New: Sustainable furniture becoming more affordable, innovative
costly in many ways, not just financially, so more and more people are worried about whether they and their children will be able to experience a healthy future.”
It’s not all doom and gloom. As the trend grows, sustainable furniture is becoming more affordable and innovative.
“The best news is that there is no one style that we are confined to when we want to be sure we are choosing an ecofriendly product,” Inglis said. “There are good choices in all styles and at all price points, such as products made of recycled materials, of certified wood, of bamboo, and products made close to home.”
Two outdoor furniture design companies that the the Sustainable Furnishings Council recommends are The Patio Daddyo with its surfboard motif and the family-owned Three Coins Cast.
Formed in 1989, Three Coins Cast uses a cast aluminum product that is welded, prepped and hand-finished to withstand the extreme temperatures of any climate without compromising the integrity of the design or structure. The family has watched the desire for sustainable products continue to gain traction in the outdoor furniture market over the past 25 years.
“I think the growth of sustainable products is so popular because today’s consumers are more educated and aware of the benefits long term of products that help protect our environment,” said Susana Powell, owner of Three Coins Cast who began working for her family company in 2001.
The company has chosen aluminum for its environmentally friendly and can monitor performance and are a good example of legitimate third-party certifications.
Where do the materials come from that was used in this furniture? Furniture made from local raw materials that is within a 500-mile radius of your home cuts down on transportation, the second major contributor to greenhouse gases.
Does this manufacturer have a Social Equity Code of Conduct for its productions processes? The only assurance that workers are treated fairly, work in a safe environment and are provided decent wages is through the code of conduct, and a good manufacturer will provide a copy. features as well as its aesthetic.
“Our sustainable, fully-welded, solid-cast aluminum is a superior choice because it does not rust or break down with time,” she said. “Every (professional show) I attend I have people come to my showroom who also bought from my parents between 15-20 years ago and still love their furniture.”
Three Coins Cast’s Windsor line is its most popular product this summer. Its Windsor settee was named one of the Best New Home Products for 2013 by This Old House magazine.
“Besides being made from 100 percent recycled aluminum, it is in itself a replica of the historic Windsor wooden chair that has been around for centuries,” Powell said.
Locals are asking for sustainable products in larger numbers as they become more educated, said Angela Britt, owner and interior designer at Deziner Originals.
“It contributes to the longevity of the earth’s resources,” the longtime local designer said. “You acquire products that are not harmful to you and your family’s health, and they are just as stylish and well-made as (traditional) products.”
Most sustainable products offer added benefits of being unique in some way, which creates an interest by consumers. She recently designed a fabric and leather sectional from Norwalk Furniture using recycled materials and installed a floor made of recycled 24-inch-by-24-inch cork squares in a Strip condominium floor for a leatherlike look that is durable and interesting to the eye.
“We all want to have and share experiences that enhance our lifestyle,” she said, “and purchasing sustainable home furnishings gives us a sense of being a part of the greater good for all.”
KIMBERLEY McGEE/SPECIAL TO YOUR HOME