Category Archives: environment

Magma Fireplace

Posted on February 14, 2011 | Leave a comment

Who doesn’t like a good fireplace? Unfortunately, most houses and flats are now deprived from them for various reasons, but portable ones are more and more common.

We’ve come across this one, which not only will warm you up during those cold winter nights, it is also a beautiful piece of furniture, and serves as a table as well!


The colours represent the different Earth’s layer, from red to gray, giving this coffe table/fireplace a unique look. And it works on bioethanol liquid fuel, which apparently is harmless and easy to use, and maybe more importantly it is environmentally friendly!

The only downside is like most design items, you’ll have to pay the price to get your hands on it: £5,440. Seems a bit pricey, but for such a unique item that will also keep you warm and add a lot of character to your living room, it actually isn’t too bad!

 

(Source: Design Buzz)

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Posted in art, creative, design, environment, green, home

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BottomsUP beer

Posted on January 28, 2011 | Leave a comment

Have you ever found yourself waiting and waiting at a festival or sport event bar, just to get a nice, fresh pint? We have, and when there is so much happening around, it’s the last place you want to be stuck in (with toilet queues).

Pouring a pint takes time, about 30 seconds, and usually results in quite a lot of waste: getting the head right can sometimes be a bit of a challenge.

But someone in America has come up with a genius idea. What if instead of pouring a beer, you filled the glass from the bottom, which would solve the head and waste issue? The question is how.

Well, the way this system works, is with plastic cup, and a magnet which fills the hole at the bottom of the glass. When you remove the glass from the tap, it pulls the magnet to the bottom of the glass, and with the pressure from the liquid, the magnet stays in place, sealing the glass.

And on top of that, it pours a pint in about 5 seconds. Saves time, avoids waste, which keeps customers and bar tenders happy. A revolution for any future big event.

We’re just not too sure about the magnet waste though. And does it actually save more money, than traditional taps?

(Source: Youtube)

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Posted in drink, environment, video

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What you didn’t know about the US

Posted on January 25, 2011 | Leave a comment

Neatorama was today a tad obsessed with the US. They posted two maps, each with a different take on the states.

The first one focuses on the thing each state is worst at: from cocaine use to nerdism, it’s all there. Have a look:

The other one is more serious, as based on economy, where states are compared to other countries in terms of their GDP and population. Apparently California is the equivalent of Italy! Check the interactive map here.

(Source: Neatorama 1 and 2)

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Posted in environment, green, Uncategorized

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Go soap-free, it’s the way forward

Posted on January 6, 2011 | Leave a comment

For a couple of days now, everyone seems to be talking about going soap free. When we started reading this article from Sean Bonner – co-creator of Metblogs – celebrating its first year anniversary of going soap free, we must say we were a bit sceptical. We thought BO, greasy hair and skin, etc. But after further reading, we revised our position.

According to Sean, the first couple of weeks are a bit hard, but his skin and hair very quickly adjusted to his new washing routine, and were actually healthier than before. We stand corrected! And it has other benefits: saves you loads of money, and better for the environment (all that plastic wasted!).

It actually all makes sense. Soap, and other chemicals in shower gels/shampoos/etc. actually disturb our naturally balanced ph levels. So going soap free seems to be the way forward!

 

Totally unrelated to this is the video of the now famous homeless guy with a golden radio voice, in case you have managed to escape all the coverage of this amazing and uplifting story – he got a job following the success of this video.

 

(Source: Boing Boing. Pictures: Design Geek and The Cool Hunter)

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Posted in Conservation, environment, green, home

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Happy new year!

Posted on January 4, 2011 | Leave a comment

The Baby Creative team is back, a few pounds heavier, ready to rock 2011 after a nice rest over the festive period.

Here is a link to an interesting study regarding cats’ reaction to bearded men. We thought it quite amusing, and we are still trying to understand why on earth would someone run such study. It will definitely cheer you up in this first week back at work, after what we hope has been a good break, filled with joy, presents, food, wine, etc.

And here are some interesting statistics looking back at the way the world has changed in the last decade. More serious than the previous research, but interesting nonetheless. We are very surprised at the huge difference in figures between 2000 and 2010. It looks at several aspects of the world, from demographic to environment.
Click here for a version of the image that you can actually read, this one being a tad small.

 

(Source: Neatorama and io9)

 

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Posted in environment, green

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Airclad by Inflate

Posted on November 26, 2010 | 1 Comment

The London Based designer Inflate, which since 1995 provided inflatable temporary structures for events, is now opening the door of its market to the public, and we are very intrigued.

The concept, called Airclad, is basically that of a room that you can inflate when needed, and well… deflate when done. It could be used for various occasions. Expecting more guest than you can accommodate for? Want to be able to use that hot tub of yours, even on rainy days? Need a seasonal home? The Airclad is the solution. And not to worry, this is no improved tent. This is an actual room, with a solid structure made of wood and aluminium, insulation, etc. And it is also possible to include lighting and power points. It obviously needs a power source, but if it is used as a spare room or extension, the main house/building will provide for that.

