EcoChic: Haute Green
Sustainable design is the most popular kid in class these days. The HauteGREEN launch party was so packed by the end of the night that people were lining up to get into the intimate gallery space. Despite the lack of elbow room, the throng of visitors was in a fantastic mood, chatting with fellow designers and sharing ideas. To say there was a buzz about the place would be a gross understatement.
HauteGREEN was back for its second year, showcasing the best in sustainable design for the contemporary home. The curated collection featured over 70 eco-friendly pieces chosen from a pool of 241 submissions from established and emerging designers from around the world. They adhere to a set of green criteria that follows the lifecycle of the product – the origin of the materials, the efficiency of manufacturing and transport, durability, and whether the product contributes to social improvement.
The passion of the designers was palatable. They didn’t seem to mind that people were pressed up against their prototypes but rather were supremely surprised and excited that their “little event” attracted such a crowd. And that this, in turn, signaled to these advocates that eco-consciousness is appealing to a wider audience.
Here are just a fraction of the designs featured at HauteGREEN 2007.
The Common Chair – Toronto designers, Covello Reesor, took a traditional Quaker-style chair, common in Ontario about 200 years ago, and gave it a modern twist. By seamlessly fusing together scraps of hardwood collected from the Toronto area, the design duo created a simple yet stunning piece. Contrasting strips of wood grains have such a silky finish that you won’t be able to keep your hands off these chairs.
Baby Bottles – Jerry Kott fuses sections of empty wine bottles together to form decorative pieces that catch the light as well as the eye. According to Kott the bottles are not empty, but full with joy!
Log Bowls – Loyal Loot Collection, a group of Canadian women, use rough wooden exteriors to hide bold autumnal colors. These little wooden geodes are the darlings of Canadian cabins.
Pap Corn – This Danish dining set is made entirely of compostable plastics. Use it once, ten or hundred times and then return it to the earth.
Moso – This pendant lamp by Brian Schmitt is made of only three elements, bamboo shade panels, the frame and the electrical cord. These delicate and sophisticated lamps can flat-pack for easy shipping and storage.
Eggflat – Josh Jakus has an innovative way to stop your fruit from bruising. Store each apple, pear or plum in its own grey felt nest with this egg-carton inspired fruit bowl.
HauteGREEN 2007 promised to be inspirational to all who attended their second show in New York City. And they came through to settle their debt. Avoid the crowds and take a personal virtual tour of highlights from the collective here.
—Morwenna White
