| 08.18.09
| Furniture
From hybrid cars to wind power to sustainable urban planning, the world is turning green. The furniture industry, is no exception. Designers are placing a greater emphasis on, among other practices, green manufacturing processes, such as building with Forestry-Stewardship-Council-certified woods and incorporating recycled materials into their work.
The Century House takes pride in the fact that these green concepts are already inherent to many of the products we carry. This has long been especially true of Scandinavian design. Scandinavian furniture makers have a history of using natural woods, textiles and fibers, crafting strong, gorgeous pieces that you’ll want to cherish forever. The inherent overall quality of many of these pieces and their extended lifespan also means less waste being added to landfills. Now that’s what we call a green design philosophy and one of our favorite features of well built furniture!
We thought we would introduce you to some of our newer examples of sustainably produced products. The following is just a sampling – Part I – of eco-friendly offerings at The Century House. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Hästens Beds
The degree of craftsmanship and detail that go into a Hästens bed is unparalleled. The pine bed frame is itself a well-constructed piece of furniture; stitching is strong and precise; and the hand-tufting is legendarily luxurious. Disassemble a Hastens bed – not that you would ever want to! – and you will find an impressive collection of natural materials. Here are some highlights:
Horsehair: Because a horse’s hair is hollow, they have their own cooling system that keeps the animals comfortable in summer’s heat. Also, moisture quickly passes through the strands, giving it super quick-drying properties. These cooling and wicking qualities make horsehair an ideal ingredient for blissful sleep.
Flax: Cultivated for more than 7,000 years in the Middle East, flax was once used for ship’s sails. Hästens uses this tough, long-lasting fiber underneath and between the spring systems, and in some cases above the springs. The padding also helps to minimize and divert static electricity.
Cotton: On a steamy summer’s day, the logical wardrobe choice is cotton – cool, breathable and quick to evaporate perspiration. Hästens uses this same rationale when outfitting its products, as all beds and mattresses are upholstered in the finest quality cotton. In addition a layer of cotton wadding is placed directly under the fabric, making it especially soft to lie on.
Down: Down is nature’s insulator (ever seen a cold goose?) and dehumidifier. Better than any synthetic stuffing, down imparts comforting warmth, while also allowing moisture to evaporate. This material is used in Hästens comforters and pillows.
American Leather
We carry American Leather, a maker of sofas, sectionals, recliners and more, because it’s an industry leader in quality, comfort and durability. This Dallas-based company is also a leader in green initiatives in the furniture industry. These are great products that are built to last, thus reducing the overall impact on our environment. As a founding member of the Sustainable Furniture Council, here are some steps – among many – that American Leather takes to make its products more environmentally friendly:
Frames
- All wood is harvested from sustainable forests.
- More than 2 million pounds of left over wood is recycled annually.
- Glues are chemical-free, water-based binders.
Leather
- Option for leathers Dyed using water-based solvents and pigments.
Cushions
- Includes soy-based, BiOH, foam cushioning.
