Furniture made out of paper…yes, paper. Molo’s softseating is available in kraft paper or textiles. We love this product because of its innovation for making something beautiful out of something so ordinary.

Softseating has magnets on the ends, so it can be constantly be re-arranged. Unlike traditional pieces of furniture that are statically placed, Molo’s softseating can be joined together in countless configurations.

The kraft paper softseating is made from a durable, unbleached paper. It is 100% recyclable. And never fear if you don’t want the normally tan color of kraft paper: it’s available in black as well.

A more “traditional” option would be textile softseating. This is made from Tyvek, a non-woven polyethelyne material. This version comes in black and white.

If you’re looking for a different sort of furniture, Molo’s softseating is flexible and a real conversation starter!

Photos courtesy of Molo

Our friends at MoCo Loco recently featured a new product design from Karim Rashid. Obviously, we’re big fans of his work, but we also appreciate his cool modern aesthetic.

His recent work for Gorenje resulted in some fun space-age appliances that manage to appear warm and welcoming. Rashid managed to incorporate his signature curvy lines into these appliances…no easy task. This stovetop may look like it has a pencil sketch on it, but it’s really burners.

The hood and wall oven have gently flowing angles and fun splashes of color.

These appliances would be a great way to make a kitchen truly unique! To learn more about Karim Rashid, please visit his Web site.

Cleaning: some of us like to do it more than others. It’s not just the time and labor spent that can make a person eager to put it off until tomorrow, but also the harsh chemicals and fumes used in most cleaning products.

There has been a recent interest in environmentally-friendly cleaning products, and the “green” section of the drugstore cleaning aisle continues to grow.  Brands such as Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day and Seventh Generation have many loyal fans and many traditional cleaning product brands are dipping their toes into the world of green cleaning.

Along with the interest in finding cleaning products that are gentle on the earth, many consumers are now faced with tighter budgets.  So what’s the best way to combine effective cleaning, green dreams and newfound frugality? Make your own cleaning products, of course!

Mary Hunt, who has a well-known syndicated column called “Everyday Cheapskate” and a website called Debt-Proof Living, is a proponent of making your own cleaning products.  Not only will you save lots of money (her main concern), but you’ll also be helping the planet.  Most homemade cleaning solutions use products found around your house like: soap or detergent, baking soda, vinegar or lemon juice.

Here are some tips to make your own cleaning agents. For more tips, visit the Debt-Proof Living website and learn more about making your own cleaners.

To clean pretty much everything, combine ½ cup ammonia, ½ cup vinegar and ¼ cup baking soda in a gallon of warm water.  This would work especially well for cleaning countertops since the baking soda helps get rid of any food odors that might be lingering.

Need to remove some tough stains from glass? In a spray bottle, mix together ammonia and rubbing alcohol in equal parts.

Mary offers a couple recipes for bathroom cleaning. For bathtubs and shower tiles, mix together 1 2/3 cups baking soda, ½ cup liquid soap (no detergent!), ½ cup water and two tablespoons white vinegar.  For cleaning toilets, a green way is to brush baking soda and vinegar around the bowl.

It is worth pointing out that none of these recipes contain bleach. Remember that it can be deadly to mix bleach with ammonia, vinegar or another acid-producing substance.

Be safe, be green, be cheap and be clean!

Photo Courtesy of The Healthy Shoppers on Flickr

Windows do more than provide a view and some light. They can add a great bit of aesthetic value, too. Shutters are a great way to make some otherwise plain windows look stylish and attractive.

But who says shutters are only for your exterior? By way of the great style blog Remodelista, we found these great black interior windows shutters. They come in two widths and a wealth of colors. Depending on your decor, these could be a great compliment for your interior design.

Here’s the cheesy but somewhat informative catalog description:

With these wood shutters, you’ll enjoy generous views when these 2 1/2″ louvers are open; superior light control, sound insulation and privacy when closed. These window treatments will even enhance your home’s market value! And smith+noble premium interior shutters are crafted with fine details like furniture-quality dowel joints, bass woods perfectly kiln dried to prevent warping and cracking, and hinges recessed for better closure, to ensure these interior shutters will fit and operate smoothly year after year.

More photos and product info at Smith & Noble.

The Carton Furniture Series was originally designed in Japan in 1965, and now Metropolitan Gallery in Tokyo is producing these Kids’ Sets. The furniture is made completely out of folded cardboard with no glue, tape, tacks or anything like that.

They are designed for kids but can support the weight of most adults, and when you do crush them or otherwise reach the end of their useful life, the cardboard is recyclable. They’d make for a fun, stylish addition to the kids’ playroom or anywhere you’d rather have something that’s, well, disposable.

The product site is in Japanese, so unless you’re skilled in that tongue, here’s an automatically (that is, imperfectly) translated version.

Thanks to Design Milk for the great find.