In a world where we are increasingly more connected and ‘out there’ thanks to social networks, public profiles, CCTV cameras everywhere and advanced phones, what we might really need as a piece of furniture is a place to hide and forget about it all.

Created by British designer Freyja Sewell, Hush is a soft cocoon for retreat and finding oneself.

Hush is a pod, a warm tiny space, a dark place to unwind and relax in comfort and solitude.

Hush is shaped like a womb and it is said to inspire different feelings on different people.

It is a soft micro-space for people that seek to escape into a secure natural space, meditate, watch a film, work alone or just take a break from daily life and stress.

Made entirely from biodegradable grey felt, this great piece of eco-design was water jet cut from a single piece of felt and sewn by hand using a wool string. Compostable and hairy, the cushions inside are filled with recycled wool, a by-product from the carpet industry.

Made in the UK from local wool, the designer was eager to use felt as it is currently not widely explored and a lot of it goes into waste, so she hopes to increase the demand for it through her designs and is already thinking about new uses for the versatile material. Local, eco-friendly, cruelty-free, breathable and fire retardant, felt is a great material with infinite possibilities for sustainable design and interiors.

Another important fact from wool is that it is multi-climatic, meaning that it adapts itself to different climates: when outside its warm, it keeps coolness inside and when it is cold outside, will keep the warmth in.

A multifunctional object, Sewell’s design can be used closed as a pod or unfold into a sofa, completed with soft cushions and ready to accomodate a few people on it.

Image Source: Freyja Sewell

Shark Tank is a television show that matches a panel of five potential investors who listen to pitches from budding American entrepreneurs.

Gary Gagnon was one such entrepreneur who appeared last year and pitched his special sneaker. Previously named REMYXX, REKIXX aims to change an industry and the world.

With more than 300 million pairs of shoes thrown away last year, in the U.S. alone, REKIXX is taking matters into their own feet.

The sneakers properly named REKIXX are the only sneakers from laces to sole, that can go back into the recycling process for zero-landfill impact.

REKIXX are unique sneakers that are 100% recyclable.

REKIXX is a brand that represents awareness and sustainability. The brand promotes and demonstrates good recycling and a green lifestyle. Gary Gagnon made a sneaker with a purpose.

REKIXX may look and feel like they are made of canvas and rubber but they are actually made using 100% recyclable materials. All worn and beaten REKIXX shoes can be recycled to make new products and materials, including a new pair of REKIXX. The shoes designs are not the prettiest, but they are still like any other.

When the worn out REKIXX sneakers have absolutely no kick left, send them back to the manufacturer who will guarantee that every part, from laces to sole, will be recycled. When you send your shoes back to REKIXX with your email address, they will even give you a special discount on your next REKIXX purchase.

Next time you need new shoes, consider REKIXX as a safer, smarter alternative.

The shoes are good for your feet and even better for the planet.

If you are building, renovating or just looking to ‘green-ify’ your kitchen, there are many things, great and small, you can do to better serve the environment.

Replace water heater
Look for a high Energy Factor (EF). This is the measure of the water heater’s overall efficiency. The higher the EF, the more efficient the appliance.

Electric water heaters have higher Energy Factor ratings than gas-fired water heaters but heating with electricity can be more expensive.

If you can get a tankless water heater they save a lot of energy as water is heated as it flows through the heater, so there are no standby losses. They can be quite costly to install although it will save you money in the long run

Insulate heater
A great cost effective way to save energy is to insulate your water heater. Putting an insulation jacket on your water heater reduces standby losses dramatically.

Insulate water pipes
Water can lose heat through the pipes where the building is not insulated. This wastes energy and takes a long time for the water to heat up. A great way to save energy is by insulating the water pipes in their entirety.

Install Water Saving or Low-Flow Taps and Faucets
Installing these water savers will ultimately use less water. There are new products out there that have found ways not to decrease the water pressure.

Flooring
Kitchen flooring should be durable, water-resistant, and washable. One kitchen flooring option is bamboo as it is a renewable material, just watch for formaldehyde binders and toxic stains. Maple floors are a better choice if you prefer wood. When choosing wood use water-based, low-permeability sealants to avoid harmful off-gassing. Other floors such as ceramic tile, concrete and natural linoleum that are easily maintained and cleaned are more eco-friendly.

There are many companies that use recycled content in their ceramic tile, stone tile, or exposed concrete. They happen to be more durable than wood and require less ongoing maintenance, making them cheaper and greener.
Natural linoleum is made from natural materials including linseed oil, jute, and wood dust. It is durable and can be installed without toxic adhesives.

