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This Dutch creator uses sewage and plastic waste to make amazing furniture

MAY 23, 2017 | By Tasneem Merchant
L-R:Table from her Sea Me range;Close up of stool made with fish scale leather;Nienke works chiefly with materials from the sea;Bowls and table from the Waterschatten line
Photographs by Femke Poort courtesy Nienke Hoogvliet.
While many might find their source of inspiration in a person or their works, Nienke Hoogvliet has a rather unusual motivation. Through her efforts, she hopes “to contribute to a better world by creating something beautiful that raises awareness.” In order to bring this to effect, she founded her eponymous studio in 2013, based heavily on material research and experiments.
Her recent project Waterschatten, a collaboration with the Dutch water authorities, is a prime example of her mission. For this, Nienke recycled toilet paper recovered from sieves installed in sewage treatment plants into lights, tables and even decorative bowls. “I tried to form a strong and usable mix…after attempting different papier mache techniques, I found a good base. The challenge, however, was not thinking much about where the paper came from!” she adds.
Nienke’s endeavour towards sustainable artefacts is clear from her Sea Me collection which includes a sea algae yarn carpet hand knotted on an old fishing net, soft-seating and bio-plastic bowls. Her Re-Sea Me line, an extension of Sea Me features a special handmade leather formulated from discarded salmon fish scales. We love the stool and rugs from the range for their clean and minimal aesthetic.
Website: www.nienkehoogvliet.nl
Also Read: Nurture Nature: Eco-friendly living room ideas for a healthy habitat