GARDEN IN A BAG

Saw these brilliant Flat packed gardens at Design Made Trade last week. They come in small 600 x 300 x 400 sizes right up to 1200 x 1200 x400
Perfect for balconies, courtyards and when you are renting. Or to put closer to the back door for your cooking herbs
contact kif & katast for information

Even the packaging is simple and packs up neatly if you are moving or want to store for the future.

FURNITEX & DESIGN AND DECORATION 2010

HANDSOME PRINTS display
at Design & Decoration for Materials Inspiration
(Curators- Marshall Design)

Whenever these events are on I go straight to the Vivid display where furniture and decor items by student, up & coming and established designers display innovative and exciting pieces.
This year was no exception in what it had to offer. I was lucky enough to chat with Damien Hipwell from Studio Hip who had two pieces on show, with the childrens chair and table set winning an award (cutely named 'strongman table and chairs!). Damien is a professional furniture maker and approaches his designs and manufacturing with high environmental and ethical standards.

I loved his Studio chair - a contemporary piece with influences of the retro furniture era . Damien is a true craftsman with a passion for his work - if you are looking for a unique piece Damien welcomes commissions - so look him up!

STRONG MAN! TABLE & CHAIRS

The other pieces that caught my eye where from students developing their design and manufacturing skills, so make sure you look out for these names in the future.

CURVITIOUS CREDENZA -by Hanzlah Ain - PerthMETAL CABINET by Kip Smith of UANDMI DesignsROCKING HORSE CONCEPT by Rob Miller - Victoria
(which also won and award)ZINE TABLE by Jade Mc Cormick WA

ROOM WITH A VIEW - ARTICLE HERALD-SUN 26-06-10

V-Walls from H2O Designs

A large expansive view from the main living areas of your home, or a view from your bedroom window not only adds value to your home but is like 'living artwork' captured from your window.
As our house blocks are getting smaller and houses are built closer to the fence line, the possibility of those magical views are becoming less and less of a reality.
We are living more and more with small courtyards in our homes, and balconies in our apartments are a valued commodity. Less space though, doesn't mean you have to compromise on the 'green' in your view. The solution to the smallest space of problems is:Vertical Gardening
Vertical Gardening can be used to screen an ugly wall, give privacy from prying neighbours and even feed the family with a hanging garden for vegetables and herbs.
These V-shaped wall planters (above) from H2O Designs are lightweight and can be easily installed in most situations. They are made from an expanded polystyrene with a cement render coating, so it is easy to hang and wont put stress on your walls all while looking solid. A standard size 3-tier screen of 1.5m by 1m only stepps out 300mm from its wall frame, which means it is no deeper than your average pot plant. You can get larger sizes with more tiers or stack a row of them along the wall. The screens also come as a freestanding unit, which gives flexibility in small courtyards, and if you are renting you can bring your garden with you and take it when you leave!

Water tanks are a necessity in our gardens of today but looking out at the robust structures from you kitchen window can tend to be an eye-sore. Again, creating a vertical garden is the perfect solution. If you are looking for a DIY project for the weekend this screen is made from packing pallets perfect.
You will need to first build a basic frame to mount the pallets then run a plane over any areas that look like they may splinter or pierce the plants. Create a base in the rungs to support the plants and paint. You can line the troughs with a weed mat liner, a small layer of moss and follow with potting mix. If you can find pots small enough to fit, it will be an even easier way to fill the wall with green. Succulents are very suitable as they don't require a great deal of space for their root system and are low maintenance.
To complete the picture perfect view, all you need is an outdoor setting, an umbrella and a few quiet drinks with friends!

CREATE ART WITH YOUR BUTTONS

Devotion
Mixed media found object installation at Haines Annex, San Francisco, CA
Dimensions variable, 1991

We all love to recycle and create from what is lying around but this amazing artist
Lisa Kokin has gone to the next level and created art that is not only unique but inspiring. She creates individual sculptures as well as art gallery installations and then when you think she cant get anymore creative she brings out a book. Not the written kind but the creative kind.
I love her work and imagine if she doesn't already wear glasses she might have to in the future with the intricate works she produces.

