India experienced a record high heat wave this past spring, with temperatures reaching upwards of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This led to a massive landfill fire outside of Delhi that burned for weeks, and even caused overheated birds to fall from the skies.

While modern air conditioning systems exist in Indian cities, the majority of the population is still without access to such technology. And since the greenhouse gases emitted by AC units contribute to global warming, trying to blanket the country with them may not be the best solution anyways.

That’s where Ant Studio’s eco-friendly idea comes in: using recirculated water to evaporate and cool the air as it continually flows down a beehive-shaped stack of clay tubes.

Evaporative cooling techniques date back to the ancient Egyptians. They would fan porous jars of water in their chambers, enjoying some temperature relief as the evaporating water took some of the oppressive heat with it. The Romans also employed water and clay to cool their houses, allowing the liquid to course through pipes in their walls.

Building a prototype of their brainchild outside the Deki Electronics factory in Uttar Pradesh, India, Ant Studio inserted cylindrical clay tubes into a rounded steel frame positioned on top of brick and tile basin. The Beehive’s water pump continually sends recycled water from the industrial plant up to the top of the structure, where it then flows down the surface of the clay. The multitude of clay pipes provides a larger surface area, increasing the cooling effect. Temperature measurements showed that the Beehive reduced the surrounding air to 97 degrees Fahrenheit from its previous 107 degrees.

After carefully studying various materials, Ant Studio chose clay as a material for the beehive because of its hygroscopic, or water attracting, properties. The designers found that clay carries a negative charge that bonds with the positive pole of a water molecule, allowing it to absorb water in both vapor and liquid states. Additionally, clay is completely recyclable, as it contains no complex chemicals or components.

The entire system is energy efficient and less expensive than traditional air conditioning. The use of recycled water from the factory’s existing supply minimizes waste. The water tank only needs topping off roughly once a month ,and the recirculating pump uses a small amount of electricity, making the Beehive a very economical cooling mechanism.

In areas where electricity is unavailable, the system could also be converted to a “zero-energy” model, with water being manually poured over the pots once or twice a day. While it would not have the same cooling power, it would have some effect and could still be easily built and maintained from local resources.

Ant Studio is also excited about employing pottery as part of the art/cooling device as a way of reviving what it sees as a fading ancient art. If the Beehive were to gain widespread traction, it could generate more work in the pottery market and help train new artisans in the trade.

The post This Terracotta Pipe Art Doubles as a Sustainable Cooling System first appeared on Dornob.

Now, a new trend is emerging that takes vintage to the next level. But instead of turning back the clock a mere 100-plus years, designers are getting in their proverbial time machines a la Bill and Ted to revisit the annals of history — a time where togas were the norm and Aristotle was still on the scene: Ancient Greece.

Whatever the reason for its newfound popularity, there’s no doubt that Ancient Greece-inspired decor is destined to become one of the hottest trends of the year. According to Pinterest’s 2022 Trend Report, searches for Hellenistic motifs are on the rise. From Corinthian columns to statue art and everything in between, people have found a renewed interest in getting their Greek on.

Looking to channel your own inner ancient? It’s surprisingly easy to add a splash of B.C. boldness to your space — no columns necessary. Below are some signature pieces that will have any home up to speed with the new trend faster than the time it takes to turn a sundial.

Bust a Move

When you think of ancient Greek decor, chances are you think of the ubiquitous bust. A standard ornament in ancient times, this traditional accessory is a great way to create a Hellenistic haven of your own. Snag this one from Anthropologie for just $24.

A Mediterranean Palette

Not committed to going fully Greek? Experiment by adding a splash of color to your space that echoes that bright, sun-washed feeling of the Greek islands. Start with a stark white backdrop for an eternally classic look, then work in some cerulean accents for a look that’s marvelously Mediterranean. Try these Cerulean Blue Curtains from Society6, available for $97.30.

