We’re not sure why or how, but SIDD Fine Woodworking in general has actually gotten a lot of interest from both customers and retailers in Brazil. All the interest we receive is very welcome, of course… and yes, to answer an increasingly common question, we do ship to Brazil.

Here’s a quick scan of the article… from what I can gather, the text is just a standard, minimal summary of our company and the table itself - short but sweet. Though we’d be happy to read a proper translation if any of our Spanish speaking readers felt like dropping in a comment!

A company founded by two engineering grads in New York is developing a new building insulation product called Greensulate, which is made from agricultural waste products (such as rice or buckwheat hulls) combined with mycelium, the fibrous network created by mushrooms. The product is designed to resist temperature change, stop fire, and repel water. It’s also hypoallergenic, with none of the health risks associated with the current standard for home insulation.

While my initial reaction to anything these days using the word ‘green’ so prominently in its branding is less than favourable (see my previous post on greenwashing), this particular product holds a lot of promise, in my humble opinion.

Another nice feature is the fact that the company’s production facilities and material sourcing are all local, which represents a significant reduction in the product’s reliance on fossil fuels. This is something we’re committed to ourselves, as well… it’s important not only in terms of supporting local (and national) economies, but also in terms of controlling and reducing the overall impact of our buying decisions.

This is an American product, but they’re just a few hours away from us. I’ll be watching this company closely - it seems like they’ve got some great products in the pipeline.

Check them out here: www.ecovativedesign.com

I’m no marketing expert, but for some reason, 2008 brought an explosion of seemingly sudden environmental conscientiousness to the masses (a good thing), and advertisers were on that “like a fat kid on a smartie” (not quite so good).

Suddenly words like ‘green’, ‘natural’, ’sustainable’ and ‘eco-friendly’ became marketing juggernauts, and they began appearing on everything from bleach to hummers to fur coats to fuel to even the most heavily processed of food-like-substances. And like most people, I viewed the majority of these claims with a sort of tired and annoyed skepticism.

This year’s release of TerraChoice’s Greenwashing Report in general held no surprises, but a few of the specifics shocked even me - and I had already assumed that most companies were just being opportunistic truth-stretchers, at best.

The Report found that more products made environmental claims in 2008 than in previous years - not a surprise. What I had underestimated was the sheer growth in the total number of ‘green’ products over the span of one year, which increased by an average of 79% between 2007 and 2008. And advertising for these ‘green’ products almost tripled between 2006 and 2008.

TerraChoice conducted the survey in reference to what they’ve dubbed
The Seven Sins of Greenwashing:
1. Sin of the Hidden Trade-off
2. Sin of No Proof
3. Sin of Vagueness
4. Sin of Worshiping False Labels
5. Sin of Irrelevance
6. Sin of Lesser of Two Evils
7. Sin of Fibbing

They’re all pretty self-explanatory, but do take a peek at their website for elaboration on each one (and some great character illustrations as well).

According to the report, over 98% of ‘green’ products committed at least one of the Sins. Of the 2,219 studied products claiming to green in the United States and Canada, only 25, or less than 2% were found to be Sin-free.

Now, I don’t know how scientifically robust studies like this really are, and there is the obvious agenda of the company publishing the report to consider. However, overall, provided the appropriate perspective is kept, I think the report is certainly well worth a read.

Visit: The Greenwashing Report 2009

While it saddens me to see this sort of confirmation of the sheer prevalence of ‘greenwashing’ (or less euphemistically, lying to well meaning people in the hopes of making a quick buck), it does give me a bit of hope that we may begin to see some semblance of accountability - even if it has to be forced by watchdog groups and individual consumers.

Greenwashers make those of us who are genuinely trying to do things the honest way look bad, simply because we tend to get swept into the same pile. It’s my hope that consistent transparency on our part, and vigilance on the part of consumers will be our saviors in this case.

Domino is being featured in upcoming print magazines in Canada, Brazil and Europe, as well as boasting a spot in a book being published in Paris next year, and coverage in dozens of independent international design websites and online magazines. Not to mention a few select celebrities who have requested one as a gift.

We could never have anticipated such a warm response.

While our work seems to be popping up all over the internet, we were particularly pleased to read one of the more recent reviews of the Domino table, as written by Joseph Starr, and published on the highly regarded 3Rings website. We like to keep a close eye on who’s saying what about us (it is exciting, after all) and of all of the mentions we’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy, this has got to be the most eloquently written review we’ve received to date.

