Furniture Focus

Take an enlightened approach to energy efficiency

2009-06-10T05:04:00.000-07:00

Shedding light on energy performance

Reading about trees, rainforests and buying ethical furniture is just one way we can gain a greater appreciation of our planet. Being energy-aware is another. The Government appears to have recognised the importance of the latter and now requires property owners to demonstrate their eco principles by declaring the energy performance of their property.

While it’s hardly a case of shouting about Co2 emissions from the chimney tops, an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) must be held which provides the energy rating of a building in black and white. These energy performance certificates form part of the slightly arduous Home Information Packs (HIPs).

An EPC allows buyers and tenants to make an informed decision as to whether a property is energy efficient. Specialist companies such as Manchester-based Enlighten Enviro carry out energy efficiency checks and can quickly issue a Manchester EPC to residential and commercial property owners (both are legally obliged to hold an EPC).

And the requirements don’t stop there – well, for public buildings at least. There’s also the commercial DEC. DEC stands for Display Energy Certificate. Again, this removes any ambiguous grey areas, and requires owners to display the real energy usage of a building as recorded by gas, electricity and other meters. A DEC is only required for buildings occupied by a public authority or an institution providing a public service to a large number of persons with a total useable area greater than 1000m2.

A bit of a headache all this may be, but it does mean we’re all moving towards a more energy efficient world.

More about the EPC and DEC

To get help in obtaining a commercial EPC or commercial DEC or for more information on the subject of energy performance.

Shadow of the Earth

2008-11-14T06:35:00.000-08:00

If you have an awareness of eco living, there's every chance you've noticed the recent trend towards ethical and naturally-sourced beauty products. There’s every sort of makeup available on the market at the moment - sparkly, smooth, powdery, perfumed - you name it it's in the shops and literally twinkling its way into your basket. The choice is seriously overwhelming and if, like me, you’re rather partial to popping yet another pot into your makeup bag you'll probably like the latest eye shadow from The Body Shop.

It attracted me because it's an all natural product, being derived from natural minerals in the ground, and by its very nature is SPF25 - I rarely see this in an eyeshadow. The shadow comes as a loose powder formulation and is clinically proven to be suitable for sensitive skin types. It's also long-lasting, blendable and refreshingly crease-resistant. The Body Shop claims the shadows, which come in a lovely range of natural colours (no dyes used) are suitable for all skin types. They're also dermatologically tested, ophthalmologically tested and suitable for contact lens wearers. In the same range, which is called Nature's Minerals, there is a selection of delicate foundations and pretty blushers. These also derive their pigments from natural minerals in the ground.

The Body Shop are currently running some offers on this makeup, so be sure to check out the website http://www.thebodyshop.com/

Danish Delight

2008-11-14T03:03:00.000-08:00

These tables caught my eye as they are so unique. They're advertised on a site called http://www.designedtoplease.co.uk.

They do remind me slightly of the ghost furniture http://www.ghostfurniture.co.uk/ which I blogged about around Halloween time (see below), but these pieces are constructed from scratch, rather than being created from old, ready-to-be-chucked-out pieces of furniture.

The tables, which are handmade in Denmark, are designed from 3mm round-texture acrylic and claim to be pretty strong. Obviously the tables are designed to recreate the look of a tablecloth floating in the air. Because of the hand-crafted design process, part of the attraction is that each table is unique. If you bob on to the site, you'll see the same style of table available in clear, grey, brown, red, opal and pyramid textured finishes. Unfortunately, the furniture doesn't appear to make any attempt to be ethical, but they're so beautiful I thought they were definitely worth a mention.

Ethical Wood Toys

2008-11-10T08:30:00.000-08:00

When you consider the number of brightly-coloured plastic toys that will be sold this Christmas, only to be forgotten and discarded in January, the impact on the environment doesn’t bear thinking about. But ethically-produced wooden toys are now available from a number of discerning retailers who place importance on sustainable materials and good working conditions in third-world countries.

There’s one funky little company called Boutiko http://www.boutiko.co.uk/ which has some really cute toys on the market this Christmas. Their unique selling point is 'beautiful gifts with an ethical twist'. Check out the A-Z elephant jigsaw above which retails at £16 on the website. They’ve used lots of child-friendly colours like jazzy reds, pinks, purples and greens in the paintwork, but all the toys are made from sustainable rubber wood and MDF – and all entirely by hand in Sri Lanka under fairtrade conditions.

The wood is sourced from exhausted rubber plantations which are replanted every decade or so, and the packing materials are PVC-free and made from waste materials from local suppliers. Children are not involved at any stage of the production of these toys, and they have been approved by the British Association of Fair Trade Shops.

Boutiko also sells loads of other ethical products. To find the toys from the Boutiko home page, click on 'little ones'.

Thrill of a bargain

2008-11-10T02:47:00.000-08:00

With my finances a little stretched at the moment, last night I logged onto www.moneysavingexpert.com to see if I could get some advice on how to survive the Christmas period without completely bankrupting myself. Whilst I was looking at various threads, I came across one chatting about renovating old furniture which I thought could come in pretty useful to people at the moment. Although it’s not a particularly long thread there’s some great ideas thrown about – check out http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1259129.

There’s also an article and thread on haggling, which can be useful in some of the bigger furniture stores. Have a look at http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1263291 to read shoppers’ personal (and often amusing) experiences. There’s an interesting post at the top of the thread which asks shoppers not to apply the same haggling techniques in independent stores which are struggling more than major high-street retailers during the recession. It’s quite a valid point. On the home page of money saving expert there’s also a whole article on haggling, which throws loads of tips and tricks into the mix to help save you cash. Here’s the link http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/how-to-haggle-successfully.

Don't miss the table which includes some info specifically on furniture. A snippet of advice is as follows ‘Stores will often discount clearance or display stock, especially if it takes up a lot of space. They are also willing to cut the price flawed merchandise. Always ask for free delivery on bulky items’. Some of the major furniture stores which are talked about favourably in terms of giving discounts are John Lewis and Ikea.

From Cradle to Cardboard

2008-11-07T04:11:00.000-08:00

Had to give this a quick mention after blogging about the organic baby mattress below. This cot, bizarrely, is made of cardboard which I was slightly dubious about at first, purely from a safety perspective. My mind was slightly put at ease by the fact the cradle conforms to European safety standards. It's an interesting concept anyway.

It is made by Green Lullaby and is called the Eco Cradle. It is designed to cater for babies for the first few months, is light and foldable, and assembles and disassembles in seconds with 'tools', if you’re a bit handy. I think the idea is that it can be transported around, and shipped off to the grandparents when the parents need some sleep.

The cot is completely recyclable and made primarily of recycled materials and protected by a green, and non-toxic fire retardant. It can be placed next to a parent’s bed, and is apparently the correct height for rocking, ‘soothing’ or picking your baby up from a laying or sitting position. I found the cot on the furniture section of the site www.thenaturalstore.co.uk. It retails at £59.99.

Sleeping like a baby

2008-11-07T01:44:00.000-08:00

There’s lots of conflicting advice in the press and from doctors about the safest sleeping conditions for babies. Although I don’t have children of my own, friends and work colleagues have heightened my awareness of the current health issues, which include the ongoing dangers of cot death, and also the chemical constituents in mattresses. To address the latter problem, many mums and dads now seem to opt for a chemical-free organic mattresses for their baby's cot.

