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Turn your lights off for Earth Hour

March 22nd, 2010

 WWF earth hour 2

 

Here at Myakka we always try and make sure that we are being as kind to the environment as possible and because of this we are supporting WWF Earth Hour.

 

Taking part is simple; all you have to do is turn your lights off for just one hour on Saturday 27th March at 8.30pm. This global event is organised by the WWF every year to try and curb the effect of climate change. The aim is to get a billion people around the world to turn their lights off for one hour at the same time. Last year famous landmarks round the world joined and homes and businesses switched off their lights in support.

 

We’re always trying to reduce our carbon footprint and we think this is a great way to help.  You can register your participation on the WWF website  where they have tips and ideas on what to do in your hour without lights. The Myakka team are all keen to support Earth Hour and will all be spending an hour on Saturday night with our lights off.  Make sure you get involved and make a difference!

10 of the most iconic pieces of furniture

March 15th, 2010

Here at Myakka, we talk and think about furniture every day. We search high and low for inspiration so we can design the best pieces of furniture for our customers. To this end we thought it would be interesting to compile a list of some of the most iconic and classic pieces out there.

 

 A design classic is a truly iconic home accessory or piece of furniture that is both inspirational and engaging to have in your home as well as a talking point for guests. While trend pieces may appeal, few stand the test of time. You can’t go wrong with a design classic. 

 

Some great furniture designers to look out for include Isamu Noguchi, Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson, Hermann Miller and Arne Jacobsen. Here is a guide to what we consider is the top 10 most iconic furniture pieces and home accessories from the last century:

 

1. The Egg Chair designed by Arne Jacobsen in 1958 is the epitome of 60s modernism.  Originally designed for the Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, the chair’s full, sculptural shape is typical of classic Danish design.

  

2. The next iconic piece was first introduced in 1947 by legendary Japanese-American artist Isamu Noguchi: The Noguchi Coffee Table has become famous for its organic form and unmistakeable simplicity. 

 

3. If you have a small space to occupy and want to avoid large pieces of furniture, why not add a classic touch with an accessory?  Designed by George Nelson in 1948, the Ball Clock is one of the most iconic timepieces around. Fun, whimsical and modern, the clock makes an instant statement on any wall.

 

4. Another one of the most recognisable pieces of modern furniture is the Barcelona Chair.  This stylish and elegant chair feels perfectly at home in any contemporary space with its sleek lines and timeless aesthetic. 

 

5. A modern lighting classic, Achille Castiglioni’s Arco Floor Lamp, designed in 1962 is instantly recognisable by its dramatic stainless steel arc and heavy marble base.  A statement in any space, the Arco Lamp will tower over your sofa or dining table providing light whilst adding sculptural significance.

egg chair The Noguchi Coffee TableBall clockBarca chairArco floor lamp

6.  The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman was originally designed with simplicity and practicality in mind.  Designed in 1956 by Charles and Ray Eames, the set has visible influences from the 1920s and the transition into the industrial, modern era.  Its classic design has made the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman and icon in the furniture world and has kept the piece in production since its creation. 

 

7. Frank Lloyd Wright is one the most celebrated architects and designers and his organic designs are desired worldwide – even Simon and Garfunkel have sung about him!  His Allen Table is as robust as it looks and reflects his influences from the Orient.  This is sure to sit as a centrepiece in any dining room and immediately gives the area a sense of style.

 

8.  Like so many of Florence Knoll’s ground-breaking designs that became the gold standard for the industry, the 1961 executive collection, including this Credenza, has made its way into the pantheon of modern classics.

9. The Piva Bed, named after its designer Pablo Piva, is made in the fashionable minimalist style and caters for the multi-functionalist.  Its main feature is a wooden shelf which is movable from the foot to the head of the bed and can act as a desk for those who work in their sleep!

 

10. Phillipe Starck is one of the designers leading the way in modern furniture design, with many of his pieces already gaining iconic status. Modern designer furniture is all about extravagance and making a statement which leads to our last furniture icon: The Horse Lamp.  Ironic and playful, love it or hate it, the Horse Lamp will be a talking point in any home. 

 The Eames Lounge Chair & OttomanAllen tableFlorence Knoll CredenzaPiva BedHorse Lamp

 

Whether it’s a Horse Lamp, Noguchi Coffee Table or Arco Lamp that takes your fancy, an iconic piece of furniture is an investment that will keep your space stylish for decades to come.

Bag-swapping success and your chance to win £50!

March 9th, 2010

We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who sent in ten carrier bags to claim their free Myakka fair trade jute bag and supported fair trade fortnight. 

 

We have been truly overwhelmed with more than 550 people sending in over 5,500 carrier bags.  We’re in the process of sending out hundreds of fair trade jute bags in return so if you haven’t received your jute bag yet please be patient it should be with you shortly!  Please do make sure you register your swap on the online ‘swap-o-metre’ to help reach the nationwide target of one million and one swaps – click here to visit the Fair Trade Foundation website.

 

FTF lots of bags (copy)

 

Because of the success of our Big Bag Swap and all those lovely Myakka bags in use around the country, our customer service expert Heather had an excellent idea… to ask you to submit a picture of yourself with your Myakka bag in the most exciting / exotic / unusual / interesting place possible. 

 

We’d love to see all the good uses that our bags are put to, so please use your imagination and take a picture of yourself (or ask a nice person to take it for you) with your Myakka jute bag and send it competition@myakka.co.uk  Our trusty dog Floe has a very artistic eye and will select a winner each month who will receive a £50 Myakka voucher to spend as they choose on our great selection of fair trade Sheesham & Acacia furniture, home accessories and giftware.  We will post the winning picture (along with any close contenders) on our blog each month for everyone to see – the first judging session will be on 31st March so get snapping!

India Visit – new furniture lines for Autumn 2010 and our next SKSN donation

March 3rd, 2010

Simon has just returned from India this week where he was visiting our suppliers and SKSN School. The main purpose of this trip was to work the next batch of new designs for Sheesham furniture which is due for release in the UK in September 2010, as well as to see the latest developments at SKSN School and pledge our next donation for this year.

 

This was the first visit of 2010 after our two successful visits in 2009.  These regular trips help us to sustain our excellent relationship with our suppliers as well as oversee the development of our new lines.  We also use the visits to monitor production techniques for our hard wood furniture, visit sub contractors premises and improve quality control measures.  Simon was also lucky enough to lend a hand in loading one of our latest furniture shipments being prepared to leave the factory!

 

 It's not just fun in the sun

 

During the visit to SKSN School, we pledged our next donation of £5,700, which will help cover the cost of shoes and socks for all pupils, toiletries, six months medical supplies and 10 days food supplies.   Our continued involvement with the school started in 2008 and is two-fold, offering direct donations from our company profits and also working to set up long-term trade links to provide a future earning capacity for the children of SKSN.  Follow this link to see our new Kota Cushions  – just one of the great ranges of cushions in production at the vocational training centre at SKSN School.

 

It wasn’t all hard work though and Simon was lucky enough to be in Jodhpur to celebrate Holi, the festival of colour, with the SKSN crowd who got him well and truly decorated…we’re not sure how quickly that pink paint is going to wash off!

 

Holi Paint

 

To hear about the arrival of our great new lines and get more of the latest news and promotions, please register for the Myakka newsletter on our homepage – click here to sign up.