What: Coral Pendant

Where: Soon to be available from YLighting. See also the Floral Pendant -$450 with free shipping on orders over $50

Why We Love ‘Em: – Delighted to see the new colors popping up in David Trubridge’s classic pendant lamp. Now you can purchase this dynamic bamboo plywood pendant in bright spark (yellow), wham (green), westside (orange), citrus (lime green), flamingo (pink) or niagara (aqua). The bursts of color line the inside of the lamp for a nice contrast of natural wood finish and bold color. Love the way the light spills through enlivening the ceiling, walls and floor with an organic mosaic.

we love the fact that although designer, David Trubridge, balks at the label “eco-designer,” there is no denying that he is one: 70% of the energy supply is from hydro-electric power; the hoop pine plywood is sustainably sourced and cut with CNC lasers to minimize waste; he uses non-toxic organic finishes (or in this case, no finish at all); the pendants are designed to pack neatly into a small box and assemble easily with recyclable plastic clips to minimize environmental and economical shipping costs.

wood pendant light

What: LINK Small Table Lamp

Where: yLighting – $525 $350 & Free Shipping; available in White, Black, Grey, Green, and Orange

Why We Love It: We keep hearing about LED lighting as being the next best thing in energy efficient lighting, but it has still yet to hit the main stream. The LINK is one of our favorite new LED lights with a masterful design, high functionality and personality. Great for the office and the home and is the perfect companion to a good book on a gray day.

Designed with the workplace in mind, you can bend, twist, tilt and pivot the frame up to 360 degrees to achieve just the right lighting for your task. The optical diffusing optical film over the circle of LED lights provides glare-free light control. The LED bulb included has a 25,000 hour lifespan – compare that to CFL’s that last anywhere from 6,000 to 15,000 hours and incandescent bulbs that last anywhere from 750 to 1,000 hours.

In addition to being incredibly energy efficient, the LINK lamp is an incredibly minimalist design streamlined to reduce the amount of parts and materials to build it. The arms are made of stamped aluminum, the lens is a polycarbonate and the base is made of die-cast zinc base finished with a matte soft-feel paint. As much thought was put into the creation of the lamp as was put into its end. It is built to last, but can be easily disassembled for recycling and 97% of the components are completely recyclable.

See also the LINK Task Light, the LINK Small Floor Lamp and the LINK Medium Floor Lamp.

led lamp

Who:

What: Ball Ceiling Fan

Where: Y-Lighting- $540 $288

Why We Love It: This minimalist design captures the modern industrial aesthetic without feeling cold. We first saw it a few years ago and just loved how it looked – when it’s running it looks like a floating orb -  such a simple design, it begs the question why are there so many ugly, fussy fans out there when they can look this good? (We  just saw one that somehow had a glove, a ball and a home plate, seriously.)

Design and function were of equal importance when creating the Modern Fan line. A streamlined design meant easier installation, a more efficient and quieter motor and a bigger breeze. Anyone who has wrestled with installing a ceiling mounted fan will appreciate the ease of installation.  Running a fan in the hot summer months can reduce your energy bill even if you have A/C, you’ll be able to keep the A/C thermostat an average of 8 degrees lower if you keep your fan running which could reduce your energy bill by up to 40%. They also help circulate air in the winter sending hot air trapped near the ceiling down to where you need it. These fans are also compatible with compact fluorescents (CFLs) to further reduce energy consumption.

Take a look at the ball fan in the home of Dixie Chick Emily Robinson.

Available in aluminum, white or with maple blades and can be hung with or without a light. Also available in other sizes/heights: Ball Hugger Ceiling Fan | Cirrus Ceiling Fan | Cirrus Hugger Ceiling Fan | Stratos Ceiling Fan

Who:

What: Artichoke Lamp

Where: Stray Dog Designs – $625

Why We Love ‘Em: Such a playful and fun accent piece. This lamp has texture, spunk and the carefree spirit of the tropics. Perfect for a beach retreat or to add some color to your room.

Each lamp is handmade by artisans in Haiti and made of papier mache from recycled materials. You can leave the base white or go for a pop of color with your choice of 15 different paint colors, all low-VOC, ranging from the bright Bahaman Sea Blue pictured to a cool African Violet to the sharp contrast of a basic black. All bases are paired with a white paper shade. Other items in their collection are crafted from repurposed tin, glass and even cement bags.

Initially, the founders of Stray Dogs design set out to create unique pieces while providing sustainable jobs for communities in need, as was the case with Haiti. In light of the recent earthquake, they have set up the Stray Dog Designs Haitian Worker Relief fund to directly support the workers they employed. In addition, a portion of each Stray Dog Design purchase is donated to organizations that feed hungry children, shelter homeless families, or create loving homes for stray dogs and cats. So bringing some color and whimsy into your home will help bring color to those in need.

