PERPETUA THE PENCIL

Image via rawd_living

Daisy darling

Don't take it all as read

Why don't you ask a few more questions instead?

I know you think that everyone should be paid what they're due

But there are people in this world who don't think like you do.. (K. Polwart)

This post caught my attention recently on Instagram via a bunch of inspiring young people with a vision, with a purpose - they are called -  Rawd_Living - and they are making a difference

Now - I am yet to read the book and I'm certain a chilling update will follow once I've read it - it's on my reading list - so I cannot comment any further about that - however, I am intrigued because I am curious and I want to know more....   Not only the book, but the pencil suddenly caught my attention too - bold and bright - red and black - serious and striking!  Like nothing I've ever seen before, beautiful and minimal and playful and colourful... 

A few clicks along and I found the website for Perpetua The Pencil - and if you care about the environment, just a little bit or a lot -  then you, yes you and you and you, because deep down we all do care - but we all just do too little.  Caring is great, yes, but caring without action - its like a whole lot of nothingness nicely packaged with a ribbon and a bow - and nothing inside.  I think the time has come that we put some action into our caring, and start making some changes in how we live - little changes, big changes - any change will do - just be the change

So back to Perpetua - and a bit more about this wonderfully revolutionary and beautiful pencil!  First a few facts ....  Perpetua is made of Zantech - which is an innovative material made of 80% graphite - which is a waste product of industrial production
So in essence this pencil is made almost entirely from waste - and what I found more interesting as well - was that as you're using the pencil, writing notes, drawing that masterpiece, sketching your dream home, sending someone a love note.... while doing all these wonderful things... you are also getting rid of the waste, but in a more sustainable way, but creating something beautiful with it

The foodgrade eraser forms a single body with the pencil,  which has one flat side - makes it oh so comfy to hold and it also prevents the pencil from rolling away... it is unbreakable, non-toxic and quite frankly just beautiful.  Well - obviously so, as it's the only pencil that's made in Italy!  The home of elegant design and picture perfect fashion!  But even more so, because knowing its created by and made from a waste material - and through its exclusive production technology - it does not need the traditional wood casing that standard pencils need...  so it also saves the trees! 

So a couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to meet with someone who could tell me a bit more about Perpetua The Pencil.   She was enthused and had this lovely energy about her - it was wonderful to hear from someone who seems to know it so well - the story, the technology - well, it turns out that Alice, was the daughter of the inventor of the Perpetua,  Susanna Martucci - who is also the owner of Alisea.it Well worth clicking through and realising there is a whole (new to me) world of repurposing and recycling creatively - out there.

I was delighted and so surprised and almost could not believe, that one week I was reading about something new (to me) and amazing (in technology and sustainability) but also something that will make a difference to how we treat the world in the long term.... and there I was the next sat in a little cafe in Highbury chatting to Alice - and I felt inspired!

Two weeks on, and I've been delightedly writing and sketching and dreaming and drawing with my Perpetua pencils.  Well first of all, I just wanted to write, or draw or sketch - the pencil kind of draws you in - it sits comfortably in your hand as it glides over the paper.  The eraser - which I've been using from time to time - leaves no dreaded bits behind - it kind of just erases and that's it - no 'eraser crumbs' all over your desk!  I've been using my turquoise first, then my pink, and this week I'm only my yellow!  (eraser that is, the pencil is just a normal HB) There's no need to sharpen them either - even though you can if you'd like to.

So I guess the only question that remains is - how can you get your hands on one of these magical sustainable beauties!  Well I imagine soon they will also be available in the UK, fingers crossed!  Oh did I forget to mention - you can also have your pencils branded with your logo or any design for that matter; printed on your pencil, and it comes with a neat little black backing board, where you can tell your story (minimum order quantities apply) Head on over to their website for more inspiration and more story!  And if you scroll down to the last image - you'll see a brilliant example of a custom design... striking isn't it?!

 And as soon as my cash flow improves - I'll be getting some 'an urban village' inspired one's ordered and hopefully available via my blog ... in the future ... hopefully not to distant.

I guess I've also become a little bit more aware, more awakened and more interested in a more sustainable approach, a more sustainable way of living, more aware of how we treat this beautiful home of ours - mother earth.  Our only home....  don't you think its a little bit strange that so much is being spent on finding 'life on other planets' in stead of investing in better ways to look after this magical place we call home?  The earth can quite easily exist and flourish without our human intervention .... but without the earth - we have no home, and we will not survive.

I'd like to send a big heartfelt thank you to Susanna Martucci for inventing and creating and manufacturing this innovative pencil - and there's not only a pencil, there is also a notebook!  And for sharing the Perpetua with us all - and in doing so little by little, pencil by pencil in a sustainable way collectively we're also saving the planet

Thank you x

Image by Lindé Davies

Image by Lindé Davies

Image by Lindé Davies

Image by Lindé Davies

Image via Perpetua

WEEKEND GETAWAY - DRAWINGS 3

 

My previous post refers (House B8) and having been so inspired by it, I have spent the past couple of hours drawing and came up with my own rendition of a 'guest unit' which will somehow be attached via courtyard/ terrace to the main unit.

Please forgive the rough sketches....  

