Nuts About These Colorful Bowls

Posted on 09. Nov, 2010 by Sesshu Design in Blog, eco-friendly design, eco-friendly interior design, gifts, home decoration, locally made, recycled, sustainable, sustainable design, sustainable interior design

A room is never quite finished until it is accessorized – and a touch of whimsy or personality is exactly what is called for.  I just love these fun and functional bowls made from Macadamia nut husks because they provide both.  Each one is unique, and still contains bits of the original shell that show through in the colorful interior coating.  The wood-like outer shell contrasts with the vibrant colored hand-polished lining, created though a process of grinding, polishing and waxing.

Designed and crafted by Marc Harrison in his native Australia, he hopes these bowls create an emotional connection between the product and the end-user.  Hand-crafted with local materials and manufactured using low-impact processes these Husque bowls are a great example of artistic and sustainable design.  Each one arrives packaged with the story of the design’s origin and the history of the macadamia nut.

Available in an array of bright colors, these bowls would add a nice accent to any room.  Used to serve nuts, display fruit, or just as a piece of art they are sure to grab attention and the story of their creation makes a great conversation starter. In addition to the bowls which come in two shapes, the Husque collection includes a tray and vase in the same colorful options.

Scottsdale Interior Remodels

Posted on 18. Jun, 2010 by Sesshu Design in Blog, locally made, luxury design, scottsdale interior design

Just uploaded a video showcasing two of our recent projects in Scottsdale.  They are both interior remodels, but are very different in style and feel.  You can see the before photos, photos of the project in progress, and the finished project photos.

The contemporary home features green interior design aspects, including a custom powder room sink that has been getting rave reviews across the country.  I think the coolest part is that it is made from concrete with a high recycled fly ash content (one of the key ingredients of concrete), and concrete can easily be recycled.  The natural materials, colors inspired by nature and the simple lines of the furnishings lend a subtle Zen flair to the design which contrasts nicely with the ‘Wow!’ impact of the glass mosaic bar face.  Eco-friendly interior design can be any style- it is more about function, sustainability and conservation than aesthetics.

A more transitional design style in the second home feels very warm, inviting and comfortable  for a baby-boomer couple with pets.  The clean lines and simplicity of shaker style cabinetry marries well with the less cluttered feel they wanted to achieve.  Warm cherry woods, golden beige, vibrant red and cool aqua blue tones provide a soothing yet interesting color scheme throughout the home.  The difference from before to after is truly amazing!  The owners love their updated space and feel it reflects their true style, although it was different than they initially planned.

Take a look and share your comments, then pass this on to your friends!  We love hearing what you think.

Celebrating 40 years with new Eco-Friendly Collections

Posted on 22. Jan, 2009 by Sesshu Design in eco-friendly, eco-friendly interior design, green design, locally made, luxury design, scottsdale interior design, sustainable, sustainable design, sustainable interior design, wallcoverings

Maya Romanoff, the artistic creator of the luxury wallcovering line by the same name utilizes both ancient and new production techniques. He has created some of the most innovative and exotic surfacing materials available -everything from glass bead and seashell encrusted papers to vinyls and inlaid wood veneers.

The design philosophy of the Maya Romanoff company, based in Chigaco, is simple: It has to be beautiful. While everything they design is governed by their collective definition of beautiful, Maya remains the ultimate decision maker, guiding color choices, and pattern repeats based on his feeling for what is most pleasing to the eye. The company also likes to support American jobs – more than 50% of Maya Romanoff’s wall coverings and surfacing materials are made in their Chicago studio by long-term employees. “Instead of exporting jobs to India and Asia, we export wallpaper, says Laura.

Their products are consistently intriguing and increasingly eco-friendly. Existing collections include: the Mother of Pearl wallcovering made from a thin layer of Capiz sea shells; Bedazzled, a wallcovering featuring glass beads; and True Metals, flexible tiles of brass, copper or aluminum.

What all these have in common is that they are flexible and made of natural materials. We strip away the unnecessary finishes so the material itself can be appreciated. The glass beads are right there on the surface; nothing covers our woods; and there’s only a thin layer of varnish on the seashells, explains Laura Romanoff, daughter of the firm’s founder.

In honor of their 40th Anniversary this year, they’ll be releasing the Meditations collection-an entirely green product made of Tibetan prayer papers and produced without electricity, and putting a more contemporary spin on the existing collections.

A very exciting new addition to the line is Sunburst, a wood veneer made of Paulownia, a fig tree that is flexible and fast renewing. Sunburst is part of the Ajiro collection, a product which recently received Interior Design Magazine’s Best of Year award. The veneer’s extraordinary hand-inlaid pattern and sustainable aspects make it an ideal product for today’s eco-conscious luxury homes.

The Maya Romanoff company has never been a slave to design trends, but instead creates products with the timeless appeal of natural materials. With this focus, Maya Romanoff will certainly be celebrating many more anniversaries in the years ahead.

Maya Romanoff wallcoverings are available exclusively through the Trade – contact your designer for samples, pricing and ordering.