Dimensions: Length: 12" Width: 12" Height: 2.25"
Made from 100% post and pre-consumer waste paper. Packaged in 12 tile packs.

The Story:

At some point in college, it dawns on most product designers that they have a significant responsibility to the environment. No one wants to be the guy or girl who fills yet another landfill with yet another cheap plastic widget that will never disintegrate and thus remain buried in the earth forever.

Jaime Salm took this realization and ran with it. For his senior thesis at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia he teamed with two classmates to design a line of student furnishings that were 100% environmentally friendly, from birth to death.

Follow Function had the opportunity to visit Jaime in his Philadelphia office where he displayed a bowl from his thesis. It was simple, but unusual (how many ways can a bowl really be designed?), and quite good-looking. Made from recycled cardboard, the inside was smooth while the outside was heavily textured, as though I was holding a monochromatic jeweled rock (the capsule-like form would be echoed a few years later when Jaime designed the Capsule Light, for sale on FF).

After graduation, his two classmates left for different parts of the globe, but Jaime believed that the values behind their senior thesis were viable in the real world. He soon took a freelancing job for Anthropologie, designing signage for the retail chain using the same recycled cardboard techniques.

Meanwhile, Jaime’s brother Isaac had also been overachieving as a financial analyst for Kimberly Clark. With some convincing from Jaime, the two founded MioCulture, a company with a philosophy they call “Responsible Desire, but its really just common sense”.

[Jaime Salm with his brother Isaac, who left a promising career as a financial analyst to help form Mio]

This philosophy includes studying the full impact of their products throughout their entire life cycles, working with recyclable materials that fit into closed loop manufacturing systems, and using “green design” as a general point of inspiration. And what green design inspires over at Mio is quite impressive.

Take the Bendant Lamp for example. This light fixture was born from the desire to create a product that wasted as absolutely little material as possible. Jaime took a thin, square sheet of steel and began slicing, folding, and sculpting until he made an incredible chandelier.

But the true genius of the product was not in the final aesthetic, because that, Jaime decided, would be left up to the consumer. He wanted to ship his product flat and include only a fixture with a cord and a switch.

It is up to the users to sculpt their own beautiful artwork. Bend all the petals down and project the light to a certain spot. Buy a bulb with a metal lining on the bottom, fold the petals up, and admire the shadows dancing on your ceiling. Or come to a compromise in between, but be sure to tell your friends that you designed it.

Also among Mio’s impressive collection is the V2 3D Wallpaper. Made of the same materials as his senior thesis, these three dimensional squares interact with space around you, and those lucky enough to be invited over. Modular is the word of the day.

Recycled cardboard is not the only improbable material they choose. Check out the 100% wool Capsule Light, Shroom Light, and Grid Wall Pockets. Ever dreamt of a light fixture made of wool? Well, now your nightmare that is life without a woolly-light has finally ended.

[Mio's work has been written about in dozens of publications including Metropolitan Home's annual 'Design 100' which features the best of the best when it comes to modern home design]

V2 3D Wallpaper FAQ:

Why use recycled paper?
The average ton of recycled paper saves 17 trees, 3 cubic yards of landfill space, 7000 gallons of water, 4100 kwH of energy (enough to heat an average home for 6 months). We care about the environment. For example, we have seen an increasing trend where people are looking for more discount bedroom furniture and eco friendly furniture in recent years.

Why go modular on your wallpaper?
Our tiles can be used on a section of or throughout a room to create varied effects. Replacing individual tiles when needed is simple. Mixing and matching patterns gives you unlimited freedom. Going modular means using less and only what is needed, providing texture and color the smart way.

How do I install the wallpaper? (See questions below for temporary and permanent adhesives)
Tiles may be mounted temporarily or permanently. For temporary installations, try double-sided tape, removable mounting tape, Velcro¨ tape or thumbtacks. For permanent installation we recommend using water-based wallpaper paste for heavy vinyl or similar products.

Can the tiles be installed temporarily? What double-sided tape should I use to install the tiles?
Make sure to follow the product and adhesive instructions when installing the tiles. For installations where you would like to protect your wall, removable mounting tapes such as 3M¨ Removable Mounting Tape are ideal. Can the tiles be installed permanently? What paste or adhesive should I use to install the tiles permanently?
Water-based wallpaper pastes such as Golden Harvest GH-80 by Roman Adhesives or similar pastes may be used when installing tiles permanently. Other pastes for heavy wallpaper or vinyl may be sprayed or rolled on as recommended by installers or contractors. Tiles may also be installed permanently with spray adhesives such as 3M¨ Super 77¨ and photo mount spray adhesives as well as mechanical means including nails, staples and screws. Please see 'Installation Instructions' included with your order for more information. Make sure to follow the product and adhesive instructions when installing the tiles.

What paints should I use to paint the wallpaper?
Our Modular 3D Wallpaper can be painted with a variety of finishes. We recommend testing out the finish on the smooth side of a paper egg tray to determine if the finish will work well with our paper tiles. Some finishes that might fit your application include:

Water-based paints
Latex-based paints
Oil-based paints
Milk-based paints
Spray paints

Make sure to follow the product instructions when painting to avoid warping of tiles.

Are the tiles water-resistant?
The tiles are not water-resistant, but may be cleaned with a damp cloth. Other ways of making the tiles waterproof or dirt-repellent include Scotch-Guard¨ or water-resistant finishes. Water-repellent formulations of the product are available by special order (Contact us for pricing information).

Can I use the wallpaper in a bathroom or in a kitchen?
You may install our wallpaper in the bathroom as long as the tiles are not in an area where they will be in contact with water or excessive steam. The tiles are made of pressed paper so moisture will damage them. If you decide to install them in a bathroom or kitchen, it might be helpful to paint the tiles with a water repellent finish for easier cleaning and maintenance.

How durable are the tiles?
Our Modular 3D Wallpaper tiles are fairly resilient, however if they are kicked, punched, heavily bumped into or stepped-on, the 3D volumes will be crushed. The tiles will obviously last longer when installed in low traffic areas, above hip level, on ceilings or as accents where they will not be constantly handled. However if tiles get damaged the modular application allows replacement of single tiles. This applies to both residential and commercial applications.

How do I clean the wallpaper?
The tiles should be dusted regularly. Minor stains and dirt and can be cleaned with a damp cloth (Do not soak the cloth). If the tiles are going to be installed in a high traffic area, we recommend sealing them with a clear-coat or equivalent water-repellent finish for ease of cleaning.

How thick are the tiles?
The tiles are approximately one millimeter thick or 0.04 inches thick.

How heavy are the tiles?
Each tile is between 50 and 60 grams or 0.134 to 0.160 pounds.

Are the tiles hollow?
The tiles are formed between a male and female press making the inside of the volumes hollow. This enables the tiles to nest when shipping and keeps them lightweight.

How do I cut the tiles? How do I fit the tiles around frames, fixtures, etc.?
Tiles may be cut with a utility knife, scissors or power tools. For best results we suggest ending patterns at the ceiling level where cutting imperfections are less noticeable. Other options include centering the patterns so that no cutting is necessary. Mark the tiles lightly with a pencil so that you can erase marks and use care when handling sharp tools.

What are the acoustic properties of the tiles?
The V2 are not designed as acoustic tiles, although they dampen sound and provide some acoustic benefits.

How many tiles come in a box?
The tiles are available in 4 Tile Packs and 12 Tile Packs.