...by its cover

As our reading becomes digital and the paper book becomes obsolete, I'm seeing more and more artists using old books as raw materials. Brian Gennett is one of these, and his mosaics stand on their own as stunning works of art. It's not until you look closely at the details that you see the raw materials--book covers and end papers. Click through to his site for more furniture, objects, and even tile. Each piece is sealed with layers of poly acrylic.

Thanks to Design Sponge for highlighting this work.

Images from Brian Gennett. Via Design*Sponge.

Slate-ish

Just discovered, Slate-ish, which is a triple green product (I just made that up--It's not a technical term.) 

1. Slate-ish is made from construction scraps instead of new materials
2. The source material (Richlite, Paperstone) is already an eco-friendly material, which builders and architects are using to gain LEED points in their projects.
3. The company has a buyback program (or a buy program) where they will gladly buy your countertop scraps to make them into tiles.

The tiles look like slate, but are actually a combination of paper and resin, laminated and pressed into a solid form. The material is durable, often used in countertops and skateboard ramps. The tiles are cut from the scraps leftover from construction projects--sink cut-outs, oddly shaped corners, anything too small or strange to be useful. 

This might be perfect for our new fireplace, which has been languishing unfinished without tile for far too long. If I can only decide on a design--trendy hex, long strips, triangles?

Images from Slate-ish.

What's black, white, and read all over?

Apartment Therapy just did a post on the latest material trends from Paris' Maison et Objet show. The whole post is good, but check out these newspaper tables. The tabletops are compacted newspaper. They look so sophisticated for such a modest material.

The tables are by Dutch studio VIJ5. I'm not crazy about the legs, but those tiles are great. would love to see one in person. Do you think it's soft? Smudgy? Does it smell like the crossword puzzle?

Images from VIJ5. Via Apartment Therapy.

Calling all green makers

Make Magazine is sponsoring a DIY contest. Win your own 3D printer and a chance at a Nissan Leaf, plus fame and fortune and a chance to show off your skills. Details here.

If you're more of a voyeur than a competitor, you can just lurk in the gallery here. There are some great ideas already up, and more coming. I've pulled a couple of teaser photos for you. Good luck!

Images from Make. From the top, 
Sprout vases from old wooden buoys, 
Alley Cat kinetic art from found wood, and 
recycled phone book desk organizer.

Pulp Fiction

Tricia and I have been working on a new project with the great folks at PulpWorks, and I've been researching paper pulp designs. This bulletin board from Umbra is a different kind of product than the molded fiber we've been working on, but it's still pretty interesting. It would be perfect for a DIY, especially if you can get the paper shop to cut the sheets for you.

Images from Apartment Therapy.

This little house of mine...

 

I was looking around the interweb for paper lamp ideas when I discovered these! So charming! If you're lucky enough to live between Seattle and Vancouver, you can attend one of their workshops to learn how to make your own paper houses.

If you live further away or aren't up for a DIY project, you can buy pre-made houses from their Etsy site.

 

Images from hutch studio.