Over the past few years, sustainable design has gone from “nice-to-have” to “must-have,” according to many interior designers. These five furniture and lighting pieces reflect how things are changing for the better, from recycled fabrics and responsibly sourced wood to 3D printing that removes the need for overseas shipping and resale programs that keep furniture out of landfills.
Corail Dining Table by Antoine Fritsch and Vivien Durisotti for Roche Bobois
European companies like Roche Bobois still set the standard when it comes to furniture design, but importing furniture from overseas isn’t very eco-friendly. With the Corail dining table, Antoine Fritsch and Vivien Durisotti aimed to disrupt the status quo. The biomorphic table base, which is made from 3D printed concrete, can be customized in numerous ways. Then, a digital file can be sent to a U.S.-based manufacturer, removing the need for overseas shipping.
Starting at $11,735, at Roche Bobois, roche-bobois.com
Lumenesce Floor Lamp by Stacy Stone for Phoenix Day
Sometimes a light fixture become a focal point; other times it’s intended to almost disappear, according to designer Stacy Stone. This elegantly understated lamp is certainly meant to blend in. The piece is produced in local, family-owned workshop that dates to 1850. The body is available in a variety of metal finishes, and the base is locally sourced oak, available in a charcoal or bleached finish.
Price upon request, at Sloan Miyasato, sloanm.com
Niles Sofa by Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams
This sofa’s plush cushions and curved silhouette will make you want to stay put for hours. Plus, there’s a certain psychic comfort in knowing it was sustainably made in North Carolina, using locally sourced wood. To boot, the springs are made from 65 percent recycled metal. Even the cushion filling is eco-friendly. It comes in just about any color and fabric you desire—even a fabric made from upcycled marine plastic.
Starts at $4,527, at Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams, mgbwhome.com
The Essential Chair by Sabai
The online-only retailer Sabai, founded three years ago, is dedicated to making furniture that is affordable, attractive and, above all, earth-friendly. Their pieces, such as this sleek, cozy chair, are made in a family-owned factory in North Carolina, with responsibly sourced wood, recycled fiber fill and fabric made from recycled water bottles—among other sustainable materials. Their “Repair Don’t Replace” program and resale service keep Sabai furniture out of landfills.
$745, sabai.design
Swag Pendants by Ted Bradley Studio
Sometimes a light fixture is truly a work of art, and that’s certainly the case with these pendants by sculptor and mechanical engineer Ted Bradley. He’s well known for his innovative light sculptures that are handcrafted by skilled artisans in Boulder, Colorado. These pendants, which were inspired by a solar eclipse, consist of white porcelain rings that are inlaid with LEDs. They hang from cords of intricately braided metal.
$15,300 for a set of three, at De Sousa Hughes, desousahughes.com
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- A Japanese Zen Garden Is the Stunning Centerpiece of this Midcentury Modern Home Remodel
- An Adventurous Designer Breathed New Life into a Greystone Row House in Chicago’s Old Town Neighborhood
- 7 Design Ideas for a Family-Friendly Home: From Building an ADU to Forgoing a Toddler Bed
Lisa Boquiren is an architecture and design aficionada who provides brand strategy for creative businesses. She has overseen rebranding initiatives at EHDD Architects and the San Francisco Design Center, and she creates convergent conversations on A+D, and presents, at the American Institute of Architects’ San Francisco and Los Angeles chapters. Photo by Thomas Heinser.
