The Phytophiler: observant plant pots by Dossofiorito

Verona-based design studio Dossofiorito showed a series of terracotta plant pots called The Phytophiler at SaloneSatellite this month.

The range of pots have embedded components such as mirrors and lenses which aim to explore our relationship with plants through interactivity and observation.

Lights made from recycled PET bottles

Researchers from Nottingham Trent University have created a lighting system using LEDs and made from recycled PET, which will be manufactured by Ona Product and initially sold in Sweden  for domestic and commercial environments.

Wayfarer Furniture

New British design brand Wayfarer Furniture specialises in flatpack wooden furniture that's easy to assemble at home and more sustainable to package and transport.

Talent Thai at BIG + BIH October 2013

Innovative design and Thai flair are central themes of the latest edition of the Bangkok International Gift Fair and Bangkok International Houseware Fair, attracting buyers from around the world looking to source the best lifestyle products for global markets.

Soma: a biodegradable water filter

New water filter system Soma uses a biodegradable filter made of coconut shell carbon, silk, and a plant-based casing. The glass carafe is inspired by wine carafes, and is designed to be beautiful enough to bring to the table while dining.

Soma launched last month, and offers a subscription service to deliver a fresh filter every two months. A carafe and two filters retail for $49.

Net Effect by Interface at NeoCon 2013

Interface has launched a modular carpet collection made of recycled fishnets during NeoCon, which runs until today. The Net Effect collection is part of the company's plan to eradicate negative effects on the environment by the year 2020.

Flower decor at L'Art du Jardin

Truffaut at L'Art du Jardin

The boundaries between indoor and outdoor are very much blurred at this year's edition of L'Art du Jardin in Paris' Grand Palais. Furniture is covered in fresh cut flowers or taken out into the vegetable patch to create cosy garden room sets. Plants seem to take over, creating fairytale sceneries and scenographies.

London Design Festival 2013: a preview

Visualisation of The Endless Staircase, designed by DRMM Architects for LDF 2013

Returning for its eleventh year this autumn, the London Design Festival today announced a snapshot of projects to look out for from 14-22 September 2013. These include an optical illusion of a staircase, to be installed outside St Paul's Cathedral, a "living dining table" by Scholten & Baijings, the launch of a new design brand by HAY and Sebastian Wrong, and an innovative cork installation by FAT Architects.

Jardins, Jardin's 10th anniversary

Invert d'H20 by Alexandre Perrusson, Nicolas de Brignac and Frédéric Sérano

Ideas such as micro-gardens, green architecture or urban agriculture will be at the centre of this year's edition of Parisian outdoor exhibition Jardins, Jardin. Nature within the city is now a social demand but what place can we make for it? How can we invest facades, roofs and public spaces? These are some of the questions brands and designers will be invited to answer, to invent the green cities of tomorrow.

Eco-conscious products: Live from Bangkok International Gift & Houseware Fair

The Eco & Innovation pavilion at BIG+BIH, April 2013

The co-located trade shows of Bangkok International Gift Fair and Bangkok International Houseware Fair draw buyers from around the world, all eager to discover the lifestyle products on display, aimed at export markets.

While the official theme of this season's shows is ASEAN Life & Style, the main theme to emerge from the show floor is a strong green emphasis in both product and production.

Live from Milan: Frottage by Setsu & Shinobu Ito

Showcased in Milan today, Frottage: Natural Story is a show that is inspired by unspoilt nature. Curated by Setsu and Shinobu Ito, Frottage combines techniques to create a sense of touch and smell from natural environments.

Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2013 by Sou Fujimoto

This year's Serpentine Gallery Pavilion will be a fine steel lattice, designed by architect Sou Fujimoto, through which the plants of the park will weave into visitor's views.

Echoing our spring/summer 2014 macro trend Next Nature, Fujimoto says of his proposal: "Within the pastoral context of Kensington Gardens, I envisage the vivid greenery of the surrounding plant life woven together with a constructed geometry."

Das Haus by Luca Nichetto at IMM Cologne 2013

Venetian designer Luca Nichetto was invited by IMM Cologne to create the concept and project for this year's Das Haus. The installation, located at Hall 3.1, intends to enable occupants to live in direct contact with plants through a carefully selected range of Nichetto's own creations as well as decorative objects from renowned brands such as Vitra, Discipline, Bosa and Magis.

Recycled toys by Muji

This Christmas, Japanese retailer Muji has launched a collection of lovable soft toys made entirely out of recycled fabrics.

The Greatest Candle in the World

Netherlands product developer Oil2Wax has found a way to make decorative scented candles from old frying oils, turning this polluting waste into a resource. Called The Greatest Candle in the World, the product features an unwhitened cotton wick in a recycled glass container, is packaged in recyclable paper printed with soya ink, and available in eight natural or neutral scents.

A taste of Coca Cola by Nendo

Photo by Takumi Ota

Japanese designer Nendo has recycled the iconic Coca Cola glass bottle into a collection of bowls and dishes. Of the original design, he has kept the soft distortions and fine air bubbles, as well as the pattern of the base. The products are all handmade by Japanese craftsmen inside moulds so the pieces can be faithfully reproduced. 

Drive-through coffee: Starbucks, Denver

Starbucks has opened an environmentally-conscious drive- and walk-through store in Denver, Colorado, which emits a soft glow to entice customers inside. The 500 square foot space opened last week and is believed to be the first in a series of such hyper-local stores by the US coffee giant. Read more at Fast Co.

Jean Nouvel for Emeco

Emeco will launch its new So-So chair and stool, designed by Jean Nouvel, at Belgium's Interieur later this month.

Vegetal Identity

Inspired by the spontaneity and beauty of nature, French design company Vegetal Identity uses up to forty different species of plants to create its range of wall pieces - which combine 3D wall art with plant pictures and typography.

Design ME: customisable electric transport

Created by a group of Italian companies after an extensive period of research and planning, ME is a new electric scooter that can be completely customised. Thanks to a special online configurator, customers can have fun choosing colour frames, covers, knobs, wheels, tyres, seats and plenty of other options.