Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Holiday Sale

Organically Yours for the Holidays
SPECIAL SAVINGS - 15% off all bedding accessories
and holiday cheers from all of us here at Eclectic Home.
A memorable holiday means selecting gifts that will be meaningful, useful and sustainable.




Organic wool or shredded rubber
pillows are something that will be
used every night.



We stock organic wool comforters,
organic cotton sheet sets,
and wool throws.


We've gathered the best built,
most innovative sustainable furniture
available anywhere.

Did you know that almost 1/3 of the waste generated in the U.S.
is from packaging? Plastics take 1000 years to decompose.
In your shopping journeys this season look both at the product
and the packaging before you buy.
SALE ENDS DECEMBER 24th.
Visit us today!
2259 NW Raleigh St. Portland, OR 97210
503.224.0551

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Eco gifts

It is time to be thinking about gift giving. We have something that just about everyone needs but maybe most people do not think about. It is relatively inexpensive, very useful, it is something that gets used every day, and can make a big difference in your special person's busy lifestyle. And it is organic, sustainable and quite beautiful. How about an organic sleeping pillow? Think about your pillow: How old is that thing? How many months or years have you drooled, sweated and coughed in it? We have different fills, lofts and sizes to choose from. Organic pillows range from $70 - $180 depending on the fill and size. Here are some of the pillow that we carry.
PILLOWS

• 100% Certified Organic Cotton Pillow
For those seeking a firmer, flatter pillow, our cotton pillows are filled with pure, sanitized 100% certified organic cotton. As with our wool pillow, they are available in 3 weights: light, medium, and full (Please note: cotton pillows compress about one-half over time.)

• 100% Natural Rubber Pillows
Our molded and contour pillows (shown at right) are sold with double covers (see detail). The inner cover is a certified organic cotton mesh fabric that is designed to ensure that the pillow keeps its shape and integrity for many years. The second removable envelope case is made from our certified organic cotton mattress cover fabric that is hand washable.
• The Molded is recommended for back and side sleepers.
• The Contour is ideal for back or stomach sleepers.

• Eco-Wool Pillow
In general, wool offers a soft and springy fill, and tends to “sleep cooler” and compact less than cotton fill. Like our other wool products, they resist dust mites.
Available in 3 weights: light, medium, and full. (Please note: wool pillows compress approximately one-third over time.)

• Wool-Wrapped 100% Natural Shredded Rubber Pillow
This dual-chambered pillow is a best seller! It is made with a center chamber of 100% natural shredded rubber latex surrounded by an outer chamber filled with Eco-Wool™. This pillow is made with a zipper, so sleepers can remove material and customize each pillow to their personal preference.

• Wool-Wrapped Organic Buckwheat-Hull Pillow
In this dual-chambered pillow, the outside chamber filled with organic Eco-Wool™ cushions both the feel and the “sounds” associated with buckwheat pillows. The inner chamber is filled with organic buckwheat hulls. This pillow is made with a zipper, so sleepers can remove material and customize each pillow to their personal preference.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Toxic shower curtains

Ah, that new shower curtain smell. Just a little annoying or toxic?


http://www.latimes.com/features/health/medicine/la-me-showercurtain13-2008jun13,0,5417857.story
From the Los Angeles Times
That 'new shower curtain smell' gives off toxic chemicals, study finds
An environmental organization finds high concentrations of dangerous chemicals in shower curtains sold at major stores.
By Tami Abdollah
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

June 13, 2008

Vinyl shower curtains sold at major retailers across the country emit toxic chemicals that have been linked to serious health problems, according to a report released Thursday by a national environmental organization.

The curtains contained high concentrations of chemicals that are linked to liver damage as well as damage to the central nervous, respiratory and reproductive systems, said researchers for the Virginia-based Center for Health, Environment & Justice.

The organization commissioned the study about two years ago to determine what caused that "new shower curtain smell" familiar to many consumers.

"This smell can make you feel sick, give you a headache, make you feel nauseous or [cause] other health effects," said Michael Schade, a coauthor of the report.

Researchers tested the chemical composition of five unopened polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, plastic shower curtains bought from Bed Bath & Beyond, Kmart, Sears, Target and Wal-Mart. One of the curtains was then tested to determine the chemicals it released into the air.

