Friday, December 28, 2007

Modernist Eco


We have talked in earlier posts about the need for creative sustainable design. While it is important to support sustainable practices in the home furnishings industry what really drives people to buy is good design. I will say it again: it is imperative to present products on the merits of their design and function with the added value of being sustainable rather than trying to market products just because they use certain materials or where they come from or that they have a certain type of finish. So here are some really cool new products from our friends at Zola. Call or stop by to see Portland's best selection of exciting organic, sustainable and well designed furnishings.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Eclectic Design

Take heart all you eclectic designers. Finally recognition is coming to those who mix and match their furnishings. I am sure that most of you understand the virtues of mixing styles in your living space.

MIX AND MATCH

Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, said she has seen a huge move towards eclecticism as the Internet and home design centers bring more awareness. She sees a big move away from "themed" rooms in which everything must comply with an overall motif, such as country kitchen or a maritime themed bedroom.

"Once there was a theme or mood. For traditionalists, that meant everything in rustic folk craft, but that is dying away. People can be traditional but you are going to see more mixes," she said.

Eiseman sees the common sofa and carpeted floor mixed with a very modern coffee table.

"You will see much less hesitancy to mix," she said.

Gutfreund is seeing the same trend, having just decorated an apartment for a young couple who wanted a Mexican designed room. She used pink and orange on Mexican themes but also displayed contrasting photography with it. The colors used in the apartment also made a bold statement — shocking pink against a chocolate floor and bright orange walls.

"It's bright, it's warm, it's not beholden to just one theme. It shows confidence, even if some people are fearful," Gutfreund said.
(New Hampshire's Foster's Daily Democrat 12/19/07)

So as you breeze through our store and find several interesting yet unmatching items have the confidence to make it work in your space.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Holistic Design

I have been developing the concept of holistic design in order to create awareness of the importance of interior furnishings as an integral part of green design. Whew-I got that out-sort of. The building industry is light years ahead of the interior design industry when it comes to the implementation of green and sustainable materials. In green buildings, both commercial and residential there is little to no mention about how these buildings are furnished. It goes without saying that if you work hard to create a green space and are equally concerned with non toxic finishes then you immediately fill the space with fibers and woods that have been treated with toxic chemicals your space is no longer very green. Yet it happens all the time. People become meticulous about their building materials then haul in any mattress or sofa into the space. Creating awareness starts one step at a time. I will do my best to get the discussion started. The Sustainable Furniture Council is working hard to get some standards together so that consumers will have some criteria by which to judge furniture options.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Bamboo Cone Table


Innovative design has to be the next step in sustainable furniture. Just being green is not going to excite the marketplace. Selling furniture that looks really cool and is totally functional with the added value of being sustainable is the key. This round bamboo table from Maria Yee is an example of elegant sustainability. If you have a chance stop by to witness this table-it won't be here long.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Organic mattresses


We are one of just a few dealers of organic mattresses in the greater Portland area. I think that we have one of the best brands available - OMI. Organic Mattresses Incorporated sets itself apart by carefully selecting all the materials for their mattresses. In addition to using all organic raw materials OMI has the only third party Certified Organic Mattress Manufacturing Plant in North America. We have two queen size organic mattresses set up in the store for customers to try.

Secret sustainable sofa


Hot off the shelves of Zola Furnishings is the new Vegas Bamboo Sofa. Clean lines, all organic materials and that soft bamboo fabric makes this the next step in sustainable upholstered furniture. This sofa will have its debut at the Las Vegas Furniture show at the end of January. More exciting colors are available. We will be taking orders later in December for February delivery.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Race for the sales

My oldest son Max opened up the Oregonian and began to look at the insert ads for "black Friday". Wow we could wake up at 4:30 and stand in line for a big screen TV. I know I won't be out there with the masses. Many families will spend more money on their home electronics than on all of the rest of their home furnishings. Each to their own but when customers come in the store and roll their eyes about the price of a handmade organic mattress or sofa I realize that there has to be some thought about priorities and lifestyles. Many of the sustainable products in the store are handcrafted American made products designed to give your home a fresh organic experience that will last a lifetime. I hope the we can at least make people think about what makes their living space a home.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Thanksgiving

We will be open regular hours on Wednesday November 21st (10:30 - 6:00). We will be closed Thursday the 22nd. Friday and Saturday, November 23rd and 24th we will be open 10:30 - 6:00. Starting this week we will have somewhat regular hours on Sunday, Noon - 4:00. We have a huge inventory in the store right now so swing by;it will be a great weekend to just stroll around North West Portland.

Monday, November 19, 2007

More Organic Upholstery

We just received our first pieces of Van Gogh organic upholstery. Van Gogh is Canada's second largest upholstery maker and we are impressed with this first batch. We have several styles and colors of chairs and sofas. Come by soon to see thelargest selection of organic upholstered items anywhere.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Organic Chairs


This Friday, November 16th, John and Kate from Zola Furnishings will be dropping off some very cool organic chairs that were featured at the PDX Lounge in Chicago. Not only are they very cool and very organic but because they have been displayed in a show they will be on sale. So by Friday afternoon we will be stocked with organic sofas and chairs-and they will be available off the showroom floor. These pieces are great for a living room as well as a waiting area or office lounge. You better stop by to see the finest selection of organic furniture in the entire NorthWest.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Single Speed Lounge


Eclectic Home was out and about with manufacturing partner Maku this time to cyclocross. Portland's world famous Cross Crusade was host to the Single Speed Cyclocross World Championship and we were there to make sure that racers and spectators had a nice, sustainable place to sit and watch the race. Perfect weather and a beautiful course made for a very fun weekend. Of course it was all work, except for my feeble attempt to qualify for the big event. I really like the notion of cross marketing (no pun intended). Most people really do not expect to see a furniture store display at a bike race. But really now, I know that all those participants have to hang their helmets somewhere during the week and once you have all your bike gear where else are you going to spend your money. So now we have a bunch of beautiful Maku furniture that has been lightly used. Stop by the store for some incredible deals on Maku-it is single speed approved.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

New Website

Last Thursday, November 1 we launched the new Eclectic Home website. Finally we have more than one page. We have spent the past week rewriting and rewriting hoping to post what we do and what we have in the store. Check it out and give us feedback. www.eclectichome.com

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Eclectic Home and Portland Fashion Week


Eclectic Home with manufacturing partners Maku, Greenington and Zola created a sustainable lounge for Portland Fashion Week attendees. Fashion Week VIPs had a vast array of the latest sustainable furnishings to help them fuel up for some of the best sustainable fashion in the world.