Let The Light In
Before installing artificial lights consider how to optimise natural light by windows and skylights.

Choose Energy-Efficient Lights
There have been many improvements in the flourescent light markets of late, so there are some products out there to rival the incandescent globes of the past. LED lighting is now a viable option. LEDs produce as much light as incandescent lights but use 1/10 of the electricity of an incandescent bulb. The initial cost for LED lighting is higher but will save you energy and replacement bulb costs since they will last for 10 years or more.

Low Toxins
Try to choose cabinets and bench tops that are made with low or toxin free material. Formaldehyde can be replaced with MDF (formaldehyde free glue). Use semi-gloss low or no VOC paints. They are water based and much better than their toxic counterparts.

Appliances
Refrigerators consume more energy than any other appliance in the kitchen, so this is a great place to start if you are looking to save energy. Look for high energy savers, as there can be a lot to choose from. Avoid locating your refrigerator close to heat sources such as the stove or microwave, as heat ducts and even bright sunlight will reduce the efficiency of your refrigerator. Most of the energy used for dishwashers comes from heating the water, so look for models that heat less water.

Decisions being made for your house at the start of the project determine how much energy will be required to operate the house. Be wise and research as many options as possible.

Science has always helped mankind with all it can to make life simpler and healthier. Revolutions happen around the clock from fountain pens to rockets helping humans in one way or the other. Certain innovations are made accidently while some are invented to meet problems but in most of cases they don’t reach the common man quickly or are too pricey for them to afford.

Simple technology and easy-to-use innovations are better in places where energy, education and materials are plentiful.  In developing countries where resources are scarce  it could even be as simple as developing a water bottle but it makes a big difference between life and death. The following are a few innovations which caught my attention while I rambled around the web.

Bottle Light: With state-of-art research and development labs major companies are developing innovation in the light industry but in some parts of the Philippines the people aren’t any where close to thinking or requiring this technology. Lights here are made of water bottles which are filled with water and drops of bleach. This bottle sits comfortably in a roof hole and transforms sunlight into bright day light. This cheap and easy to make light makes a big difference in the life of people who don’t even have electricity.

Cloth filter: In Bangladesh water-borne cholera is a major threat but can be reduced by a simple filtration process. Water is run through a sari (a traditional  Bangladeshi costume) which is folded into four layers. The cotton fibres collect plankton which causes cholera. Researchers who taught this technique to women in remote villages found that the cholera rate dropped 50 % after 17 months.

Adjustable spectacles: People wearing spectacles are familiar with the routine eye test and the drawn-out process of finding the perfect spectacles. Joshua Silver from Oxford University in the UK has made this process simple and more affordable allowing the glasses-wearer to do it all themselves. They simply add or subtract a silicon oil (which is sandwiched in the middle of a lens) until the lens looks clear and focused. The process only takes 2 minutes and these specially-designed spectacles are very adaptable able and affordable.

Lifestraw:  In developing countries people often drink unclean water and become desperately ill. For them Lifestraw is a lifesaver.  Lifestraw is a straw that cleans and filters water as it is sucked up from polluted source. It is small and compact and easy for people to carry with them all time.

These small innovations are a big boon for local people in developing nations.  Small projects like these should be encouraged in developing countries for a better tomorrow.

Eco Design is an approach that incorporates an awareness for the environment, that it is sustainable and ecologically friendly. Many businesses today are adopting a “green” approach and feel they have an increased responsibility to find better solutions for the future of our Earth.

For eco-design to be effective, a life-cycle approach must be adopted. That is, thinking about and adapting the best outcomes for the environment with as little negative effects as possible over the products life.

Designers are responsible for the beginning stages of a product and it is here that they can really shape what impact it will have on its surrounding environment. There are many things for designers to think about in the planning stages. They can control negative environmental properties such as toxic substances and materials and introduce positive attributes such as recyclability and energy efficient machinery.

There are some initial approaches to consider when designing your product.

Reuse – Can you re-use the product, or parts of it, to save it from ending up as landfill?

Repair – Can you repair the product instead of replacing it? This prolongs the life of the product and the need for new materials.

Recycle – Can your product to be recycled at the end of its life cycle?

There are other elements to think of when designing your product. Durability is a major factor and again, lessens the need for new goods, therefore reducing the impact on the environment.  There is responsibility at the end of the products life cycle also; as to where it ends up and how safe that is.

There are some fascinating and innovative ideas out there, all you have to do in open your eyes and ears to them.