The study found that PVC shower curtains contained high concentrations of phthalates, which have been linked to reproductive effects, and varying concentrations of organotins, which are compounds based on tin and hydrocarbons. One of the curtains tested released measurable quantities of as many as 108 volatile organic compounds into the air, some of which persisted for nearly a month.

Seven of these chemicals -- toluene, ethylbenzene, phenol, methyl isobutyl ketone, xylene, acetophenone and cumene -- have been identified by the Environmental Protection Agency as hazardous air pollutants, said Stephen Lester, the center's science director and a coauthor of the report.

Potential health effects include developmental damage and harm to the liver and the central nervous, respiratory and reproductive systems, according to the report.

Phthalates and organotins, which are not chemically bonded to the shower curtain, are often added to soften or otherwise enhance the curtain. These additives evaporate or cling to household dust more easily than the chemicals in the curtains themselves, Lester said. Volatile organic compounds also evaporate more easily than the less harmful chemicals, he said.

Vinyl chloride, which is a major building block of PVC, is a known human carcinogen that causes liver cancer, Lester said.

"PVC is just bad from cradle to cradle," said Martha Dina Argüello, executive director of the Los Angeles chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility. "It's a mess when you create, it's a mess when you get rid of it, and it's off-gassing when you're using it."

Representatives of Target and Sears Holding Co., the parent company of Kmart, said their companies were phasing out curtains that contain PVC. Target said about 90% of the store's "owned brand" shower curtains offered this spring were made of materials other than PVC. Officials from the other companies were not immediately available for comment Thursday.

The report said that Bed Bath & Beyond had increased the number of PVC-free shower curtains it offered by selling those made of ethylene vinyl acetate and fabrics, but that Wal-Mart did not respond to the organization's faxes or letters requesting the retailer's PVC policy.

The American Chemistry Council issued a statement Thursday saying there was "no reliable evidence" that phthalates were harmful or linked to serious health problems, or that they were tied to the new shower curtain smell.

Argüello said studies were still being done on the effects of phthalates and other chemicals on people.

Little information on toxicity is available for 86 of the 108 chemicals detected in the curtains, Lester said.

The EPA has tested vinyl shower curtains and in 2002 said it had found that many of the same chemicals listed in the center's report.

Lester said the test drew attention to the lack of government regulations or health-based guidelines governing indoor air pollutants.

"The EPA does not regulate indoor air, period," said Barbara Spark, the indoor air program coordinator for the EPA's Pacific Southwest region. "We have not been given that authority by the Congress."

The Center for Health, Environment & Justice sent a letter to 19 major retailers Thursday informing them of the new report and encouraging them to stop selling PVC products.

"Most companies aren't aware of some of the risks these products entail," Lester said. "Once they're informed of this, they're in many cases ready to make changes and purchase alternative products."

Friday, April 18, 2008

Home health and your pets

Here is an article from NPR.org. This is just the beginning of finding out the effects of chemicals that are brought into the home.

Pets Carry Wide Range of Chemical Pollutants : NPR 4/18/08 10:16 AM
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89726772&ps=bb2 Page 1 of 2
April 18, 2008
DLILLC
Cats and dogs harbor higher rates of
certain chemicals than their people do.
Corbis
Research News
Pets Carry Wide Range of Chemical Pollutants
by Jon Hamilton

All Things Considered, April 17, 2008 · Your cat probably has more mercury in
its system than you do, and your dog has twice as much of the chemicals found
in stain-resistant carpets and couches. That's the conclusion of an
environmental group that tested pets for a wide range of industrial chemicals.
If you walk on a stain-resistant carpet, you may kick up and inhale a tiny dose
of perfluorochemicals, or PFCs. But what if you stretched out on it for a while
and then licked your fur? That's what Richard Wiles and his colleagues at the
Environmental Working Group wanted to know.
"It occurred to us that no one had actually tested pets, [which] live in the same
environment as we do, for the toxic contaminants that we know are in people,"
Wiles says.
The group — a nonprofit research organization based in Washington, D.C. —
took samples from several dozen healthy dogs and cats at a clinic in
Mechanicsville, Va. Though it was a small sample size, Wiles says lab tests
revealed a number of chemicals, including Teflon compounds for stain
resistance, flame retardants found on furniture and mercury, which might come from cat food.
Levels of some chemicals, such as phthalates (found in plastics) and lead, were lower in pets than in people. But
dogs had more than twice the levels of stain-fighting PFCs as people. In cats, mercury levels were five times those
usually found in people. And levels of flame-retardant polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs, were 23 times
higher.
Implications for Humans?
Wiles says the findings suggest that pets could serve as a warning system for people.
"It's the canary in the coal mine, if you will," he says. "They're picking up the same chemicals that we're exposed to,
they have shorter life spans and they develop diseases more quickly, and so they may be providing some insight into
human health problems from these same contaminants in our homes."

