Options for Green Furniture Grow

Think Green. That was the biggest trend at this week's semiannual home furnishings fair in High Point , North Carolina. In this case, green is not a color trend, but a large-scale effort on the part of several furniture makers to incorporate eco-friendly practices, including the use of soy-based foam, recycled materials, and renewable species of wood.

“It's an ongoing green journey,” says Reyna Moore, director of marketing and sales, Norwalk Furniture. Currently, the company's numerous eco-conscious efforts include creating a new recycled-wire-and-steel coil system for sofas and chairs; using recycled materials in the cotton batting, fiber wrap, cardboard, and deckpad of its upholstered products; and switching from petroleum- to soy-based foam. All of this comes at no extra charge to the consumer, according to Moore, who hopes that eventually these practices could even yield savings. “Petroleum prices keep increasing, but the cost of soy should remain stable,” she says.

This summer, Lane Furniture will begin offering renewable-sourced hybrid foam in all its upholstered products. The company's literature touts the move as “earth friendly without sacrificing style, quality or comfort.” Four Hands has designed a host of handsome, eco-friendly products, including an assortment of stylish aluminum tables that are made of 70 percent recycled aluminum. The Austin, Texas-based company is also making use of reclaimed teak, tanguile, and elm, as well as mango, a highly renewable source of wood. At Christian Rathbone, chemical-free wool rugs come in colorful, contemporary designs. Organic and natural fabrics are the latest addition to Lee Industries' (leeindustries.com) continuing commitment to reduce its environmental footprint.

Best of all, these eco-friendly practices do not diminish the good looks of the products in any way. “First and foremost, we have to have a compelling product,” says Norwalk's Moore . “It has to look great, sit great, and if it's eco-friendly, that's icing on the cake.”— Style Provocateur

	By summer, all of Norwalk Furniture's products will be made using soy-based foam, including the new Jean chaise by HGTV design star—and Home 's makeover maven—Candice Olson.
	A new metal table by Four Hands is made of 70 percent recycled aluminum.
	Shimmering and sculpted, the velvet-look fabric on this Lee Industries sofa is made of bamboo, a highly renewable plant resource.
	Urban Woods' Eco-contemporary line is made of reclaimed woods, organic cottons, and water-based finishes.
	The Fractal side table is one of several designs by Organo Natural Furnishings that's constructed of Kirei Board, which is fabricated from reclaimed agricultural fiber.
	Furniture in the naturalLee collection by Lee Industries features certified sustainable wood frames, water-based wood finishes, soy-based cushions, recycled fiber pillow filling, and organic and natural fabrics.