Environmentally Thoughtful Waste Paper Decor from Studio ILA

Hilal Gungor, a Turkish paper artist, says every day is Earth Day and I couldn't agree more. To carry this pearl of wisdom into her work, she founded Studio ILA two years ago, where she focuses on sustainability through the recycling of waste paper and the transformation of everyday objects.

rustic waste paper mache vase containing dried hydrangeas displayed on wood surface

Hilal has a degree in Industrial Product Design and worked as a product designer and technical expert in the automotive and machine industry for nearly two decades before relocating to Lyon, France due to her husband's job. This is where she started Studio ILA.

rustic tall sculpted vase and smaller rounded vase, both mottled black and white, displayed on wooden surface.

Most often Hilal works with cellulose and clay to create rustic, yet chic home accessories, such as vases, lamps, bowls, stools, and even side tables in a manner that supports the ecological aspect of modern design.

bright pink table lamp with rough;y textured surface with off-white cylinder shade

She uses natural dyes to color objects made from a waste paper pulp mixture via a process that she has developed via trial and error.

many unpainted paper bowls stacked on wooden surface

I invited Hilal to tell us about this process:

Egg cartons, cardboard (Amazon boxes, for example), magazines, and junk mail are just a few types of household waste that are transformed via my organic process. I will start by telling you that knowing the material is very important. I studied for a long time just to learn the subject, as the density and quantity of the ingredients are critical.

First of all, it is necessary to separate the papers according to type; sometimes I use a mixture of all of them. As with the ancient technique of papier mache, the collected paper must be soaked until the cellulose fibers are further separated by gentle mixing. Natural adhesive is added and the pulp is then ready for the product to be designed.

one purple and one green geometric side table with roughly textured surface

side tables

I want to push the waste material to question expectations of sustainable design. Each item is unique. I do a lot of sketching to develop my ideas and I also experiment with paints before turning the ideas into useful 3D shapes.

Sometimes I combine my own materials with recycled products that I find in secondhand shops. My goal is to prepare special projects for interior architects in order to spread the idea of sustainability in home decor.