleholder but once at the booth I really loved Esque Studio’s Flatlanders that look like futuristic water towers yet happen to make sleek vases. I love the concept that they fill up with water like a water tower but function as a glass vessel. They come in grey, white, army green and eco-black.

All Esque glass is made with recycled glass stock and processed in an electric furnace that runs up to 10 times more efficiently than the traditional gas furnace. It’s powered by wind energy and produces zero Co2 emissions. Since I’m a big fan of water inspired design as you might have noticed by now the Esque Water Drop Jug Vase is another favorite of mine. Each piece will slightly vary in design and is a unique yet functional piece of fluid looking art. It’s available in amber, fuchsia and cream. Esque Studio’s designs are sometimes slightly bizarre or edgy ranging from a glass revolver as a paperweight to a glass terrarium in the shape of a head. And that’s why they are so incredibly cool.

spark your eco-imagination

Originally I was attracted to Lichen’s Squib felt lamp as part of the sustainable display at NYIGF last week with its modern take on eco-friendly felt design. It utilizes LED bulbs that use one-tenth of the energy of the equivalent halogen and last for twelve years until the next replacement. But ultimately it led me to the discovery of Lichen’s Adaptation that's a playful and eco-modern interpretation of the traditional glass vase.  I love how the designer Brandon Perhacs makes the user part of the creative process with his eco-smart design. Several glass vessels are held in place through an invisible force at the base that’s made of the eco-friendly material PaperStone, so that you can move them around based on your mood or desired flower arrangement. It’s a great way to green your home décor and makes for fun interactive design.

PaperStone is an FSC-certified composite made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper that’s saturated with a resin based on cashew nut shells. The design and manufacturing studio Lichen strives to use materials that are either recycled, sustainable, or are recyclable themselves. Make sure to check out the designer’s videos where he shows how his imaginative eco-designs work like his bracelet eweCUFF made from 100% Merino wool felt.