Natural Memory Foam??

 July 25th 2013

Three Companies Barred from Advertising Mattresses as Free From Volatile Organic Compounds Without Scientific Evidence to Back Up Claims

http://ftc.gov/opa/2013/07/mattress.shtm

The Federal Trade Commission today announced a settlement against 3 mattress companies.  When you see a company that advertises 'natural memory foam' make sure that they can back up their claim.  Chances are there is as much hot air in their mattresses as there is petroleum and other chemicals.  

Urban Woods: Kirei Inlay | Table and Bedframe

Our showroom will always have a place for sun bathed, reclaimed wood. When that is mixed with a unique fiber like kirei, the pairing of texture and flair work well together.

Kirei is being used here as a focal point on a dining table we currently have in the shop. This is an example of one of the lightest colors available. If you are interested you can find more information on the Urban Woods furniture line on our site.

Our newest bed frame by Urban Woods. All frames are made to order. We can source kirei in a range of natural brown to green-grey colors. Stop by the shop to see examples of color and texture. Follow to see more Urban Woods bed frames. Trevor makes kirei inlay look great in many different forms. We are looking forward to teaching you more about this special line of furniture.

One Sprinter ready to travel!

This is one vehicle we have been testing out and thinking about for a while. It is turning out to be a great fit.

The Sprinter has just enough room to fit a King Size Mattress. This month it has been to the coast and back.

We are starting to chart our trips, see where we have been.

 

We are looking forward to our next destination. If you would like to learn more about our mattresses follow the link to our site. You will find pages on, organic mattresses options, organic bedding options, and questions about organic sleep.

Naturepedic arrives at Eclectic Home

Naturepedic mattresses are the gold standard in crib, toddler and youth mattresses. Having the finest organic sleep products is our mission so we are pleased to add Naturepedic to our store. Naturepedic is also adding premium organic adult mattresses to their line-up. We expect to have the individually pocketed coil adult mattress in the store by June 1. Stop by soon to see the display of Naturpedic youth products.

New Furniture Line: Conrad's Studio

We have an impressive line of furniture in the shop. Our newest collection is built right here in Portland, and has a laid back, danish modern style. All pieces here in the shop are made out of West Coast Walnut and can be made to your specifications.


Conrad's T.V. Stash is a great way to create a statement in your room while creating storage for your television.




This low key coffee table looks like it is balancing like a surfboard on top of a nice fluent set of legs.




His style may be laid back but he keeps with traditional furniture techniques and creates with a percentage of reclaimed wood and low VOC options specifically for our shop. We will be adding to his collection over the next few months, so come on in and see it in person!

Seams to Fit Home joins the Eclectic Home Space

The summer is getting off to a special start with a new addition to the space. Seems to Fit Home, a boutique consignment furniture shop, is curating their own collection right here under one roof. A unique assortment of accessories and heirloom furniture marked at a steal of a price. We hope you find the collaboration as great as we do and possibly a special something will catch your eye when you stop by the shop again.

Eco-Friendly Chair Reupholstery

We have a visitor in the shop. One 40's fusion chair completely reupholstered as an organic seat. Acanthus, an eco-friendly fabric, furniture and upholstery shop has reclaimed a classic frame with healthy ingredients.

A reclaimed frame makes for a seat that is straight out of the 40's. The elements of design, short seat height, shallow seat depth and round features set this chair back in time. The elements of construction, latex cushion, wool batting, and certified upholstery create an organic chair for today.

Perfect for the small in stature. It is sure to find a place in one lovely home.

Come check it out and learn more about organic seating through our resources, Acanthus and Zola Eco-Friendly Furnishings.

New Youth Mattress From Organic Mattresses, Inc.

Organic Mattresses, Inc. (OMI) has expanded their line of mattresses to suit the whole family. They have created a certified organic mattress for toddlers and it can be seen here in the shop.


OMI has partnered with, Healthy Child Healthy World, as a way to inform parents about their options when creating a low impact environment for their family. As a mattress company, OMI has given families a way to maintain a healthy lifestyle without giving up the luxury of a good nights sleep.


