Design Folder: Your Online Design and Decorating Resource

conscious living: green furnishings

I was impressed that Cebu’s furniture industry is actively developing materials, processes and designs that are sustainable. Most of their furniture pieces and accessories now rely on the use of indigenous materials. Because indigenous materials like buri, rattan, abaca, and coconut shells are locally available, more abundant, easily harvested and processed with less energy, they are much more sustainable than wood.

[Photo above, from left: Mantid Bench in rattan, leather and metal from Obra Cebuana. Sunny Day Cocktail Table in rattan, leather & metal from Obra Cebuana. Palwa Occasional Chair in palwa (cocnut fronds) & rattan from APY Cane. Floor lamps and pendant lamps in curled/bent rattan & metal from Accessoria Inc.]

Now, Cebu designers are already exploring the use of forest wastes such as twigs and branches as materials for furniture production. Two examples are Kenneth Cobonpue’s Kris Kros screen (also used for the interiors of Z Bar, to be featured later this week) that uses small bamboo twigs on metal frame, and Naturescast’s furniture and accessories (above) that use cast pulp made of recycled paper and forest wastes (branches and leaves).

[Photo above, from left: Loom Floor Lamp using recycled foil textile (for the shade) from Hacienda Crafts Company. Chaise Lounge in rattan, steel & reused textiles from Pacific Traders. Floor & Table Lamps using camera film on metal frame from Detalia Aurora.]

The industry is also looking into developing recycled materials for furniture and accessories. Hacienda Crafts Company is making woven textiles using shredded foil wrappers and bags of potato chips and other snacks. Such fabrics can be used for lighting (above) and accessories .

These efforts do not only make Cebu’s furniture industry a model of a green and sustainable industry, but they also contribute in making their designs stand out internationally. This just proves that it is possible to be green without sacrificing on beauty and quality.

i saw design: cebunext

During the Manila FAME show, Cebu’s CebuNext (formerly CebuX) exhibit had a special setting composed of around eight exhibitors, if I remember correctly. Special thanks to CFIF’s Mischelle Ogdoc for being very accommodating, introducing the  team to their designers and exhibitors.

CebuNext was impressive! Their collection of furniture and décor are nothing but world-class. No wonder many of their members are suppliers for many top-of-the-line furniture brands abroad. Their designs are fresh and innovative, combining sleek modern forms with the rich texture of natural indigenous materials, maintaining that Filipino signature in their designs.

Among the exhibitors, here are our favorites:

Accessoria with its appealing mix of indigenous materials.

Nature seemed to be the inspiration for the organic designs of the lamps from Okiberry.

Colorful outdoor furniture, that also come in a smaller scale for kids, are carried by Lauralee.

Sleek and swanky pieces from young designer, Vito Selma, fuse together strong geometric figures with bold colors and natural materials.

His pieces are now available in Manila through Kish in LRI Plaza.

For those of you who want to see more of Cebu’s finest designs, CebuNext will have their tradeshow in Cebu early next year, March 5-8, 2010.

Hopefully, the designfolder team will get the chance to attend that event (and maybe a side trip to Malapascua or Bantayan Island! The Secret!).