If you frequent design markets in Melbourne and Sydney, you are bound to have come across Hamb’s distinctive designs before. Cute handrawn images adorn striped tees that look great on kids (speaking from personal experience – the dinosaur on blue stripes has been a fave in my family!), and there is a fun range for adults also.

There is a great story behind Hamb!  Back in 2004, as a fledgling artist, Simon helped make ends meet by teaching photography and working at a bar into the wee hours.  Working until 4am was tiring work, so he “doodled” images onto scrap paper – which when tallied came to about 100 images! Later that year, upon a suggestion from a friend,  Hamb was launched!

Top Image: Clifton Hill House where Hamb started. Bottom Left: Simon hard at work. Bottom Right: Simon at the Big Merino on a road trip to Sydney (complete with suitcase full of Hamb clothing!)

Not only do we love the fun designs, but the integrity of the brand too.  Simon places great importance on sourcing materials locally, most of which are within 10km of the Hamb studio.  He also recycles everything he can, right down to hangers, bags, paper and boxes used throughout the business. All cards are made on 100% recycled paper, and the timber used in their funky clocks are sourced from sustainably managed pine forests.

So what can we expect to see from Simon in the future? Well for now he tells us he dreams of finding the time for future travel to far off lands wrestling with bears and soft shrubs!!   Each to their own!

If you love what you see, hot foot it over to the hamb online store as they have JUST put their range on SALE for the first time ever!

 ~~ hamb ~~

The SPACK speaker

Cardboard speakers are not a new concept. Over the past few years we have seen various plain cardboard designs introduced to market. But these artistically printed speakers raise the bar somewhat.  Packaged in sturdy cardboard, the first limited edition SPACK features striking designs by 3 Chilean and 1 Colombian artist. Strikingly simple to use, the SPACK requires you to insert just one 9 Volt battery, then plug it into your device. That’s it. There are no knobs, switches or buttons required, as everything can be controlled directly through your device!. Perfect for taking on picnics, out camping, strutting down the street with it on your shoulder, or simply as an artistic and functional addition to your workspace.

The SPK - mini speaker fits in your hand!

If you need to go smaller still, the soon to be released  SPK mini speaker can fit in your hand!  Charged by a USB device, you can plug it into your computer, and when it’s time to move on, toss it in your backpack, briefcase or handbag and use at your leisure!   

Thanks GrupoVibra - your designs are music to our ears!

~~ Cardboard speaker design – GrupoVibra ~~

The house arc looks like a cute 1950’s caravan on stilts, but its intended function packs much more of a punch.  Designed to be used as a quick housing option for areas affected by natural disaster, it carries some impressive attributes – It operates 100% off the grid, can withstand tropical storms, features large windows and shading trellis to control temperature, has a lightweight frame and can be assembled straight from the box – IKEA style!!

The application of the house arc extends beyond emergency use – We can see it set up in backyards as accommodation for teenagers or guests, used as a funky home office or extravagant cubby house,  or as a consultation room for your home based practice.  What would you use it for?

~~ house arc by bellomo architects ~~

VIA Designboom

These cardboard cans offer benefits beyond their redeeming biodegradable features – they keep drinks cold longer, it is cheaper to produce than aluminium, and it is reported companies only need make minor modifications to their current machinery to change to this system!  The patented multi-layered cardboard is capped at either end with aluminium, is suitable for all sorts of beverages, including fruit juice, fizzy drinks and beer!  What’s not to like?

Here’s to drinking your next cold cola, lemonade or lager from a cardboard can!  Cheers!

~~ Keienburg GmbH ~~

Via Springwise

The Leif range has been developed using natural ingredients, and is wonderfully scented with Australian essential oils. Now I say “wonderful” as having just become a new stockist of the range, I have had the pleasure of testing the Hand Wash and Hand Balm – The Handwash is beautifully but subtly scented with eucalyptus (great anti bacterial qualities), Lilly Pilly and Tea Tree Oil. As an adult using this product it is pure bathroom luxury – making handwashing a noticeable enjoyable experience (truly!). What did surprise me though was my kids reaction – I have never seen them wash their hands so much!!  I must admit however I have hidden the Kakadu Plum and Macadamia Nut Hand Balm up on a high shelf out of kids reach – Post handwash it is a nourishing moisturizer that I’m keeping as my little secret!.

Leif has already achieved recognition – Last year, cool design spotters WallPaper Magazine shortlisted it as the “Best New Grooming Product” in their annual awards, and the sleek recyclable packaging won a bronze ‘Pentaward” (international packaging competition) for its design.

As the first batch rolls off the production line, we wanted to find out more about the design of this product – Jonnie Vigar, Co-founder of Container and Leif kindly obliged and shared with us the following;

1. Your work has previously focused on packaging design. What prompted the move to designing a skincare range?  As containermade.com we deliver both the package and brand identity to our clients. The formulation is the final element so out of curiosity (and the need to find a use for one of our favourite designs that didn’t have an owner) we began to look into the fill. It’s been a steep learning curve. We now have a much better understanding of what our clients go through in taking a product to market. It’s complicated!

2.  Australian indigenous botanical scents are used throughout the range – Why did you choose this combination?  Any new beauty product must have a compelling point of difference. There are many ranges that already look to include Australian natives but none seem to package themselves in a compelling way. We wanted Leif to be distinctly Australian in its ingredient story but to also have a modern aesthetic. Due to our isolation and tough climate we are blessed with some really unique and vital flora, we want Leif to be a showcase for these plants.