A search on the web led me to a company called Abaca, which makes a Soil Association-certified mattress http://www.soilassociation.org/. The mattress is made from a core of coir (coconut fibre) and natural latex which is wrapped in a deep layer of wool and finished with a cotton cover.

The thinking behind the mattress is that traditional mattresses contain chemicals which can be absorbed into children’s (and adults) bodies, and potentially effect their growth and development. It’s a relatively recent turn around that people are questioning what goes into the mattresses we sleep on, and whether they could be the cause of health problems. Some of the more dangerous chemicals are being phased out by companies anyway, but there is still cause for concern from chemicals such as brominated flame retardants http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/19990718090047.html, also known as PBDEs. These can build up in breast milk, and increase the risk of neurological problems in children. Organic mattresses such as this one from Abaca are obviously a safer way to bring children into the world, although they’re naturally more expensive. The mattress is available to purchase, along with others in the range, at http://www.buyorganics.co.uk/

Rustic Charm and Dovetail Joints

2008-11-03T08:15:00.000-08:00

Rustic farmhouses and cosy roaring fires are just so appealing at this time of year. And as I’ve got a real penchant for all that cottage-y-type furniture, I’m always on the look out for farmhouse furniture which catches my eye.

This lovely chunky-legged table from the Indonesian furniture website Tangkoko, is just the sort of piece I go for. It has a real solid presence about it (note the beautiful dovetail jointing) and you can just tell it’d be more than capable of withstanding the wear and tear of everyday living.

It’s one of a number of pieces in Tangkoko's Celebes collection, which includes things like slatted beds, bedside tables, chests of drawers and chunky mirrors - all designed in the same warm, and rustic style.

Beyond the clear quality of craftsmanship, this particular furniture company has a strong ethos surrounding the rainforests of Indonesia. They make sure their products are made from either recycled materials, or sustainably-sourced natural materials from India or Indonesia. This means you know all their furniture is ethical in the sense that it's helping to support the local Indonesian people, as well as helping to sustain the beautiful rainforests of Indonesia. Check out more of their gorgeous furniture at http://www.tangkoko.co.uk/.

Beyond Bamboo Furniture

2008-11-03T01:04:00.000-08:00

I’ve seen lots of superb bamboo furniture but I was somewhat in the dark about the broader uses of bamboo. But I’ve recently discovered that the idea of bamboo clothing was first developed in 2001 – the clothes are basically produced by pulping bamboo like wood. And when you read up a bit about this plant it’s actually a very smart choice of material for clothing manufacture.

Bamboo is officially the fastest growing plant in the world, largely because of its ability to absorb water. Bamboo grows to its maximum height in about 3 months and reaches maturity in around 3-4 years. It also spreads rapidly across large areas. Because of this, bamboo is known to improve soil quality in degraded and eroded areas of land.

Perhaps best of all, the water is retained once it’s been made into clothes, so it’s really one of the softest materials you can hang in your wardrobe. Another unique and practical quality is that it’s antibacterial ‘forever’ – so it’s a great material if you’re prone to getting hot and sticky.
Such are its credentials that a few online companies are now specialising in Bamboo clothing such as Buy Organics http://www.buyorganics.com/ and Little Green Rock http://www.littlegreenrock.com/.

From the sites I’ve checked out, it seems to be casualwear and sportswear, such as T-shirts, hoodies, shorts and socks that bamboo is most suited to – at the moment at least, although it seems the bamboo clothing industry is still in its relative infancy. To see a list of all the benefits of bamboo beyond furniture, check out http://www.bambooclothing.co.uk/why_is_bamboo_better.html.

Chemical-Free Kids

2008-10-31T07:49:00.000-07:00

If you have kids, creating their first bedroom is a fun and momentous project to undertake. These days, there’s lots of research undertaken and published surrounding the health hazards of furniture paints and glosses – naturally, these are a concern for parents. The issues surround the use of chemicals and volatile solvents, which are used liberally in traditional brands of paint.

I’ve found a company called Buy Organics www.buyorganics.co.uk, which stocks a range of natural paints which are safe to use on children’s cots and toys. The range is called Auro Natural, and can be used on wood, metal, plaster and masonry. The paints use alternative ethical and eco-friendly ingredients, which include binder resin made from linseed oil, castor oil, sunflower oil and detergent made from castor and rape oil. The drying agents are also lead free. Because of the absence of these volatile solvents and chemical hardeners, drying times are more dependent on temperature and humidity than conventional paints.

The Buy Organics site gives quite detailed instructions underneath the product about application and paint ingredients. This natural paint is available in white, or a range of naturally-tinted pre-mixed colours. The site sells plenty of other natural paint products, as well as other organic products from furniture to eco gifts. The paint is £12.90 for a tin, including VAT.

Further links which may be of interest include http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7416405.stm http://www.defra.gov.uk/Environment/chemicals/lead/advice1.htm.

Ghostly Furniture For Halloween

2008-10-31T02:37:00.001-07:00

Of all days in the year to mention Ghost Furniture http://www.ghostfurniture.co.uk/, today seems rather fitting. The company's marketing slogan is ‘Bringing quality furniture back from the dead and making it hauntingly beautiful’. And yes, some of their furniture pieces do look rather spooky. The company uses eco-friendly materials wherever possible, and the pieces are made by naturally recycling materials which would otherwise be thrown on the rubbish tip.

'Dinner for One' is set on a pine tilt-top table which was found in an antique shop in Newcastle. Ornate vintage cutlery, a vintage plate, napkin and a wooden wine goblet are all fixed to the table. The napkin has been treated to make it sculpturally rigid. The table can be tilted, as in the picture, and everything stays in place. The whole piece has been painted in Farrow & Ball White Pointing and treated with a special smooth wax finish. When the table is flat the goblet can be used to hold flowers, and the plate can hold fruit, making it a rather practical piece of art. I've included another picture of another piece called 'Shadow Cabinet' (the non political type) above, which has been finished in a matt, French Grey paint from a range bought in Paris. The piece was found in a house clearance in the Derwent Valley.

Sleep Easy

2008-10-27T06:02:00.000-07:00

If you’re investing in an expensive hand-crafted wood bed, often you have to buy the mattress separately. This can be overwhelming in itself, as there are hundreds of mattresses on the market – firm, soft, bouncy, not-bouncy etc. And some can be more expensive than the wooden bed frame itself.

I’ve been doing a bit of research over the last couple of days, trying to find the most back and body-friendly mattress on the market. Having chatted to an osteopath yesterday, who sees all manner of postural problems and musculoskeletal injuries on a daily basis, I’ve been reliably informed that the best mattresses are those made from memory foam. He has one himself in fact. I have to say I’ve seen the product on the market, in everything from slippers to pillows, but I’ve never really given it much consideration.

In the case of the memory foam mattress, the foam moulds to the body during the night, supporting everything from the back to the hips and knees. It’s not even a product reserved for those purely with back pain or orthopaedic problems – I have since discovered my friend in her mid-20s has a memory foam mattress, and she raves about it. She said it gives her and her boyfriend the best night’s sleep ever, as it stops all the annoying tossing and turning which generally happens as the body adjusts itself to alleviate pressure.

