New York International Gift Fair Showcases Hot Sustainable Designs Made With Natural Materials

This year the <a href="http://www.nyigf.com/">New York International Gift Fair</a> (NYIGF) made a special attempt to recognize sustainable design. A special exhibit titled <em><a href="http://www.nyigf.com/TheShow/Sustainability.aspx">SustainAbility: design for a better world</a></em>, highlighted products from companies whose creations or production processes are eco-friendly and those whose business practices are socially-responsible, philanthropic or fair trade oriented. Inhabitat maneuvered between the <a href="http://www.nyigf.com/Exhibitors.aspx">2,800+ companies</a> to identify sustainable products worth note. Here, we bring you our favorite designs made from wood or other natural, sustainable materials.

Colors Tokyo operated by MSY Inc. blends traditional craftsmanship with natural materials to create unique designs.

A series of bamboo, redwood and zebra wood iPhone cases are sure to be a sustainable product in high demand when they hit the U.S. market at the end of March. They are hand carved by a Japanese sculptor from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takayama,_Gifu" target="_blank">Takayama, Gifu</a> and offer a modern twist on traditional craft.

Colors Tokyo operated by MSY Inc. featured a collection of Earth Blocks that combine biomass resources with 60% green tea chaff, wood scraps or coffee bean chaff, with each set featuring a unique natural scent that reflects the block's composition. They come in a variety of sizes, the smallest of which provides a natural alternative to the Lego and the largest which could serve as table legs.

MSY Inc also offers a sustainable line of shoes. Customers can choose between various sole options- wood, leather or rubber. The Origraft fabric that makes the rest of the shoe combines wood fibers from discarded plants with silk using techniques drawn from those used to make traditional Japanese Kimonos.

Snappy Tables by Dean Robinson are a great option for urbanites who suffer from a lack of storage space.

The small tables can serve as extra surface space when hosting guests or as side tables.

They are strong enough to stand on as Robinson demonstrated.

The tables easily fold in half and can be used to as wall decoration when not in use.

Bow Bins by Cordula Kehrer for Brooklyn-based Areaware, combines traditional Philippine basket making with modern, conventional objects.

Made in collaboration with the Aeta people, indigenous inhabitants of the Philippines, typical household products are re-invented through basket weaving that uses sustainably harvested rattan.

Wood Thumb co-founders and brothers, David and Chris, were on hand to fill us in on their newest developments.

The newest addition to their trademark tie collection is a striped tie made from redwood and pine. All ties are made in their San Francisco studio.

A snazzy bow tie is one of their newest designs made from reclaimed lumber.