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Sleeping Pillows

What do you know about the pillow that you sleep on every night? Is that little puff ball that you stick your face on so old that you cannot even remember where it came from? And what is that pillow made from? Because you put your face in that pillow about 6 - 9 hours every day you might want to think about how it affects your health. Here is a good article from the Green Guide, a National Geographic Publication. And by the way we have a complete line of organic sleeping pillows including organic cotton, organic wool, shredded natural rubber, buckwheat, and molded rubber. Stop by and take a test nap.

http://www.thegreenguide.com/products/Bedding/Pillows
Pillows

What to Look For

We spend as much as a third of our lives sleeping, but the National Sleep Foundation has found that almost 75 percent of American adults have problems getting a good night's sleep. Whether that's due to noise, light pollution or any number of other factors, you may help rectify uneasy sleep with a better pillow, especially on that won't contribute to health problems like allergies and sinusitis.

Below is a breakdown of the natural and organic alternatives to problematic conventional materials, and when you're shopping, choose pillows with organic cotton shells, when available. One company, White Lotus, sells more affordable versions of its pillows in "green" (conventionally grown but chemically untreated) cotton.

Buckwheat

Asian cultures have used buckwheat pillows for centuries. The body-conforming hulls allow your head to lie naturally, which relieves tension, and they provide room for air to circulate, keeping you cool.

The environmental impact of buckwheat, from which the hulls are taken, is very low. Even when grown conventionally, it's a pesticide-free crop and requires very little fertilizer. It's even a natural weed killer because nothing can grow underneath it, and it's inherently pest-resistant, making it an ideal choice for sufferers of dust-mite allergies. As a final bonus, buckwheat grows very abundantly in the U.S. and Canada, supporting local farmers and local economies.

Wool

Naturally fire retardant, untreated wool wicks moisture away from your body while you sleep, and it dries quickly, making it unappealing to dust mites, which thrive in warm, moist surroundings. It is also resistant to mold spores and mildew.

Opt for wool products that are chemically untreated and harvested from organically raised sheep or those that bear the "Pure Grow Wool" label, which represents wool from humanely raised sheep raised on pesticide-free land.

Kapok

Kapok-filled pillows provide a non-allergenic, humane alternative to down. The pillows are stuffed with fibers from seed pods of the tropical kapok, or Ceiba, tree that grows in South American rain forests, Africa, Indonesia and other parts of Asia. Seed pods fall to the ground, where they are gathered by local residents. The collection of fibers is done with little harm to the environment, and it provides work and economic support for the communities surrounding the rain forests.

Organic Cotton

Organic cotton doesn't necessarily resist dust mites, but the pillows provide a natural material alternative to people with allergies to wool, buckwheat and latex.

Natural Latex

Natural latex is tapped from rubber trees and is a replenishable rainforest resource. While not as widely available as the other natural alternatives, it offers the same support benefits as polyurethane pillows. Some natural latex pillows are thick pieces of foam and others contain shredded latex, which provides more spring.

Shopping Tips

When purchasing buckwheat pillows, ask the retailer about their buckwheat-hull supplier's cleaning methods. Buckwheat dust lingering on improperly cleaned hulls has been known to trigger asthma attacks. High-quality pillows contain hulls that are cleaned very thoroughly, either by air blowing, vaccumming and sifting the hulls to remove dust or by roasting them, which burns off the dust. Look for retailers that are supplied by U.S. or Canadian suppliers, rather than international suppliers, that can offer assurances of proper cleaning methods.

Avoid pillows made with a mixture of natural and synthetic latex. The latter is treated with chemicals during the manufacturing process.

Also, look out for "Hypodown," billed as less allergenic than traditional down. While the pillows contain 20 percent syriaca clusters, or milkweed, they still contain 80 percent goose down, which doesn't alleviate any of the problems associated with animal cruelty (see The Backstory).

