Hand-Made Iranian Felt Rugs by Peace Industry

These beautiful and earth-friendly felt rugs from Peace Industry are hand-made in Iran without the use of chemicals or non-organic dyes. They are made in the ancient and very rare tradition of Iranian wool felting which dates back to the Neolithic Age. This dying art form has gained new recognition with the help of Peace Industry founders Melina and Dodd Raissnia, who sought out artisans in Iran to create rugs of their designs, while insuring that all the goods are produced with fair-trade practices. Orders may be placed directly through Peace Industry; certain styles are also available exclusively at Design Within Reach.

Eco-Minded Brasilian Wooden Bowls by Etel Carmona

These exquisite bowls by Etel Carmona in Ferro wood bear the stamp of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Small Rudá bowl, 11” L x 11.5” D x 10” H, medium Rudá bowl 13” L x 13.5” D x 11” H and large Rudá bowl, 15” L x 15.5” D x 13” H. Beautiful accent pieces for any decor. Available exclusively through Espasso.

MDF Goes Glam - Eric Slayton's Fine Art Furniture

I have never seen this table in person, but the concept is brilliant, simple and gorgeous: resin-coated chipboard, also known as MDF (an engineered wood product formed by breaking down softwood into wood fibres, used in building construction as a lighter alternative to plywood) with a silver-leafed underside. I was introduced to Eric Slayton and his beautiful line of tables, benches and consoles at Dwell on Design last weekend. Slayton mainly works with reclaimed materials, but in a highly sophisticated and refined manner, with simple lines and elegant proportions. His work is a cut above the other "green" lines of furniture that have been emerging recently. He has no representation in Los Angeles yet, but has an excellent website which shows pieces from his line as well as various commissions. Definitely worth checking out.

www.ericslayton.com

Lindsey Adelman Studio - A "Dwell on Design" Discovery

Another discovery I made while on my brief tour of Dwell on Design was the incredible work of Brooklyn designer Lindsey Adelman. Her hand-blown glass and metal light fixtures are some of the best things I've seen in a long time. Everything is made to order, and the lead time is about ten weeks. I spent some time looking at her blog and the creative process behind the work is fascinating. With everything from chandeliers to sconces to light sculpture, the placement possibilities are endless, and their installations range from private residences to a Macy's in New York. I can't wait for the opportunity to use them on one of my own projects! Available locally at TenOverSix.

Dwell on Design - "The West Coast's Largest Modern Design Event"

Dwell on Design at the LA Convention Center ended today, and although I only had enough time to do a quick walk-through on Friday, I did have the opportunity to discover many great products and vendors for the first time.

Ford & Ching (formerly FordBrady) are Willard Ford (son of Harrison) and Andrea Ching. They both have been around the design scene for awhile, and their keen eye is evident in the artisans they represent. I recognized Skram and their beautiful "Wishbone" series of casegoods from a rosewood buffet I had bought for a client last year through a different showroom. They also carry those great funky outdoor "Pod" planters from Pad Outdoor that I see around sometimes, but never know where to purchase.

I was also lucky enough to stumble upon Samuel Moyer. He has been on my radar for awhile because of all the press he's received for his unique, one-of-a-kind reclaimed wood furniture. It's nice to find artisans producing furniture right here in Los Angeles!

And it was such a treat to meet the gals of Amenity Home. Nicole Chiala and Kristina de Corpo are former graphic designers and childhood friends who brought their unique design sensibilites to textiles, creating an amazing line of organic bedding and (because Kristina is a mom too, I guess!) nursery items. I have been a fan of their line for a long time, so it was great to finally meet the faces behind the design. They were launching their new line of sustainable furniture made entirely from vintage hardwoods rescued from Los Angeles demolition sites. "The Muir Collection" is the perfect furniture compliment to their funky textile designs.

This next thing blew me away - my husband and I are in the market for a house right now, so this definitely got my wheels spinning: Reclaimed Space is a sustainable, drop-ready, affordable house made of reclaimed/restored/rebuilt materials, starting at only $115 - $160/SF! Believe me, in Los Angeles ESPECIALLY, that is a bargain!!!! Besides the obvious eco-friendly aspects, I was most struck by the design - they had a 240SF +/- model on display and the interiors were absolutely beautiful! (And much larger than the last apartment I had in New York.)

Sea Urchin Sugar Bowls - Sweet!

In keeping with the "sea urchin" theme from earlier, these prickly little bowls are sweeter than they look - especially when you discover that the brass interior is lined with a glass insert, perfect for sugar or whatever else you can dish out! Available to the trade at Vagabond Vintage.

Concrete Can Be Beautiful - Sandback Designs

Peter Sandback is a New Hampshire artisan who creates beautiful wood or metal concrete topped tables, cast with a unique polymerized material so they are incredibly lightweight, durable and stain-resistant. The tables come in a variety of finishes, with an impressive choice of concrete colors. Made for both indoor or outdoor use (I purchased them for a client's pool and they've held up beautifully). Available directly through his website at www.petersandback.com