To read more about buying a memory foam mattress have a look at http://www.ergoflex.co.uk/memory-foam-mattress.php. I think the general advice would be do a bit of research on the brands, and don’t necessarily go for the cheapest. The quality appears to vary considerably.

Making a Stand Against Unethical Manufacture

2008-10-23T01:17:00.000-07:00

Even though I blogged about the Guardian’s ecostore http://www.guardianecostore.co.uk/ earlier this week, I couldn’t resist drawing attention to this stunning handcrafted Sheesham wood book stand that’s also available on the site. Given that I was trawling the web and the high street just a month ago for a recipe book stand for my Mum’s birthday, I really wish I’d spotted this at the time.

I opted for a black cast iron stand in the end as the wood designs were generally nothing special, but this is considerably more beautiful with an intricate carving of flowers, and has all the feel-good factor of being fair trade. It also has a brass hinge at the back of the stand so the angle can be adjusted.

The stand comes from a BAFTS (the British Association for Fair Trade Shops http://www.bafts.org.uk/) and IFAT (the International Fair Trade Association) registered fair trade supplier who works with a project in Saharanpur, Indian. The employees benefit from hygienic conditions and fair wages.

It’s undoubtedly lighter than a cast iron stand, which means it can be easily tucked away when not in use should space in the kitchen be limited. I guess the stand could also be used in an art studio or something similar.

The stand costs £14.95 on the Guardian ecostore website – plus postage of £4.50. But even at around £20 it’s got to be a better buy than many of the uninspired, and largely unethical, designs on the current market.

Bench of beauty

2008-10-20T06:59:00.000-07:00

Wow. What a beautiful and unusual bench this is. As you can see it’s made from lots and lots of twigs which are actually coppiced Hazel from the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust http://www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk/. Each is naturally unique and environmentally friendly.

It’s been designed by an artist who, until now, I knew little about. His name is Russel Pinch http://www.pinchdesign.com/ and he’s a furniture designer who graduated from the Ravensbourne College of Design in London, before reportedly working as Sir Terence Conran’s design assistant. It seems he continued to do rather well for himself, later becoming senior product designer for the Conran Group http://www.conran.com/.

The info on the eco-shopping site where I discovered this bench http://www.nigelsecostore.com/ explains it was originally designed to be on display at the head office of an organic skin and body care company called Neal’s Yard Remedies http://www.nealsyardremedies.com/ (this site is actually really good and has loads of natural-type goodies, so take a look). The bench is, fortunately, now available for everyone to order.

I say fortunately, it’s perhaps unfortunately, as it costs a whopping £1,150. But then without doubt this is a naturally beautiful and sturdy piece – it weighs 65-75kg. The care guidelines say the bench can be used indoors or out, although it does recommend indoor usage.

Indonesian Illumination

2008-10-20T01:42:00.000-07:00

I came across the Guardian’s online ecostore for the first time recently www.guardianecostore.co.uk and was taken with these atmospheric lamps. Don't they look pretty? What's more, they’re ethically produced in Indonesia. The company which designs them was reportedly set up to offer fair and stable work opportunities to local craftspeople. The villagers work directly from their homes, or from the producer’s workshops, and help to keep traditional techniques alive. Light in these lamps is filtered through a shade made from Lidi, which are palm fronds (more information about palm fronds can be found at http://www.thefreedictionary.com/palm+family) and paper.

The Guardian has clearly caught quickly on to the eco-friendly and fair-trade band wagon, offering loads of ethical products in its online eco store. Other products include soft furnishings, mosaic dishes, fair-trade patchwork bedspreads (gorgeous) and pretty solar star lights. The Guardian ecostore is really well organised, and the buying process seems pretty straightforward.

Christmas Cards with an Ethical Edge

2008-10-17T01:26:00.000-07:00

If you’re one of those irritatingly-organised shoppers who buys Christmas presents in the January sales - eleven month's earlier - you may be itching to put pen to paper and write your Xmas cards. That’s if you haven’t already.

I got into conversation with an overly-enthusiastic Christmas-goer recently, who confessed to having already done just that. Whether that’s healthy, I’m not sure but, even so, it made me think I should probably start looking. I’ve always gone for cards that support a charity in the past, but this year I’m aiming to shop ethically http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethics and give be a little more caring about the world's diminishing trees and rainforests, as well as charitably.

I love mooching around in charity shops and most have their Christmas card range in already. I spotted a classy, contemporary charity card in Oxfam, which I think I may well go for. The design incorporates a pink reindeer on a silver and black background. As it is printed on 50% recycled card it conveniently meets both of my card criteria this year. They retail at £3.99 for eight cards, so not exactly ‘value’ but they definitely catch the eye. There’s also a feel-good factor knowing that 100% of the profit goes to funding Oxfam’s work to fight poverty – often with charity cards it’s a much lower percentage.

If you want to check out Oxfam’s full range of cards online go to www.oxfam.org.uk. They range from quite basic and not particularly trendy, to fun and fashionable.

A Prickly Situation

2008-10-13T06:24:00.000-07:00

If you’ve ever stumbled across an ailing hedgehog in your garden, you’ll know all about trying to keep it warm, fed and alive. In the same situation my caring nature kicked in, and I was advised (not particularly well I might add) to feed it everything from dog food and bread, to milk and water. Incidently, a bit of reading up on hedgehog nutritional protocal recommends a meat-based food, such as cat food or, if they turn their little button noses up at that, unsweetened museli, Weetabix and a handful of raisins. You can read more about this on the British Hedgehog Preservation Society site http://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/.

Anyway, with Autumn knocking on our doorstep you may well find a cute friend or two roaming about in your garden as they start to collect leaves, grass, straw and bracken to build their own shelter - known as hibernacula http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibernaculum - over the winter.

If you’re of a nurturing nature you can give them a helping hand, and encourage them to become resident in your garden, with a purpose-built hibernation box. There’s a Hedgehog House available to buy from http://www.garden4less.co.uk/ for £39.50, which is made from certified Forest Stewardship Council http://www.fsc-uk.org/ sustainable wood. The house offers protection from predators and the wooden roof lifts off making the habitat easy to clean. For that price they also throw in a high-protein mix of crushed peanuts, raisins and mealworm so you don't have to go down the cat food route.

The British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) also offers quite detailed design tips on building your own timber shelter for hedgehogs - as well as shelters made out of cardboard. When you have either bought or constructed your shelter, the BHPS advises placing it in a quiet part of the garden, against a wall or fence, with the entrance facing away from North or North East so as to avoid frosty winter winds. With that, hopefully, you'll be lucky enough to have a few prickly friends to keep a mothering eye on.

Toxic-free Painting

2008-10-10T01:55:00.000-07:00

With eco-friendly, ethical and fairtrade products popping up all over the place, even despite the precarious economic climate, it’s no surprise there's some edgy eco-books that could potentially be on your Christmas wish list, if you’re that way inclined.

Straight on to the eco-home bandwagon is this new book, entitled ‘A Handbook for Eco Paints and Finishes’ which I found on a site called eco-logical books www.eco-logicbooks.com. Although I haven't got hold of a copy myself, I thought it was worth a mention as it chats all about eco paints, stains, varnishes and environmentally-friendly finishes, which can be used to safely paint walls and spruce up surfaces in the home. The book discusses the downfalls of conventional paints, and their potential toxicity, as well as protection and durability, floor soaps and timber finishes.

