The Ikat gang have used foam and fabric to build a playful garden bed.  Apparently, the kids just can’t get enough of planting and picking their own hand-made flowers and vegies.   One observation was that this is great practice for the children during colder months, in preparation for upcoming growing seasons.  

Once a furrowed garden bed has been created, the scope for planting is broad indeed.  From bright sunny flowers to carrots and strawberries, all ages can enjoy the playful creativity that ensues.

We can’t help but wonder how fertile the growth of these gardens could be with a few handfuls of makedo clips scattered amongst the construction materials…

Head over to Ikat Bag to read the full story, and hopefully become inspired to make your own.

Located on Gough St where Soho becomes Noho; an area of Hong Kong fast becoming known for the groovy vibe that is spreading its way through the streets.  

Presenting a retail experience with a conscience makes ECOLS stand out, as the reuse and recycle theme runs strong across the product range.  It will be great to see how this store grows and evolves while keeping true to the simple Eco Lifestyle core message -

…it is easy to take part in making a change and making a difference.

Have a deeper look to see featured designers, unique products and more at ECOLS.

From time to time, designers turn their heads towards cardboard as a material solution in furniture design.  There are many reasons to do this - from the eco-conscious to the fiscally frugal, chances are high that cardboard chairs will continue to feature in our furnished futures.   Today we are bringing you an elegant solution from Peter Raacke, pioneer in the use of cardboard for domestic furniture.

Gathering momentum in the late 1960’s, Peter developed a range of cardboard pieces that make clever use of all of the strengths that this material provides.  Light weight, hard-wearing, versatile in finishing and most importantly, accessible for the masses.   Originally designed for poor people, the “Otto” chair (featured above) was the first industrially manufactured cardboard easy chair.   The success of this design resulted in the range boasting a proud history in the homes of design connoisseurs over the past five decades.

See more from Peter Raacke at his website, and even pick yourself up an Otto of your own at the appropriately named Pulpo.  

We learned about Peter and the Otto at Better Taste Than Sorry.

This Ukranian-born Frenchman began his remarkable constructions as a part of the rebuilding process on a modest suburban block following World War II.   Gradually progressing from shell decorations on the outer walls, to columns with connecting beams and then… well, the pictures really have to be seen to be believed.

A collector, a hoarder, a builder, a sculpter; Bodan’s efforts continue to amaze and astound as people are exposed to the value he placed on discarded objects.  The care with which so many diverse cultural remnants have been reused is evident in the smallest details as well as the entire broad-sweeping vision.  Truly an ordered chaos like no other.

We discovered Bodan Litnianski in several forms at Outsider Environments.  Head to this informative blog, if you are interested in following the plight currently being undertaken to save the Garden of Shells…

” … a powerful plea by the architect Jean-Marc Huygen to save the site as an example and a source of inspiration to live differently nowadays, once one realises that this site is a heritage of humanity and has all aspects of sustainability, the paradigm of our time.”

Outsider Environments

Bodan Litnianski’s Jardin du coquillage / Garden of shells