The New Venice

If you've ever been to Venice you understand how absolutely gorgeous the city is and how much history (and water) it contains. Venice is one of my favorite cities in Italy.....and probably the easiest to get lost in too! At the beginning of school this semester I did a project on the future of Venice and what would happen if the city completely flooded. My professor recently found a post online about self-repairing architecture and the new metabolic materials that could save Venice. Check out some blurbs below. What to read more? Rachel Armstrong's essay for Next Nature Self-Repairing Architecture.

"Metabolic materials are a technology that acts as a chemical interface or language through which artificial structures such as, architecture, can connect with natural systems... materials that belong to a new group of technologies being described as ‘living technology’, which possess some of the properties of living systems but are not considered ‘alive’... Metabolic materials will challenge the assumptions that we have about architectural building processes and since they require water for their development they are likely to be useful in areas with repeated flooding or in urban areas that are lower than sea level or, as in the case of Venice, have a complex relationship with the sea. Protocell technology could stop the city of Venice sinking on its soft geological foundations by generating a sustainable, artificial reef under the foundations of Venice and spreading the point load of the city."

[Venice back in 2007 on my trip to Italy]

[Future Venice, rendering by Christian Kerrigan]

Guest Post on Retro Lighting

While I'm busy getting lost in my AutoCAD files for class, I'm happy to introduce my guest blog from Arcadian Lighting and the world of retro finds. Be inspired people, this is some cool stuff!

I'm Susi, a writer for Arcadian Lighting, a fantastic resource for lighting ideas and décor trends. I'm delighted to be a guest of Green & Indie today. Retro lighting is one of my favorite finds at thrift stores and auctions. Just remember, if you are buying vintage lighting fixtures, you might want to have it rewired just to be safe. Here are some of my favorite eclectic rooms with fabulous retro lighting.

For an eclectic style décor, vintage or retro lighting is a good match. A vintage lamp, like this one, fits in perfectly with the mix of styles in this eclectic Asian inspired living room.

A vintage orange glass pendant light adds a pop of color to this eclectic powder room. The orange really stands out against the contrasting leafy green wallpaper.

I love the kelly green retro pendant light in this modern meets farmhouse home office. The kelly green pops against the light blue of the painted armoire.

With a little help from some spray paint, even outdated retro lighting looks stylish. Brass colonial style chandeliers have a retro look that can be chic with a change of color or funky shades.

A pair of vintage school house hanging pendants makes for perfect lighting for over the dining table in this eclectic space. Industrial meets vintage meets global décor in this family friendly dining room.

Retro Murano glass lamps have seen a comeback in the past few years. These beautiful glass lamps look gorgeous in an elegant eclectic décor.

A mix of retro lamps suits this eclectic living room. An industrial style swing arm lamp and a tall 60s retro lamp both work in the space.

The retro table lamp/floor lamp combo works in this space that is eclectic with a mid-Century Modern twist. Look for retro and vintage floor lamp at thrift stores and tag sales. Does the retro lighting in these eclectic rooms inspire you? Comments are welcome! Head over to Arcadian Lighting to check out more lighting fixtures for your home! Images: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |  

Thanks Arcadian Lighting!