Movers and Shapers

Jaime and Isaac Salm, MIO Culture
Mioculture.com

To Jaime Salm, one half of the brother team behind eco-conscious MIO, being a designer in Philadelphia is kind of a no-brainer. The city is close to the hoopla and markets of New York; it’s near manufacturing hubs; and it’s a comfortable, vibrant place in which to live and work among fellow artisans. “Since we’ve been here, a lot more designers are sticking around, because it’s a great place to stay,” says Jaime. “That’s what design’s all about — good living. And that’s what Philly’s all about.” The Salms’ participation in DesignPhiladelphia echoes the company’s early days five years ago, when they rented an Old City storefront to launch their lines of sustainable, low-impact wallpapers, lighting and furnishings. “There was no design event then,” says Jamie. “People didn’t even know about design here. So we did it ourselves. Now we think it makes sense to help other people show their work, too.”

Best known for: “Paper Forms” 3D wallpaper made from recycled paper; the Bendant lamp, a metal chandelier that ships flat to waste less material.

What they’re doing this year: For the second year in a row, the brothers are curating “Philly Heart Design,” an expansive, inclusive showcase of emerging area designers that last year featured some 30 works of architecture, photography, multimedia, and industrial and graphic design. October 16th-22nd, 8 p.m. The Rotunda at Penn, phillyheartdesign.com.