Architectural Accents

Columns and arches were literal cornerstones of Greek architecture — but they’re not always the best choices for modern homes. Instead, opt for accents that evoke these elements. Think column-esque design motifs and classic accessories like urns. Grab this Pottery Barn Provence Planter for just $24.50

Pattern Power

A repeating motif seen throughout ancient Greece, the key pattern was commonly seen on everything from buildings to pottery. Still recognizable today, this gloriously Greek pattern perfectly evokes ancient vibes, even in a modern world. Buy this Velvet Pillow Cover with Greek Key Pattern on Etsy for $65.60.

Classical Concepts

Symmetry ruled the classical era. Today, it’s the perfect way to add a bit of classical flair to your home. Think balance, matching pieces, and an overall feeling of ordered symmetry. Try this set of 2 Greek Key Lamps from Target for $95.99.

Ancient Greece-inspired home decor is the latest in a series of nostalgia trip design trends. Try out a few of these tips in your home and bust out the Socrates, and you’ll be chilling with the ancients before you know it.

The post Ancient Greece-Inspired Decor is the Next Big Thing in Interior Design first appeared on Dornob.

The Ainu village of about 120 people consists of many artists and artisans, who still practice ancient techniques like hand-carving traditional motifs into wooden plates. To translate the project to ceramic, the artisans carved wood blocks that press the patterns into the plates before they’re fired. The result is a beautiful twist on “Arita ware,” the name for porcelain produced in Arita, which has a history of ceramics dating back to the early 1600s, when porcelain stone was discovered in the area. This porcelain became a well-known luxury product within Japan and around the world, where it was often called “Imari.”

The project was initiated by Akan Ainu Consuln, an organization founded in a small Ainu settlement. The Ainu are the indigenous people of Japan, who now mostly live on the northernmost island of Hokkaido. “We have an accent culture, born from a lifestyle of harmony with nature,” they explain. “Among traditional Ainu culture lives a rich tradition of crafts, including wood carving, textiles, embroidery, and more featuring unique patterns and designs. Akan Ainu Consuln works to disseminate Ainu culture and protect Ainu intellectual property related to Ainu performance arts, the Ainu language, Ainu cooking, and traditional Ainu designs.”

The group works directly with artists and creators in Ainu to facilitate collaborations with other creative traditions of Japan. In this case, it’s two potteries in Arita called Kyuemon and Yamaheigama. They hope to draw attention to the Akanko Ainu Kotan village and its unique culture, bringing in tourism revenue that can help keep its traditions alive.

“Since the pandemic hit, tourism to Akanko Ainu Kotan has dropped dramatically, especially among foreign tourists who aren’t allowed in the country right now,” says Akan Ainu Consuln. “This project serves as a chance to bring in some much-needed revenue to our artists, as well as deliver a piece of Ankanko Ainu Kotan to people who can’t visit in person right now.”

The plates include designs by five Ainu artisans: Fukiko Goukon, Erika Katsuya, Masaki Saito, Kiyosho Hikawa, and Hideharu Taira. “I came up with my designs while hoping that Ainu culture will become better known throughout the world,” says Goukon. “I made designs that incorporate traditional lucky Japanese patterns in order to reflect the collaboration with Arita ware, while still staying true to classic Ainu patterns.”

A Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign raised over $25,000 to bring the project to life, offering backers the choice between each artist’s collections as rewards. Once the campaign is fulfilled, the creators hope to offer the plates to the wider public. If you missed it, keep an eye on the page for future updates.

The post Ainu Meets Arita: Beautiful Plates Made in Japan with Designs by Indigenous Artists first appeared on Dornob.

But what if the artist’s message is literally a part of the art itself?

A new series of vases from Design Academy Eindhoven graduate Bruno Baietto may help answer this question. Meant to “highlight the role of bread as a symbol of class, politics, and religion,” according to Dezeen, Baietto’s series of beautiful colored vases were actually blown inside bread loaves, in addition to other important objects commonly associated with the bread-making process.

Baietto has since spoken out about his project, entitled “Follow the Crumbs That Fall From Your Own,” making it no secret that his methodology in creating these stunning and shapely pieces is also an integral part of his statement exploring bread’s symbolism around the world. He explains that “Under socialism bread is a synonym of labor and national progress, while under capitalism it is a staple food and the result of a large economy.” Bread is also highly symbolic within Christianity, and most importantly, an intrinsic part of Baietto’s own personal background. Growing up in Uruguay in a family of bakers, the artist felt it was “a natural decision” to explore bread’s ubiquitous presence in our everyday lives.