The author is Lynn Edwards, who has apparently had many years of experience in the field of natural paints, so it’s hopefully not just a book that has been cobbled together to play on people’s insecurities about environmental toxins. Should you get bored, the book is, appropriately, fully compostable. Its RRP is £9.95, or it can be ordered from eco-logic books for £7.95.

Bedroom Talk

2008-10-06T06:48:00.000-07:00

When I hop into my gorgeous dark walnut bed, it's not often I think about the contents of my mattress. But maybe we should all be giving it more thought. In randomly browsing the web I found a site called Ecocentric http://www.ecocentric.co.uk/ which sells an organic pocket-sprung mattress made from organic wool which comes from Welsh farms. The mattress (available in single, double or king size) is inspected and verified by the trusty The Soil Association http://www.soilassociation.org/ and is free from potentially harmful toxins and allergens which any normal synthetic mattress may contain. With all these associated health benefits it does, however, come with a rather hefty price tag. £545 for a single. If you’re asthmatic this mattress may also help you, as it apparently discourages dust mites http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_dust_mite

Ecocentric also sells a natural latex mattress. The natural latex construction means it’s naturally anti bacterial, anti fungal and again discourages dust mites.

As well as the organic mattress, the company has some lovely organic and fair-trade bedding sets, which I guess are a pretty sensible buy if you’re trying to create a healthier bedroom all round. Given how much I love my bed, and the amount of time I spend in it, I'm certainly going to look into this further.

The Driftwood Frame of Mind

2008-10-02T03:35:00.000-07:00

I blogged last week about the driftwood sculpture industry, and just how dramatic some of the pieces which have been shaped by natural processes can be. Since then I’ve kept one eye open for other driftwood products and I found a really cute little driftwood frame, which is available on the Tangkoko Indonesian furniture website www.tangkoko.co.uk. The frame, which is made from recycled and aged hard wood, has a lovely rugged, natural quality to it, and I’m keeping this in mind as a potentially great gift for my Dad for Christmas. Looking at the photo on the website I reckon it’d be classy enough to be positioned on an office desk or in a place in the home which requires something equally grand. The frame is £23 - obviously a touch more than your average cheapo high-street frame - but the authenticity of the driftwood surpasses anything I've seen.

Clean and very, very green

2008-09-29T01:35:00.000-07:00

I’m not the world’s biggest cleaning fan. But the fact remains, no matter how reluctant I am, that my duster and polish have to come into play at some point. In recognising that my furniture had accumulated a thicker-than-usual layer of dust yesterday, I headed down to the supermarket to see what I could buy to make my lovely furniture sparkle. Whilst I was perusing the cleaning products aisle, I got chatting to a slightly bewildered man who had been instructed by his wife to buy some eco-friendly washing powder for their new baby's clothes. It drew my attention to the ECover range, which includes natural cleaning products for the home, from furniture and multi-purpose spray to lavender room fragrances. All the ECover products are based on sustainable http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainability plant and mineral ingredients, chosen to work well and limit the chemicals in your home and the environment. All the products originate from ecological factories. They weren’t badly priced at all, and when you consider they have a minimal impact on the environment it makes a whole lot of sense. Having also checked out the company's background and ethos on http://www.ecover.com/ I’ll think i'll happily be cleaning with Ecover from now on.

Catching the Drift

2008-09-26T03:12:00.000-07:00

When I first set eyes on a driftwood sculpture, dramatically perched in a family friend’s garden, I didn’t fully appreciate the incredible history behind drift wood. Curiosity led me have a bit of a search on the net, and I found a company called Natural Driftwood Sculptures www.driftwoodsculptures.co.uk. They source driftwood from British Columbia, Canada, and all the wood is Canadian western red cedar – the remnants of the early 20th century lumber industry which, amazingly, have been immersed in water for over 70 years.

The site explains that certain river valleys that had been logged were flooded to create reservoir lakes to produce hydro electricity. The western red cedar wood doesn’t rot as it contains the natural preservative plicatic acid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plicatic_acid). It also contains phenolic resin, which prevents it being attacked by insects. Both these characteristics mean the wood is very well preserved.

The family which runs the company, has made a living out of collecting the driftwood, which is often difficult to access, via boats and mobile lifting equipment. The sculptures are sometimes bizarre, often outstandingly beautiful. Take a look.

The Root of the Matter

2008-09-22T01:39:00.001-07:00

The Root Bench is one of those enchanting furniture pieces that truly captures the imagination. I found it while looking for early Christmas eco gifts on the site http://www.eco2you.co.uk/.

The Root Bench is one of several furniture pieces in the range which have a similar style and concept – all made from cast-off teak root from the island of Java in Indonesia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Java. The natural variations of the wood mean each piece is unique with an intricate pattern of knots, gnarls and swirls. As the tree roots would normally be discarded at the end of the tree felling process – either to rot, or be burned causing further environmental damage - this production process means no harmful tree felling has taken place specifically to make this piece. With the rapid deforestation in Indonesia causing major environmental problems, not only for the country itself, but globally, this practice is one that makes good sense.

The finished Root Bench bears the lovely waxy texture that teak is so renowned for. If you're as taken by this piece as I am, check out the Root Coffee Table and Root King Chair in the same range. Simply beautiful.

King of Eco Candles

2008-09-19T03:15:00.000-07:00

The Guardian’s on-line Eco-store has a great range of gifts, which are all - as the name suggests - eco-friendly. The Mayan Light Multi-Coloured candles caught my eye in the Eco Home section of the site - a rather jazzy mix of bright purples, blues, greens and reds. The story of their creation explains the wax is derived from the fruit of the Arrayan shrub, which is native to the Guatemalan Cloud Forest. Making candles from the natural wax is not an original concept as 1000 years ago the pre-Columbian Maya civilisation used the same wax to make their own candles. Today, the candles are part of the Guatemalan Cloud Forest protection project - their sale helps the indigenous communities of Guatemala to earn an alternative income, reducing the need to slash and burn more forest which contributes dramatically to climate change. The candles come with an explanatory leaflet about their production. Visit http://www.guardianecostore.co.uk/

Lindsay Lohan buys into ethical clothing

2008-09-15T01:14:00.000-07:00

If you’re knowledgeable about ethical furniture, there’s a good chance you’re aware of the ethical clothing industry. It’s been debated in the press recently whether consumers are going to ditch their morals during the credit crunch, in favour of grabbing a clothing bargain – even if its manufacture was far from ethical.

Certain high-street stores for example have dubious practices going on overseas but, because of cheap labour, they can still make a profit by selling their clothes at attractively low prices in the UK. When finances are tight it’s tempting to buy into this, of course. But for anyone who’s strapped for cash right now, and wrestling with their ethical conscience, I’d encourage you to give second-hand clothing agencies and charity shops a go. I’ve had loads of fun recently digging out some stylish designer bargains and, by doing some research and looking carefully at labels, I can make sure I get all my clothes from ethical manufacturers. With the rise in popularity of vintage clothes on eBay, and the likes of Lindsay Lohan promoting ethical second-hand clothes at London’s Visa fashion swapping show earlier this year (http://www.visaswap.com/face.html), buying second-hand clothes is no longer frowned upon – quite the opposite in fact. It’s all decidedly chic.

