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Guest Picks: Bamboo for Everyone
Thank smooth lines, scads of shapes and a renewable nature for bamboo's newfound popularity in homes of all styles
Life is one big long renovation. I blog about design trends, inspiring spaces and my own experiences of renovating houses on both sides of the pond at FourWallsandaRoof.com.
Life is one big long renovation. I blog about design trends, inspiring... More »
Bamboo has had a major revival in recent years. It used to be that the distinctive look of bamboo only worked for '70s-themed interiors (think faux bamboo coffee tables) and organic salad bars (think huge swathes of pale bamboo). But now bamboo comes in all sorts of guises, making it a desirable choice for many different decorating styles. The fact that it's a renewable material also adds to its appeal. I love its clean lines and super-smooth texture and find that I gravitate toward contemporary bamboo pieces. But the fact is, there's probably a bamboo product out there for everyone. — Lucy from Four Walls and a Roof
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| This seat is actually part of a sectional. While it looks like an obvious choice for a commercial interior, I can also imagine it looking stunning in a spacious summery home with lots of windows. |
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Quirky shapes and a rainbow of colors — what could be more appealing?
by Greenington
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These smart nesting tables have an inlaid section of stripy bamboo, making them distinctive pieces for most living rooms.
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| I just love this shelf unit. It has room for both hidden and display storage and even has knife slots in the top. It's perfect for adding some zest to an all-white kitchen. |
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by Greenington
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| You'd never know this chest was made of bamboo. The midcentury lines and darker stain look like teak. |
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Here's a true bamboo basic. I like the way the grain of the bamboo adds texture and interest around the edge of the white door. It very much keeps with the current mixed-materials trend.
by MoMA Store
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End grain bamboo creates a pixelated look for this clever alternative to a digital clock.
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Bamboo is light, so it works well as modular and movable pieces like these stacking cubes. They'd look great as end tables, but the idea of using them for toys is great too.
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We've all seen bamboo bowls before, but I love this two-tone version. They come in multiple colors, and some even have color on the inside and bamboo on the outside. You could set a really happy table with these.
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The smooth texture of bamboo is perfect for these little pebble candleholders. They'd make a nice hostess gift too.
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I just love these laser cut bamboo clocks. This little owl is my favorite.
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I'd never have guessed these light fixtures were made of bamboo. The white one is spectacular. I love the organic shape and the way it filters the light to create a warm glow.
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As an alternative to gaudy string lights, these little bamboo ones would be perfect for adding some nature-inspired decor to a festive occasion.
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Bamboo's properties make it suitable for use in bathrooms too. This basin would be great on a thick white Caesarstone countertop.
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Years ago I had a bad experience with bamboo floors: They showed every dent and divet. But I understand the product has improved, so this beautiful honey-toned flooring is now a good option.
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by Nine Space
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| You've probably seen bamboo textiles around. They are incredibly soft and make great throws, but there is some debate over the ecofriendliness of these materials. It seems the process for creating rayon from bamboo fibers is not great for the planet. |
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I like using these bamboo plates at picnics and barbecues as a more stylish alternative to the paper variety. I find you can get away with using them a couple of times too.
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These single-use plates are made of a variety of materials including bamboo. They make an incredibly elegant alternative to ordinary paper tableware.
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Bamboo is often used for kids' products because it's cost-effective, safe and light. This mini cooking utensil set is just adorable for encouraging kids to help out in the kitchen.
by Bike-Trend
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And finally — who'd have thought — a bamboo bicycle! It's just the thing for the ecoconscious cyclist who's fallen for the bamboo trend.
Next: 20 Top Online Ecofriendly Shops
Next: 20 Top Online Ecofriendly Shops
Comments
olldbobbi If bamboo is so rapidly renewable, why is it so expensive? A storage cabinet for $1,575? Not in my budget. And it seems like furniture made with bamboo has such hard lines, it would be intereting to see furniture, I don't know, softer? The blanket looks inviting, tho!
8 months ago · Like
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Lucy McLintic Bobbi P - you're right, bamboo can be pricey. Apparently that's due to the cost of importation and also the process it goes through in production of furniture. I understand that, despite that, it's still more eco-friendly and less costly than comparable pieces in hardwoods like cherry. Many of these pieces are designer ones so that bumps the price up too. But stores like CB2 often have some nice bamboo accessories if you want the look for less. Hopefully we'll start to see more unusual bamboo designs at lower prices soon!
8 months ago · Like
olldbobbi Lucy, I wonder if some of the pricey-ness is also due in part to its popularity? For instance, you can get golden oak cabinets a whole lot cheaper today than you could in the 80's!
8 months ago · Like
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kennedytarheel There are also bamboo towels...very nice! Love the bamboo cloud chandelier...it would be a show stopper in a room! The look is lean and swedish, some of the items above look like they could be from Ikea. Because people often change their minds after buying furniture, it's always a good idea to check Craigslist or Ebay for "recycled" furniture at a greatly reduced price.
8 months ago · Like
Tom R The cost of the bamboo for the storage cabinet mentioned by Bobbi P is about $100 (delivered to the person on the street, not a manufacturer), and that is if the highest quality temperature and pressure treated material is used. Hardly a consideration in the absurd $1575 price.
8 months ago · Like
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Francesca I know that bamboo grows fast and is easily replaceable.... I love bamboo but it is ridiculously 'designer' expensive.
8 months ago · Like
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sclawson Love the bamboo salad bowls with the color on the outside. I have a few similar bowls in turquoise with built-in handles that I bought for storing produce. They came with a tag that said "Wipe clean with a damp cloth"--works okay for produce storage but maybe not for salad bowls or other dinnerware.
8 months ago · Like
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Jan Yatsko Check out www.brieri.com for some very original bamboo furniture and accessories. Brian is a genious with bamboo!
8 months ago · Like
Ideabook updated on Jan. 11, 2013.
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