Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1495455
Cactus Flower L os Angeles interior designer Natasha Baradaran's new upholstery leather made from cactus is an industry-first alternative to conventional animal leather — and there are a lot of reasons to love it. Soft and sturdy, Baradaran's trademarked Livwell Cactus Leather is gentle to both the environment and our hearts. Cultivated from native cactus species on a USDA Organic-certified ranch in Central Mexico, the cactus is grown without herbicides or pesticides and sustainably nurtured by natural rainfall, earth minerals, and natural techniques to stimulate the micro-flora in the ground. Unlike many animal hides that are tanned with harsh chemicals, Baradaran's cactus leather is produced with nontoxic methods and is biodegradable. Best of all, as a PETA-approved material, it's cruelty-free. The vegan leathers come in 17 subtle, earth-inspired colors and textures. To the trade at Allan Knight & Associates, 150 Turtle Creek Blvd., Dallas, allan-knight.com. RS Livwell Cactus Leather Natasha Baradaran Cabana x OKA M artina Mondadori's new collection of lamps and shades for OKA captures t h e m a x i m a l i s t , f a b r i c - o b s e s s e d spirit of Cabana, the design-cult magazine that she founded. Mondadori worked closely with Sue Jones, co-founder and creative director of the British furnishings and design company OKA, drawing on their mutual love of pattern, color, and travel. The Arabesque lampshade evolved from embroidered fabric Jones discovered at a market in India and is made from intricately embroidered tussar silk; handmade in Delhi, it takes several craftspeople 12 days to create each shade. Veneto's printed card shades have geometric motifs in pastel shades and come in three prints, including one with a scalloped edge. All are reinterpretations of Venetian wall frescoes and are handmade in North London by a specialty shade maker. The swirled paisley patterns of Ambi are hand-blocked on natural linen in Jaipur and finished with contrasting linings and trims. The Pilastro lamp has a hand-turned wood base inspired by a lamp owned by Mondadori's mother and is hand-painted with multiple coats of rich color. OKA X Cabana shades $195 – $495, table lamps $250, at the OKA store, cabanamagazine.com, oka.com/us. Rebecca Sherman Ambi shade and Pilastro lamp base OKA X Cabana shades 62