ONE FRAME, ONE TREE

2008-09-04T04:48:00.000-07:00

I’m a fan of photo frames as well as furniture, and I love displaying all my latest piccies prominently around the house. I recently came across a site called E photo frames http://www.e-photoframes.co.uk/ which has a strong environmental strategy at its heart and a fair trade ethos. All its frames focus on natural materials, like wood or silk, and for every frame sold E photo frames agrees to plant a single tree to help world forest restoration. The company is currently sponsoring tree planting in two regions of Thailand – one on the remote island of Golden Buddha http://www.goldenbuddharesort.com/about_us.html and another north of Thailand.

I’ve checked out their frames online, and the wood ones in particular seem very stylish and well made – take a look at the beautiful maple leaf design. So if you’re looking for a gift that has a bit of depth to it, perhaps for an environmentally-minded friend, it’s definitely worth a look. You also get an official ‘one frame, one tree’ certificate with your frame to acknowledge their commitment to the environment. The testimonials on the site suggest this is an established online company that is good to deal with.

WEDDING GIFTS GALORE

2008-08-29T02:11:00.000-07:00

I’ve been pretty stumped this year to find the perfect, original wedding present for a good friend. I also wanted to get something green, and ethical if possible, as the bride and groom are both environmentally aware. Choosing something from their gift list was a safe option, but just a little too uninspired. So, after getting cheesed off trawling the high streets, I’ve turned my attentions to the web.

One fab and funky gift site I’ve stumbled across is All Things Green - http://www.allthingsgreen.net/. And, as the name suggests, it’s also very eco-friendly and ethical. There’s a drop down menu which takes you to the gift section – and there’s loads of stuff to look at. I’m also a little strapped for cash (everyone seems to be getting hitched this summer!) so it was great to see reasonable prices.

My friend (like me) loves beautiful wood, so I was particularly taken with the palm wood bowls. They are made in the Far East (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Far_East) and carved, by hand, from single pieces of gorgeously-grained palm wood. As my friend is a bit of a house party girl, I’m thinking a set of these (£7.25 each) could come in quite handy. On the wood theme, there’s also a rather funky 100% bamboo knife block – either in a glossy black or white wood - again great if you’re looking for something that’s made from wood, ethical and practical.

The bride in this instance isn’t really a girly-girl, but if you’re shopping for someone who is, there are lots of other pretty gifts on the site. If your wedding invite is getting near (and you’re still not fixed up with a pressie) give All Things Green a go.

FUNKY ECO ACCESSORIES

2008-08-29T02:03:00.000-07:00

If you’re sprucing up your home for summer, and aiming to accessorise in an eco-friendly and ethical way, then have a look at The Pure Design Company online - www.puredesigncompany.co.uk. The company has an ethical standpoint, and sells a whole host of gorgeous products including home interior and garden accessories, created by the hottest eco designers.

There are quality rugs and cushions in varying designs – check out the calico cushions. The organic powerloom calico used in this product begins as a non-GM seed and is grown organically under fair trade conditions.

To add the coolest ethical lighting to your room, be sure to take a look at the magical textile fibre (more on textile fibre can be found at http://www.e4s.org.uk/textilesonline) and handmade paper lampshades. They are certainly pricier than the average paper lampshade or uplighter, but this is a green product and you can see from the pictures online they give out a very atmospheric glow. Available in four colours, you can pick the best match for your room. They’ll even do their best to get a colour match if you can’t see what you'd like online.

The list of original ethical home accessories is endless, but they include, vintage and organic cushions, digitally-embroidered place mats (featured in the Sunday Times) and eco-friendly wood sculptures. This is a lovely site for a browse or buy, displaying the products of many award-winning designers.

SKY'S THE LIMIT

2008-08-18T07:18:00.000-07:00

I loved my treehouse up to the age of about 14 – it was simply constructed from planks of wood and leaning stilts but it gave me hours of fun. With the simplicity of my childhood treehouse in mind I was mesmerised by this wood tree house from an ethical furniture company called Reel Furniture - http://www.reelfurniture.co.uk/. Kind of a cross between a Noah’s ark boat, and a wood house with church-like windows, there’s no question that playhouses are a lot more sophisticated these days. Although at a hetfy cost of three grand, Mums and Dads may be hard pushed to justify the price tag.

Aside from being state of the art in its design approach, the company concerned has a commitment to conservation and uses only recycled woods in its products. It also uses alternatives to harmful chemical treatments and lacquers (for more on wood treatment visit http://www.greenbuilder.com/sourcebook/WoodTreatment.html). So if you’ve got money to burn on the kids this is certainly an impressive and eco-friendly toy. Interestingly, the wood construction is billed as a playhouse for children AND adults. So don't be too ashamed about climbing up there yourself.

VOTE NOW! for your favourite ethical online shop

2008-07-14T08:55:00.000-07:00

Green online shopping is the way forward. And, for the companies performing well in this ethically-minded field, there’s a chance to achieve national recognition.

The OLGAs are the Online Green Awards, and it’s down to the public to decide who wins. With big name sponsors, including MSN and Royal Mail, there will be valuable publicity at the prestigious award ceremony in Central London on July 24th 2008. The two categories are Best Large Online Retailer, and Best Small Online Retailer, with six ethical companies in each one. So which ethical retailers are the green hot favourites for an OLGA?

Online retailers in the Large Retailer category include big names such as E Bay, Marks and Spencer and Ocado (an online grocery delivery service). When you vote, you can see the current standings - at the moment ethically-minded Ocado is storming ahead with its carbon-friendly approach to delivering fresh veggies to your kitchen.

In the small online-retailer division, there’s the likes of Kid-Eco, which has an ethical and sustainable approach to the packaging design field. It set up business in 2002, so is a relative newcomer in the online ethical shopping industry, but seems to have made a considerable impression in a fairly short time. Its range now includes ethical cardboard-based children’s toys and playhouses.

Tangkoko is also included in the small online retailer category. It sells quality, ethical furniture made in Indonesia from gorgeous sustainable woods. Its consistency in Indonesian ethical furniture retailing, and its green credentials, has seen it rewarded with an OLGA nomination. Other small retailers up for an OLGA include EcoCoffeeShop and Celtic Sheepskin.

To read more about the companies in both categories, and to place your vote, visit http://specials.uk.msn.com/environment/olgas/

The deadline for you to vote for the winners is 20th July 2008. Vote now!
*The OLGAS are sponsored by IMGR – the leading industry body for global e-retailing*

Reclaimed Indonesian wood - the way forward!

2008-06-23T05:32:00.000-07:00

Using reclaimed Indonesian wood is one of the most ethical ways to update the furniture in your home. In fact, don't consider doing anything else!

Old Teak is a forward-thinking furniture company that specialises in reclaimed Indonesian wood and old growth plantation wood from Indonesian Government managed plantations.

The reclaimed Indonesian wood is, as the name implies, 'teak wood' and comes from old houses, bridges and other old constructions that are being replaced by more modern buildings all over Indonesia. The furniture company only uses reclaimed teak wood that still has natural teak oils and so retains its strength and durability.

Old Teak also uses Indonesian plantation teak wood, which is the highest quality 'old growth' teak. The timber is not forced as force-grown immature timber is often poor quality.

