The Trendy-Tub: Recycled Storage Containers Become Furniture & More

The latest creation from Gérard Dumora and Jacqueline Lauth of Pacific Art Design is a smart and artful repurposing of basic cardboard and galvanized steel tubs.



The Trendy-Tub®, made in France, is an example of functional and fun eco design. Basically, it is a barrel made of a very resistant type of cardboard, encircled by two metal-rings and a lid made of galvanized metal.



The factory, from which Trendy-Tub buys the barrels, used to recycle the lids only because it is difficult to recycle products made of two materials - you have to separate them and it's a costly process for which you need special machines. This is the moment that Trendy-Tub intervenes by buying the barrels that once served only for transporting flour.

The barrels are like new, sometimes with little defects on the lid, which they easily fix by using a hammer.



The tubs are then decorated. Wrapped in a specially printed paper (the type used for billboards) and offered in two sizes. The designs are endless; Graffiti, Steampunk, Pop Art, Retro, Manga, Surf art, Baroque, Floral, Animal Prints, Plaids and so much more. Plus, you can create your own custom ones.

Here are a few examples to show you how varied the styles of art are:






The dimensions of the Trendy-Tub are perfect for either a chair or table. The small version has a height of 44.5 cm, a diameter of 41.5 cm and weighs only 3.9 kg. The big version is 74 cm high, has a diameter of 46 cm and weighs 5 kg. Both dimensions correspond to the standard-heights of seats and tables.



The Trendy-Tub® can be used in multiple ways: storage (dry dog food, laundry basket, cushions, blankets, etcetera), seat, table (bedside, console table, pedestal table). It's useful and decorative and finds a place anywhere, even in small interiors. They can transform the tub into furniture as well; coffee table, dining table, shelves and even pendant lamps.

Below is their booth at Maison et Object show in September, 2009



In addition to the simple tubs, they have turned the lids into clocks:


and wall art:

and chairs and tables:

and storage or shelving:

Pendant lamps and floor seats, all made from the same recycled tubs:


When the barrels arrive in their warehouse, they decorate them using “trendy” wallpapers or designs from artists, which they print on a special type of paper (used for outside-advertising posters).

Below are three very different examples of artwork available.


The choice of designs is huge, as mentioned above, and can be categorized in different collections: off-beat, humorous, artistic, childish, romantic, etc... and they can even customize your Trendy-Tub® with your own photos or logos. They also offer a raw-version.

Learn and see more here.
Jacqueline LAUTH
PACIFIC ART DESIGN
17 rue de la Somme
68500 Guebwiller FRANCE

tel : +33 (0)389 74 31 01
email: contact@pacificartdesign.fr

A Toast To Hip Jewelry. Decant Her Necklaces By Femme Metale.

Jewelry design company Femme Metale makes much of the kind of jewelry we've seen in typical trendy contemporary jewelry stores lately. Tattoo, Asian, Goth and rock n' roll inspired pieces that include daggers, hearts, swallows, crosses, buddhas, koi and the like.

Paul Boddum's Pet Paintings & Custom Portraits

above: Lucy (1992-2008), Portrait for Ann Rohmer

Paul Boddum (b.1966) is a visual artist based in Toronto. His passion is creating contemporary artworks for people who cherish their dogs and cats. Paul's inspiration comes from his love of animals and the unique personalities and stories of each pet he paints. Boddum's paintings are concerned with the idea of dogs being little versions of our ideal companion and the positive effects pets have by enhancing our quality of life.

Cyber Style For Your Home (or iDecor For Tech Lovers).

Nerd alert! Nerd alert!
Some people just can't get enough technology in their lives despite their being wired 24/7 to their iPods, iPhones, PDAs, mobile phones, laptops, flip minos and other gadgets.

For them, there are a few designer and artists satisfying the need for Cyber style for the home, particularly items inspired by Apple products.

First off, the Brazil design studio Meninos makes decor that is reminiscent of home sweet homepage. Doormats, coasters, lampshades, playing cards, magnet kits and mousepads emulate computer software and hardware from many of your favorite gadgets by using the familiar icons as design elements.

Doormats:
iPhone 'slide to unlock' and Mac Command Key doormats make a Geek feel welcome.




Icon Pendant Lamps and Shades:
Google map pins, computer keyboard commands, rss feed icon, space invaders and more make for illuminating fun.




iPhone Playing Cards add a new element to your favorite card game:



Icon Drink Coasters
Where to put your beer when playing poker with your iPhone cards?? Why on iPhone coasters, of course.

or Adobe Creative Suite coasters:


Or other computer icon coasters:

Ai and Ps Magnet Kits:


If you hunger for more design, your fridge can now have the same look as your favorite computer software with magnets that replicate the screen tools, windows and interface of Adobe illustrator or Photoshop.

Ps Magnet kit:

Ai magnet kit:


Skate Deck Art:
They even make wall-mountable skateboard decks that are decorated with either Photoshop tools or the Mac scroll button:



To purchase any of the above, shop here.

iPhone bedding:
Yes, some people sleep with their iPhones right next to their head. Now they can snuggle up inside a duvet with the same comforting home page as their cell phone.


Available from the Swedish retailer, Ellos, it is only available in a twin size and I am not sure if they ship worldwide.

iPod coffee tables (iTables):


These iPod shaped coffee tables (iTables) were initially made by Italian artist and industrial designer Mirko Ginepro for Milan Design Week. Made of Corian, he designed three of the tables; one in yellow, one in white and one in black. He now creates them to order, if you are interested.



Dimensions: The iTable is about 47 inches long by 29 inches wide (original measurements: 120 x 75 centimeters) and about 13 inches high.

Colors: It comes in classic white, black or sunny yellow. Each table is a one-of-a kind, made-to-order piece of art.
Contact the artist here to inquire about ordering an iTable.

Apple Table:

designed by ilovecode, the apple logo table was a project and is not available for purchase.

Tech Gadget Soaps
How about iPhone, iPod, Palm Pre and Blackberry soaps? Yep, Two Eggplants makes these glycerin based soaps to look just like PDAs, gaming devices, mobile phones, mp3 players and other tech gadgets but they seem to be sold out and not stocking any at present:


Two Eggplants Etsy Store


iPhone icon paperclips:


Handmade by Bear Duck Designs, these are available in small and large sets at their Etsy store here.

Throw Pillows:
I can't forget my previously blogged about throw pillows by Craftsquatch:


and by My Suite Stuff:


and Throwboy:

learn about throwboy pillows here.

Be sure to check out Apartment Therapy's Geeky Gifts For The Home, they've got a selection of items under $50.

Now I have to go wash my face with my iSoap and get into my iBedding.
Sweet iDreams!