Some Good Advice

While I was at Borders recently, I picked up a book from the bargain section (I love getting a bargain!)  I think this one is worth the small sum and will be sure to fit into any budget.  The book is called The Healthy Home Workbook: easy Steps for Eco-Friendly Living.

 Inside, you will find the book full of great advice for making your house a healthier place to live from paint and carpet to buying local and organic foods and having an organic garden.  There's even instructions for making your own "Healthy Pillow."  The photographs are inspiring and perfectly emanating the essence of healthy living.

I am finding some very valuable tips in this book that I can incorporate into my life.  I've made the book available on my bookstore (it really costs only a few dollars or used for a few cents!) if you don't have a chance to run to your local Borders.

Here is a parting quote from the book on the subject of furniture and fabrics:
       Begin replacing synthetic soft goods (pillos, curtains, rugs) with natural materials and fabrics such as organically grown cotton, linen, and hemp.

Organic materials are becoming more available as the demand increases, as I mentioned in a past post about West Elm now having organic bedding available.

And for some random knowledge about natural fibers, did you know wool is the most flame resistant of natural fabrics? 
         

You Can Take That to the Furniture Bank

I was sadly unaware of the existence of furniture banks until I went to the Why Green, Why Not? symposium in Las Vegas this month, as I mentioned in my blog here.  Kathy Ireland mentioned it as a way to be green.  I wasn't the only one not in the loop though, since someone piped up to ask her what exactly a furniture bank was.  On returning home I did a little research and found one local to me as well as useful websites for furniture banks nationwide and I thought I would pass on this knowledge for those unaware of their existence, like me

There is an organization called the National Furniture Bank Association (NFBA) whose mission is "to assure that no child in America has to sleep on the floor."  Furniture banks will take your donated unwanted furniture, often pick it up, and relocate it to a family in need.  What a wonderful way to clear the room for your new furniture or just get rid of some in an over cluttered space.

For my local readers, Furniture for Families in Folsom, California is the furniture bank for the area.  Other furniture banks can be located on the NFBA website simply by entering your zip code.


Of course, there are always charities like Goodwill and Salvation Army as well as internet sources like freecycle who will be happy to take your donations.


I think knowing about furniture banks will be a great value for me in finding ways to help my community and I will definitely recommend it to my clients, families and friends! 


Have you ever used one?

Why Green? Why Not?

While I was at Market, I attended a symposium on sustainable design, as I mentioned in my last post.  I wanted to find out more about this subject since, whether my clients are asking for it or not, it is good to be informed about the products I specify.  I firmly believe that we should be good stewards of the resources we have and maintain a eco-friendly balance so we can at least leave our future generations with as many natural resources as we have had available to us.

The panel of discussion was hosted by the Sustainable Furnishings Council.  Questions were directed to the glamourous Kath Ireland, HGTV star Angelo Surmelis and the President and Publisher of Dwell magazine, Michela O'Connor Abrams.

They all took turns giving valuable and heartfelt answers about what they are doing with their own company to produce a sustainable product, not only meaning the materials used, but how they are made and the conditions under which they are made. 

Kathy Ireland pointed out that she will frequently make surprise visits to her factories to ensure that her standards are being met for her product and the working conditions.  She has made efforts to see that her products are never made by children. 

Angelo explained the efficiency of his packaging for his furniture, there is little waste and all packing products are recyclable.  He also emphasized that even in his shows, partly due to limited time and budgets, he seeks to reuse as many pieces of furniture and fabrics as possible. 

Michela pointed out Dwell Magazine's continual effort to support and encourage green products.  The magazine holds valuable sources for designers and consumers to find products that are certifiably "green".  Dwell also showcases many projects that use green means in the design and building process.

The symposium was very informative and inspiring!  I realize that I need to be more responsible in finding more green products and asking my vendors for them.  The more companies are asked for green products, the more motivation they have for making them since they are driven by their buyer's needs and demands.  Thankfully, there are many more options for specifying green now than there ever has been and hopefully we will see this trend became the standard for the industry across the board.  Many sources can be found at the SFC website.

It was also a plus to be able to meet these inspiring and famous people!

 

Photos by Rebecca Ward

Pure

Pure is a green furniture manufacturing company with some elegant pieces. They have 4 collections in their line: Air, Water, Fire and Water. Within each is an array of clean lined furniture pieces that are made from sustainable materials. Pure is local to Canada but of course, the product are available internationally.

Ami McKay of Canada's HGTV designs each piece for Pure.