Read more about the new OrganicPedic Youth Mattress by Organic Mattresses, Inc.

Organic Goods You Shouldn't Comprimise On.

When seeking out organic goods it is easy to know what we don't want. But, wouldn't it be nice to know what we do want when choosing to buy organic?

Health.com put out a list of 12 Things You Should Definitely Buy Organic. Over half of the items on the list are food products, which is expected, but in a city like this we know there is more to organic than what we eat. We were happy to see, a product we are very familiar with, the mattress, found a place on the list. The bedroom is a great place to start when considering ways to create a healthy home.



This slide show is more than a recommendation, it provides information that can lead to a deeper search into the organic world. It does a good job in explaining why they recommend what they do, and provide you with other avenues to research for yourself.

Maybe you'll learn something new today!

Learn More about Creating a Healthy Bedroom

Find ways to go beyond the organic mattress in your room and gain the tools to create your ideal resting place.



If you are searching for ways to make your bedroom a healthy sleeping space we hear that Eco-Remedi is putting on a tele-class to help you learn more about creating one. The tele-class is an online event that will offer professional opinions on what makes a healthy bedroom.

Fit Home: "Bedrooms with Benefits" will cover top secrets from professional designers, environmental health specialists, LEED architects, nutritionists, and even a loveologist!

If you are interested in learning more, follow the link to the "Bedrooms with Benefits" flier.

How To Waterproof an Organic Mattress

All great beds deserve great protection and organics always seem to find an interesting alternative for your needs. We have found that some people like to keep with the traditional ways of protecting a mattress and some people are curious to find a modern way to do the same.

Here you will find three very different ways to protect your mattress from moisture in a healthy way.



Wool Mattress Protector
aka. puddle pad, moisture barrier, felted pad

Wool is a traditional way to protect a mattress from all things wet. This method has stood the test of time for a reason, it does the job very well. Here you have an organic solution that uses nothing but the natural wool fiber. The fiber is woven together and felted to create a coarse yet soft surface. The process of felting is what gives the product the ability to repel water so it puddles up on top of the protector, instead of absorbing into the fiber. This type of protector is not able to be washed, and is usually paired with a cotton mattress pad.

One additional benefit to using wool as the primary form of protection is its capability to regulate temperature. The fiber will keep the body at a desirable temperature all through the night.



When searching for a wool protector.

Feel the fiber.
You will be able to feel the individual fibers easily. It will be coarse like a close cut beard.

Look closely.
You will be able to see the raised fibers, this is how to tell it is a repellent protector.


Organic Cotton Mattress Pad
aka. flannel mattress pad

Anther traditional way of creating a barrier between outside inhabitants and your mattress is another natural fiber. Cotton, that is quilted together to form a thick, tight cover is a popular solution for most adults and teens. It does not act as a repellent, instead it absorbs a good amount of moisture before it has time to make contact with the mattress. If you are concerned about excessive moisture this is a good product to pair with a wool moisture barrier because the cotton pad can easily be washed.

Waterpoof Organic Cotton Mattress Barrier
aka. fitted sheet moisture barrier, recycled polyurethane barrier

Waterproof and organic? This is an up and coming alternative to the vinyl material that used to be used as a fail safe way to protect a mattress from all things wet. Here you have an organic cotton fitted sheet that has a recycled polyurethane coating on the underside. In order to add the waterproof element to the product an engineered substance is introduced to the manufacturing process of the product. This means, plastic products, like bottles and bags, that would have been thrown away are now given a new life as a mattress protector. On the top side you have an ultra soft 100% organic cotton and on the other you have a thin, completely breathable protective barrier. The polyurethane used in this product is inert, there is no off gassing or PVC in the product.

It too comes with an added benefit, it can double as both a fitted sheet and the mattress protector.



When searching for a cotton protector

Feel the product.
The topside should feel nice and smooth like other organic cottons you have felt and the product as a whole should be very flexible, not stiff.