The company’s range also features funky natural-woven furniture. It is all made from organic material such as water hyacinth, rattan, banana fibre and sea grass. The furniture is constructed on a solid Indonesian teak wood framework and is incredibly hard wearing. If you 're of an eco-friendly mindset, and desire furniture of the highest quality wood, make this site top of your list!

http://www.oldteak.co.uk/

Made on Earth sits comfortably with its ethical responsibility to the Indonesian community

2008-06-23T04:56:00.000-07:00

If you’re planning to chill out on your garden furniture this summer, you simply have to check out the Indonesian furniture website Made on Earth. Its Indonesian furniture is not only beautifully made, but ethically sourced. The ethical furniture company also donates five per cent of its profits to children’s charities in Indonesia as a thank you for their superb craftsmanship.

The donated money so far has enabled a school in Indonesia to buy a minibus; teachers no longer pick up pupils on motorbikes. Indonesian orphanages have also benefited, with bedding and mattresses being purchased so Indonesian children no longer have to sleep on floors. The owner of Made on Earth visits Indonesia every year to monitor the working environment of the local Indonesian people, so buyers can guarantee that ethical standards are being maintained.

Ethical furniture products on the website include teak tables, chairs, garden loungers and ethical furniture accessories. There are also uber cool ‘weave’ furniture designs that can be added to any room in the home. Made on Earth was established in 1998 with the help of a grant from the Princes Trust, and has been featured on the BBC website.
Visit http://www.made-on-earth.co.uk/

Java Style - Indonesian furniture which is ethically aware

2008-05-15T06:44:00.000-07:00

Take a look at JavaStyle for an excellent selection of furniture all handcrafted from various Indonesian woods such as Teak and Mahogany.

Javastyle are an environmentally responsible company who ensure that all the wood used in their Indonesian furniture is recycled plantation grown or reclaimed.Consumers are increasingly interested in purchasing ethically sourced furniture.

The company's online store is handily split into sections,Live Eat Dream and Grow with furniture for every room in the house and also your garden.

The selection of Indonesian furniture is excellent with some contemporary and more ornate pieces to be found.For example the Padi Bench is a classic style teak bench which is traditionally Indonesian in style and has all the elements of a handcrafted piece of Indonesian furniture.

If it's an Indonesian dining table you are looking for, Java Style have a wide selection to suit all tastes,the Solo dining set is made from Mahogany wood and comes complete with a set of four chairs which are woven out of traditional Indonesian sea grass.

Indian Furniture - An exciting trend

2008-04-22T05:36:00.000-07:00

The popularity of Indian furniture continues to grow with many online retailers now offering both traditional and contemporary ranges which use authentic Indian hardwoods and metal detailing.

Traditionally wooden furniture is is renowned for it's durability and style and with the current trend for ethnically styled furniture it is no surprise that Indian furniture is so popular.

Despite the developments which have been made in the furniture making industry and the move towards mass produced items many consumers seek a more individual,traditional and ethical product.

Traditional Indian furniture making techniques are still widely used,ensuring that they continue and support the industry.Regional specialities include Rajasthani and Gujarati woodcraft.The unique features of these being an antique appearance and intricate craftsmanship.

Sheesham and Acacia woods are predominately used in Indian furniture and they are extremely glossy and exotic in their finish. A recent development in Indian furniture making has been to distress the finish in order to make it appear older and more authentic.This is particularly popular with chairs, cabinets and tables.

For a wide selection of Indian furniture see www.tangkoko.co.uk

The best in Indian hardwood furniture

2008-04-22T04:06:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for both contemporary and traditional "Indian furniture" then take a look at http://www.worldfurniture.co.uk/ which has a great of Indian hardwood furniture ranges.

The contemporary range has something for every room in your home with simple yet elegant pieces all made from Sheesham or Acacia hardwoods.Sheesham in particular is one of the most practical and well used timber sources from India.It seasons very well and does not warp or split which makes it a good wood to be used in furniture making as it is also very durable and has a highly glossy appearance.There are three contemporary ranges available from world furniture,the Madrid,Tuscany light and Tuscany dark range.

If you prefer something more ornate and traditional then there is also an excellent choice of pieces available.The Kalanpur range consists of dining suites,cabinets and coffee tables again made from Sheesham hardwood.The golden brown colour of the timber is hand waxed to allow the unique colours to shine through.

The Rajasthani range has many wonderful features,all pieces are made from Acacia wood which is dark and nutty in colour which is quite typical of traditional Indian furniture.
Also the addition of hand forged fittings and jali ironwork makes the range extremely authentic.

Indian Furniture - A New Direction

2008-04-22T03:57:00.000-07:00

Indian furniture has taken a new direction with the introduction of the new onlne store.

Reclaimed wood = ethical furniture

2008-04-10T07:58:00.000-07:00

Ethical Wood Furnishings are a company who specialise in creating bespoke ethical gifts and eco friendly furniture for the home and garden from reclaimed and recycled wood.

The company was started in 2006 with the aim of creating beautiful affordable and ethical furniture.They believe that ethical furniture should also be affordable so that the increasing number of people who want environmentally friendly furniture can purchase it easily.

All of the furniture in the range is made from reclaimed wood which ensure each piece is unique in appearance which adds to its consumer appeal.Time is taken to find the right wood for each piece which is designed with thought and care ensuring that they work together allowing the natural contours colours and character of the wood to shine through.

The wood is purchased from The Wood Store which is part of the National Wood Recycling Initiative.

All furniture is made on a bespoke basis according to the individual customer requirements.They can design and produce coffee tables, dining tables and TV stands for example.Prices depend on sizes,type of wood,the finish used and the time taken to create the piece.

http://www.surefish.co.uk/frameit.html?http://www.ethicalwoodfurnishings.co.uk

French Furniture - Style and Sophistication

2008-03-27T05:57:00.000-07:00

Sweetpea and Willow offer quality french reproduction furniture at value for money prices.

The company found it difficult to find french influenced furniture in the market place and so decided to source their own and sell it online.The quality of the product is exceptional whilst the prices remain affordable.

Their product range covers all rooms in the house so there is furniture for the bedroom,living room,dining room as well as accessories such as mirrors and soft furnishings.

The Classical Cabriolet Leg Chest in white (£325) is a two drawer chest which incorporates all the classic french details.

Bowed legs with beautiful leaf detail handles the chest is made from mahogany wood which has been a white cracked layered finish to achieve that aged and authentic appearance.This is a very versatile piece which would work well in either a bedroom or living room.

For the bedroom there is this stunning gold gilt Emmanuel bedroom chair.Made from mahogany wood with silk upholstery.This elegant chair will always be in style.

www.sweetpeaandwillow.com

Aspace - Furniture For Kids comes to Heals

2008-03-20T04:23:00.000-07:00

Heals the British interiors chain has announced the arrival of Aspace the quality furniture company for Kids.The range is available at the Tottenham Court Road and Kingston stores.

The company was founded in 2002 by Christopher Lusty who specialises in designing furniture for nurseries.

The Aspace range caters for both boys and girls and features such products as bunk beds and sleepover beds all in a variety of finishes and woods.Beech, Oak and Pine being the most popular.They also offer co-ordinating furniture to go with the beds such as bed side tables and chairs.The emphasis is on creating quality bedroom furniture that will see a child into it s teenage years which is why the designs are both stylish and practical.

The Porterhouse bed is great for boys, made from solid oak and contemporary in style.The Bunks handily convert into two adult beds and if you are looking for additional bedroom furniture the oak writing table and oak swivel chair are perfect.

www.heals.co.uk

Spring has Sprung how to update your living room for £150!

