Recycled Timber Stools :: Natural & Painted

I had the pleasure of walking around Brisbane in Design yesterday. There were loads of great new furniture ideas, artwork, rugs, kitchen and bathroom appliances to view and the odd glass of bubbly!

One of my favourite finds were these recycled timber stools by Jardan made from recycled telegraph or electricity poles! 

From pole to stool in the Jardan factory - images courtesy of the design files

They come in either a natural or painted finish and can be used for both indoor and outdoor situations. 

What a great sturdy stool!

Have fun.

Vegetable Peeler Japanese Style

I mentioned last week on my blog that I was on a hike between the towns of Magome and Tsumago in the Kiso Valley. Traditionally these steep hillside villages did not have a mains water supply like most large towns and cities and so they relied on water from rivers channelled along the side of the main village footpath.

I noticed this in the water channel and waited to see what it was for...

Then along came this lovely lady with a big grin on her face watching me watching her! She smiled then turned around and removed the device from the water and opened up a flap on the side. Out popped loads of small peeled potatoes. What a great idea! Fantastic no more peeling, let the water do it for you!

These channels have been used to supply water for everything in the village from the filling of outside kitchen sinks, laundry & washing, water storage for fire fighting for the timber houses as well as some novel uses like the Japanese potato peeler!

Have fun.

Natural Wall Decoration Ideas :: Leaves

I have just got back from my travels but have so much more to tell you about the interesting things I found around Japan. 

Interiors in Japan appear to take on a more natural tone with the use of light coloured finishes, natural finishes like timber and tatami flooring and indoor / outdoor garden courtyard views.

One interesting concept was the use of nature for decoration which I discovered whilst on a hike between the towns of Magome and Tsumago in the Kiso Valley. I stumbled across this cute store that literally brought nature into the environment by using dried leaves stuck to the wall for decoration adding warmth to the room. 

To keep the leaves in place on the rough plaster surface it looked like they had been added to the wall whilst the paint was still wet but on closer inspection I found that they had also repaired a few with double sided sticky tape. Still, saves on buying wall paper or wall decals!

Have fun.

Quilted Vintage Patchwork Chairs :: Japan & UK

As I was browsing in a department store in Kyoto, Japan I stumbled across a range of recycled patchwork chairs. Unfortunately I have no idea as to their origins as I was unable to converse with the assistant but what a great DIY patchwork project this would make at home!

Stool seen in a department store in Kyoto, Japan

In the past I have sourced something similar from furniture designers in the UK. Some of the suppliers designs are below. 

Chairs from Kelly Swallow (top left), Squint (top right) & Viva Terra (bottom)

As I have not seen many similar items made in Australia, I would like to get in touch with any Designers or Hobbyists in Australia who want to sell their recycled patchwork chairs.

Any recommendations would be most appreciated.

Have fun.