Ms. Yuriko Koike, former Japanese Minister of the Environment, recommends the Japanese practice of wrapping things in a furoshiki, a large piece of fabric, to transport purchases and gifts and help reduce waste from plastic bags and wrapping papers.
"It would be wonderful if the
furoshiki, as a symbol of traditional Japanese culture, could provide an opportunity for us to reconsider the possibilities of a sound-material cycle society. As my sincere wish, I would like to disseminate the culture of the
furoshiki to the entire world."
The furoshiki can be used to wrap purchases and gifts of almost any shape and size. Here are some traditional folding and wrapping styles. Click
here and
here for more instructions.
Inspiration: Four beds all lined up with matching coverlets look fun with contrasting shams amidst the three shared night tables with matching lamps. The striped wallpaper pulls all the colors together and creates a visual lift from the dramatic horizontality of the beds in handsome alignment.
Looking around for some inspiring groovy images brought me to groovy fabrics. I love the now-vintage fabrics of the late 60s and 70s. Textile designers today are introducing some of these bold patterns, imagery and colors in new collections, which are easier to find than the originals. I happened upon the groovy guitar pattern and was immediately drawn to it. It comes from Michael Miller Fabrics, started in 1999 by Michael Steiner and Kathy Miller.
