Alex and I went to the Green Maker Supply in Chicago last week to check out materials and products.  I was surprised with the variety of products ranging from toxin free paints and stains to biodegradable picnic ware, funky futuristic toilets and flooring so green you could probably eat it.  The powerless lights made out of highly reflective and faceted tubes were really cool and will probably light up the office loft.  My favorite find was a paper based countertop material made of FSC certified paper, hemp or cardboard.  Pretty cool, huh?

Here is a little Chicago treasure..... http://www.castedesign.us/ most of their stuff is very refined and incredibly crafted but I am obsessed with their more rustic large store installations made from reclaimed wood in Montana.... sculpture that they don't really intend to sell.... I like the stalactite piece (random wood strips over chicken wire mold) and wonder if we could use something like that in the house... or re-use the wood from the loft demolition and apply it like this to the flue or other surface....