While the messaging behind this project is multi-faceted, the process behind Baietto’s work is relatively straightforward. He inserts molten glass into a hollowed out loaf of bread, which is then blown in the normal way. After the bread burns away, what’s left is a delicate and uniquely-shaped vessel that reflects the texture of the loaf itself.

Of course, there are also challenges to the process – namely the fact that the burning bread creates a large amount of smoke that isn’t usually allowed in glassblowing facilities. It was only with the assistance of master glassblowers Geir Nurstad and Josja Caecilia Schepman that Baietto was able to see his symbolic glass beauties come to fruition. He also created other objects for the project, including a porcelain vase made from the casting of a baguette baked by his own family.

Ultimately, Baietto wants to show that art and design are not immune to manmade systems and ideologies, as they are often influenced by a larger agenda that is sometimes changed by the viewers’ interpretations. He feels that “When something is designed, it is actively materializing a belief system and worldview…in everyday life no object or practice is neutral, but rather a result of its context and ideological influences.” This even applies to bread. Seemingly an innocuous part of our everyday lives, it begins to take on much bigger meanings when applied to broader concepts.

The post Bruno Baietto Weaves Rich Meaning into His Bread-Baked Vases first appeared on Dornob.

Introduced in 1851 at London’s Great Exhibition, the new type of earthenware was considered a breakthrough in the design sphere. Inspired by Italian “maiolica” (the white-glazed, decorative ceramics of the Italian Renaissance) and the works of Bernard Palissy, a noted French potter, majolica was the brainchild of English manufacturer Minton & Co., and was, “from its beginnings…seen as a British triumph of art applied to history,” according to Dr. Susan Weber, founder and director of the Bard Graduate Center in New York City.

Fast forward to 2021, where Dr. Weber is currently curating a majolica-centered exhibition titled Majolica Mania: Transatlantic Pottery in England and the United States. 1850-1915. On display through January at the Bard, the bold, colorful pottery style offers so much more than a colorful statement – it’s a piece of history itself. As Dr. Weber recently explained, when majolica was first introduced, it instantly gripped the public, “appeal[ing] to a cross-section of classes and budgets, and by the end of the 19th century, could be found in all types of homes — from those of the royal family to the rapidly growing middle class.”

Majolica’s popularity increased throughout the latter half of the 19th century as it was produced in large quantities in both the U.S. and Britain, comprising a wide range of ceramics that ranged from everyday items like teapots to over-the-top display pieces like the Minton jardiniere created for the Paris Exhibition Universelle in 1855 – currently on display for the first time ever in the U.S. at the Bard.

However, like many decor trends that have a moment and then fade into relative obscurity, majolica eventually fell out of fashion. By the mid-20th century, it was largely considered to be garish and tacky, rather than bright and kitschy. But just as trends fall out of fashion, they also have a tendency to make comebacks — and majolica is definitely having a big one right now. As designer Frank de Biasi explains, “With our current maximalism moment continuing…majolica pieces add a sparkle and splash of color on the walls.”

Once again, these bright, vivacious, and sometimes even eccentric ceramics are finding their way back into the public eye, most notably in museums like the Bard, but also as statement pieces in stylish homes everywhere. But unlike the 19th century, majolica is no longer being mass produced, making contemporary pieces rarer and sometimes a little pricey. For example, when famed American decorator Mario Buatta’s estate sold at Sotheby’s in 2020, his majolica all fetched sky-high prices, including nearly $14,000 for a snake and cabbage teapot.

But have no fear! Not all majolica is that pricey, though the more detailed, larger, and brighter pieces are worth more (and, according to experts, the name Minton is still the gold standard).

With the bright hues and eccentric designs of majolica pottery making a modern-day resurgence, first in our museums, and then in our living rooms, these carved beauties are making almost as big a splash today as they did in the late 19th century. It just goes to show that even the most divisive trends can come back into fashion and re-find their into the spotlight after a little time has passed.

