Paid press trip:
A few weeks ago I was invited to visit Ambiente - the leading international consumer goods fair in Frankfurt. It's a huge, awe-inspiring fair with such a vast diversity of items that I barely scratched the surface. Even so, it was exciting to discover the latest news and trends from the home decorating world. A couple of factors really shone through - the first was the increase in handmade, artisanal items - which you can read more about here. The second, was how the design world is tackling sustainability - whether in the form of upcycling, recycling or offering entirely new solutions altogether. Here are six companies that stood out:
1. 3DCORK: Based in Alentejo, South of Portugal, 3DCORK produces contemporary cork items which are 100% natural, biodegradable, recyclable and ecological. The collection is a story of love for land and nature - as well as the home!
2. LPJ Studios: This Bavarian upcycling company founded by renowned designer Hedwig Bouley recycles leftovers from the fashion industry to create fabulous, avant-garde pieces such as handmade rugs, blankets and dog baskets. A part of this rug for example is made from an old sweater! The entire production chain is fair, local and C02 neutral.
3. OOhh Collection by Lübech Living: Made from 100% recycled materials (primarily paper as well as eco-felt - a fabric made from recycled plastic bags and plastic bottles) the OOhh Collection is the result of a Danish design combined with a Fair Trade project in Sri Lanka. Look out for beautiful pots, vases containers, seasonal decorations and office accessories!
4. Carpenter Brother & Sister: founded in 2005 in Taiwan, Carpenter Brother & Sister focuses on bringing creative woodwork to the home. The company only works with FSC-certified, sustainable forestry centres to achieve their goal of being an eco-friendly supply chain and create beautiful pieces that benefit both society and nature.
5. Reisenthel: For over 40 years, Reisenthel bags and carrypacks have stood for modern, innovative design. This year marked the launch of a funky neon yellow and blue collection aimed at kids and made from recycled pet bottles.
6. retap: Danish hydration company retap offers reusable bottles, carafes and water glasses especially designed for tap water, offering us an inexpensive and eco-friendly way to stay hydrated. The colours are nice too!
I also spotted countless other brands both big and small, working towards a more sustainable future which was very encouraging. I can't wait to see what's happening at Ambiente 2021! In the meantime, hop on over to the Ambiente blog today where I've written a feature about some of the beautiful handmade pieces I spotted at the fair.
Niki
This article is written as part of a paid press trip to Ambiente 2020. However, all words and pictures are my own.
LPJ produce some really interesting items. I love their rugs especially.
ReplyDeleteAlso I hope you manage to find a way to protect your copy without disabling 'right click'. It's so disappointing for those of us who rely on screen readers to interact with the sites we love.