Related Articles: Paperstone Cutting Boards | Green Guides: Paperstone Countertops

What: Floral Pendant

Where: YLighting; $500 with free shipping on orders over $50

Why We Love ‘Em:

we love the innovative blend of art, nature & function…

we love the mesmerizing way the light filters through the organic pattern…

we love the way we can’t quite figure the design out – is it a web of hands, roots, petals, flowers or is that the point? to signify interdependence….

we love the fact that although designer, David Trubridge, balks at the label “eco-designer,” there is no denying that he is one: 70% of the energy supply is from hydro-electric power; the hoop pine plywood is sustainably sourced and cut with CNC lasers to minimize waste; he uses non-toxic organic finishes (or in this case, no finish at all); the pendants are designed to assemble easily with recyclable plastic clips and pack flat  to minimize shipping costs, both eco-friendly and economical….

Who:

What: Soji Modern Solar Lanterns

Where: bambeco.com; $39 & 15% off your purchase with code: ecobungajune; 9″x9″ available in pure white, pearl motif or mineral motif

Why: Based on the intricate hand folded shade designs of architect Poul Christiansen, these hard plastic soji lanterns are perfect for outdoor entertaining. Mix and match patterns to create a festive setting and with no outlets or cumbersome cords required, you can cluster them in the trees or string them along the patio with ease.

Powered by solar panels absorbing the sun’s rays during the day and providing a warm glow as the sun goes down and the amber LED lights switch on. And for those in the sun deprived northeast  who haven’t seen the sun for the past week, not to worry, the lanterns come complete with AAA rechargeable batteries for those less than stellar days.

Born in Copenhagen, Denmark 1947, Poul Christiansen designed for Le Klint in the 1960’s where he revolutionized the way traditional origami lanterns were made. He discovered that by incorporating mathematical cine curves (remember geometry?) you could create sculptural curves in twists within the folds to create unique forms. His Le Klint shades are still being sold today. His iconic designs from the 60’s are still on the market today, at stores like Design Within Reach, YLighting and All Modern Lighting.

Who:

What: Solar Patio String Umbrella Lights

Where: Bed, Bath & Beyond, $29.99. Be sure to track down one of their 20% off coupons before you purchase.

Why: The perfect summer accessory, a handy string of  eight hand-blown glass bulbs runs on solar powered LED lights, so you won’t have to replace this very often. The discreet solar panel rests on top of the umbrella soaking up the rays all day so once night falls you will have a well lit retreat for end of the day aperitifs. And surprisingly simple solar strings of lights are not that easy to find, this one is just right.

Who:

What: Nautilus Pendant Light

Where: Y Lighting, $660, Natural only (Red Stained, Red Mahogany and Yellow Stained  not available), 11″W X 18″H

Why: Such a well executed take on a timeless design, the nautilus–1 million years and counting.  For those with a weakness for marine inspired designs,  the Nautilus Pendant is sure to be a favorite. And the unique design is a welcome reprieve from a market saturated with paper lanterns….. Overlapping strips of plantation grown Australian Hoop Pine Plywood are banded together to create the outer shell of the nautilus. Only when lit are the signature orange stripes of the Nautilus are revealed.

The design, although seemingly simple, is very well thought out to minimize waste. Each strip of pine is cut with a laser to reduce waste a and the ‘shell’ itself collapsible so it packs flat minimizing packaging and simplifying shipping (and easier to move when you move!). Simply fan it open upon receipt to recreate the spiral. It is only to be used with CFL lightbulbs since the heat emitted from incandescents would pose a fire hazard being so close to the pine shade.

Who: Lights Up! Brooklyn, NY

What: Soiree Table Lamp

Where: Design Public – $174

Why: Since 1985, Lights Up! has created lighting that makes a statement without shouting. Minimalist by nature, the designs display clean lines, unfussy hardware with interchangeable beautifully patterned lampshades designed by Thomas Fernez of Thomas Paul. You can mix and match the shades with a variety of bases and ceiling mount options to create a lighting fixture that suits your space and aesthetics. Urban Sherp’s favorite? The sleek resin base pictured above paired with Fall ’08′s black ginko lampshade. Perfectly modern. And the good news, soon these lampshades will be available in 100% PET recycled plastic! When it came time to source a new supplier of the linen and silk used for the lampshades, owner Rachel Simon took the advice of her nephew to consider more eco-friendly materials. So keep an eye out for a greener shade.

soiree lamp

Who: J.Good Design; New York, NY

What: Astral Chandelier

Where: J.Good Design, Price TBD

Why: I have been searching for perfect lighting fixture for my dining room–one that is eco-friendly and visually appealing proved to be no easy task. Most of the eco-options consisted of fluorescent monstrosities. I wanted a fixture that was composed of little to no plastic and instead made of more natural, and consequently, more sustainable and less toxic, materials like glass (preferably recycled), wood (preferably FSC Certified), and various metals like copper or aluminum or steel that can easily be recycled. Alas, I discovered the fabulous glass fixtures created by jGoodDesign. Expertly handcrafted in New York City, Jeffrey Goodman’s creations cannot be defined simply as lighting fixtures but rather as sculptures of light. His manipulations of in glass result in a completely mesmerizing display; fluid forms bringing the glass to life. Unlike anything else that is on the market right now.

In addition to producing a truly unique product, jGoodDesigns also adheres to eco-conscious manufacturing principles. Each piece is hand made, not mass-produced, in their studio in New York. Not only is the glass recyclable and environmentally sustainable, but the glass used to create the lights is composed of partially recycled materials to begin with. Other sustainable materials employed include bamboo and aluminum hardware made without harmful chemicals.