The post The Return of Majolica Pottery Brings the Bold, Bright, and Beautiful Back to Home Decor first appeared on Dornob.

It’s easy enough to see where Spanifornia comes from: a portmanteau of sorts, the term is meant to combine the laid-back California vibes of clean, simple lines and the Spanish feel of things like terracotta, handmade pottery, and other rustic touches like rough-hewn, under-finished wood. The combo evokes the perfect marriage of modern neutrals and down to earth, more natural materials that lend any space a touch of the Golden State’s airy aesthetic.

The result is a brightened-up look that stays fresh and balanced as well as bright and comfortable. Below are some tips from the pros about how to introduce this style into your home — and some of our fave products for making the best Spanifornia statement you can.

Down to Earth Neutrals

A simple way to embrace the Spanifornia trend is to choose a palette that evokes a dazzling airy vibe. What better way to keep it light than to keep the colors bright and neutral in shades of white? Add in some furniture with subtle rustic touches and you’re well on your way to Spanifornia dreamin.’

This Heathered Basketweave Wool Rug from West Elm adds texture to any room. Now just $110.50.

This Alysa Square Pillow Cover and Insert from Wayfair comes in off-white and beige to add both softness and contrast to any couch or comfy chair. Available for just $46.99.

A reclaimed wood bench like this one from Amazon adds a rustic touch to any home’s gathering areas. Available for $183.99.

Accent Shapes and Pretty Pottery

Accentuating your home’s natural arches and shapes is a great way to tackle the Spanifornia trend. Not lucky enough to have built-in architectural arches? Just recreate their effect with a couple clever design choices. And don’t forget the pottery — contrasting shapes and colors in the form of a bright bowl or handmade vase help make a room shine like the California sun.

Add dimension and shape to your space with this Solid Wood Corner Bookcase from Wayfair. $129.99.

This handcrafted vase from Pottery Barn is a win-win with its weathered look and neutral colors. $59.00.

These handmade bowls from Etsy add a pop of color to muted surroundings. $34.50.

Terracotta Twists

One design element that’s sure to elevate your interiors from regular-old California style to full-fledged Spanifornia is terracotta. While terracotta floors are great choices for both indoor and outdoor spaces, you can also integrate it more subtly with a few choice design pieces.

This planter from Crate & Barrel adds a terrific terracotta touch to any indoor or outdoor space. $119.00.

A table lamp is a great way to add a subtle terracotta accent while maintaining that stylishly neutral palette. Grab this one from Amazon for just $48.46.

Bright Whites

While muted, neutral tones are a cornerstone of the Spanifornia look, nothing says bright, airy, and classic like a palette of bright whites. If you’re nervous about trying an all-white palette, take a cue from the experts and try it only in your kitchen first. An all-white kitchen never goes out of style, and when it’s paired with simple design elements and small, colorful accents, it always looks good.

Add a hint of neutral color to an all white space with these elegant stoneware kitchen canisters from Pottery Barn. $49.00.

This reclaimed wood knife block from Viva Terra gives a rustic air to any cookspace. $99.00.

Add a midcentury modern touch to the home with this hanging white pendant light from Kichler Lighting. $179.99.

Spanifornia interior design is here to stay, and it’s the perfect design trend to update your space this summer. Whether you’re looking for a top-down refresh or just want to add some chic, on-trend elements to your current decor, take a hint from Instagram and get on the Spanifornia train for a clean, laidback look that epitomizes coastal relaxation.

The post Spice Things Up With “Spanifornia,” the Internet’s New Favorite Design Trend first appeared on Dornob.

Sandra Apperloo straddles that line with some of the most fun and creative ceramics you’ve ever seen. Based in the Netherlands, she crafts a range of objects brimming with personality that you could use in both a practical sense and hang on a wall as art, including dishes, ornaments, pots, vases, and decorative “plant friends” that poke out from among your philodendrons and monsteras.

With “Weirdo Bud Vases,” Apperloo turns spindly bud vases into adorable characters that interact with each other to express a variety of emotions. Some twist around each other anxiously. Some gaze into each other’s eyes. Some glance with curiosity, or stare in seriousness. Each little anthropomorphized vessel seems to have a life of its own.