Because natural-material pillows are on the expensive side, you can cut costs buy purchasing fills separately and stuffing them into a zippered pillow encasement you already own. Many retailers, such as White Lotus and Eco Bedroom, will supply stuffing material in bulk for a reasonable price.

To preserve the life of your pillow, invest in a washable, removable organic cotton or Pure Grow Wool pillow encasement. These also help to block dust mite allergens from your current pillow.

Product Comparisons

The following companies sell pillows in standard, queen and king sizes. Buckwheat pillows tend to run smaller than standard size, which is 20" x 26," although many companies sell them in both small and standard sizes.

Wondering what these table headings mean? They're the criteria we used to choose and evaluate the products in the chart below. Learn more about their importance in What To Look For.
Buckwheat Kapok Wool Organic Cotton Natural Latex Organic Cotton Allergen Barriers

Personal Health

Beds provide an optimal breeding ground for household dust mites, which are potent allergens and a factor in 50 to 80 percent of asthmatics. Dust mites also contribute to eczema and hay fever. Found more commonly in mattresses than pillows, pillows are still hosts because dust mites feed on human dander and skin flakes; 10 percent of the weight of a two-year-old pillow can be composed of dead mites and their droppings.

A study published in the January 2006 journal Allergy also found that that the average pillow--whether synthetic or down--contained between four and 16 different types of fungi, with synthetic pillows at the higher end of that range. The most common fungus found in the study, aspergillus fumigatus, is allergenic and contributes to asthma attacks and sinusitis. People with compromised immune systems are particularly affected by it.

Finally, pillows bear the same problems as other fabrics, in that they can be treated with perfluorochemical (PFC) finishes to make them water and stain resistant. Before it was phased out in 2000, the 3M company documented that perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was used on decorative pillows. Now, some "stain-resistant" bed pillows are being advertised as having "Teflon-treated fabric" shells. Teflon is made using the PFC perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which was recently labeled a likely human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Fabric treatments can also contain formaldehyde, another EPA-designated likely human carcinogen.

Environmental

Because pillows are commonly filled with synthetic materials, they can be a terrible drain on non-renewable resources. Polyester, which is a common fill and casing material, is derived from petroleum, as is polyurethane foam.

Conventional cotton used in covers and cotton batting requires extremely high amounts of hazardous synthetic chemicals required for production. Seven of the top 15 pesticides used on cotton are classified as at least possible human carcinogens, and billions of pounds of nitrogen-based synthetic fertilizers are also used, resulting in runoff that can create aquatic "dead zones" in waterways. Dead zones are oxygen-depleted areas lacking sea life, and a third of the world's 146 oceanic dead zones are off of U.S. shores, according to the UN. In the Gulf of Mexico, one covers 7,000 square miles, fed by millions of tons of nitrogen from synthetic fertilizers and animal feces draining into the Mississippi, sparking "red tide" algae blooms that can poison unsuspecting shellfish consumers. This same dead zone was blamed for the tripling of shark attacks off the Texas coastline in 2004.

As for conventional wool production, it also involves the use of pesticides on pastures and chemicals in the feed.

Animal Welfare

Down and feathers are very popular fill choices for pillows, but one which unfortunately is associated with numerous animal rights issues. The material is collected from ducks and geese in one of two ways. Feathers are either plucked while the animals are still alive, or they're gathered after the animals have been killed for meat, says Karen Davis, president and a director of the advocacy group United Poultry Concern. Ducks and geese that are killed for their meat are typically raised in large factory farms where animals are live in filthy conditions and are deprived of access to water and the outdoors.

Because of the animal rights issues associated with down, Pier 1 Imports recently decided to cease using it in all of their pillows. They had been purchasing the down from a subsidiary of Maple Leaf Farms, one of the country's largest poultry producers and one which is known for unsavory living conditions for animals.

Some companies advertise that their down comes from "free-range" animals and gathered during the animals' natural molting phase. However, "free-range" is not a certified label and does not provide any assurance that the feathers were plucked humanely.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

New Organic Comforters

When I first saw the products made by Sleep and Beyond I was really impressed. Organic wool comforters that are truly organic. Check out this review-then stop by and see ultimate in organic comfort. http://successthroughplay.blogspot.com

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Organic Bedding

Organic bedding is a great start to create your organic bedroom.  Currently we stock organic sheets, pillow covers and duvet covers from High Desert Naturals.  HDN is a northwest company and produces all of its products in the USA.  Here is a good article from the Green Guide, a publication put out by the National Geographic Society.