2008-03-13T05:22:00.000-07:00

Spring is the time we are start thinking about updating our homes be it with new furniture,decorating or the addition of a few new knick knacks to freshen up our living environments.It's always best to have a budget in mind for this and we can show you how to update your living room for as little as £150.Also as consumers become more ethically aware in the products they choose for their homes we have also taken this into account in our furniture challenge.

Take the Indonesian furniture company Tangkoko http://www.tangkoko.co.uk/ who have many beautiful and ethical furniture pieces and home accessories which would make a welcome addition to any home.In keeping with the £150 budget we recommend the Solo nest of 3 tables which would be very useful in a living room.Priced at £79 they are great value for money too.

http://www.asiadragon.co.uk/ have a wide selection of both contemporary and also Chinese and Indian furniture ranges.In the plantation collection which is classed as contemporary Indian the range is made from Sheesham hardwood. There is something for everyone and every budget in this range. The plantation plant stand is within our £150 and is simple and stylish.

Or there is the plantation cd tower which is £135 if you wanted to blow the majority of your budget on a statement piece.

Going back to Tangkoko there are some wonderful accessories for the home which are all ethically aware.The moro recycled batik bowl at £31 is gorgeous and would look great as the centrepiece of a coffee table or dining table. There are also some tea light holders to complement the bowl at £6 each.If you're looking to give your sofa a face lift think about investing in some new cushions, the Stijl Chococushion from Tangkoko is £18 so you could buy 3 and really brighten your sofa up.

So if you're looking to update your living room on a budget we suggest a small piece of furniture such as new table or storage unit and then some striking home accessories such as glassware,candles or cushions which will quickly and easily update the look of your room.

Reel Furniture - Furniture For A Greener Future

2008-03-13T04:20:00.000-07:00

Reel Furniture are committed to producing ethical furniture by using only "green materials" in their ranges.By doing this they have raised awareness of the ethical issues involved with furniture production in particular with regards to timber production.
The company use water based lacquers on their furniture which are environmentally friendly.
The Reel chair as shown in the picture is the signature piece from the Reel Furniture range and is designed for use at two heights which makes it a highly versatile piece of furniture.
It has two settings high and low which means you can adjust the height according to activity.
Also the seat and back can be adjusted to attain your perfect position.
As you can also see from the picture Reel Furniture take inspiration from the construction of industrial cables along with the use of reclaimed furniture which is sourced from old forest growths.
The company welcome suggestions and commissions for various pieces of furniture and you can look at their gallery of pieces on their website www.reelfurniture.co.uk

Fair Trade Furniture Company - ethically aware furniture for the home

2008-03-06T04:24:00.000-08:00

The Fair Trade Furniture Company specialise in furniture for the home that are is ethically aware and kind to the environment.

As a company they have strong values about promoting ethical furniture to consumers and to make Fair Trade a way of life whilst producing furniture that people will enjoy and cherish in their homes.

The company work in conjunction with suppliers in Indonesia where they source the vast majority of their furniture and place an emphasis on using locally produced materials in their products.

Sea grass is used for weaving in their chairs and is found in growing locally in lakes and streams.

They also use a type of vine called Rattan which can be found in the local rain forests and is predominate in Indonesia where it is ethically harvested by local workers.

Banana leaves are also traditional to Indonesia and widely available,they can be weaved and used in chairs.In their natural form the leaves vary in colour from yellow to green and brown and can be bleached to give an attractive pale colour.

All the wood used in the furniture products is ethically aware and much of it comes from a locally sourced wood called "pule".This type of wood is soft and very similar in appearance to pine.

The Fair Trade Furniture Company have four distinctive and stylish ranges available through their website http://www.fairtradefurniture.co.uk/ .The Semarang range combines seagrass with Mindi wood with some beautiful chairs and tables which all embrace traditional Indonesian weaving.

The Jogya range is similar in its use of weaving with strong wickerwork made from fine peeled rattan.Comfy chairs are a key them in all of the company's ranges and they would make a great addition any home.

The Wooden Duck:Recycleable Furniture

2008-02-28T03:11:00.000-08:00

The Wooden Duck was started in 1995 when it's owners Amy Ferber and Eric Gellerman began importing recycled teak furniture from Indonesian

They have gradually expanded the business by opening their own factories through out the world as well as importing from places such as Morocco and China.

They place a high emphasis on ethically aware furniture and supporting the environment by using recycled materials.By using reclaimed timber it helps to preserve the world's forest.

There are many advantages to using recycled wood over new,in environmental terms it simply saves trees from a furniture production point of view,old wood is more stable so is less likely to warp and swell. Salvaged wood is also very unique in terms of quality,it is more dense,clearer and has a much richer colour than new wood.

The Wooden Duck furniture collections include teak arts,teak modern and teak shaker woods and they also sell Indonesian and Chinese antiques along with garden furniture.

http://www.thewoodenduck.com/

Interiors Birmingham Exhibition:Italian Style

2008-02-21T06:31:00.000-08:00

Interiors Birmingham 2008 took place on January 20-23rd this year and the annual show attracted exhibitors from all over the world.

One of the main highlights of this year's show was the Design Italia a new area exhibiting a selection of Italys finest furniture makers.Four of the county's premier companies showed their new product ranges.

Verardo specialise in stylish shelving systems and storage solutions with products such as drawers and sideboards available to complement.All furniture has a sleek and contemporary feel making it perfect for any modern home.

They also aim to provide absolute satisfaction to all their customers by offering the optimum in style and service through their product range.Viva Italia!

Gervasoni's take on furniture is unique, taking their inspiration from nature and the unusual properties of minerals.They presented their Gray range designed by Paoloa Nevone which is inspired by two distinct styles,Scandinavian and Neo Classical Gustavian.Uisng materials such as marble,mirror and shaped wood the Gray range is very unique in appearance.

Armchairs, sofas, tables and storage units are avilable in various colours.

http://www.gervasoni1882.it/gervasoni/collezioni.php?lang=en

Furniture Links

2008-02-18T04:18:00.000-08:00

Here's a list of other furniture related websites, and retailers, who I've swapped links with:

Tangkoko
Online furniture store that sells ethical Indian and Indonesian furniture and home accessories

Asia Dragon
Furniture shop specialising in pieces from the far east.

If you would like to trade links with me please leave a comment below!

Furniture that says I Love You

2008-02-14T04:42:00.000-08:00

Valentines Day is here and instead of telling that special someone you care with flowers and chocolates try furniture.

Many furniture companies have tapped into the lucrative Valentines day market and here is our run down of L'amour inspired pieces that wil make a stylish addditon to any home.

Take this stunning heart shaped cone chair by designer Verner Panton.With its bold colour and unique stucture the chair is reminiscent of 1960's Pop Art.

A true collectors item and available in Red, Orange,Black and Dark Blue the chair is priced at $3430 from

http://www.vassardesigns.com/

A perfect gift for the lady in your life would be a heart shaped boxes which can be used to store jewellery and keepsakes and can be engraved with a special message.

Made using various different types of wood such as Beech and Ash the boxes cost £20 and are available from http://www.greenland-furniture.com/

If you're looking for something a little more exotic take a peek at http://www.tangkoko.co.uk/ who sell Indonesian ethically aware furniture and accessories.

