Earth Day 2008 Kudos

For Earth Day 2008 I thought I would give some props to more mainstream companies that are making strides to become green.

At the top of the list is Target. Yes that's right the mass merchandiser with the funny dog, the Red Target, and The Flying Tomato. Now I can't even remember the last time I was in a Target Store but I have long admired them for the ability to re-invent themselves and almost create a pop culture icon.

The basic and most important premise's behind Target's marketing machine is never loosing site of "The Brand". For those interested in Branding and Marketing, here is a great story from Fortune Magazine

Branding / Marketing 101 runs pure in Target and that is what I like about this company.

Now to the original reason I started talking about Target. In the most recent issue Newsweek Titles "Who is the Greenest of them All" that landed on our door step and interesting 2 page spread caught my attention.

Here is a scan of that ad. For Target to take on such a massive endeavor as trying to reduce the number of plastic bags they use (ok, cost cutting is probably the true reason) and be able to do something good for the environment is pretty much genius in marketing and branding terms. (See initial comments...)

Or, is it Greenwashing...? I would venture to guess that despite the cost savings in reducing the number of plastic bags Target uses, at the very heart of this initiative is a desire to what is right and good.



This same issue of Newsweek had some very interesting Fixes for the planet and companies / ideas that are probably worthy of further study and investment.

1. http://www.ecocycle.org/
2. LED Lightbulbs
3. Greener Golf Fairways
4. Kiteships to offset Container Cargo Fuel Costs
5. Plastic Solar Cells
6. The Aptera

Welcome Orange Skin to the family!

WOW, 2 new Maku Furniture partners to announce in 2 days!

Chicago is one of my favorite cities in the world and home not only to many great pubs and of course my favorite mother-in-law (ok, she's my only mother-in-law, but she's super cool!) But also home to one of the finest modern furniture retailers in the country - Orange Skin.

Graunk, his partners, and the rest of the Orange Skin crew not only hold down the title relating to all things hip and modern in Chi town, they are also involved in many design projects throughout the midwest.

We are really excited to have Orange Skin representing us in Chicago and welcome aboard!

Maku and Vernare Rocking the Grammy's green!

So check it out, Maku in conjunction with our rockstar West Hollywood retail partner Vernare were Rocking the 50th Annual Grammy Awards @ the Green with Music luxury Retreat.



Located in the lobby of the super hip South Collection Building in downtown L.A., rockers, actors, agents, producers and those shi shi PR people were all checking Maku out and chilling on the goods!

Here is a little snipet of some of the coverage we received. Many thanks to Daniel and his crew for representing us so well and to Treehugger and Fox 11 KTLA for giving us some love!

Click Here for the Treehugger.com coverage

Click Here for LA Fox 11's coverage. About 1/2 way through the segment you'll see some great shots of the furniture!

But wait, there's more to come from the NAACP image awards last night and from the Oscars later next week with the Global Green Oscars Party that we will be a part of! Check back in the next couple of days on updates from those events and our participation!

Hurley -"sound and vision" Vol 2

Check out this amazing video that the crew over at Hurley put together featuring non other than the Prince of Bali and Maku Lifestyle Ambassador - Rizal Tanjung.

Click here to see the Video

Riz is sponsored by Hurley and this is the 2nd installment in their Sound and Vision series. We'll have the videos up and available for viewing on www.makufurniture.com in a couple of days. In the meantime, ENJOY the sights and sound of Bali firsthand with Rizal

Singe Speed Cyclocross World Championships

As you may have read in an earlier post, our buddy Dennis @ Eclectic Home in Portland but a deal together for Maku to sponsor the Lounge area of the World Single Speed Cyclocross Championships.

What are the World Single Speed Cycloross Championships you ask? Well, mix a bunch of PBR which is one of my favorite beers by the way (my wife is gasping that I have actually admitted this in public forum... hahhaa!) a limitless supply of local Portland Micro Brew, 140 contestants, a tequila shortcut, a golden speedo, some muddy terrain, single speed bikes, and you have the making for a great contest!!

By the looks of it, I'm going have to start training for next years race and get in on the fun!!

Click here for a great recap of the races from Bicyclenorthwest.com and here for a full list of the winners from cycling news.

Congratulations to the winners!

Wendy Williams


Barry Wicks


All the crew celebrating a great day of single speed in the NW!


And of course no contest is complete with out a Kiss Fan!


All photos courtesy of Carson Blume. Here is a direct link to all the killer shots!

Do something good for yourself and the environment this holiday season!

Check it out, our good friends at 1% for the Planet are having an online auction featuring all kinds of cool stuff from a Maku Limited Edition Lounge Chair to Surfing with Eco Warrior and Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard and a bitchen bike from one of my favorite breweries New Belgium and the home of Fat Tire!

You can take a look and bid on all the items here

Make somebody's xmas that more special by taking a vested interest in our environment!!!

W.R.O.N.G. - World Riders of the Next Generation!

First off a Big Thanks to all the Veterans out there that have so bravely defended our freedom and the democratic process!

Not that this has much to do with furniture, but a nice sunny fall day in Maku'ville and the groms having the day off from school for Veterans day made for a great skate session on the ramp here at Maku HQ. Check out their t-shirts - W.R.O.N.G. - World Riders of the Next Generation!

Fun was had by all and these guys were killing it!

Green Living online

check out the love from Green Living Online and all the coverage of the Portland Fashion Week!
http://www.greenlivingonline.com/HomeGarden/lounging-in-style-at-portland-fashion-week/

Maku in HFN Magazine

This is long overdue, but I wanted to show everyone Maku's debut in HFN (Home Furnishings News).





This was actually the first print/trade piece to run about Maku (in April) and I remember being very excited when it came out (and when a retailer called Johnny asking if we'll be at ICFF.

BTW - Just to confirm what was blogged about earlier, Maku will be at ICFF this month. We'll be located at booth #2338 as part of the Left Edge pavilion.

More info on Maku @ ICFF and media hits to come soon!