3. What major challenges did you face designing a natural skincare range?

Naturals, by their very nature, are not easy ingredients to work with. Leif body products have a simple aromatherapeutic story, each scent is formed by a blend of essential oils and extracts. Many ‘natural’ products use synthetic fragrance as it is cheap and readily available. Natural ingredients are like any other agricultural commodity – their raw material price can fluctuate depending on growing conditions which can be a challenge.

4.  Why was it important to use natural products?  It’s more compelling to create a product that is natural rather than synthesised. Integrity is becoming ever more important, if we’re to use a product who’s name includes Lillypilly then we should expect that the ingredient is included rather than an artificial approximation.

5.  Share with us you easy eco living tip!   Recycle more. Over 70% of plastic still ends up in land fill which is crazy when it’s simple to do the right thing. Australia should take note from Northern Europe who make it even easier to recycle. Money back on bottles should be nationwide, save energy by only boiling the water that you need.

Thanks for sharing the range with us Jonnie!

~Leif – Now available at State of Green~

Forest series

Treehouse Flat Purse

Mingus Design is a small independent business run by Dear Songsuwan.  Embracing sustainable design principles, she uses natural fibres – hemp, organic cotton, linen and up cycled leather – and makes every piece by hand using 100% green energy in her local studio based in Melbourne.

If you also like the personal touch and prefer putting pen to paper rather than tapping out an email, her new carbon neutral prints on 100% recycled card stock are pretty cute too……

~ Mingus Designs ~

Mitchell Photography

Each piece of furniture spread thoughout the 3 rooms of Vue De Monde Restaurant features kangaroo fur and hide – the end product of a government controlled cull, to prevent overgrazing and damage to surrounding eco systems.  The design of the furniture range draws on its original form – Chair and table legs reflect an animalistic stance, and vertical buttons are suggestive of spinal detailing (see below).   Didier hopes the distinctive “life markings” on each unique piece of furniture will encourage people to think about the complete life cycle of the kangaroo, stating:

“It just seemed a bit of a waste that most of the skins were destined for shoes, footballs and European fashion houses without carrying their story”.

Mitchell Photography

Mitchell Photography

All materials used in the VDM collection are environmentally considered. Chair frames are made from Oak sourced from sustainably managed plantations. Telephone and computer waste has been used in the plastic seating shell, and the foam padding is certified by Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA).

Mitchell Photography

If you want to view Ross Didier’s VDM Collection up close, hop on by to Vue de Monde, in the Rialto building, Melbourne.  And in case you were wondering – yes Kangaroo is on the menu too.

~ Ross Didier – VDM Collection for Vue De Monde ~

The "Granny" handwoven wool light shade

This lighting literally adds warmth to a room!  Badged “Granny” these pendant light shades takes us back to sitting on a floral lounge learning how to knit one pearl one ….. but with a whole new modern application!  The rough thick woollen threads originate from the back of sheep bred in the remote valleys of Tyrol, Austria. The wool is then individually hand knitted by a collective of home based workers in The Netherlands!

Handcrafted loveliness

No fear of these beauties going up in flames either, as each are treated with a natural flame retardant! Do you have the perfect spot for these natural wooly wonders?

++ Insitu – Granny ++

Photo: Gary Annett Photography

Walking along the Docklands precinct in Melbourne, you may be surprised to see two timber structures have morphed from the concrete over the past two months – one stretching over the waters edge, the other reaching up skyward.  Adding a soft and welcoming touch amidst the hard concrete, towering steel and the glossy mirrored windows of the surrounding hi-rise, is the new design installation, Sealight Pavillions.  Small but multi-functional in use, it has been designed to be used as a meeting place, as a shelter to take respite from Melbourne’s changeable weather or a space to simply contemplate and watch the boats come and go from the various mooring points dotted along the wharf.

Photo: Gary Annett Photography

Made from reclaimed timber, the Sealight Pavillion is the result of a collaboration between Monash University’s Department of Architecture, Grimshaw Architects and the Norwegian based Rintala Eggertsson Architects – whose works are renowned for combining architecture with critical thinking of society and nature.

Photo: Gary Annett Photography

The Sealight Pavillion project provided second and fourth year architecture students the opportunity to advance their skills and get their hands dirty – both architecturally and practically speaking. Not only did they get to work alongside inspirational architects, but they were also responsible for the construction of the buildings!

So next time you are meeting friends down at Docklands, or looking for a respite from the city madness, pop by the Sealight Pavillion – Let us know what you think!

++Sealight Pavilion++

Via ArchitectureAU and Gary Annett Photography

Eco holiday ideas at your fingertips ........

The Green Travel Guide is an easy read.  Divided into chapters dedicated to each State, you can simply flick through to the State you wish to visit, then peruse the wide selection of eco certified businesses operating across that State.   Eco tours, attractions and accommodation are all covered, and includes suggestions ranging from relaxing beach resorts to bird watching lodges, marine discovery cruises, aboriginal culture parks, and even organic restaurants to visit in the region.

Holiday ideas galore!

Each of the businesses listed in the Guide includes an eco certification logo which are graded into three categories – Nature Tourism, EcoTourism and Advanced Ecotourism. Generally, the logo identifies those tourist operators that have committed to minimizing their impact on the environment, use resources wisely, help local communities and/or contribute to the conservation of the environment- all incredibly commendable!.

++ GIVEAWAY DETAILS ++

To win one of 5 copies of The Green Travel Guide 2011/2012, simply leave a comment below.  The winners will be drawn at random on  Sunday 15 January 2011 after 7pm, and notified by email.  Goodluck!

 ** If you want to purchase a copy now, we have also just commenced stocking The Green Travel Guide 2011/2012 online at State of Green – Happy Holidays!