Design: The Surface Design Show

The Surface Design Show is an opportunity for interior designers, architects and design enthusiasts to discover the latest innovations in interior and exterior surface design. An abundance of exhibitors showcase creative and inspiring solutions for your home, including flooring, roofing, paints and wall coverings.

This year’s show also holds a series of informative seminars based on sustainability, covering the environmental performance of materials and the latest trends in eco technology.

The show runs from the 16^th-18^th February @ the Business Design Centre, London. Register now for free entry here!

Carly Gordon

Design: Hiho Eco Packaging

The UK produces around 10 million tonnes of packaging waste every year, most of which is disposed of in landfill sites across the country. It has never been more important for companies to rethink the strategies they adopt to reduce their impact on the environment.

Hiho, a jewellery and home wares company have taken this next step by redesigning their packaging.  All gift bags and jewellery boxes are now entirely biodegradable, even the bag handles are made from untreated cotton. The packaging designs are funky and bold, coming in a range of striking purples, pinks and turquoises all decorated with quirky illustrations.

Andrew Randsford, Managing Director at Hiho says, “We’re delighted with the new packaging and as far as we know we are the only multiple jeweller in the country with fully recyclable packaging. I think it provides the perfect solution for keeping both our customers and the planet happy.”

Hiho prove that eco packaging doesn’t have to be boring with their bright and stylish designs. Let's hope other companies take their lead and follow suit!

Carly Gordon

Design: V&A Craft Projects

The snow may have melted but it still feels like winter, so why not have a cosy night in and get stuck into some creative projects? The V&A's HSBC Designer in Residence Lao Jianhua has an Instructable project on how to make a table lampshade out of origami boats that looks very do-able, even for the less crafty amongst us (myself included). And would certainly make a lovely finishing touch to a candle-lit dinner party.

I think this is a great approach for the V&A to be taking – getting design inspiration out of the museum and into an online crafting community like Instructables. At the moment there are a couple of projects – this one and a funky clock – let's have some more please!

Sophy Colbert

Design: Bright eyes, burning like fire

'How wonderful yellow is. It stands for the sun', Vincent Van Gogh

Now I don't know about you but all of this cold weather and snow is making me crave the colour yellow...Yellow cushions, yellow dresses, yellow furniture! There's just so something so happy and optimistic about the colour and it's fast becoming my second favourite. (Green is first of course). So, on this snowy day in Brighton I have rounded up some of my favourite sunshine buys on Etsy, the site for everything eclectic. Spring please come soon!

Yellow Cushion, $45, Golden Lotus Necklace, $290, Vintage yellow Dinner Service, $65, Card Holder, $10, Vintage Wallpaper, $5, 1960's Cocktail Dress, $70 reduced to $30, Vintage Mens Sweater, $22, Solar Pure mineral eyeshadow, $3.99, Bow dress, $185, Groomsmen Ties, $108, chrysanthemum Ring, $400, Nap Mat, $76.

My love must be a kind of blind love
I can't see anyone but you

Are the stars out tonight
I don't know if it's cloudy or bright
I only have eyes for you, dear

The moon may be high
But I can't see a thing in the sky
'Cause I only have eyes for you

I don't know if we're in a garden
Or on a crowded avenue
You are here, so am I
Maybe millions of people go by
But they all disappear from view
And I only have eyes for you

Design: UNTO THIS LAST

Unto This Last uses innovative digital technology to produce made- to-order furniture with a retro/contemporary, modular design. There is a wide range of furniture on offer, from lightshades to beds, drawers and cupboards. The look is sleek and functional, unfussy with exciting geometric lines and curves.

Because each item is made to order, the company can offer a wide range of stylish, well designed products from two small workshops in London which reduces their environmental impact, whilst allowing Unto This Last to price their items competitively.

The ethos is very much about keeping it local – they don't deliver outside London – but it's well worth a trip to either their Brick Lane or Battersea Park workshops to pick up a bargain as the prices are highly affordable.

I'm particularly attracted to the origami-inspired Facet sideboard – perhaps because it looks a bit like a Transformer! It's one of the more expensive items in their range, but as an investment piece and future heirloom, I'd be happy to fork out for the high standards of craftsmanship and timeless design.

According to their website, Unto This Last will open more workshops around the country depending on the success of their London venture – here's hoping that 2010 brings them the impetus they need to branch out around the UK.

Sophy Colbert

Design: Misha Makes

I first came across Misha Makes creations on a cold Saturday morning in the North Laines, Brighton. I literally could have bought every piece on her stall, I loved them all! Quirky, fun and individual jewellery that you wouldn’t find on the high street, all hand made by Misha using a mix of charm pieces, trinkets and gems. The designs are trendy yet classic and add the perfect element of vintage to any outfit.

Jewellery is Misha’s passion and she hopes to one day be able to give up her ‘day job’ to commit her time to her talents as a jewellery maker. To support Misha’s work, you can buy your piece here or find her stall every Saturday (weather permitting) at the Upper Gardener Street Market in Brighton.

Carly Gordon

Design: Patchwork on furniture?

When I first saw this unique storage chest I couldn't believe how amazingly simple and beautiful it is and I fell in love with it completely. This one-off piece is a patchwork quilt of interesting patterns and textures, handmade by American artist  Margaret Taylor. Combining rustic material with practical and modern design, which is absolutely enviromental friendly, she creates furniture and other household items for her company, Dryads Dancing.

Marta Cernovskaja