It has many plus. On top of being easy to assemble and transport, it’s also super ecological. All the materials used can be recycled. And the fact that it can be re-used and transported for several occasions gives it extra credit in ‘green-ness’.

 


But as all things, it also presents a few ‘eeks’… Inflatable? Also quite fragile, to a certain extent. Anything sharp will obviously damage the structure. We’re sure there are ways to patch it up in case of such accidents, but still, probably not the best thing to find the room slowly deflating when relaxing in a hot tub.
And as all cool, green and practical products, it comes with a price: the average Airclad will cost £19,500. Quite an investment right? But when considering its multiple uses, such as a temporary extension, seasonal home, etc. it probably comes at a more reasonable price than all of those combined.

(Source: Tree Hugger and Airclad)

 

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Posted in creative, design, environment, home

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Oil & Water Don’t Mix

Posted on November 1, 2010 | Leave a comment

To support the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, Belgian agency Happiness Brussels produced limited edition posters printed using oil from the very coasts they are aiming to save. The posters were designed by English designer Anthony Burrill, who is known for his bold prints. They are pretty striking, as the bold font and the use of oil as ink reinforce the obviousness of the statement.

We love the design, and wouldn’t mind getting our hands on one, especially as the profits will go towards the coalition. Unfortunately, 200 were printed, and they all sold out.

[Vimeo=http://vimeo.com/15770806]

 

(Source: Ads of the World)

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Posted in art, charity, Conservation, creative, design, environment

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Garbage: Your bins got talent!

Posted on October 29, 2010 | 2 Comments

Gilles Eichenbaum is a very talented craftsman, we literally fell in love with his work. He transforms old, banal objects, from kettles to scales and toasters, into beautiful lamp shades by performing patterns and assembling other random objects to it.

It all started when he was travelling, and started building lamps with what was at hand, hence the use of everyday objects. Following the success of his work on flea markets, he decided to turn the hobby into a business, and voila!

Each piece is obviously unique, and it’s all recycling making his work even more special! He named it Garbage:  Your bins got talent! Each object are already quite beautiful and charming in themselves, as when we talk kettles and toasters, we mean antiques rather than modern.


He explains:

All this stuff cluttering your basement can be used again, another round… Today the memories they evoke shall pinch you. Or their revival makes you laugh and it’s just a lot.

Our favourite is the Le Creuzet perforated dish.

You can check out more of his work on his website.

(Source: Tree Hugger)

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Posted in art, creative, design, environment, green

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A little gadget selection

Posted on October 6, 2010 | 1 Comment

We might be a little bit obsessed with design here at Baby. It’s not that most gadgets are particularly useful, but some are definitely very cool. And we are always amazed at how objects keep being redefined. Today we’ve stumbled upon some pretty cool gadgets that we like, all for different reasons.

First, there is Samsonite new baby: a suitcase that also works as a scooter. Or vice versa. Definitely something that could prove quite useful to businessmen whose lives are half-spent running from one airport terminal to another. We only wonder how practical it is to carry: the wheels, handlebars and all must be quite heavy. Well, we guess the whole point is to let it carry rather than the other way around, but probably not when stairs are involved.

Then there’s the 2 in 1 switch shaker, or how to make us even lazier. Press the button to swap between salt and pepper. But, we love the way it looks, and it would probably be quite fun to use!

At first, we weren’t sure what we were looking at. It looks a bit like storage of some sort. Turns out this is a pocket-sized, solar powered lamp. Perfect for camping in style, and no need for batteries!

Our favourite is this phone: the Nokia E-CU. We don’t think it looks that great, with it’s crackled-skin-like case, and its strange shape, but we love how it works. Unlike any other phone, it doesn’t get its juice from a plug, but from heat. Just stick it in your pocket or on a heater and you will never run out of battery. And that’s also good news for the environment.

(Source: NotCot here and here, TreeHugger, Dezeen)

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Posted in creative, design, environment, green, home, transport

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The Solaris Sun Shading System

Posted on September 24, 2010 | Leave a comment

We’ve just come across something amazing! We can’t believe no-one ever thought of it before.

The Solaris Sun Shading System is no traditional sunshade: it is multi-functional, looks great, and it is eco-friendly, and that, we particularly like.

The umbrella is made of solar panels, using the light it shields you from to generate energy. It features 3 power sockets, rechargeable battery pack, and a power indicator. Workaholics and geeks will no longer be stuck indoors during summer holidays.

We also love the way it looks, we all know that solar panels are not always very appealing to the eye. And well… it protects the environment. For once, we don’t even have one little negative comment to add.

It just makes us a bit sad as we so wished summer was back!

(Source: My Modern Met)

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