Ask questions.
Be sure that the protective coating is innate, and has no off gassing. You can feel confident if it is recycled it will be an innate product.

When searching for an organic way to moisture proof your mattress these three options are a great way to protect your mattress and are available here in the shop for you to take home today!

What Is It That Makes Silk So Irresistable?

We just received our first order of DreamSacks Silk Pillowcases and thought you may like to hear our take on a highly sought after fiber.

It has a luminesent color, it makes you feel great, and even gives you a pillowcase you can happily use all year round. It can be a great upgrade to any bedroom. Take our new pillowcase for example. DreamSacks makes a great lightweight and strong case that can provide you with a natural comfort solution.

For those that care about its aesthetic uses.

We hear, "They look and feel so great."

The color luminosity comes from the triangular fibers, a prism like configuration, that allow the light to refract off of it in different directions. The smooth feel of the fiber is created in the way it is "thrown" or weaved together. To get a crinkly fabric an artist will use what is refereed to as a crepe thread method. To get a sheer fabric, like the one in our shop, an artist will use a single thread method.

Legend will say, it makes you look youthful. It helps lessen wrinkles and keeps curly hair tame.

We have heard the tight weave of a pillowcase actually helps lower the amount of wrinkles you wake up with in the morning. The same goes for your curly locks, the smooth surface gives less friction when flipping around in your sleep. It is said to keep a your hair frizz free and shinny, for a longer period of time. Although we have no scientific proof, it seems to make sense!

For those that care about it's practical uses.

We will hear, "I love the way it keeps me warm in the winter and cool in the summer."

Silk acts like a terry cloth by absorbing up to 30% of it's weight in moisture, which is linked to regulating your body temperature. In the summer when you sweat, the moisture is absorbed into the fiber and off of your body allowing your skin to breath freely. In the winter the tight weave of the fiber keeps your body heat close to your skin to create a natural thermostat. The silk pillowcase feels even better on the Kapok pillow. We have it out ready to try!

Pictured above is our color selection. Also available Green Tea and Soft Blue.

Portland Fall Home and Garden Show

One of our healthy living resources, Eco Remedy, has asked us to be part of Serving Up Style-Designers Fighting Lupus to raise awareness, while showcasing new dinning trends in the market. You can find styles from modern to contemporary starting today, Thursday through Sunday October 3rd. Click here for more information on show hours and more.

Bed Bugs and organic mattresses

You might know that organic mattresses use organic wool to satisfy federal requirements regarding flamibility but did you know that that same organic wool is also a dust mite and BED BUG repellent. The lanolin in organic wool, which is a wax like substance produced by sheep as a water repellent, is not friendly at all to bed bugs. So If you are looking for another reason to purchase an organic mattress here it is.

Savvy Rest joins INC. 500 list

Read about Michael at Savvy Rest. It is a great read and of course Savvy Rest produces a great mattress.


http://www.inc.com/magazine/20100901/from-the-ashram-to-the-strip-mall.html

Organic Mattress Accessory Sale

Check out this promotion from OMI.

Terressentials

Hand crafted, USDA Certified Organic, skin care. Yes, this is one of the few body care products that has passed the strictest of organic standards. USDA Certified Organic, typically a food standard, does not allow synthetic preservatives or chemical processing of ingredients. With out this seal the work "organic" doesn't mean anything! We have the skin care to prove it!

This product replaces the harmful ingredients of typical skin care products with therapeutically pure contents. Instead of stearic acid, a saturated fatty acid, they use certified organic cocoa butter to create a thick creamy consistency in their lotions and soaps, and certified organic shea butter, that is one of the best organic moisturizing agents out there.

We carry a wide variety of products from lotion to anointing body oil. All options come in a full or sample size, so you can be sure to find the right scent for your body type. You can layer up your favorite scents for a lasting aroma all day long by combining the luxurious body wash in the shower with a dab of the richly scented anointing body oil for the day. They are both available in four scents; lavender, mint, lemon, and spice. We also have hand soap, lip protector, baby products, and fragrance free options.

