Page 47 - Green Builder Sept-Oct 2016
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Unique coloring. When the beetles
burrow into bark, they carry a fungus to
reproduce. That fungus stains the wood
and results in blue and grey coloring.
CREDIT: MOUNTAIN HEART WOODWORKS
CREDIT: THE AZURE FURNITURE CO.
be asking why other furniture manufacturers are so cheap. People be upfront about what’s in their products.”
are just starting to get hip to that.” That’s a philosophy Stem takes to heart, as the company prides
Consumers are beginning to ask manufacturers what kinds of itself in helping customers create a happy home. Each consumer’s
chemicals are used, what materials are included and the locations motivation for purchasing green furnishings is different, so Stem
from which those materials are sourced. helps them make the best choice. Some consumers are motivated
by how furniture impacts the environment, and are more interested
“It’s a good thing for companies to be more transparent, and it in factors such as using sustainably harvested wood. For other
comes down to consumers demanding those things,” says Travis consumers, the chemicals used to make the furniture are more
Nagle, co-founder of Stem (www.stemgoods.com). “Brands should important, as they don’t want their children exposed to harmful
materials. And others simply want a high-quality product that will
Sustainable and unique. Trees used to make Azure furniture have last for a long time.
been destroyed by mountain pine beetles, which leave a blue and
gray coloring in the wood. “If you just buy things that are disposable, it’s not the best
consumer pattern,” Nagle says. “It’s about being prideful and aware
of what you put in your home and what that means—not just buying
something cheap.”
NATURAL AND RECYCLED MATERIALS
LEE Industries, www.leeindustries.com, has been on the forefront of
this movement. Nearly a decade ago, the company began using soy-
based cushions instead of the traditional polyester-based products.
Now, soy-based cushions are a standard practice for sustainable
furniture manufacturers. The company also uses soy-based foam
for arm and back padding, as well as natural fibers for fabrics.
“Considering the environmental aspect of our processes was
www.greenbuildermedia.com September/October 2016 GREEN BUILDER 45