So the idea was to have a slightly separate guest unit for when friends or family are visiting.  I am an early riser and love the brightness and promise of early mornings.  Having guests visiting - and more often than not I hope to have guests - I won't want to be waking them up in the somewhat early morning hours. 

This unit allows for guests to have their own space and privacy, it can sleep 5 (the sleeping area to the back has a bunk bed above for a child) Most of my friends and family have children, and this will allow a cosy stay for a handful of nice people.  Own bathroom, and built in storage - plus wide benches where one can relax and take in the scenery, leading onto the mini courtyard/ terrace. (benches marked in white and separated by the purple area:  which is a mini kitchen unit finished in Cemcrete Satincrete (waterproof cement finish), with mini fridge, coffee maker and an alcove with shelves)

On the terrace we have a tree growing out of the surrounding extended area and some hanging chairs on either side.  Space for a small table and a bench on the terrace, and we're all set for a great stay!  I think perhaps a hammock in the garden under a shaded canopy would add a nice and relaxing touch...

Next would be the main unit - but perhaps I leave that for another day....

I love hearing any comments or feedback, so please do say hello - a love it, or hate it! I won't mind, and I'm open to new ideas or suggestions too

WEEKEND GETAWAY - DRAWINGS 2

The idea here was to create a small week-end getaway - with an internal courtyard, which can be accessed through oversized glass doors, which will allow the entire space to be open.  A fluid inside/outside space so to speak. The courtyard would be at a slightly lower level, with sleeper steps on two sides. 

The bathroom can be accessed from two sides.  The sleeping area is very spacious and overlooking the courtyard, as well as the nature reserve to the South/ West.  Both kitchen and living areas open up onto the courtyard - and will have uninterrupted views of nature through oversized glass windows.

A polished concrete terrace with a built in bbq will be on the N/W side of the entertainment areas, with a single tree growing through it.   (Not shown on this drawing)

In SA safety is still of some concern, and even though in this small town, its predominantly still only petty crime - I felt the need to create a safe space - with an enclosed outdoor area.

I need to add a guestroom and guestbathroom for when bigger families or groups will stay.
One option could be to drop the sleeping area by about one meter and adding an additional space above it.... but not sure.  I quite like the simplicity and openness of this drawing as it is.  It could even be a tad smaller perhaps.

My inspiration was drawn firstly from a Japanese design:  F-White House by Takaro Yamamoto Architects located in Tokyo, Japan; and secondly from the Ruy Texeireia images in my previous post.

WEEKEND GETAWAY - DRAWINGS AND INSPIRATION

Today I thought I'd share my inspiration for a little week-end getaway that I've been working on for many many years.  There is a plot of land, in a small town called 'Darling' in the Western Cape of South Africa.  And on this plot of land, someday I am hoping to build a dreamy getaway!

A bit more about the plot of land, it is opposite a nature reserve and thus has uninterrupted views over the landscape.  I have placed the lounge area as to make the most of this picturesque view.  There is a big fireplace next to the entrance, and to the right of the entrance will be a small desk and chair, also looking out over the views.  Next to the desk will be a bookshelf and a very comfy chair and lamp.

The plot gradually slants towards the back.  I thought to incorporate this into the design, and leading down from the lounge area - there are some chunky wooden sleeper steps leading down to the next level - the risers will be slightly lower than your average step and also slightly longer.  Next to the stairs will be a beautiful courtyard, and to the left of the stairs hidden storage.  Behind the storage will be the kitchen worktop, and I saw something quite amazing to encase these units in distressed driftwood.

The kitchen will be small yet functional with a big table, with a bench and chairs, big glass doors will open up onto the outside terrace area.  The lounge will be open to the kitchen, and thus a continuous open space.  The lounge will also open onto the terrace, and will have a wide ledge to sit on, and perhaps a few oversized square and rectangular steps towards to rest of the terrace, still need to figure this bit out properly.

From the kitchen, the sleeping area will be another level lower, again a large plant of sleeper wood will be the step down into the sleeping area.  I am thinking to perhaps have some light and weightless white curtains which you can draw to enclose the space - if needs be.  But for this current design idea, I am liking the openness of the space, with the varying levels allowing separate areas.  In the sleeping area I will have a small indoor garden, just a few bits of bamboo, or greenery - and a hanging chair or hammock.  A big window will allow early morning sunshine to fill the space.  Next to the indoor garden will be storage for clothes - not sure if I want traditional wardrobes or open shelves - finishes in polished concrete.

The bathroom is easily assessable from all areas, and the door will slide open entirely so when you have a bath/ shower you will overlook the courtyard space.  The toilet is slightly separate and that's how I prefer it to be. 

The roof will be flat, and because of the drop in the indoor space, the bedroom will have amazing high ceilings, perhaps with a narrow skylight in the area between the kitchen and sleeping area.  I want whitewashed beams and the some walls will not be plastered, but painted white - this is referred to as a 'bagged wall' in SA.  Mostly whites and hints of subtle greys will complete this week-end getaway!

Please send me your comments or ideas, this is probably the 100th drawing that I've done.  And I will upload the other versions as well, so I can perhaps get a better idea of exactly how I'd like the space to be, and also to share with you how my thinking has changed over the years.  I will add some images to this post in time.