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AT WORK
Pg 36 - OFFICE POLITICS
Divide and Conquer
Designer Emiliano Godoy seems to create from the "less is more" philosophy. His room divider, called "Piasa," is made of just two things: wood and cotton rope. The wood is (beech, maple, or pine) sustainably harvested and FSC-certified. The divider is hand-made to order by Pirwi in Mexico; allow 4 to 6 weeks. $6,040 at www.branchhome.com.
The Wright Touch
Thank you, John L. Bodag, for designing an office system that one could proudly showcase at home. With an undeniable nod to the Arts & Crafts movement, the Crofton collection of tables, desks, and storage is a welcome departure from the ubiquitous and uninspiring beige and greige systems out there. As an added bonus, the woods and veneers are from sustained forest management areas, any adhesives used have no volatile organic compounds and finishes are water-based. CCN, the manufacturer of this collection, has a chain-of-custody certification from the Forest Stewardship Council. More information and pricing at www.ccnintl.com.
In the Weeds
Timbuk 2 has expanded its ever-popular product line to include bags made of hemp. They don't look too different from the company's usual designs and come in colors not normally associated with hemp (meaning, they come in colors-period!). They have all the functionality we've come to expect from a Timbuk 2 product, like sturdy, built-in laptop compartments and waterproof liners.
www.timbuk2.com.
Cell Service
While we understand the environmental value of a rechargeable battery, we've also experienced that annoying moment where we realize our batteries are dead and our charger is nowhere to be found. These USB rechargeable batteries practically guarantee that won't happen again, because they can be charged in any USB port. (The manufacturer claims there are over two billion USB ports in use the world over, yet we at Organic Spa have yet to verify that number). Regardless, it's a wonderful option for those on the go. About $17.50 at www.usbcell.com.
Fan Club
We've all seen (and probably own) many solar charging devices - no news there. But we were intrigued by this latest gadget that uses wind to harness energy that can be used to charge all your small devices (iPods, cell phones, digital cameras, etc). The question is: Do you have wind? You'll need an hour in a breeze to get two hours of MP3 playtime, but you can also mount the HY Mini on a car window and add solar panels for an extra boost. $50 (includes base unit, multi-phone and usb adapter, wall plug adapter and tabletop holder) at www.hymini.com.
Shelf Life
Who isn't storage-challenged? Any inexpensive, stylish solution is welcomed and, on the extreme end, sometimes worshipped. The latest: cardboard shelving units. While not a new idea, we love these colorful alternatives to the usual drab brown. They're inexpensive, easy to assemble, fold flat for easy storage, and are 100 percent recyclable. What's not to love? $19.99 for 3-tier, $30 for 4-tier at www.shelves2go.com.
Print Run
Ever hear of solid ink? The first solid ink printers were introduced in 1991, but solid ink is getting more ink these days because of its environmentally friendly properties. Solid inks are resin-based ink sticks that are often compared to crayons. They're non-toxic, safe to handle, do not have cartridges, and can be used with all types of paper-but not all printers. Solid inks are found exclusively in Xerox's Phaser desktop printers.
www.office.Xerox.com
A Pressing Issue
There's now a solution for French-press buffs on the go: their very own version of a travel mug. The doubled-walled stainless-steel mugs can be used for coffee or loose tea, have a baked enamel finish and are top-shelf dishwasher safe. We love the Double Shot model ($29.99) for its secret compartment for storing loose-leaf tea or coffee grounds.
www.planetarydesignus.com
Fresh Fruit
Tune in guilt-free with Singgih Kartono's radio made of mango wood reclaimed from the Indonesian furniture industry. Users can plug in an iPod or listen to AM, FM or two short-wave radio options, all in a package that's a lot more stylish than the usual offerings. $220 to $330, depending on model, at www.areaware.com.
Carving Set
Jason Miller's "I was Here" dining table, side table and bench are "carved" (digitized and routed via CNC milling) with graffiti the designer spotted around New York City, most notably on table tops and park benches. The pieces are made not of wood, but of plastic lumber that's made of 100 percent post-consumer waste, guaranteeing this graffiti stays fresh (almost) forever. Available in white, blue, black or brown, priced from $400 for a side table to $1,500 for the dining table. To order at www.areaware.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.