You may be asking why we have decided to carry this product. Our answer to that question is a simple one, we find it important to not only sell responsibly made products but those that are good for your health. We found this product in one of our general research methods that keep us on the top of the organic curve. It is only fair to pass such a unique product on to our customers as well. Quite frankly many health stores won't carry this product on their shelves because it is too good. So good that it will make the other skin care products on the shelf look bad, we don't have that competition here. And it is just another way for us to provide a healthy solution for you. Why wouldn't you want a product that is so safe that the coco butter is used in chocolate bars and the peppermint oil is the same used in candy!

Luxurious bamboo bedding

What could be better than slipping under the covers and onto luxurious bamboo sheets. Silky soft this bedding feels oh so great. Bamboo Dreams from Ashland Oregon imports the best quality bamboo fabric found anywhere. Six solid colors to choose from. Queen sheet sets start at $215.

Wool Bedding

More wool!! We have just received our order of organic wool bedding. We now carry a wool mattress, 3 brands of wool toppers, wool mattress pads, wool comforters, wool dog beds, and various wool pillows. So what's up with wool?

The properties of wool
Wool has a very complex chemical and physical structure, which accounts for its uniqueness and versatility as a textile fiber. The fibers are made up of more than 20 amino acids, which combine to form long chains (polymers) of protein.

It's the internal structure of each woolen fiber — a three-dimensional corkscrew pattern, or helical 'crimp' — that gives wool its elasticity. The coiled springs of these molecular chains, with their permanent built-in 'memory,' makes the woolen fibers themselves coil-shaped and accounts for their enduring resilience.

Wool is superior to all other fibers in its ability to handle body moisture in both warm and cool environments. The porosity of the cells in the outer layers of wool fiber allows them to quickly and efficiently absorb and evaporate moisture. In fact, the fibers can absorb up to 30% of their own weight in moisture — ten times as much as any synthetic fiber — without feeling damp or clammy. The porous structure also explains why wool is such a good thermal insulator, not to mention the mesh of the fibers, which creates millions of air pockets that further help to regulate temperature and humidity.

Wool is a naturally strong fiber. It can bend back on itself 20,000 times without breaking. Compare this to cotton at 3,200 times, silk at 1,800, and rayon at only 75 times.

Due to its unique chemical structure and natural moisture content, wool is naturally fire-resistant. And despite its natural moisture content, wool's dry, porous nature repels mildew and dust mites
.
Did you know?

A wool mattress pad on your bed will eliminate dust mites, which can't survive in the natural lanolin of the wool.
A wool blanket can also help you sleep better. Tests have shown that the heart rate under a wool-filled comforter was always significantly lowered, while the humidity next to the skin was significantly lower 71% of the time.
What are other uses for lanolin?
Because it's an excellent water-repellent, lanolin is used on oil rigs as a corrosion inhibitor (an agent that slows down the rusting process). For the same reason, spare auto parts are sometimes coated in lanolin when they're put into long-term storage. And, of course, because it's chemically similar to many of the oils naturally produced by human skin, it's widely used in the pharmaceutical industry. In fact, when lanolin is mixed with suitable vegetable oils or soft paraffin, it makes a cream so good at penetrating the skin that it has been used as a 'carrier' to deliver pharmaceutical drugs subcutaneously (meaning just below the skin).

Lanolin can also be used as a lubricant and a leather finish and preservative. You'll even find lanolin in some varnishes and paints.

Pillows, Pillows, Pillows-ORGANICALLY

THE best selection of natural and organic sleeping pillows in the Portland Oregon area is right here at Eclectic Home. Wool, Cotton, Natural Rubber, Kapok, Buckwheat, Millet-we have them all in stock and on the beds so that you can test them out. By popular demand we now have a line of premium down pillows made here in the Northwest. Stop by the store to get yourself fitted for the perfect sleeping pillow. You deserve it and it is something that you will enjoy each and every night/day.