I don't know about you, but when I think about umbrellas my mind immediately turns to those super dinky ones sold at corner markets. You know, the kind you buy and three days later find yourself stuffing, mid-downpour, into a trash can because it has turned inside-out or won't open or one of the pieces has snapped. Mostly when that happens I think, "Poor me!" (OK, yeah, and a whole string of words I won't share here on this family-friendly site.) But now I'm starting to realize the real loser in that situation is the planet. Just think of all those broken umbrellas filling up landfills! And who knows how much energy it took to make them in the first place--only to have them used once, twice, three times if your lucky (and not battling city wind tunnels).
Imagine my delight when I noticed the Brelli umbrella on Inhabitat! Not only is its design super chic and parasol-like, it's 100% biodegradable, made from sustainable bamboo, and supposedly super durable! Bring it on, April showers. Brelli, on sale March 18, available here for $28.
When I first read about these indoor/outdoor swings over at housemartin, I was blown away. Not only are they made from recycled metal, but the designs manage to be both whimsical and modern, playful and elegant.
They're made by the UK design team Fletcher & Myburgh. I bet the solid metal swings like the ones above and below would look amazing next to pool or pond where the water would reflect beautifully on them.
