'Salone del Mobile looks to green'

Sustainability was one of the main trends at the Salone del Mobile last week in Milan, as designers presented pieces culled mostly from recyclable and eco-friendly materials.

The largest furniture fair in the world, an event for furniture and fashion fanatics alike, drew a crowd of 350,000 and generated 250 million euros ($337) during the six-day fair period.

Attendees have their pick of the 2,542 exhibitors, in addition to the open-door events often put together by leading Italian fashion houses hoping to fuel sales.

Lamps by David Trubridge of New Zealand

Among the exhibitors, Swedish companies like Sodra and Wastberg created paper lamps and Munich-based designers Saskia and Stefan Diez created an overnight bag from a paper that is waterproof, tearproof and recyclable.

From a mix of cardboard boxes and plywood, the German-based Formentwicklung showed tables. Another German brand named Plicio presented foldable chairs inspired by a ladybug’s wings and crafted of wood and rubber. The origami-like chair when lain flat can be folded into different shapes.

Ecomat bricks

Alasdhair Willis, husband of eco-friendly fashion designer Stella McCartney and head of a British design and manufacturing company told WWD that, “You can’t be a citizen of the world without being aware of the environment.”

A colorful conglomeration of recycled pet bottle pieces, a chandelier (below) designed by South African Heath Nash was one of the many eco-friendly pieces on display. A hand wire structure was attached to the rescued bottles.

One of my favorite designs was a set of foldable lamps in an innovative fauna shape. New Zealand designer David Trubridge created the lamps (above top), which he sought to use as an example of reducing CO2 emissions by using energy efficient LED bulbs.

Heath Nash designed this chandelier made from recycled pet bottles

Lego lovers eat your heart out. Ecomat (above middle) showcased a collection of colorful bricks that not only resemble the plastic Lego blocks, but can be actually used to build permanent and temporary structures. The bricks are made of recycled materials and its low weight reportedly reduces CO2 emissions as well.

Exhibiting students also took a shot at designing sustainable furniture, this time looking to food for inspiration. Chairs sculpted by University of San Marino students were actually composed of flour, yeast, malt, banana fiber, brown rice, malt and liquorice root.

At the Salone del Mobile, it was another year in showcasing the finest from established and emerging talent and in driving sales. For the eco-minded, the growing number of sustainable designs was further proof that the environment is just as important inside the home as it is out.

*Photos courtesy of http://agreenliving.org and http://inhabit.com