Here’s what they had to say:

Inclined toward a little gamesmanship in your décor? Piqued at the prospect of incorporating some inkling of recreational pursuit into your overall decorating scheme? Perhaps you’re the type who dreams of billiards, supernaturally attuned to the sonorous click of those gleaming orbs; or maybe you’re a tennis buff, your dreams punctuated with the resonant thwack of ball on racket.

Or perhaps your preference is for a more serene diversion? If such is the case, you’re sure to love the Domino Coffee Table by SIDD Fine Woodworking; it’s a gorgeous table made by master joiners, and it captures all the kinetic and auditory thrill (don’t laugh, I know Domino players who have anted up their first-borns) of this timeless pastime. SIDD Fine Woodworking, out of Ottawa, Ontario, is a 100% Canadian Company “about forward-thinking, responsible design… our work merges substance with style, through a commitment to quality, sustainability, and ethics.”

Taking their philosophical lead from the growing Slow-Food movement, SIDD eschews synthetic/toxic materials, long-distance transport, resource-heavy production processes, and a “throwaway” mentality in lieu of “thoughtful design, hand-crafting, responsible procurement, and environmentally responsible practices.” The result is beautiful, custom-made furniture whose manufacture actually helps people, so different from the chain of waste, toxicity, and environmental degradation that bedraggles so much furniture manufacture.

SIDD’s ethical angle shows in the Domino Table. Granted, at $1,400 it’s a bit on the pricey side, but consider that each specimen is hand built over a six-week period, that they’re made of Canadian Birch Hardwood Ply, and customizable over a voluminous variety of finishes (including stain in charcoal, chocolate, and walnut; and tops in solid wood or tempered glass).

But the most intriguing quality of the Domino Table is, of course, that it looks like toppling dominoes. The effect is achieved through SIDD’s cantilevered construction, which allows a certain percentage of the table top surface to jut forward, seemingly unsupported. But not to worry, the Domino Table only looks like it’s about to carom headlong onto the carpet, spilling various drinks and snacks and periodicals in its wake. In all truth, it’s as stable as any traditional four-legged number. So by all means load it up and enjoy. Perhaps it will even tempt you to try this under-rated game, favored by septuagenarians across the land.

Mr. Starr, we thank you.

When we were looking for a new house in 2007, we must have walked through dozens of homes, of just as many different styles and vintages. Some were brand new, some a hundred years old, some decently cared-for, and some in desperate need of repair.

We ended up falling in love with an early 1970’s bungalow on the outskirts of the city, perched atop a rolling hilly property, shaded by mature oak trees. It fell into the category of needing some major TLC. The majority of the house was your classic 70’s bungalow, but the previous owners had expanded on the house, building in an enormous sunny addition with vaulted ceilings - which was a major selling point for us.

We are in the process of converting this addition to our company showroom. But for the past two years, it has been furnished sparsely, to say the least. Despite our enthusiasm and love for the space, we never really knew what to do with it.

At the point of being forced into making a definitive move on this room, here are a few tips we’ve picked up for decorating those big open spaces in your house.

1. Large spaces can be divided into several smaller ones using furniture groupings. Make a conversation area in front of the fireplace with a coffee table and two comfortable chairs. In another corner of the room, you could use the television and a long sofa for an entertainment space. A third area could potentially include a bookshelf with an armchair and ottoman or a chaise lounge with a side table, for curling up with a good book.
2. Another method of zoning a space is to use flooring itself as a divider. Raise the floor in a corner lined with bookshelves to create a reading nook, or use area rugs over hardwoods to create separation between living and dining areas.
3. If you’re comfortable with framing and drywall, you can vary the ceiling height to create a visual spatial distinction. Or use wide, complex moulding to bring the eye downward from a tall ceiling.
4. Darker colors on the walls make the space seem smaller. Use warm and deep tones that you love but might hesitate to use in a smaller space. You can even paint the ceiling a rich tone to bring it down visually. Tall ceilings lend themselves beautifully to accent walls.
5. Furnish the room with large pieces, including tall bookcases and fully upholstered sofas and chairs covered in rich fabrics. Use dark woods, and a wide variety of different textures within the space to create visual interest.
6. Use room dividers. There are some incredibly cool options available on the market. Or, you could position pairs of matching bookcases back-to-back, and use them as a room divider. Attach them together at the backs for maximum stability.
7. Avoid mirrors in large spaces that you’re trying to make more cozy. If you must have a mirror in the room, hang it so it does not reflect a window or other light source. Instead, try positioning it so it faces a favorite piece of art. You’ll enjoy the reflection, but it won’t add to the spaciousness of the room.
8. Use large, interesting pendant lighting to fill in some of the airspace.
9. Fill the room with accessories, and a few plants. There is room for a lot of freedom here - you can even use potted trees to match the scale of a tall ceiling.
10. Create a division between two parts of a room by using columns or arches to create a “passageway” from one space to the other. By installing a faux “doorway” that’s wide and open, you’ll break the room into manageably sized parts while still maintaining the sense of space.
11. Keep big walls from dominating the room with horizontals. You can use woodwork elements to manage your tall walls - any horizontal trim will provide emphasis that will distract the eye from the vertical. Horizontal paint stripes will do the same in a more modern space, or you can use two different shades of the same colour (or gloss levels) to create a horizontal plane.
12. Window treatments as always should suit both the windows and the space. If you have a great view, make the windows a focal point, but make sure the treatments allow you to cozy up should the mood hit you. Drapes should reach the floor, and consider layering window treatments.

