eco-chic design

retro-chic wallpaper that supports sustainable forestry

To my own dismay I’ve been spending more time indoors lately to escape the ongoing heat wave in New York City. This got me thinking about the fun and nature-inspired wallpaper designs by London based MissPrint. They are a whimsical yet modern way to bring the outdoors in through their organic patterns originated from hand drawn illustrations. 

All MissPrint products are designed and hand-printed in London by mother and daughter team Yvonne and Rebecca Drury. Their eco-chic wallpapers are PEFC certified which ensures that the paper products promote sustainable forest management. They are dyed with organic pigment inks that are non-toxic and free of heavy metals. One of their latest additions is the "Dandelion Mobile" wallpaper inspired by wild-growing dandelions in two new color combinations: porcelain with powder blue and mist green with white. Both colorways make me feel cooler already. The stylized seed heads are a modern take on illustration styles from the fifties through their use of color and space. Other nature inspired wallpaper designs include the patterns “Leaves”, “Saplings”, or “Fleur”. Make sure to also check out the mid-century furniture collection upholstered with MissPrint’s hand-printed fabrics. The chairs or sofas are a cool way to recycle discarded furniture and make a great accent piece in any eco-modern home.

acoustic wall panels made from eco-friendly felt at ICFF

As a long-standing fan of wool felt utilized in modern design I was excited to discover the stunning acoustic felt wall panels by Anne Kyyrö Quinn at ICFF. The installation unveiled her latest “Laine” and “Leaf” textile structures that are inspired by nature. Both create a sense of movement through their play of light and shadows. “Laine” is inspired by the reflections of ripples on water and “Leaf”, as the name suggests, by moving petals in a summer breeze. The structures of the acoustic felt walls were mesmerizing and felt like a breath of fresh air. I never imagined that acoustic wall panels could create movement and stillness at the same time. So how do they reduce noise levels? The main material felt absorbs sound through its tiny cavities of its intricate 3-D surface that wick sound waves into another layer of fabric underneath. It basically functions like an acoustic sponge. The result is beautiful and functional at the same time. This makes them perfect for eco-conscious home theaters, offices, lounges or restaurants. In addition the London-based designer Anne Kyyrö Quinn introduced her "Lola" low seating pieces and cushions. And here again, she puts a surprising twist on one of the oldest fabrics in the world by turning the organic designs into structural pieces of art.

high style, low impact

Need a change of scenery? You might want to consider these amazing three-dimensional Wall Flats by Inhabit. There’s nothing flat about them. Inhabit was founded by the husband & wife design team Mike & Jennifer Tuttle. Both have a background in graphic design that shines through in the bold yet simple designs of their wallcoverings.

I love that their embossed designs are a modern take on wallpaper. Currently they come in five different patterns: ARC-Architect, CHY-Chrysalis, SS-Seesaw, BRA-Braille, and SHAN-Shangri La. All Wall Flats are made from 100% bamboo pulp, which is one of the most rapidly renewable resources and one of my favorite eco-friendly materials. All tiles are 100% biodegradable at the end of their life cycle. You can use the tiles in many different ways since they are designed to be modular through the repeating pattern. My favorite use is to cover one wall in an otherwise stark room for maximum impact. I love high impact design solutions with little impact on the environment. And watch out: changing your environment might change the way you think about the environment.

from hippie to hip

Visiting mod green pod’s web site is as much fun as their organic fabrics and vinyl-free wallpapers. Their iconic butterfly icons which are also part of their butterfly jubilee prints follow you as a navigation tool throughout your stay.

The concept of the two founders and sisters-in-law Nancy Mims and Lisa Mims was to create a company that combines fabulous design with sustainable products. The result is this amazing collection of whimsical yet sophisticated designs that come in gorgeous colors like chocolate, raspberry, blueberry or basil on creamy backgrounds.

All designs are hand silk-screened by artisans in New England and printed with water based inks. It’s really fun to watch the process on their web site which makes you appreciate the products even more.