2024 is officially here, and that means that there is a fresh edition of MAREDI.ism, our periodic newsletter!
To start it off right, Current Inspiration #17 is full of all of the latest things that have been on our mind as we make the transition into the new year. This round-up includes some things we are excited to share, from a favorite Balkan furniture brand, to our thoughts on sustainability and the food we eat, to why we are here for the no-kitchen-island debate, and how we ended up on the banks of the Loire River (in France). We promise it won't be a dull read.
MAREDI Design going Global
The first month of the new year is starting on a high note: we are happy to announce the official launch of MAREDI Design Global based in Saint-Mathurin-sur-Loire, France - open for business worldwide! Think of this as an extension of MAREDI Design that we launched in Chicago over 5 years ago. This is a proud moment for us personally and a major career and life goal, extending a leg of business into France. Always part of the original plan, but as they say: sometimes, the good things in life take time. And that has been the consistent lesson that we continue to learn with entrepreneurship. We are so thrilled to dig into some really exciting projects on this side of the ocean, the first of which includes our very own Loire Valley home renovation…more to come on that, but you will be guaranteed endless amounts of content and entertainment on the adventure! Our intention is to work with internationals looking to invest in property in France (and beyond), where we can provide not only our sustainable design guidance and service, but also provide some clarity and direction navigating a foreign system where we have plenty of experience and reliable local contacts.
Made in Bosnia
Last summer, we spent a prolonged séjour in the Balkans, soaking up all the inspiration possible and venturing on some epic road trips in the region! A major highlight was a visit that was a long time in the making: a trip to the Northeastern part of Bosnia, to a little city called Tešanj, where some incredibly talented creatives and makers are producing stunning furniture at Artisan. The uniqueness about these pieces is that there is a particular savoir-faire in the region, especially when it comes to woodworking, that has been passed down for many generations. Artisan is a creator of meticulously crafted, quality-built furniture that relies on the natural resources of the area (sustainably-harvesting local wood), as well as the skills of people from the region (woodworkers, upholsterers, and overall skilled artisans - no pun intended). Their expansive factory and atelier is impressive, with a balance between technology-driven production and careful manual craftsmanship. To observe a bit of the process and understand the careful and intentional practice of ethically and sustainably sourcing materials is even more admirable when you know that this modest, Balkan brand is distributed worldwide! Owning a piece of their collection is owning a true piece of heritage and craftsmanship that will last for generations.
Let them eat Veggies!
In our own sustainability journey, an important step that we took almost two years ago was becoming vegetarian. It didn't happen overnight or instantaneously, but was more of a gradual process. Several years earlier, we had drastically cut back on our meat consumption, limiting it to only weekend meals and eliminating it all together during the week. We knew that we wanted to move in the direction of being more plant-based, and we just needed a little time to get there. Taking the "leap,” as some would say, didn't feel scary or really very difficult, but we can understand why people have this impression. The most impactful changes that resulted from the transformation was that we have become more diligent on meal-planning (planning ahead!!) and more intentional on the food and products we purchase and consume. We depend a lot on our local agricultural community, including farmer's markets and local CSAs, and try to support local co-ops and locally-produced/seasonal products. Of course, it's not perfect, and sometimes we, too, end up at Whole Foods, Trader Joe's or fill-in-the-blank large grocery chain, but the point is that we should all be more intentional in our choices. While not everyone may be ready or willing to become vegetarian, we all can limit our meat consumption, even if it means just eliminating one meat-based meal a week. And we all can make an effort to support local farmers, locally-produced products, or even grow our own food (we're not quite there yet). It not only makes for a stronger community and better planet, but the health benefits are rather rewarding!
A time and space for the island
A few recent articles have caught our eye, lighting up a favorite debate of ours: the need, or lack there of, for a kitchen island. We shared our thoughts here a while back, but it had long been a firm belief of ours that the all-too-ubiquitous kitchen island is simply. not. a. necessity. Now, we know that this is highly controversial in the “dream kitchen” world, but stay with us for a moment. People go to extreme measures to include an island in their kitchen renovation or new home criteria, and we bear witness to the phenomena with clients regularly. While it can be practical in some cases, it is not the one-size-fits-all solution. For instance, it simply does not replace the kitchen table, as Lloyd Alter, of Carbon Upfront!, so eloquently argued in a recent Substack article. And it certainly is not always the best use of space or worth the reconfiguration of the footprint. While we are absolutely proponents of versatility and flexibility when it comes to space planning, of particular importance with small living, the kitchen island is not the answer to every problem. A table can also serve as a workspace when necessary, as well as a common place for gathering. And let's be honest, not every single kitchen needs to be an open-concept, gargantuan sized space either. Sometimes a separate space for gathering and eating is the right solution.
What we aim to accomplish in our work is to encourage our clients to consider all of the options, and not just what is fed to us all through magazines and marketing as the latest trends. Each of us has our own habits and lifestyle, which are absolutely essential when considering what type of space and design makes the most sense for you.
They talk about us
We've been busy since our last edition! Here's where we’ve been featured in the meantime:
Home Design Tips for Battling Indoor Allergies That Sneak up on You in Winter (Mansion Global)
A Steam Shower Oasis - Case Study (Cosentino)
8 Flooring Trends Pros Say Will Be Huge in 2024 (The Spruce)
Still a highlight: Global Luxury Landscape Report 2023 - Sustainability Section (Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices)
We’ve also joined Urbane Home as Sustainability Design Consultants, the Allo French Directory, and NatureAlly Directory.
Podcast reminder
Don't miss out on our Season 2 launch of The Green Route with MAREDI Design, coming in February!
You can listen to all of the episodes wherever you stream your podcasts, and don't forget to sign up so you never miss a future episode!
Very informative article. Opens my eyes to things I never thought of. Keep up the great work and can’t wait to see where 2024 takes you.