Apperloo’s adept use of color and pattern give the pieces a style that’s all her own, whether they’re painted in pastel blue, mint, pink, spring green, yellow, or black and white. Polka dots, leaves, branches, flowers, and other markings add visual interest. Among these “weirdos” are also a few in a color scheme clearly modeled on “Delft Blue,” the world famous pottery historically produced in the Dutch city of Delft.

“I love colors and patterns,” the artist writes on her website, adding that she “h[as] a weak spot for pastel shades, I like to sculpt tiny eyes, paint weird freckles, and I challenge myself to try out fun new things all the time. From the biggest vase to the tiniest dish, I put love, thought, and effort into every single piece I create. Unloading my ceramics from the kiln gives me the best feeling ever. I love to see how the different characters turn out after the firings! I hope my work makes people laugh and daydream. I hope they distract from daily businesses, leave warm feelings, and tickle imaginations.”

“I hardly create plans or designs before I start working on a piece. I usually decide on the shape when I am building it, finding what feels good at that moment. This is the case for every part of the process: shaping, sculpting, choosing the colors, and painting the patterns. It helps me to stay open-minded and try out new things, which I feel is really important in my work.”

Apperloo sells these vases, along with her other works, on her website, “The Pottery Parade.” Prices usually range from €48 — €144, but her work is so popular, her whole shop is often sold out. You can keep up with her latest creations on Instagram @thepotteryparade to jump right on a new release when it’s available. Apperloo also curates a fun blog called Artistic Moods, which highlights artists with aesthetics similar to her own.

The post Weirdo Bud Vases: Functional Ceramic Characters by Sandra Apperloo first appeared on Dornob.

Each of these “habitats” are encased within wooden boxes, tempting viewers to step forward, look closely at each tiny detail, and fully immerse themselves in their individual worlds. The compositions are purposefully monochromatic to produce a disorienting camouflaged effect. Picking out the different natural patterns, some of which have been fictionalized, is like a game.

Occasionally, you may spot something altogether unexpected in these tableaus — like a human body part amidst the flowers, plants, and animals.

“I began to engage with these organic forms after mediating on the relationship of humankind with nature, and our current inclination of irreversibly harming the environment,” says Buyruk. “As an alternative to this act of destroying, I wanted to create something new, and create spaces where all species live together without hierarchy. Therefore, my work is very much informed by Darwinian processes of evolution.”

“I feel the use of color, particularly when working with depictions of the natural world, dictates meaning. I like to avoid using descriptive elements such as color. I also prefer to encourage the spectator to immerse themselves into the work and get lost in the details, discovering something new with each viewing. Using color would separate forms more succinctly, and I am interested in non-hierarchical hybridity.”

The animals that can be found in the habitats include rodents, a pig, a bearded dragon, a hawk, and several other birds. There’s a reason the elements of each piece are so uniform, too, with nothing popping out of the field to dominate the others. The Istanbul-born artist says this choice reflects a desire to reject hierarchies within nature, including those involving humans.

“I actually chose these animals on the basis of the fear that they biologically instill in humans. Certain animals pose a serious threat to human evolution, which has been engraved in our DNA. We find some animals uncomfortable or frightening because of their shape or color, causing us to negatively and incur a ‘flight’ response. I wanted to juxtapose our age-old, biologically rendered fear against our socially conditioned admiration for flowers, and position them together.”

Buyruk says the pandemic hasn’t affected her artistic practice, since she was able to merge her studio and home in a quiet residential area of Istanbul months before it hit. She’s trying to take advantage of this time to avoid distractions, channeling the urgency of this situation into her work. She hopes the shutdowns and quarantines will encourage people to listen to themselves, think about what kinds of activities they truly value, and continue to make room for these things in the future.

“HABITAT” recently wrapped up an exhibition at Leila Heller Gallery in Dubai, representing the first time Buyruk’s work has ever been seen in the United Arab Emirates, but you can view it in full online at the gallery’s official website. The artist is also a porcelain specialist at the Faculty of Fine Arts at Selçuk University in Turkey.

