The New Bamboo
It can grow more than three feet in a single day,
replenish itself with abandon, release 35 percent more oxygen than its fellow
plants, and thrive without pesticides. But those eco-friendly qualities are
probably not what attracted architect William Merchant to bamboo back in 1939,
when he appointed an entire room in the knuckled grass at a design exposition
in San Francisco, sparking a craze that captivated the era's most audacious
decorators. More than 70 years later, bamboo has made a comeback as a design
material. But this time, it has a larger range than ever.
Natural Neutral
"The possibilities for using bamboo have
expanded exponentially in the last 15 years with the advent of new technology
and machinery," says Susanne Lucas, executive director of the nonprofit
World Bamboo Organization. The fastest-growing plant in the world shows up in
all kinds of products, including flooring, furniture, and textiles. "I am
really impressed with the upholstery fabric," Martha Stewart Living's
Kevin Sharkey says. "Bamboo blends are available in damasks, stripes, and
wovens, and none of them look like tatami mats. Even more impressive is how
they feel. The fabrics are as soft as cashmere but more durable."
Golden bamboo pieces, such as the lamp and the room
divider, bring warmth to a space. The window shade, the sofa fabric, and the
small throw pillow are also made with the grass.
Pretty and Practical Details
The engineered wood flooring is made of strips of
bamboo adhered to a plank made of other types of wood. This blend of woods is
thought to make engineered bamboo floors tougher than typical wooden planks.
Fabrics woven with a blend of bamboo and cotton, linen, or polyesterare more
durable than their purebred counterparts
A Serene Retreat
Striated bamboo -- which shows up on the walls,
sink, and furnishings -- gives bathrooms a spa-like feel. Once available in
only a few earthy hues, bamboo textiles can now be found in all kinds of
elegant colors, such as these muted towels.
Consider Bamboo
Because Bamboo fabrics are naturally anti-microbial
and anti-fungal, they tend to repel damp rather than harbour it. This prevents
a musty smell developing. Bamboo linens are available at http://www.100bamboo.com/c/56/bamboo-bedding.
The range includes Bamboo Bed Linen, Bamboo Blankets and Bamboo Towels and Baby
Towels.
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