Inhabitat Reports from BKLYN Designs

This weekend the <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/about/">Inhabitat team</a> had the pleasure of checking out the best and brightest in emerging green furniture design at one of our favorite annual events: <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/bklyn-designs/">BKLYN Designs</a>! This curated exhibition takes place annually in DUMBO, Brooklyn, and features locally-crafted furnishings, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/interiors/lighting/">lighting</a> and <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/interiors/">interior design</a>, and is always a treat. Although this year's show was smaller than in previous years, the curation of designers was stellar and this year's lineup did not disappoint. From framed <a href="http://www.inhabitots.com/2010/05/06/turn-ant-farms-into-art-with-hugh-haydens-frameicariums/">ant farm "art"</a> to <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/05/03/roller-coaster-chair-made-from-coney-island-boardwalk-planks/">roller coaster chairs</a> made of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/05/03/roller-coaster-chair-made-from-coney-island-boardwalk-planks/">reclaimed boardwalk wood</a> to <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/wp-content/plugins/falbum/wp/album.php?album=72157623905998987&amp;page=1&amp;photo=4595349975">"Deer Headlights" wall trophy lamps</a>, check out our <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/wp-content/plugins/falbum/wp/album.php?album=72157623905998987">favorite picks</a> from <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/wp-content/plugins/falbum/wp/album.php?album=72157623905998987">BKLYN Designs 2010</a> that had us going gaga!

Jeff Mayer of <a href="http://www.718madeinbrooklyn.com/">718 Made in Brooklyn</a> creates limited edition furniture and accessories out of decommissioned subway signs.

These awesome <a href="http://www.718madeinbrooklyn.com/projects/light/#lanterns_clean-1">LED lanterns</a> also by 718 Made in Brooklyn are the same ones used by NYC engineers to illuminate their way when they are in subway tunnels.

We were intrigued by <a href="http://rockpaperrobot.com/">RockPaperRobot's</a> uncanny coffee table that appeared to consist of cubes floating right in the air! Upon further inspection, we saw that the pieces were held together by a series of thin wires. What an illusion!

The <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/about">Inhabiteam</a> does a quick group huddle before splitting up and conquering the show.

<a href="http://www.uhurudesign.com/nydesignweek10.html">Uhuru </a> took Best in Show in our green design awards for their amazing Coney Island line of furniture. Each limited edition piece was crafted from actual wood reclaimed from the boardwalk of the iconic Brooklyn landmark.

The Cyclone lounger, the Wonder coffee table and the Drop end table of three of the pieces in the collection that are most recognizable and reminiscent of the amusement park rides they were inspired by.

The <a href="http://www.pratt.edu/">Pratt</a> booth rose above and beyond our expectations with several amazing student designs including a convertible chair/loveseat and lampshade made in collaboration with local artisans in Guyana.

This ingenious chair designed by Pratt student <a href="http://www.pratt.edu/news/view/industrial_design_department_to_exhibit_innovative_works_at_8th_annual_bkly/">Charlotte Kreitmann</a> is called "Schair" because it transforms into a loveseat bench perfect for fitting two!

Charlotte won Best Student Design in our awards ceremony for the Schair.

This intricate felt lounger by <a href="http://www.lamacek.com/Home.html">Lamacek</a> is made from rolled steel with a cushion handmade from rolled felt.

Lamacek's fun and funny interpretation of a deer-head hunting lodge wall trophy is both modern and 100% vegan!

Inhabitat fave <a href="http://www.hughhayden.com/">Hugh Hayden</a> and colleague Katie Vitale's eye-catching <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/05/05/bklyn-designs-sneak-peek-frameicariums-are-ant-farm-art/">Frameicarium</a> ant farm artpieces stole the show with their unique concept. They featured real ants behind vibrantly colored plexiglass inside reclaimed antique frames.

Hugh and Katie stand next to their Frameicariums.

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We couldn't help but be blown away by the understated beauty of <a href="http://www.andrejoyau.com/">Andre Joyau's</a> natural wood furniture. Not only are his pieces made of reclaimed wood that would otherwise have gone to waste, each piece has its own unique story - many of which are documented by Joyau's beautiful photographs displayed right alongside his tables and chairs.

We awarded Mr. Joyau Best Use of Reclaimed Materials.

The illuminated BKLYN Designs sign that we used as a podium for our green awards!

Inhabitots writer <a href="http://www.inhabitots.com/author/desmond/">Desmond Williams</a> scopes out the Kids Lounge for cool new green furniture to cover.

Kids' furniture designer <a href="http://www.aprilhannah.com/pages.php?content=nestGall.php&amp;navGallID=10001">April Hannah</a> was a newcomer to the show, but that didn't stop her from wowing us with her colorful Tree Table collection of desks and seats for youngsters.

Inhabitots author <a href="http://www.inhabitots.com/author/julie/">Julie Knapp</a> taking one of the Tree tables for a whirl.

<a href="http://umproject.com/">UM Project's</a> super versatile dry erase table! This would work just as well in your toddler's room as it would in a conference room!

Following along with the multi-purpose, multi-room theme, UM's coffee/side/anything tables can sit upright, lie on their sides or on their backs - whichever configuration works best for your needs!

Our handmade Inhabitat Green Design Awards!

Inhabitat editor in chief Jill and managing editor Mike get ready to announce the awards!

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Karen <a href="http://www.austeragency.com/">Auster</a>, the founder of BKLYN Designs and exhibitors Andrew Personette and Matt Tyson of <a href="http://www.ecosystemsbrand.com/Team.html">Ecosystems</a>.

Visitors to the show were greeted by a sculpture of cascading chairs by Uhuru and a live Twitter feed of what people were tweeting about the event!