Your Home, Your World

Products

Offerings from our Green Design Center
All of the products we offer are low or zero VOC (volatile organic compounds). Why is this important? Studies show that many modern building materials have substances in them that are unhealthy for the users of the building. In some situations, your indoor air quality (IAQ) can be worse than outdoor urban air . Many products are made with chemicals that release VOC’s into the environment for many years, a process  known as off-gassing.  Some of these VOC’s are known carcinogens, can cause respiratory problems, behavioral problems in children, and many other health concerns. It is especially important for children and the growing number of people who have chemical sensitivities, to avoid these harmful chemicals.

We are always working to expand our offerings in our green design center.  We have a selection of flooring, paints, finishes and window treatments that are healthy and environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional offerings.  By choosing these alternatives to products you were already planning on buying, you help the planet, your fellow human-beings, and most importantly yourself - all without sacrificing beauty, convenience and durability. Some of the products are highlighted below.  Please come in to see displays and to get more information (or call!)

Eco Timber Flooring
Eco Timber has been creating environmentally friendly flooring since 1992. The company was founded on the principle that they could help preserve the world’s forests by offering woods that have been sustainably harvested, all of which are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)*. They have a beautiful line of flooring which includes sustainably harvested woods, reclaimed woods and bamboo.

Not only are the floors, beautiful and durable with excellent warranties, they are made to be healthier for the user as well. For the engineered flooring, they use only formaldehyde free adhesives, and low-formaldehyde adhesives for the bamboo (these pass the European Union’s strictest indoor air quality standards). Coordinating accessories and low VOC adhesives are also available.

*A note about FSC.  The Forest Stewardship Council is a non profit, independent organization that certifies that forests are managed in a way that protects the forest, the habitats and livelihood of the people, animals and insects who live there.  It is supported by many environmental groups such as the World Wildlife Fund, Green Peace, the Sierra Club and more.

More information is available at www.fsc.org.

Natural Cork
Cork flooring is a wonderful product that has been used for many years to create quite durable floors. The cork we offer is made by the Natural Cork Company. They have developed a 12” x 36” tile that is easily assembled with a click-together system.  This makes it easy for the homeowners to install themselves without the need for glues, nails or a contractor.  These floating floors have many benefits. Cork is a renewable resource- the tree is not damaged when they harvest the cork. It is the bark of the tree, which is easily removed every nine years or so.  Cork flooring is made from the post-industrial waste from the wine bottle cork industry. It is a resilient and very comfortable floor, ideal for the kitchen.  In addition, Cork is an excellent sound and heat insulator, as well as being naturally anti-microbial, and naturally anti-bacterial. With no added formaldehyde, cork floors are healthier for indoor air quality and have the added benefit of being easy to care for. If you have never seen a cork floor before, you are probably thinking of old bulletin boards right now.  Don’t worry, there is a broad selection of patterns and colors available!

Cork floors are also available in glue down 12” x 12” tiles.

These floors are made in Portugal.

Bamboo Floors
A very popular flooring option is Bamboo. Both Natural Cork and Eco Timber make bamboo floors . We offer a few different styles, from the natural bamboo to a stained “hand-scraped” finish.  Bamboo is a durable floor, similar to oak and maple when you buy the high quality flooring. Many people have heard stories about bamboo floors that are denting, and not as strong as they were told. This comes from inferior bamboo.  Bamboo floors can vary quite a bit depending on the age of the plant when it is harvested, the part of the bamboo stalk they use, and the variety of  used. Eco Timber harvests their bamboo at 6 years old and only uses the bottom six feet of the stalk making for a very durable floor. Come in and see the difference!

Forbo Marmoleum Click
This company has been making natural linoleum for many years.  Linoleum was originally made only of linseed oil, wood pulp (saw dust), pine resin, pigments and flax.  Forbo still follows this formula. We carry their Click line, which is the linoleum on either a 12” x 36” panel, or 12” x 12” panel that click together without the need for adhesives or nails making it easy to install as a floating floor.  They have a great offering of colors that can be combined to create patterns. (Think interesting border detail or give the look of an area rug ……)  Marmoleum flooring cleans-up easily because it is naturally anti-static, easy to sweep and therefore a great option for people with allergies.

