Eames Spotting: Eames Aluminum Group Chair

We continue with our Eames Spotting series with this beautiful image from Italian Elle Decor via EamesDesigns.com. And we haven’t forgotten the fact that we’re looking at design through a green filter this week. It’s a little known fact that the Eames Aluminum Group chairs are made of 61 percent recycled materials and are 88 percent recyclable at the end of their life. This chair was originally designed as an outdoor piece for the Miller House but over the years has found itself into many a chic home office.  We recently took the design back to its roots and at ICFF this year we re-launched the chair as an outdoor piece.

The story in Elle Decor that featured this image was titled “Eclecttico Sofisticato”:

“I don’t believe the word eclectic applies here, except perhaps to the desk, which contrasts with other things in the room. There are many things in the room with which the Eames chair has a strong affinity. It has an affinity with the ceiling with its exposed, unpainted wood beams that are there for support, not decoration.  And in the cement floor which is bare of decoration or covering. The walls also appear to be the same. Next there is the electrical fixture, which it is left exposed, the conduit for the wire isn’t buried inside the wall, it’s left where it can be seen for what it is, along with the socket.  Finally there is an iron machine wheel, leaning up against the wall, shaped the way it is to address the need for which it was created. Just like the chair.”

Daniel Ostroff, editor EamesDesigns.com

Green Pieces of Tech for Your Home Office

We attended the April EcoFocus event in New York where various companies display their new green technology. Here is roundup of eight pieces that caught out eye.

1. Samsung Replenish: At the Sprint table several devices were displayed showing off the new Green ID pack including the new Samsung Replenish.
2. SodaStream: We enjoyed sipping some delicious pear soda from the new Fizz machine from SodaStream. How is SodaStream green? All SodaStream soda makers come with reusable bottles that last up to 3 years! Great for staying hydrated at your desk.
3. HP EliteBook Notebook Computers: These unibody aluminum laptops with built in energy monitoring software cut a sharp figure and reminded us of a more boxy MacBook Pro.
4. The 4th Bin: We’re not going to lie, it was the vintage mobile phone that brought us to The 4th Bin table to learn about their electronic recycling services they offer in NYC.
5. Philips LED Lighting: At Philips we checked out the Imageo CandleLights and the new color changing lights.
6. ThinkEco Modlet: The Modlet by ThinkEco helps you to be aware of your energy consumption by simply plugging your electronics into the Modlet device and using the PC software to track and monitor (Mac software is coming soon).
7. Camileo BW10: In addition to showing off their laptops and mobile monitor, Toshiba also had the new Camileo BW10 on display, a tiny waterproof HD camcorder that records in full 1080p.
8. Pixi Lighting: These LED lights offered quite a soft glow which reminded us of the warm glow of incandescent bulbs.

By Joelle Alcaidinho.