Along with dining tables and furniture for the rest of your home they sell some beautiful glassware such as the recycled batiked glass bowl for £31 which would look great as the focus point of your table decorations.

For garden furniture thats inspired by romance The Urban garden (http://www.theurbangarden.co.uk/) has a lovely director's chair whith a modern rose print fabric back and seat which will look modern in any garden.

Melia: Furniture with a Twist

2008-02-14T04:05:00.000-08:00

Launched in 1999 out of a love of furniture, sculpture and design, Melia is a Yorkshire based company who specialise in contemporary furniture with an architectural feel. All furniture is handmade and bespoke furniture and commissions are their speciality. They work in a variety of modern and retro materials such as steel, perspex, solid wood and veneers, there are no limitations on sizes or shapes and Melia are happy to create your perfect piece of furniture. They take great pride in the furniture they produce and each piece is finished to the highest standard.
If you have a specific colour in mind you want your furniture to match then simply take in a sample and Melia will be happy to match it for you.

Apart from one off pieces of furniture, they can also create bespoke furniture for all rooms in your house, such as your kitchen bedroom and office. Unit’s cupboards and other storage solutions can be made to your exact specifications.

Melia’s work speak for itself having won numerous industry awards, In 2001 they were selected for the Bright New Things Award at the 100% Design Awards. There work also generates a great deal of interest on an international scale.

Take a look at www.meliadesign.co.uk

More on Ethical Furniture

2007-12-07T18:17:00.001-08:00

Ethical Junction is a really cool 'sorting house' for loads of online stores that stock ethical products. There's a great selection of furniture shops and they're dotted all over the UK.

One of the best of that bunch is Eat Sleep Live which sells products made from reclaimed wood that's sourced in the UK. They have a range of beds and chairs, prices are between £100 and £1300.

Ethical Furniture

2007-12-01T20:30:00.000-08:00

I've come across the term 'Ethical Furniture' a lot more recently, in fact two of my favourite retailers are classed as Ethical.

But what does ethical actually mean? Well it all starts at the source - the timber communities that provide the wood for furniture, or the manufacturing or transport facilties for the woods, have to adhere to strict standards. These include the re-planting of trees, fair labour laws.

There's quite a few companies that sell furniture online, and one even goes a step further. Tangkoko is a new furniture store that specialises in Indian and Indonesian pieces, and as well as providing ethically sourced woods they also off-set their transport miles by carbon offsetting each year.

Two bespoke designers that use ethically sourced woods are the appropriately named Andy Wood and Reel Furniture.

Online Designers: New Leaf Furniture

2007-11-25T20:45:00.000-08:00

New Leaf Furniture is run by a trio of female designers based in London. They produce bespoke furniture from woods sourced from substainable forrests, and they specialise in tables and storage units made from hardwoods.

Take a look at their gallery to view their fantastic designs.

Online Store: Tangkoko

2007-11-25T20:37:00.000-08:00

I've been given a sneak preview of a new UK furniture store that specialises in Indian and Indonesian pieces. Tangkoko sell tables, beds, dining sets and cupboards produced from wood, with

Unlike most of the imported wood sites Tangkoko is well priced. An Acacia dining room table costs £355, whilst the modern coffee tables made from Radiata pine start at £285.

Their online store is easy to use, and I loved the quality of the pictures...you can zoom in on the product images and there's high res shots of their furniture littered around the website.

Youtube does it again...

2007-10-29T19:24:00.000-07:00

..and throws out one of the coolest videos that I've seen in a long time.

Check out the video below - I dont know how they do it, but there's two people 'drawing' 3D furniture in a room, and then a machine builds the furniture for them!

Colour Changing Chairs: Fuwapica

2007-10-29T19:11:00.000-07:00

Those crazy Japanese have come up with a novel new way to make sure that the colours of your furniture stays in fashion: colour changing materials, a brand called Fuwapica.

The BBC carried the story of a new breed of furniture that doesn't just change it's colouring - it also adapts to the colour of an item that's placed on the surface.

Sensors tucked away inside can also detect the weight of the object - or unfortunate person - and then the hue of the light changes it's brightness depending upon the final figure.

I'm sure that this is a few years off from arriving in the UK, but when it does I think it'll go down a storm. It'll look great in a bar or restaurant, and when the price comes down Im sure you'll see them in student halls and bachelor pads.

The seats cost between £750 and £1500 - more at fuwa pica

Furniture at Fourty Thousand Feet

2007-10-29T19:03:00.000-07:00

A news story on the new Airbus A380 caught my eye when the writer mentioned the type of furniture on the aircraft. It's been designed by an Italian company called Poltrona Frau (See their swanky American website who specialise in retro style leather seating. It's very nice, and very expensive!

One look around the A380 cabin and you'll agree that the interiors look amazing. Obviously the nicest areas will be reserved for those in first class, but even cattle class looks stylish if a little pokey.

The image above isn't of the A380, it's of the new Boeing Business Jet, which proves that airlines have a fascination with that 80's look.

How's this for a pimped up aircraft...

Other Furniture Blogs

2007-09-21T06:35:00.000-07:00

If you carry out a search in Google then you'll see that Im certainly not the first person to blog about tables and chairs. There's millions of other blogs out there that talk about furniture, and some of the are very good!

Here's some of my favourites:

padstyle - Takes a look at all sorts of furniture, from lighting and chairs to sofas and coffee tables. Seems to be more contemporary stuff (i.e. very cool). Let's the pictures do the talking - check out this gorgeous bath:

funfurde - a New York based site (there's a cool Google Map of NY design stores) that covers furniture consumables and smaller items like plates, lights and accessories. Take a look at the Eat/Drink place mates below, they'd look great on a contemporary black wood table, especially with the cut out parts. I wonder what they'd look like on a chunky indian/indonesian dark wood dining table. I doubt Ill ever find out because they cost £114...EACH..and I'm still saving up for my dining table.

Furniture of America Blog - Another American view on Furniture (there does seem to be a genuine shortage of British furniture blogs ) which is more of a 'fun' blog. It's not updated very often but I like the writing style, and after trawling through tons of serious furniture and design blogs this one was cool to read. Celebrity Susan Anton (whoever she is) was at their store earlier this year, as was Carrot Top.

YouTube Furniture Picks

2007-09-12T15:55:00.000-07:00

I was suprised to find so many furniture related videos on you tube, at least ones that weren't being set on fire, ridden down stairs or blown up.

This is a four minute walk around at the Herval store in the good old US of A (Florida to be precise). The 'room' at the start of the piece is probably the nicest on that movie, and the curtains shown at approximately 1 minute 40 seconds are very cool!

The Herval website is awful. If you don't slip in to an epileptic fit during the 'intro' movie, then you'll die of embarassment when you see the rest of the site - which is a shame because they have some very cool coffee tables.

Welcome to my furniture blog

2007-09-11T13:29:00.000-07:00

Hi,

Welcome to my blog! I've decided to write about my one true love: Furniture!

Each week I want to highlight some of the coolest furniture out there. Hopefully Ill have enough time to cover items in this blog, and if you want to send me tips or if you're a manufacturer and want to send me information on your products (furniture only!) then please drop me a line at victoria@theeword.co.uk.

I particularly like modern contemporary furniture, indonesian and indian furniture (dark teak and sturdy legs!).

Victoria