What to Look For

You spend a third of your life in bed, so it stands to reason that you want to be sleeping on the purest, most chemical-free bedding you can find. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you begin your search:

Materials

Organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers or genetically engineered crops.

Sheets made of bamboo fiber are another good alternative. It takes much fewer resources to raise bamboo than cotton--even organic cotton. Bamboo is naturally pest-resistant and, when grown properly, requires few pesticides. However, it does undergo a chemically intensive production process so look for bamboo cloth that has been mechanically, not chemically, processed. Futhermore, sheets made of 100 percent bamboo are still hard to find; most are blends made with conventional cotton.

Both hemp and linen are derived from plants that, like bamboo, grow quickly and need few pesticides or insecticides. Hemp and linen sheets are known for their durability, and they're rare treasures if you can find them at estate sales or antique shops. New sheets made from hemp and linen are usually sold only online and imported from Europe.

Dyes

People who prefer colored sheets to brighten up their décor should look for either heavy-metal-free or vegetable-based dyes. A product that uses "SKAL-certified" dyes means that they are free of heavy metals. Also, check out FoxFiber™ "color-grown" cotton, which is bred (not genetically-modified) to grow in different colors, though usually only browns, beiges and greens. Color-grown cotton is also less likely to fade in the wash than dyed cotton.

Chlorine-Free Bleaching

Conventional cotton, and some organic cotton, is bleached with chlorine after harvesting in a process that releases cancer-causing dioxin into the atmosphere. Opt for unbleached or chlorine-free bleached cotton sheets.

Chemical-Free Finishes

Some finishes, such as those to prevent stains and wrinkles, can release formaldehyde into the air. Choose unfinished sheets or those process with no chemicals.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Organic Mattresses

Check out this article in the Washington Post. Guess what - that smell in your memory foam mattress may not be good for you!!   And our organic mattresses are the only latex mattresses that are Greenguard Certified and produced in a USDA certified facility

washingtonpost.com > Print Edition > Sunday Source
Eco Wise
Mattress Eco-Matters: Don't Take It Lying Down

Sunday, April 6, 2008; Page N02
Your mattress might be an environmental nightmare.

Most mattresses, as well as memory foam and egg-crate covers, are made with petroleum-based ingredients such as polyurethane foam, which can emit a strong smell because of organic solvents. And most also contain flame retardants, required by fire-safety laws but often harmful to human health. In 2005, toxic fireproofing chemicals called polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were phased out of production, but some of their replacements are almost as bad, says Sonya Lunder, a senior analyst at the Environmental Working Group, a D.C.-based nonprofit organization.

Just how hazardous can a mattress -- or pad or pillow -- be? The answer might be enough to make you lose sleep. Regular tossing and turning causes a mattress's foam to break down, and the resulting dust can float into the air you breathe. A 2006 Consumer Product Safety Commission study estimated that the average adult sleeping on a conventional mattress will be exposed to 0.802 milligrams of antimony and 0.081 milligrams of boric acid -- which is commonly used to kill cockroaches -- every night. The report deems these amounts safe for those older than 5, but numerous studies have linked both substances to a host of adverse health effects at various doses, and the cumulative effect of daily exposure is unknown. In addition, a number of recent studies have detected PBDEs in household dust, including in homes in the D.C. area.

Of course, airborne toxins are ubiquitous, and mattresses are only one source. That said, if you're buying a new one, including those for infants, you should consider going chemical-free. On the market are several mattresses made with organic and non-toxic materials such as wool and latex from rubber trees -- both naturally fire-resistant, negating the need for chemical flameproofing. Though they aren't cheap, the cost to the environment of making them is less than the cost of traditional mattresses.

One option comes from green lifestyle impresario Danny Seo, who has developed a line of organic and bamboo home furnishings for JCPenney. His Simmons Natural Care mattresses (from $1,599, available late this month at JCPenney stores) have natural latex cores, soy-based foam and surfaces covered with Tencel, a fabric made from wood pulp. Eco-Green Living (1469 Church St. NW, 202-437-7110) also offers chemical-free, latex-based mattresses, as do such Web retailers as the Organic Mattress Store ( http://www.theorganicmattressstore.com), NaturalBedStore.com and Simply Organic Sleep ( http://www.simplyorganicsleep.com). Even such mainstream retailers as 1-800-Mattress offer natural mattresses from Vivetique and other brands.