The post Camouflaged Creatures Hide Within the Porcelain Sculptures of Melis Buyruk first appeared on Dornob.

Made with a base of blue-black glaze dotted with oily-looking spots, the bowls were likely unappreciated in China, where rainbows were considered unlucky. Somehow, a number of them made their way to Japan, where they were prized by collectors and valued for use in tea ceremonies. The style was eventually recreated by Japanese ceramicists, but today only a small number of artists still work with the style.

The beautiful crystalline patterns on the bowls appear spontaneously during the firing process, which are different from the “oil spots” found on other forms of pottery baked in the Jian kilns of China. Modern potters, for all their new techniques and technology, can’t seem to replicate the workmanship of the originals.

A new crowdfunding campaign called “TENMO” pays tribute to their uniqueness while enhancing the qualities that make them look like “the cosmos in a cup.”

The campaign’s official Kickstarter page reads: “Tenmoku, also known as Jian Ware, is a legendary, precious type of porcelain that produces unique designs that are both mystical and unpredictable. It’s impossible to produce two identical Tenmoku porcelains. The name of Tenmoku comes from the word ‘Tenmo(天目).’ It means the eyes of the sky in Chinese and Japanese.”

TENMO founder Tom Fu adds that “other than just being a cultural symbol, many elderly people from China and Japan appreciate Tenmoku for its potential ability to soften water and enhance flavor thanks to the special clay and glaze used to produce [it]. One time when I was getting my morning cup of coffee, I serendipitously used a Tenmoku teacup for my coffee instead of my normal coffee cups. The feeling I got when drinking my coffee out of the Tenmoku was unlike anything else I had experienced with common coffee cups.”

“Drinking my morning coffee out of the Tenmoku that day made me realize that there are no authentic Tenmoku coffee cups on the market currently and that the delicate and exquisite designs of Tenmoku perfectly match the elegant and fine flavors of coffee.”

The result is a Kickstarter campaign aiming to revive the tradition, created by an engineer of magnetic materials in collaboration with master ceramicist Sun Whenzha. They’re made of the very same natural iron-rich clay from Fujian, China that created the originals, and they feature a nano-porous surface that’s believed to enhance the flavor of coffee and tea.

The TENMO campaign page contains lots of fascinating details about the science behind the clay and why its iron content affects the glaze in a way that produces these gorgeous nebula-like patterns. And while the campaign itself may have already ended, you can still follow the project to be notified when the cups are made available to the public.

The post TENMO: Cosmic Coffee Cups Revive an Ancient Chinese Craft first appeared on Dornob.

Martín Azúa and ceramicist Marc Vidal paired traditional artisan craft with raw natural materials in the Vase with Stone series. The duo created smooth, unique clay vases from raw materials and then introduced a rough element of nature.

Raw stones were laid on the vases before they dried to make natural-looking deformations in the clay. The vases became less smooth and human-made to look more like a natural formation.

The finished vases are reminiscent of rocky or sandy landscapes. As they are made of porous clay, they are not meant to actually hold flowers; they are meant to be enjoyed as works of art on their own. Each signed and numbered vase ships to the buyer along with the rock used to create it.

More from the designers

“A clay vase deformed by the weight of a stone. Craftsmanship and nature converge in one object without artifice where materials and craftsman gesture are equally honest. The project shows the beauty of objects of unrefined appearance.”

“The vases interact with the stone in its plastic phase in order to create a unique vase. The vases are signed and numbered and come with the stone that created them. This project follows a work that Martín Azúa started in 1998 when he left porous ceramic vases in a river to capture the Natural Stain. This time he claims the ability of a natural element to establish a dialogue with a traditional craft. The pieces have been designed by Martin Azúa and produced in collaboration with the ceramist Marc Vidal.”

About Martin Azúa

“Martin Azúa is a Spanish artist and designer born in the Basque Country. He works between Barcelona and La Isla de Pico Azores. His training in Fine Arts gives his work a speculative and experimental nature. One of his first projects was the “Basic House”, a radical interpretation of a Nomad shelter, which since 2007 has formed part of the MOMA of New York collection. He is a passionate observer of nature which he incorporates into many of his works, especially the items of ceramics that he designs. He claims the use of craftsmanship to safeguard the natural diversity of material and technological culture, collaborating with craftspeople of different professions.”

