Appree is a company founded in Seoul, Korea in 2008 that produces a range of whimsical, nature-themed office supplies. Founder Sangwoo Nam was inspired to start creating these products when reflecting on his childhood; a time when he was constantly at play outside, experiencing and feeling one with the natural world around him. Nam feels that, as people, we grow out of this childhood one-ness with nature and become robotic automatons toiling away in windowless concrete cubes. Fun!

Through design, he aims to get us back in touch with the outdoors we once knew, using products like these Leaf-It sticky notes. Leaf-Its come in a variety of realistic leaves and flowers to choose from, bringing that bit of green back into our daily lives. Even better, the more you use them, the more lush your office becomes (assuming, like me, you don’t throw out your sticky notes and instead stick them endlessly on top of one another).

Photos © Appree.

To purchase, visit Mochi Leaf.

When it comes to design, drawing parallels between cables and vines seems only logical (see Florafil’s cable cover). And that’s exactly what Lufdesign has done with their Leaf Tie cable organizers. Operating just like zip ties, these simple devices bring a bit of nature to something that is often so overwhelmingly common in today’s technological society as to be exasperating (that is, cables all over the place). What’s even better is that these guys aren’t just conceptual – you can actually purchase a pack of 12 Leaf Ties for just $7.00. And in any of six different colors, too! You can’t beat beautiful, functional and affordable, too!

Photos © Lufdesign

For more information and images, visit the product page.
To purchase, visit the Lufdesign store.

According to designer Nao Tamura, her piece ‘Seasons’ is “an interpretation of functional kitchen and serving ware, inspired by nature and technology, through the cultural lens of Japan.” Each leaf is made of flexible silicone that is oven-safe and can be easily wiped clean. In their open state, they nest together neatly, or can be rolled up for storage. Of her inspiration for the project, Tamura says:

In the land where I grew up, spring is a time when Japanese sweets come wrapped in cherry leaves. In summer, a fiery ripe tomato is carved out for use as a serving container. In autumn, fallen foliage from maple trees decorates the dinner table. And, the aroma of bamboo create the setting for winter. Just as winter is followed by spring, there are things that wither and are those born anew. Both truisms run deep and are able to move us from our core. Is this the cycle that dictates life on Earth? In design, a brand new object with nary a scratch, and an object weathered and distilled by sustained use, both have their place. An object which has ceased to be useful can be recycled to begin life anew, in a fresh form. We must remain conscious of this cycle that exists in nature, just as we are conscious of the cycle of seasons.

Photos © Nao Tamura

When I wrote the Friday Foliage post about plants with rainbow foliage, I couldn’t choose a cordyline to include – there are just too many in such a stunning array of colors! So many, in fact, that I decided to give them their own spotlight. Cordyline is a genus comprised of various species native to the western Pacific Ocean region, including Hawaii, Polynesia, parts of Asia, Australia and, of course, New Zealand. Why is it that New Zealand and Australia have all the best plants? I can’t wait until I can start taking botanical fieldtrips overseas!

There are two species that make up the majority of commercially grown cordylines: C. australis – despite its name – is native to New Zealand and has long, strap-like leaves emerging from a central point. Cultivars range from compact, 2′ tall varieties to the 30′ tall ‘Purple Tower.’ This is the species most California gardeners will be familiar with, as it is more hardy and tolerates full sun, low water and coastal conditions. As with many cordylines, cultivars of C. australis come in tons of different colors, showing striped leaf variations in shades of red, pink, burgundy, chartreuse, yellow, cream, purple and near-black. Common cultivars include ‘Pink Stripe,’ ‘Red Sensation,’ ‘Southern Splendor,’ ‘Electric Pink,’ ‘Sundance’ and ‘Torbay Dazzler.’
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Do you love variegation but long for something more? Is ‘Tricolor’ just not quite doing it for you?  Can’t decide between ‘alba,’ ‘purpurea’ and ‘nigra’? Fear not! This Friday, we bring you plants whose foliage lets you have it all. Red, yellow, green and every shade inbetween, these unfussy varieties offer high color concept while being low maintenance.

Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow’ and Gaura ‘Passionate Rainbow’ are both sun-loving, low-water use selections that stun, while Houttuynia cordata, or “chameleon plant,” is perfect for your moist, shady areas, where it will quickly spread to become a lush ground cover. Mirror bush, or coprosma, is a native of Australia and New Zealand that likes moderate watering, full to partial sun and that can be sheared into a neat, compact shrub. Many varieties are known for their showy, high gloss foliage, including Coprosma ‘Tequila Sunrise’, ‘Rainbow Surprise’, ‘Sunburst’ and ‘Pacific Sunset’.

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