By Kaitlin Childs

I came to discover the wonderous Woolly Pocket while I was meandering through a design shop in the Mission District of San Francisco. I’m always looking for new and interesting ideas when it comes to design, and a living plant wall made from felt “pockets” definitely caught my attention. Not only did it look simple and easy to install, but it also brought life, color, and texture to the space.  Plus the pockets are  handmade from 100% recycled plastic bottles that have been industrially felted in the USA, made for both indoor and outdoor use, lightweight and easy to move. After doing some research, I uncovered that the man behind this ingenious idea had even more up his sleeve then just these curious pockets.

Woolly School Garden officially launched this past Earth Day as an extension of Wooly Pocket.  Their initiative is to educate children about plants, nutrition and growing healthy food.  Schools can either pay $1,000 (if they have the budget) OR sign up for donations to raise money to participate in the program.  Upon delivery, schools will receive do-it-yourself hardware & instructions, premium soil for edible gardening, organic seeds, a planting chart, a gardening manual and nutrition curriculum.

Miguel Nelson is the inventor of the Woolly and owner of two of the most stylish, indoor/outdoor green event venues in Los Angeles.  A creative businessman who’s thoughtful about the environment?  Sign me up!   Marvimon (formerly an 80-year-old abandoned automobile showroom) and the Smog Shoppe (once a 1980s smog-check center) boast a design that is the perfect blend of vintage elements, organic features and industrial edge. The spaces can be used for a multitude of activities, such as cocktail parties, art exhibitions, productions, formal sit down dinners, film screenings, and so much more.

While being interviewed by Ready Made Magazine, Miguel was asked what advice he’d give to someone who wants to do what he’s done.  His answer?  “Do something like I have not done. Leave what I’m doing to me. Follow your heart. Change your mind. Quit. A wise man once told me there’s no such thing as a wrong decision. Another wise man told me that you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince. And the Beatles sing that in the end, the love we take is equal to the love we make.”  I think that just about sums it up.

Posted in Design, Event Planning, Sustainability