At Salone: Spiral Island
At the height of the “Green Era”, some artist and designers still have a few tricks up their sleeves to make even green beautiful. This is so true with Eco-friendly designer David Trubridge, who I happen to adore. His designs bring together beauty, form and functionality, quite a triple threat.
Trubridge has an ability to make the earthy simple and elegant too. He uses only low impact natural materials in an effort to help the environment. His newest designs, which were successfully displayed at Salone this year, are the gorgeous Spiral Island Lighting and Seating Collection. They were so popular in Milan, it is rumored that one had to wait in line for quite some time just to get a peek.
To me, they look like something out of the mind of the great Dr. Seuss. The bold seating colors along with the unorthodox shapes are truly artistically “Seussical”. Who knew that Seussical could be stunning, I love it! The seats have the appearance of large beach pebbles wrapped in a never ending spiral, almost like an unfurling fern. His exquisite lighting, with a similar spiral as the seating, reminds me of my favorite lighting fixtures, the Japanese paper lanterns. Only Trubridge’s lights took it one step further and made paper lanterns Sophisticated and Chic. Maybe they are his futuristic take on the paper lamp? Whatever his inspiration, these lamps are gorgeous. I can see these becoming a part of many homes, I know mine.

Images courtesy of Inhabitat.
These designs show that green doesn’t have to mean mundane and boring. With more and more designers like Trubridge going green, we are sure to continue to see stunning environmentally friendly designs. Gone are the days of of the bland twig furniture of the 60’s and 70’s, welcome “Eco-friendly Elegance”.








Comments
hi candace, what sort of flip flops do you wear on the islands? which island is your favorite? did you select this product because it looks like a Caribbean land mass?
I would take mine tubing down a river or floating in the bay! I like the spirals. They make me think it could also be spring-loaded. Like a trampoline. In the Dr. Seuss book I bet it would be both…
In any case, great addition, Candace!
They remind me of the raked sand gardens you find in Japan. Any ideas on what kind of materials the benches are made of? Don’t laugh - at first I thought it was kind of like a Chia Pet - just add water!
The lamps are gorgeous - and aptly named. Indeed, who knew Seussical could look so chic?
And naturally these would look fabulous with any flip flops you might own ;) Welcome aboard!
[…] Via Tags: David Trubridge, Eco-friendly designer […]
Jacob, I’d have to say my favorite flip flops are REEF. The island I enjoy the most is Oahu, gotta love Waikiki! I saw these products and they inspired me, that’s the way I choose anything I write about. Just so happens, if it reminds me of the beach…..I’m inspired :)
Lora, I never could find what material the benches were made of , only that they were low impact natural material. They do make you think of sand gardens, don’t they??!! Once you mentioned that I could very well see it.
Thanks Frankie and Sophie for the Welcome, it’s appreciated!!! :)
FANTASTIC BLOG!
great article.
would be very interested in knowing what other similar products you cover as a writer.
[…] Salone: Yoshioka’s Heaven At Salone: BASF + Grcic + Plank = MytoAt Salone: Tazi Hound SofaAt Salone: Spiral IslandAt Salone: Drink a Beer, Make a ChairAt Salone: BlobulousAt Salone: Slab CollectionAt Salone: My […]