AD PRO - Design That Does Good

From the Source

From the Source goes live every Friday at 11 a.m. ET from the AD PRO Instagram account to share the new products that are catching the attention of AD market editor Madeline O’Malley and AD PRO associate editor Mel Studach. Watch last week’s episode featuring all 10 picks, view the resource guide, or find an edited recap of our conversation below.

Mel Studach: I’m so excited for this week’s roundup because we challenged each other to find a few products that are supporting larger initiatives—Design That Does Good, as we’ve dubbed it.

Madeline O'Malley: Yes, a majority of the items highlighted will have a charitable tie, and we’ll be sure to mention when they do. Mel, do you want to kick us off?

Mel: I’d love to, and I’ll do so with an item everybody should have in their homes, no matter their style preferences. It is the new linen face mask from Voutsa, made in their painterly floral prints and hand-sewn in Los Angeles by artist John Parot. Ten percent of mask sale proceeds go to the Los Angeles LGBT Center, and they are available online now in Voutsa’s accessories line, which—I would add—is a trove of fun gift ideas for design lovers, from hat boxes and pocket squares to vanity cases, all in the textile house’s expressive, gestural designs.

Maddie: I could really use a Voutsa hat box in my life.

Mel: To pair with your face mask, of course!

Maddie: My first pick comes from Dada Daily, the healthy snack and lifestyle brand founded by Claire Olshan. The company makes some fantastic products—don’t get me started on their crazy delicious dried brussels sprouts—and they have launched some fun decorative pieces for the table as well. The sculptural Light My Fingers candle is certainly a conversation piece.

Mel: I feel like there’s something you’re not telling us.

Maddie: I don’t know if I should say this on Instagram Live, but let’s just say only four out of five of the fingers have wicks, so you’re left with one particularly emotive finger still standing! A portion of proceeds from the candle sales go to Color of Change, a civil rights organization helping to strengthen Black voices politically.

Mel: Quite the conversation piece indeed! My next pick comes from Los Angeles–based design studio Laun, which specializes in contemporary outdoor furniture. The studio’s latest collection leans into the tubular design style, defined by repeated cylinder forms, that we’ve seen trending at this season’s design fairs. Their new Ribbon chair and stool are made using aluminum tubes and can be custom-designed in size and color.

Maddie: Now this is one of those pieces of furniture that I’d love to see a behind-the-scenes video of—such a cool-looking process.

Mel: Right? And it’s all locally made in Los Angeles. Also worth noting: Fifteen percent of sales of the chair and stool will benefit local charities, namely The California Black Women’s Health Project as well as Dignity and Power Now, which seeks justice for incarcerated people and their families.

Maddie: Love to see design doing good.