High-tech garden gives everyone a green thumb

A Tech Rescue for the Gardening Impaired 

Click and Grow automated flowerbeds announce full-scale production. 

By Click and Grow
(MMD Newswire) - - Click and Grow brings casual gardeners a touch of tech, allowing plants to grow on their own without outside help. The gardener adds only batteries and a two months' supply of water - the planter's sensors, processor and software do the rest. Click and Grow literally empowers gardening in absentia.

In August 2011, Click and Grow appealed to consumers to test our product, and the response was literally overwhelming. More than 20,000 consumers from around the globe signed up, but we were only able to accommodate several thousand. Now, with large-scale production underway, Click and Grow is available to consumers everywhere.

Our technology uses no soil, and plants are grown from cartridges which retail from two to eight euros. Six cartridges are currently available with another 50 soon to follow. Click and Grow's software measures all parameters affecting plant growth and knows exactly what each plant needs, enabling even the most inept gardener to grow plants with more complex needs--roses, basil, tomato, orchids.

Click and Grow's automated planter pot requires no soil and water is placed into the pot's reservoir every other month. The automated pot retails for €59 in Europe (£49 in the UK, and $79 in the US).

All Click and Grow plant cartridges fit this planter pot, though each pot may grow only one plant at a time, as plants cannot be replanted outside the Click and Grow system.

"Every year, more than 30 billion euros in houseplants are thrown away," says Click and Grow CEO Mattias Lepp. "No one can single-handedly save all those plants, but wouldn't it be nice if the average houseplant could be around longer than its current two-month average?"

Click and Grow is for sale via the web at www.clickandgrow.com and high-end gardening and design shops the world over.

Self-watering ceramic planters

Marduk Productions LLC has a new brand of unique self-watering ceramic planters, the vision of Kourosh Hessam, a graduate from San Francisco State University with a degree in Industrial Design. He decided to pursue his love of ceramics, but also recognized the need for an innovative product design that was attractive, useful, and provided a real benefit to consumers who love plants,but don’t necessarily have a “green thumb.”
In November of 2009, Hessam partnered with longtime friend David Sharma to continue in their extensive research and development. They self-funded the project, one step at a time, buying materials, tools and equipment, building molds and creating new designs. After successfully building the working prototypes, they filed for a patent and in November of 2010, founded Marduk Productions, LLC. The company is now receiving substantial funding interest from investors that will allow the full launch of its initial two product lines this Fall. 
Clay’s natural porosity combined with a unique, double-walled design allows water to pass through the planter at a perfectly regulated level, hydrating the plant for up to 30 days. These hand-made molds are completely biodegradable, use only natural materials so they are 100% “Green” and allow plants to automatically absorb the right amount of water through the lining of the interior wall of the planter. This enables people who are plant lovers, but don’t necessarily have the time or knowledge to care for a plant’s daily needs, as well as the elderly and even children to experience the delight of growing even the most sensitive plants in a flourishing, nurturing environment.

Resin planter with orange dowels

Pick Up Sticks is a game of physical and mental skill.  It is also the basis for Pick Up Planter, from the Phillips Collection. The piece marries an amorphic vessel with a ring of rods. Jason Phillips says, "Although the appearance is random, the way the configuration is achieved is quite mathematical. I find the advanced molding and manufacturing of this organic piece to be intriguing." The planter measures 20 inches in diameter and 16 inces tall. It is made from artist-grade resin and finished in a glossy black lacquer with orange dowels. (Other finishes can be custom ordered.) For more about this product, see the Pick Up Planter website.

Windchime honors Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

Woodstock Chimes, the manufacturer of precision-tuned windchimes, honors the newlyweds, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge,with a Royal Wedding Chime. The chime will be available in July, coinciding with the newlywed’s first trip to the U.S. The chime combines the strength of five large silver anodized tubes with a warm, heart-shaped feather and charmingly designed top piece, featuring five interlocking hearts.
The feather and clapper are both offset by clear glass crystal accents. Woodstock Chimes says "symbolizing the strength of love and power of togetherness, the chime is tuned to the sweet notes of “Westminster Quarters,” made famous by the Big Ben clock tower at London’s Westminster Palace."
The Woodstock Royal Wedding Chime measures 64 inches in length and retails for $100. It can be seen at various shows throughout the 2011 summer market season, including Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles and New York.

Retailer turns wholesaler with antiques-inspired line

White x White was founded in 2010 by owner/designer Kristen White, who has owned a 10,000 sq. ft. retail store in Topeka, Kan., since 1987. Kristen has been traveling to Europe since l990 and her product designs are inspired by the homes, gardens and antique shops she sees on her antique hunting excursions. She launched a wholesale line at the winter gift show in Atlanta, and she will be exhibiting next month at the Dallas gift show.

In addition to being a product designer, Kristen is an artist and interior designer who saw the need for affordable home décor made of sustainable and natural materials such as willow, reclaimed wood, glass, iron and terracotta. The White x White mantra is “repurpose, reclaim, restyle.”