The post Heavy Stones Distort Beautiful Clay Vases by Martin Azúa first appeared on Dornob.

Will the next crack in the pottery reveal an even more beautiful vase within? Or will it completely ruin the vessel and make it unsuitable for holding anything?

The only way to find the answers to these questions is to crack, smash and destroy these beautifully handmade pieces of pottery. But once you go too far, there is no going back.

The post Lovely Vase Reveals Its Deep Secrets Only When Smashed first appeared on Dornob.

Like archaeologists sifting through layers of soil, the architects of this renovation in Tel Aviv, Israel, spent as much time peeling back layers to reveal original beach sand, clay and stone walls as they did designing new habitable spaces inside the structure.

Pitsou Kedem Architects carefully analysed and deconstructed the numerous additions, expansions and remodels that had altered this centuries-old conglomeration, careful to preserve what was found with epoxy resin and reinforce fragile supports.

Subsequent additions in the second phase of the intervention were intentionally minimalist – white walls, marbled floors and basic furniture all woven in and around the space-shaping stone columns and repeating ceiling vaults.

Thin black powder-coated steel deck railings and window trim with simple single-pane glazing gently infilled window gaps as needed, while partitions and doors were added without any attempt at faux traditionalism, leaving clean distinctions between old and new.

From the architects:

“The language of minimalism imbedded in a historic residence in Old Jaffa. The 100 square meter residential home is located in Old Jaffa. Its location is unique in that it is set above the harbor, facing west with all of its openings facing the majestic splendor of the Mediterranean Sea. Whilst it is difficult to determine the buildings exact age, it is clear that it is hundreds of years old. Over the years, it has undergone many changes and had many additions made that have damaged the original quality of the building and its spaces. The central idea was to restore the structure’s original, characteristics, the stone walls, the segmented ceilings and the arches including the exposure of the original materials (a combination of pottery and beach sand).”

“The building has been cleaned of all of the extraneous elements, from newer wall coverings and has undergone a peeling process to expose its original state. Surprisingly, modern, minimalistic construction styles remind us of and correspond with the ascetic style of the past, and this despite the vast time difference between them. The central idea was to combine the old and the new whilst maintaining the qualities of each and to create new spaces that blend the styles together even intensify them because of the contrast and tension between the different periods.”

The post Restored Stone Home on the Mediterranean first appeared on Dornob.

It might be a bit pretentiously presented (complete with cute little rusticated tags), but would you be less than boastful if you brought together so many elements in one design? These clever works are a combination of local, free-trade, artisan-made pottery pieces plus a biodegradable set of recycled materials.

Without using synthetic chemicals or eco-harmful varnishes, Ceylon Paper Pottery has developed a 100% waterproof hybrid material made of waste wood, reused paper and simple sand. The result looks and feels like rough homemade papers, but has the strength and durability of typical pot-throwing materials.

It sounds simple, but there is a careful selection process – blends of differently dyed papers produce a variety of organic brown tones as well as blacks, whites and everything in between.

Their collections vary over time, but are all based on an underlying “light, strong, unbreakable and eco-friendly” construction system that can be used to replace ceramics or porcelain. Once could imagine a number of uses for this method and material set beyond these more arts-and-crafts-type applications.

Added accents make use of local scrap woods including mahogany, teak, mango, kumbuk and other exotic and colorful hardwoods that would otherwise be expensive to use in home products.

The company aims to be equitable in how it operates, too, so you can feel good about how your purchase was produced. Go ahead and buy them up – they make beautiful and thoughtful gifts and come in dozens of different patterns, textures and colors.

“In our factory we combine western design with Sri Lankan handicraft. Our 70 workers receive a fair salary. All legal demands (social security, paid leave…) are implemented. We developed a system for young mothers to work at home while taking care of the kids. We train them and supply the materials. They get a fair price for their work.”

The post Artisan Pottery Made of Paper Waste first appeared on Dornob.