Leotard
Buttons, thread, rug canvas, 33 x 13, 2003

Passage
Buttons and mixed media, imitation sinew, waxed linen, chicken wire
41 X 29-1/2, 2004

Partial History of Jewish Life in Modern Times
Stitched altered book, 8 x 6-1/2 x 3, 199

RECYCLED KITCHEN

When renovating a kitchen for the first time it can be daunting looking at the price tag. The cost of benches, cupboards, applicances, electrics, plumbing can literally blow your budget out of the water. Anywhere you can save money has got to be a bonus. Look at these 'clever' ways to save a bit of money. and by using recycled timbers or gaining a kitchen that otherwise would end in land fill you are doing your bit for the environment.
Rupert Blanchard is doing some works for a large 3 story Victorian conversion and well - they obviously are going for the quirky angle.

If you are looking for a more finished and upmarket look you can buy and sell online. Get rid of your kitchen and buy some one else's, or buy ex-showroom displays. Yes a bit like e-bay except they specalise just in kitchens. One such company is secondhandkitchens.com.au. If this isnt in your country I am sure you can find one on a google searchNow this is recycling your kitchen in a whole new way. Built by 2012 Architechten in cooperation with Jeanne van Heeswijks of Jeanworks, the structure is a modern statement alongside the traditional architecture of Utrecht, Vlaardingen and Amsterdam. The Sustainable Sky Box serves as a multi-purpose space for cultural activities
And when you are de-cluttering why not give your utensils, pots and pans to an artist and see what they come up with! London Artist Subodh Gupta, created this skull sculpture for the Frieze art fair in London but is just one of his large collection
And for that touch of elegance there is alwasy the wine glass chandelier. Glasklasen is a genuine product of Swedish art industry, designed by a team of two architects - Gunnar Cedervall and Björn Stillefors - and an industrial designer - Jörgen Pudeck. The wine glasses are to to be used, then washed and put back - a certain conversation piece!

Melbourne International Flower Show

Melbourne Flower and Garden Show has put on an amazing show once again. The outdoor stands did have to withstand 3 seasons in one day (the sun didnt really shine that much) but it didnt dampen the spirits of those who visited. With 2009 winners still to be announced here are some past winners that still hold their own.

Award for excellence - Sei-Sei-Tei shows its not all about flowers and high maintenance. With Melbourne's stringent water restrictions this holds a lot of inspiration

KEEP IT OUT OF THE TRASH!

What a great idea, may car hoods have ben used as picnic tables and a place to sit when you are parked and Joel Hester has taken it one step further. These car hoods and boots are now functional but I think great art in the room

LIGHTS AS ART

Led's are low energy, flexible and can be fitted in almost any situation. How they are applied are limited to your imagination. And boy what and imagination these guys have!

SHOE FETISH

As fashion designer, Vivian Chan Shaw sits amongst her shoes, lovingly displayed for the camera on her stairs- I bet she wishes she could just open the stairs and not have to put them back in a stack of boxes sitting on the too high shelf in her wardrobe

OWN POWERED TORCH

An aesthic and functional desing for a battery charger by Hermann Eske. The sunLight is a torch when charged and when folded out is a solar panel with enough energy to charge batteries, a mobile, Mps3's etc. Made from recyclable materials and with no parts to replace it truly is a great design.

SAUCY SOLAR PANELS

They almost look like a retor coffee table but these Veranda Solar Panels give inner-city dwellers a chance to create their own eco-choice. If you apartment building isnt going to supply a solar roof top this is the next best thing to getting it started. hang it out your window like planter box. Yes they may not be the most attaractive of panels one by one, but if they were installed on mass on a building it would give a whole new architetural feature

TRANSFORMER BATHING BOX

The M-Velope Designed by Michael Jantzen. At $100,000 you would want an amazing bikini to go with it

ENTERTAIN IN 90 SECONDS

A 'push-button' house by illy complete with hydraulics

ADAPTABLE TO THE SEASONS

An Eco house with a difference. This house by Studio Dror tilts to adapt to the season's weather conditions.

WASHING MACHINE/TOILET

In these times of water restrictions here in Australia, here's a novel idea using sustainable and water saving ideas.
The "Washup" is a new concept that re-uses washing machine water to flush the toilet, and great for tiny spaces too...

MELTING LIGHT SHADE

This melted light experiments with different lampshade forms, using LED technology. Great for going green as this light doesn't generate too much heat!

BANANA SHOE POLISH

Having you been polishing your shoes with bananas again?

Would bananas work for polishing furniture too?

PERFECT BACHELOR CHAIR

No need for the rubbish bin - just drink and fill. Not surprisingly, it was designed by a male student. Not sure if this is recycling, genius or laziness. What do you think?

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Noosa Green House

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