“We’ll offer buyers our entire line of home décor at the Dallas show, including furniture, lamps, baskets, statuary, lanterns, trays and mirrors, all with a hip vintage vibe”, said Kristen White, owner and designer, White x White.  “Our line was very well received at our first show in January and we’re excited to announce that White x White will have twice as many SKUs available to order at the summer markets.” 

The White x White space will feature a backdrop of brown kraft paper with aluminum grommets hung with heavy weight jute.  “Our booth in Atlanta was the talk of the temps.  We had so many positive comments about our booth including, not only the backdrop, but our cutting edge products as well.  Order response was tremendous,” White said.  
“I’ve been in retail for 24 years.  I know what other vendors offer, including their price points, and I have a good feel for what’s missing in the marketplace.  White x White is the start of some-thing huge and I’m so excited it’s finally off the ground”, said White.  “I’ve been a buyer at the Dallas Market Center for almost 25 years.  It’s a fantastic market and now I’m proud to be on the other side, as a vendor.”

Window stickers put flowers in every room

Flat Flowers Static Window Stickers from Made by Oots allow a homeowner to always have a fresh bunch of flowers on the windowsill. Dutch designer Suseela Gorter Flat Flowers, window stickers of bouquets of brightly colored flowers that are visible from both inside and outside. They are made of a static material, so no adhesives are needed. There are 15 images, measuring 11.8 x 11.8 inches and 11.8 x 14.5 inches.
The images are also available in 6 x 6 inch greeting cards consisting of 1 small Flat Flower, a silver colored envelope and a folded card (blank on inside).Dutch Holiday
Ornaments are also available. The product is designed and made in the Netherlands. The Special Edition Van Gogh Flat Flowers were made with permission of the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.

Cuckoo clocks by Mark Feldstein & Associates

Mark Feldstein & Associates (MFA), a product development company and importer of housewares, giftware, and electronics for over 25 years, is rolling out a line of seasonal and holiday cuckoo clocks. The line includes: 
The North Pole cuckoo clock depicts elves  in Santa's workshop at the North Pole. On each hour, an elf comes out of the workshop holding a present, accompanied by one of 12 Christmas carols.
The Snowy Cabin cuckoo clock is a snow-covered log cabin. One the hour, a cardinal pops out from his roost chirping his distinctive, beautiful song.
The Garden Cottage cuckoo clock is a cottage.  Like the Winter Cabin clock, a Cardinal pops out on the hour to chirping its song.
The company previewed the clocks at the Housewares Show in Chicago in March. The will be available in August.

Garden accent supports breast cancer research

Coleman Cable has expanded its Moonrays Solar Pink Campaign to include a third garden accent. The new accent is a Solar Pink Heart. Previous accents in the series included a pink rose combination and a mosaic globe stake light combination.
The heart is made from cast metal and features a pink crackle glass globe in the center. A color-changing LED automatically illuminates at night. Each light includes a rechargeable battery. The company will donate proceeds from the Moonrays Pink Solar campaign to research, support and education for breast cancer patients and survivors.

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Retailers: Contact the company for prices and minimums.

Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.

Licensed decor from Winterthur

Among the many furnishings purchased for Winterthur are ceramics from the Staffordshire potteries in England. During the first half of the 1800s, the Adams and Sons factory produced earthenware dishes, which were hand-painted with a lively design of red roses and green leaves. Today referred to as “Adams’ Rose,” the dishes were listed as the “Pa. rose china 23” by H. F. du Pont, who used them for Christmas Eve dinners
Du Pont’s holiday tableware is the inspiration for the Adams’ Rose collection by Andrea by Sadek. The collection includes scalloped dishes, boxes, a tea-for-one set, mugs and planters.

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Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.

Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.

Garden chimes and bells

Woodstock Chimes’ latest collection is called Woodstock Rust. The 10-piece collection combines the company's sound and design (including wood and precious stone accents) with rusted metal features for a more contemporary look. The rust finish acts to warm-up the steel elements with an earthy, brown color and a weathered texture.
The collection includes a Temple Bell Trio (in turquoise and amber); Portrait chime (jade, amethyst, blue crystal, amber, and turquoise); Metalworks bell (a handcrafted steel bell); Victorian Garden chime (tuned to the peaceful patterns of Gregorian chant); and Butterfly Dancer (shows off the chime's uniquely shaped rod).

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Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.

Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.

Furniture, accents for indoors and outdoors

Cyan Design stocks more than 2,100 decorative home furnishings, including furniture, lighting, wall decor, garden items and accessories. See more at the International Home Furnishing Center's Active Merchandiser online catalog gallery.

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Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.

Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.

Custom-built sundials, sculptures and water features

Blagrave’s Armillary Sphere was created by sculptor David Harber for St John’s College, Oxford, England. Blagrave was the original designer of the sundial studied at the college during the 16th century.
Harber has been creating custom-built sundials, sculptures and water features for a range of individuals and business clients since 1992. Some of his private clients include Judi Dench, Jeremy Irons and the late George Harrison. Photos © Bernard Mattimore

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See videos of his works here.