Eco Furniture
This article originally appeared in Boulevard magazine, Jan/Feb 2008.
I often wonder if at some point in the future, historians will call this time of change something of an environmental renaissance. We are seeing the beginning stages of changing public perception: that a lot of outdated business practices, product manufacturing, and ways of living are simply not ethical. And I am ever hopeful, at times feeling fleeting twinges of excitement. We can win this one. (Yes, it’s a battle.) I believe that one day human society will live sustainably on this planet, meeting “the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (the Brundtland Commission). It’s a goal we inch closer to every day.
Thankfully, consumers are becoming increasingly educated in terms of the products they choose to purchase, especially those for the home. Furniture containing chemicals offgas into the air we breathe, in turn harming our health. Not only are people seeking eco-friendly furniture and trustworthy retailers to support, they are also asking lots of questions. Because it’s not enough to feel safe that the finish is nontoxic; we also want to know where the materials were sourced from and how, whether the factory has sustainable practices in place, and whether they pay their employees fairly. From the earth to the factory to your home to the end of a product’s useful life, we’re demanding accountability.
Sounds like a pretty tall order, especially for something that hopefully strikes a perfect balance between utility, style and environmental effect. And here’s where the advantages of custom-made furniture take centre stage. Unique and rich with natural character, custom furniture items become heirloom pieces that last many generations, making excellent use of their resource. Wood is a fantastic material for furniture, as it’s biodegradable and renewable. Many products are now made of Forest Stewardship Council certified wood, which means it comes from sustainably harvested forests.
Lots of local retailers are now offering “enlightened” products and eco-furniture lines. Tony Martin of Monarch Furnishings (727 Summit Avenue, 388-4226) tells me that their new products use plantation-grown timber like mango wood. Mango wood is a fast-growing tree that stops producing fruit after about 15 years, and then it is harvested for furniture.
Recently, Monarch has brought in a line of reclaimed teak products from Central Java. Some of this teak has cured for over 300 years as wharves, warehouses and railway sleepers. The custom-made dining, coffee and sofa tables are solid, chunky pieces with varied imperfections like embedded nails and patched holes. “They’re just gorgeous pieces,” says Tony emphatically, and he’s right. Simple designs show off the natural beauty and grain of the ancient wood, and knowing that no new trees were harvested to make such fine, high-quality furniture is a good thing. Plus, “You can sit around this table and say it’s been seasoned for 300 years — it has a history,” says Martin.
Tab Imports (#103 - 2505 Beacon Avenue in Sidney, 654-0424) offers bamboo and solid wood, handmade furniture made of reclaimed teak, and teak or mahogany plantation timber. Co-owner Leanne Anglin tells me that they insist on working with suppliers and manufacturers that have fair work standards. Anglin even travels to Indonesia to visit the manufacturers’ operations.
Environmental and social responsibility are concerns for Christina Stack and Chris Rothery of Only Human, located at #8 Dragon Alley in Chinatown (592-9712). Chris designs and builds eco-friendly furniture using highly renewable bamboo, as well as fast-growing hardwoods from Western Canada. “We’re moving in the right direction,” says Rothery. “It’s hard to make something that doesn’t affect the planet negatively in some small way. We try to make conscious decisions and know more about our products.” Rothery chose Teragren as his supplier of bamboo because they use a lamination adhesive that is virtually formaldehyde-free and they assure high quality, compliance to environmental standards, and fair workplace practices from “harvest to final product.”
Andreas Schwall is the founder of Eco Furniture, a company he started in the spring of 2007 (889-3740). “It was a big risk, but I have to say it was the right move, because the response so far has been incredible,” says Schwall. Clients appreciate his clean, modern designs that are durable and functional. They also value the furniture’s minimal impact on the environment. He uses solid, fast-growing softwoods (pine, cedar, or fir) from sustainably harvested forests in Western Canada.
Schwall uses only all-natural and nontoxic finishes. He builds his furniture using hidden screws, which makes the pieces easy to recycle. “I believe in keeping my furniture affordable for everyone. People with a normal income are those who make a difference in the world when it comes to the bigger picture,” says Schwall.
Some people feel that leather is an acceptable choice for furniture fabrics because it’s a natural, hardwearing material and an extremely useful by-product of a pervasive meat industry. However, consider that factory farms are large sources of greenhouse gases, and animals suffer greatly in these confined living conditions. In addition, producing leather yields toxic waste and liquid effluents. There are no easy answers here, but equipping yourself with knowledge in order to make the best decision for you, your family, and your home will set you apart.
Of course, conservation comes first: replace or buy new items only as needed. Personally, I’m addicted to the thrill of finding beautiful used furniture and bargain antiques. You can find eco-friendly, recycled and well-loved furnishings in all sorts of places. Try some of my favourites: Fan Tan Gallery, Sweet Peas at Home, Cornercopia, Great Finds Furniture, Country Craft Furniture and Surroundings.
Something that’s worth buying new is a mattress, and its accompanying bedding. The Good Planet Company at 1005 Broad Street carries chemical-free, natural rubber mattresses, pillows and organic cotton bedding. Have yourself a comfortable, and green, sleep.
By Julie Andersens
