Bedding Inspired by the Homeless

By Laura Fenton (Subscribe to Laura Fenton's posts)
Oct 22nd 2009 10:07AM

Categories: Shopping

Look again, it's a photo print, not real cardboard or pavement. Photo: DutchByDesign.com

We love it when our aesthetic passions line up with a good cause. The Home Duvet from Dutch By Design, a UK-based company specializing in contemporary home goods by Dutch designers, is a product that raises money for the homeless and manages to heighten awareness for the cause in a stylish way. We could see buyers loving the cause--benefiting the less fortunate--or being turned off by what they think are offensive designs.

A detail of the print on the Home Duvet. Photo: DutchByDesign.com

The duvet cover and pillowcases are decorated with a photographic print of a cardboard box, reminding the user that some people don't have a bed, let alone a home. The pattern has been so popular that Dutch By Design is introducing a second print that looks like pavement later this month.Thirty percent of the gross profits from the sale of both patterns will go to Centrepoint, a United Kingdom charity for homeless youth ages 16 to 25-years-old.

Most of the time philanthropic home goods are simply stamped with a logo, like the pink breast cancer ribbon, or the design of the item doesn't address the cause for which the product raises funds. We applaud the attractive and meaning-filled design, and hope that other charities will partner up with clever design teams in the future.

However, as someone who has worked with a homeless charity in the past, I am not sure what the homeless would make of this design. It is, after all, a wee bit creepy to dress your bed up like a cardboard box, isn't it?

Non-profits take note: The designer goods have clearly raised some money, since the original 'Home' pattern is currently back-ordered on Dutch By Desing's site!

We've covered other examples of the non-profit sector and the design world crossing paths: posts about Merci Gap in New York and Housing Words online auctions are two fine examples.

Dutch By Design Bedding

Comments (158)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)

hakeem39 10-22-2009 @ 4:30PM

I myself find this very disrespectful. I myself was homeless in there is nothing funny or in style about it. so for all you who think this is the new style go try in sleep on the streets on real bricks in ground then tell me what you think. to the person who thought of this its all about your pocket line just like the rest.try walking in the homeless shoes. anything for a buck i know
. just when time comes give to your local mens shelter. then maybe ill think twice. But as for no your being disrespectful to me in the rest of the homeless people in the U.S.A . i have said my peace your lucky i cant say what i want to but that will be me on the same disrespect boat as you.....

samantha 10-23-2009 @ 10:35AM

the last two comments have nothing to do with the article whatsoever. however i love the pattern of the bedding. my usual sentiments are if you dont like, dont buy it. simple.

Donna 11-05-2009 @ 9:57PM

You would probably buy sh... if they packaged it. I find it offensive.

Sue 11-27-2009 @ 1:20PM

For those of you that find it offensive, please remember that there are other reasons that people buy things. I really liked the idea and if it benefits those in need....I'm all for it

Jilltastic 10-22-2009 @ 2:35PM

ok, bump all those spam comments...I think this is pretty awesome! I love quirky stuff like this, and it's helping a good cause!

Jana 10-22-2009 @ 3:18PM

I agree, its awsome. I might find it slightly offensive if it was all for profit, but given that money goes to help the homeless, I think its great!

wes 10-22-2009 @ 3:58PM

This seriously makes the homeless, hungry people, into a joke, or some novelty, not to be taken seriously.

wes 10-22-2009 @ 4:29PM

Maybe you should go be quirky and live on the streets as well. And while you are at it, look for a bath, food, and a safe place to sleep.

lindsey.hairston 10-22-2009 @ 6:22PM

I like it too.. I think its spontaneous and yes, it is for a good cause.

Heather 10-22-2009 @ 2:42PM

I think this is a pretty good idea. It doesn't seem that many people would have a problem with the design even if they were homeless. The purpose behind the design is to help enlighten people and allow them to think of what others may be going through, and possibly stimulate them to help in other ways. Not to mention that the design is selling and a decient portion of the profit is going to help those in need.

wes 10-22-2009 @ 3:58PM

The homeless don't have down bedding in their duvets. You are just demented,

t bonner 10-22-2009 @ 2:54PM

Anything that raises awareness of the homeless and their plight AND raises money to help them get back on their feet is a positive and humane gesture. I applaud this idea, and think if nothing else (besides contributing 30% of the profit), it will give us all something to think about as we get into our warm beds every night. BUT ONLY FOR THE GRACE OF GOD GO I.

wes 10-22-2009 @ 4:46PM

Send 20 percent of your income, as God commanded, and give it to a homeless person. Be a sponser of a person, not a spectator!

Angela 10-22-2009 @ 10:41PM

I completely agree with you. This company is doing more for the homeless than most. While that figure of how much they donate could be higher, at least they are doing something. For those of you so outraged with this ask yourself one thing- "What am I doing to help the homeless?"

lys 10-22-2009 @ 5:37PM

God didn't command that 20% of income be given to the homeless. He wanted it tithed in church.

someone 10-22-2009 @ 3:02PM

hah i love it! where can i buy it?

mcb1067 10-22-2009 @ 3:06PM

Lets see my money, and I can buy what I want

Miguel 10-22-2009 @ 3:06PM

As an idea, is good because is original.
If the designer donate part of the profits is good.
I hope everybody who makes any profit, out of this idea, also donate.
But donating is also on the donator’s benefit, because I believe they claim as tax right off.
They should donate all or most of the profits, and then is really good.

It’s nice to sleep in nice, clean and warm blankets, making money with the suffering of sleeping on an ugly, dirty and cold floor.

Paula 10-22-2009 @ 4:30PM

Miguel, I feel as you do about donating more money but there is a thing called "overhead". If people aren't donating their time and materials then these things must be paid for. Labor, equipment, fabric, electricity and building rent must be paid for. This charity is donating more money than most for a very good cause. Many families are out of work right now and many are homeless. This money will go a long way in helping the eat and keep warm this winter.

Joe 10-22-2009 @ 8:22PM

Paula, they are donating 30% of the PROFITS of two items. Profits are what they make beyond the cost of their overhead. The company is hauling in plenty of money. I don't feel they should donate more, because who are we to tell someone else they should give up their mostly hard earned money? It's great that the company is being charitable enough to give up 30%. It would be great for the company to give up even 1%. There shouldn't be any complaints that they aren't giving enough.
The design of the two items may be a little offensive, but hell, I'm not a perfect person and I did laugh when I saw them. Sometimes what can even be seen as highly offensive by some is wicked funny to others. Everyone can keep debating it while I continue chuckle.