Eco-Friendly Napkin Rings
Written by Urban Sherp on June 8th, 2010
Who: Side by Side – Bavaria, Germany
What: Names & Notes Napkin Rings
Where: Haus Interior - $36.50
Why We Love It: These chalkboard napkin rings double as name cards and make setting the table a lot more fun. The set includes 4 rings, a white slate pencil and a natural sponge eraser. Use the pencil to jot down your dinner mates names, to post menu items or for personalized messages, notes or jokes.
The set is handmade using locally sourced and untreated maple with a light coat of environmentally friendly lacquer. Names & Notes was designed by Cologne-based industrial designer Jörg Gätjens for the Side by Side workshop. The workshop is pretty remarkable, employing over 120 physically and mentally disabled adults to produce their collection of high-quality, designer products for the home.
In addition to the 37 handcrafted products in the collection, Side by Side has also collaborated with Design Within Reach for a minimalist collection of 9 items including an ash ironing board, a leaning shoe rack, a bread box with a removable cutting-board top, a wooden spoon with built-in rest and a collapsible trivet. We look forward to a continued partnership here!
For a more economical set, see these unfinished wood napkin rings
