BUYING GREEN WITHOUT COMPROMISING STYLE

by Karen Crorey, ASID, NCIDQ
K C Interiors, Inc.

More often today, in all types of purchases, consumers are bringing their
environmental concerns to market. As a professional interior designer for the
last 25 years, I can definitely say that the demand for “green” products in home
furnishings has never been greater. As the demand grows, manufacturers are
responding with high-quality, high-benefit products that allow consumers to go
“green” without compromising style.

The term “green” typically is used to indicate various degrees of earth friendliness. Other terms,
such as sustainability, low impact and eco-sensitivity are used to more precisely specify how products
impact the world. Selecting furniture that is manufactured with environmentally responsible sourced
materials, lessens the impact on our landfills, conserves our forest resources and improves air and
water quality.

When selecting furnishings for your next home redecorating or remodeling project, here are some
considerations to keep in mind:

	ABOVE: Precedent’s eCollection RIGHT: FSC certified table by South Cone

FURNITURE QUALITY
Well-designed, high quality products will last longer and are less likely to end up in landfills.

DOMESTIC SOURCES
Products purchased through domestic sources have less environmental impact due to decreased transportation of the products themselves.

FIBER OPTIONS
When selecting fabrics, look for organically grown fibers such as cotton, hemp, bamboo and silk, which are grown without the use of chemicals and are colored with low impact dyes. Further, many fabrics and carpets are available that are made from recycled synthetics and feature low-emission finishes.

FRAME CONSTRUCTION
Many manufacturers now offer eco-friendly frames that feature recycled wood or FSC certified wood (harvested from well-managed forests that have met the rigid requirements of the Forest Stewardship Council). These eco-friendly frames are joined with water-based glues and recycled staples and screws. In addition, recycled steel is often incorporated in some spring foundations.

CUSHION CORES
Cores made from soy or feather significantly decrease the use of petroleum products that are
usually used in typical synthetic cushions.

Today, the “green” market is estimated at 2% - 10% of consumer spending and those numbers
continue to grow each year. While “green” products are slightly harder to find, they are becoming
more readily available. Michigan Design Center is home to over 35 showrooms that continue to
add to their offerings of unique, eco-friendly furnishings, including products for both residential
and commercial projects.

To view a bio and additional work samples from Karen Crorey, click here