It's good to remember, however, that anything bought new has an environmental footprint. Mattresses are large items that require energy to build and transport. And old mattresses are difficult to recycle in the area, although a dedicated mattress recycling facility is under construction in Frederick. "There is something to be said for keeping what you have and not creating more waste," Lunder says.

If you're concerned about toxins but not ready to replace your old mattress, you can take steps to improve indoor air quality:

· "It's difficult to gauge how much of the chemicals seep out, but it also depends on how you're protecting it," says Seo, who recommends a barrier cloth cover (made from tightly woven cotton and typically used for allergy protection) to keep some compounds from escaping.

· If a mattress or pillow is noticeably odoriferous, letting it air out in a shed for a few days will at least help keep the chemicals out of the bedroom, although they'll still be in the environment. "Avoiding things that stink" -- that new-foam smell -- "is a great rule of thumb for environmental health," Lunder says.

· Finally, stocking up on such houseplants as spider plants and ferns, which absorb airborne pollutants, can help you rest easier.

-- Eviana Hartman

Monday, March 31, 2008

Better Living

Well it was a better living show-my back and vocal cords got a real workout. The Better Living Show had a really great showing with thousands of people in the Expo Center. And the Eclectic Home booth was buzzing. I could hardly believe the numbers of people who stopped by to see and experience our organic mattresses. It sure is nice to have a certified, American made mattress and have a crowd of people wanting to see it. We will be posting some pictures of the festivities. Also there is going to be some after show specials at the store to make room for our new pieces from Urban Woods and Maria Yee.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Welcome Urban Woods


We are excited to add a new manufacturing partner to our growing inventory of sustainable products.  Urban Woods ,based in Los Angeles, sources raw materials and manufactures right in LA.  Urban Woods does total domestic sourcing and production of raw materials and has meticulous attention to sustainability.  They use all reclaimed wood, non toxic glues and finishes-and best of all their furniture is well constructed and very cool.  We will have several of their pieces at the Better Living Show, and then it will be on display at the store.    

Better Living Show

We are excited to be furnishing the featured home inside Better Living Show on March 28, 29,30 at the Portland Expo Hall.  We will be featuring some of our local manufacturing partners both in the home and in our booth.  In our booth we are creating a complete natural bedroom complete with a brand new organic mattress, a sustainable bedroom set and organic bedding.  There is free admission to the show-we hope to see you there!

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Organic Mattresses

More companies are selling latex mattresses to satisfy consumer demand. There are differences between a  latex mattress and an organic mattress. This is much more than an exercise in semantics.  If you are looking for a latex mattress there are many places to find one-from box stores, online retailers, and run of the mill mattress stores. Finding an organic mattress is not that easy. An organic mattress is organic: it is made from natural materials that have been certified organic. The consumer gets a sleeping surface that is free from chemical additives and coatings. Organic Mattresses Incorporated produces a certified organic mattress: the product as well as the plant where it is produced have third party certification. Handmade, organic, quality products are not inexpensive however when we deliver our mattresses we know we are giving our customers a superior product.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Sustainable Furniture Council

I had the opportunity to be part of a conference call with the standards committee of the Sustainable Furniture Council. Knee deep in a technical conversation that centered around devising green standards for things like foam cushions and adhesives made me realize what a daunting task this organization has taken on. What is really important is that someone is trying to establish standards for green furnishings. Many companies are beginning to promote sustainable goods and I think that is a good thing. I think too many people are overly concerned about "greenwashing"; saying something is environmentally friendly without really knowing or caring but just using green as a marketing ploy.

There is no real definition of sustainability; it is a moving target. I applaud the efforts of manufacturers to become more transparent about their manufacturing practices. And I appreciate the individuals and companies who are attempting to find the best way to minimize their footprint while maintaining a on-going operation. Our goal as a retailer is to represent those companies who are out there trying to product goods in a responsible manner and who also try to achieve the most innovative solutions for our customer's needs. Evaluating and retooling our global infrastructure will be an ongoing process. While we must always strive to be better we have to recognize that we are making progress and we have to support those eco-pioneers who are setting a new standard for design and production.

