FALL 2008

 

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AT WORK
Pg 40 - OFFICE POLITICS

Penchant for Pendants
Babette Holland embraced green before green was mainstream, she just didn't talk about it. But lately it has come to light that all of her aluminum designs (including the pendant lamps shown here) are recyclable and made of either totally recycled aluminum or a combination of new and recycled. They're finished with an environmentally friendly topcoat and, from a purely superficial point of view, are sleek and beautiful pieces that will mix well with almost any décor. Those are secrets we don't think should be kept. $399 each, www.babetteholland.com

IN THE HOT SEAT
We're all for the sexy office chairs that do not sacrifice ergonomics for looks. Our latest obsession: Allsteel's Acuity chair. You can't tell from a casual glance, but this beauty earned Cradle to Cradle Silver certification and Scientific Certification Systems Gold certification because, among other reasons, it is made of 50 percent recycled materials and is 90 percent recyclable itself. Or that Allsteel uses wind energy to power the production of the chair, which has weight-activated controls, a hybrid seat cushion, and conforming mesh back. What you can tell is that it's something different. Which, in this category, is a very good thing. From $1,250, www.allsteeloffice.com

Read between the lines
Ecojot is a Canadian company that makes notebooks, agendas, workbooks, and even file folders made with 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper content. The colorful designs, by Carolyn Gavin, are printed using vegetable-based inks, and in fanciful collections geared towards both adults and kids. $9 to $14.50 for the notebooks shown here, www.ecojot.com

INK WELL
AusPen's whiteboard marker set reminds us of the first time we got a big box of Crayolas with the great package and the rainbow of colors. Granted, AusPen's starter set (shown here) has only six colors but in the whiteboard marker world, that's really all you need. What's more, these are made from 100 percent recycled material, have reversible nibs, use non-toxic ink, are refillable, and recyclable. $69.95, 866-328-7736

Pulp fiction
Umbra's Pulp bulletin board can be used in the usual way-to tack up notes and such with push pins-or by simply sliding the same through slits in the reprocessed paper. $21, www.umbra.com

Men of Steel
The latest from Mio Culture is a design departure for the always eco-conscious firm. Their Origami table is made from laser-cut powder-coated steel (a change from their usual embracing of felt and paper materials). It has recycled content, is recyclable itself, and uses an environmentally friendly finish. The table ships flat but is easily assembled as the pieces (one sheet is the negative of the other) lock into place. In white, red, or black. $185, www.mioculture.com.

Take Note
We loved these clipboards the minute we laid eyes on their fun brightly colored patterns. Turns out they're made of recycled wood and have a magnetic back so they won't get lost amidst piles of papers. And best yet, there's a gift with purchase in that pencil that dangles from the clip on a satin ribbon. In two sizes, $14 to $19.50, www.seejanework.com.

Boxed Set
These stacking tin boxes may not seem like an obvious office item, but we at Organic Spa are all about repurposing home furnishings for the sake of a more stylish workspace. Made of recycled tin, these five boxes come in various color combinations and can be used to store just about anything that would otherwise clutter up a desk, from Post-It notes to a CD collection. Choose from three color palettes. $540, www.straydogdesigns.com

Get the Lead Out
We've noticed a trend back to writing basics-many of our colleagues are working with pencil more than pen these days. Whether conscious or not, it can be a very green choice. These pencils, for example, are made from FSC certified California- incense cedar, and have a smart hexagonal shape to keep them from rolling off your desk. $5 for a set of 12 at www.seejanework.com

Rima Suqi is a New York City-based writer with an eagle eye for cool design objects. Her work has appeared in Departures, Town & Country, and Travel & Leisure. Most recently, she was the Best Bets editor for New York magazine and currently pens Best Bets Daily for nymag.com.