Finally, don’t be afraid to use the space that’s available to you. Personally, I prefer a more minimalist approach, but you can achieve what’s right for you by using the vertical and horizontal space in the room. Zoning is perhaps the most useful concept we’ve learned in this process, but you might also consider things like custom bookshelves with a ladder if you like the ’study’ feel. Experiment and see what works for you.

These images will also give customers a more complete view of our products.

Please feel free to use the images in relevant reviews, blog posts or online articles, so long as you link back to our site. Any other use of these images (including derivative works) is strictly prohibited.

We also have high-resolution photos appropriate for press on file. If you’d like to use any of our images in print, please contact us.

Sustainability is more than a trend, it’s a movement that all developers need to better understand. Sustainability is about more than just the environment and encompasses social and financial issues as well. In fact, sustainable solutions are still more easily “sold” in terms of advancements in efficiency, health, and social justice than on the basis of environmental benefits - and that’s OK. This “new” movement, now almost 40 years old, has evolved quickly and there are many contemporary examples to learn from. With a short introduction to the issues and frameworks and a concentration on sustainable strategies, all designers, engineers, and managers can make more sustainable design decisions.

Recent studies are consistently showing that people (even in mainstream markets) are finally beginning to show a real commitment to responsible living, both at home and as represented in the buying decisions they make. Bigger businesses that used to enjoy bloated profits on the backs of underpaid and mistreated labour, irresponsible materials procurement, and environmentally disastrous manufacturing practices have had their run.

Designers in all disciplines need to commit to putting forth new ideas and executions with sustainable practices. And we all need to be vigilant and thoughtful when deciding where to spend our money.

It’s really not as difficult as some might have us think.

SustainLane.com is a community driven site, featuring personal accounts, tips and advice, news, and business/product reviews for sustainable living. The site also features a section called the GreenSaver, a directory of weekly discounts offered on environmentally conscious goods and services. Definitely worth checking out.

Click here to see our offer

Most of us could probably dig one dollar out from under the sofa cushions, yet it equates to ten pounds of food, or seven full meals. Of course, people are encouraged to donate any amount. Please help us fight hunger.

Canada: Click Here for Food Banks Canada

USA: Click Here for Feeding America

UK: Click Here for Action Against Hunger

Here’s what they had to say:

Overall: A very clean, modern looking site in keeping with the product it is intended to showcase. The large amount of white really allows the eye to focus on the high quality imagery.

Graphics: All graphics on your site were of an extremely high standard. They were clear, polished, free from any blur, pixelation or jaggedness. They had undeniably been carefully considered with a significant amount of time and thought put into their creation. You scored a lot of points in this crucial area.

Navigation: The navigation offered great usability. It was intuitive, logical, consistent and very well presented. All links tested were free from errors and allowed us to move through the site with ease. It had clearly been carefully considered with a significant amount of usability testing put into its development. You scored very highly in this area.

Layout: The layout of your site was very solid and well thought out. It was consistent in all areas and easy to understand. All information was excellently positioned and presented through the use of appropriate spacing. The layout had certainly been carefully planned and built based on the content it would be housing. You scored very highly in this area.

Content: The content was clear, concise and easy to read. It offered great usability through appropriate font style and formatting. It was logical, consistent and very well presented. You scored heavily in this area.

Loadtime: Given the page content, your site loaded in a very timely fashion. It definitely uses streamlined, error free code, well optimized graphics and is supported by a high quality hosting environment. You scored greatly in this area.

So to the fine people at Nodus, thank you kindly for the recognition.

We’ve actually received quite a bit of positive feedback on the site as well as our products, not to mention the company as a whole. And we appreciate every bit of it.