Friday, February 1, 2008

Las Vegas Furniture Market

It was a one day trip to Las Vegas but I managed to catch the highlights of the Las Vegas Winter Furniture Market. The designated Green Furniture area was much larger than summer market and had some new vendors. Of course Zola Furnishings, our premier organic upholsterer, was there with their new bamboo couch. I saw some nice new bamboo desks from Legare. Their transition from Baltic Birch to bamboo moves them up the chain of sustainability. I saw some very exotic tables made from reclaimed wood and old tree roots. And High Desert Naturals, another of our suppliers, introduced some new fabric colors and designs. It is really exciting to see the green furnishings options expand. We hope to have some of these new products in the store as soon as they are available. Keep in touch.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Furniture and the US economy

With rising deficits and turmoil in the financial markets we must all look around and devise a plan that will bring a lasting change to the economy. Manipulating interest rates and government rebates are just not going to cut it. First off we all intuitively know that buying American made products from smaller independent businesses can make a huge local impact. Local jobs, tax revenues, and support of American manufacturing has a direct positive effect on local, regional and the national scene. As I venture off to the next major furniture show it is my obligation to pursue the best American made sustainable products. We have already made a pretty good start. Zola, from Bend Oregon, manufactures some of the finest organic upholstery anywhere. Our organic mattresses are made in Southern California by OMI-these are the premier organic mattresses. Van Gogh Designs of Surry BC provide us with eco-friendly upholstered sofas and chairs with very high quality and modest pricing.

On the furniture side with also have some strong American brands. Barnwood Classics of North Carolina carefully crafts furniture from old barns. Our two furniture makers in Vermont, Vermont Furniture Designs and Maple Corner Woodworks both create American heirloom furniture.

Maybe you would be hard pressed to find an American made running shoe or washing machine but there is still a rich tradition of furniture making here in the US. At least consider some better quality furnishings from the US before you go out and spend a few hundred dollars for something that will probably decorate the landfill in just a few years.

I hope to see you in the store.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

New Rugs


I have been on the hunt to expand my rug offerings-I have been hunting for almost a year.  My goal was/is to partner with one or two additional rug manufacturers who offer quality, responsibility, variety and color and innovative designs.  I have finally decided on two companies, Delos and Chandra.  Both companies have solid commitments to the communities where their rugs are produced and they offer quality all wool rugs at a reasonable price.  Over the next few weeks we will be receiving 2 x 3 samples and catalogues.  If you want to add some color and warmth to your home stop by or check out these supplier's websites.  

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Bamboo Bed


We just set up a new platform bamboo bed.  Low and sleek this bed can help create a zen like sleep experience.  Coupled with an organic mattress this bed will take you off to dreamland in a hurry.  We are working hard to create Portland's most unique and sustainable sleeping store .

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Decorative Screens


I am surprised by how many people come into the store and comment on our screens. In the Portland area there just is not a huge selection of decorative screens available. Screens can help divide a room, hide an unsightly heater, disguise a remodeling project or even serve as a headboard for a platform bed. We have a good selection in the store and have quick access to many more. To see some of the options available visit www.myscreengems.com .

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Oregon Home Magazine article


In the January issue of Oregon Home Magazine there is an article on unique shops in the north end area of NW 23rd Ave. and we were included .  They included a nice shot of Maria Yee's two tone bamboo bed.  That was a really cool bed with dovetailed slats which recently sold.  The industrial building architecture coupled with residential and retail uses makes this area a great place to work in.  Be sure to look for the magazine at your favorite news stand or stop by the store for a free copy. 

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Caucases and interior design

Happy new year. As voters in Iowa get ready to choose their candidates we should all take some time to make our Northwest voices heard. Many times political discussions happen in our homes, place of business or anywhere there is a group of talkative people and a space where they feel comfortable talking. How do we create spaces that will facilitate the free flow of ideas. Color, texture, lighting, and comfortable seating can all play a role in creating a special atmosphere. Try to be aware of where you feel comfortable talking with friends and family. Is it a certain room in your house, a restaurant, park or other special place? What elements in that space do you think contribute in making it the place for dialogue and discussions. By being aware of those elements we can attempt to create just the right space for solving the problems of the universe-or at least an intense discussion among friends.

We hope to make the store more than just a place to sell tables and chairs. Solving problems and helping to create special places is part of our mission.