Forbo makes their Marmoleum in Europe, with great care given to keeping their environmental impact of the manufacturing to a minimum.

Natural Wool Carpets
We have two suppliers for our natural wool carpets.  Colin Campbell’s Nature’s Carpet from British Colombia, Canada, and Earthweave Natural Wool Carpets which are made in Georgia, USA.

Earthweave Carpets are completely natural carpets.  They are made from un-dyed, un-bleached wool, which lets the natural color of the wool shine.  The adhesives are made from natural rubber with no VOC’s making them great for those with chemical sensitivities.

Nature’s Carpet is also an all natural, zero VOC carpet with the addition of a few styles that use natural vegetable dyes.


Low and Zero VOC Paints and Finishes
We are pleased to offer AFM Safecoat’s line of healthy low and zero VOC paints and finishes and cleaners.  Their products are as durable and easy to apply as conventional products, they just don’t have the harmful chemical additives that can have a bad effect on your indoor air quality.  AFM Safecoat paints are even doctor recommended for people with chemical sensitivities.  In fact, they have been created specifically to help seal in any chemicals that might be off gassing from the surface they are applied to, such as old paint, or woods with formaldehyde.
           
We also carry milk paints which are natural finishes that are zero VOC. Come in to see the extensive color options available.

Window Treatments
Of course your home is not complete with out window treatments.  We have a line of natural fabrics with which you can create your own drapes, and we carry an all natural line of shades by Earthshade out of Massachusetts. With over twenty different patterns all created from natural fibers and fair trade, there is a style appropriate for any décor. These shades are never sprayed with chemicals making them a healthy alternative to other shades on the market. Lining options include a choice of two hemp liners, one to filter light and give more privacy for the thinner patterns, the other is a heavier liner that adds and R value of 4.5 to your windows- this means better insulation and increased savings in your energy bill!

Counters and Cabinets
We are not forgetting the most important room in the house, the kitchen!  We have a selection of counters as well as a line of formaldehyde free, cabinetry that is finished with low voc finishes.

One of the most talked about counters today is Icestone. This gorgeous counter is made from recycled glass and concrete.  It is comparable to granite or marble, but  more sustainable! Why? It is made in Brooklyn, NY.  This company has been given many awards, including the cradle-to-cradle award for being sustainable in the entire manufacturing process, not just the end material! And does it sparkle! It is an eye-catching counter that can fit in with any décor.

We also have Paperstone counters.  These are very durable, elegant counters made from recycled paper, mixed with a natural water based resin. (As proof of their durability, paperstone was invented when they were trying to make an eco friendly skate board ramp!) They can be finished with a food grade natural oil and wax finish for a very healthy, durable, beautiful counter.  The look is similar to soap stone, but the feel is warm.

And of course there is bamboo! People are making all sorts of wonderful things with this rapidly renewable resource, including counter tops! With a variety of different styles, and beautiful edge detail, these ad a wonderful warmth to any kitchen.  Also available are backsplashes in coordinating styles.

Organic Bedding and Mattresses
I believe the most important room in the house to do green, if you have to choose just one, is the bed room.  The average person spends about one third of their life in bed, so shouldn’t this experience be as comfortable and healthy as possible?

With three different styles of organic mattresses we offer an option for all sleepers.  Two are made from natural rubber, and one uses a more traditional inner- spring support. They all contain organic wool, which acts as a natural fire retardant, making chemical fire retardants unnecessary! (And they still pass all federal regulations!) The wool is also naturally anti-dust mite, so it’s great for people with allergies, and helps regulate your body temperature as well.  The covering material is organic cotton.  These are comfortable, breathable mattresses which help ensure a great night’s sleep! We have them here in our show room for you to try out, along with a selection of natural pillows. The Mattresses are available in all sizes from crib to king.

Of course with an organic mattress, you will want organic bedding.  We have two different lines of organic cotton sheets for all size mattresses (from crib to king), organic cotton and wool blankets and duvets. These same companies also make organic cotton towels. 

We are also pleased to introduce a line of -wonderfully soft and absorbent bamboo towels. Come in and feel them today!

Home Products
For a completely natural, healthy and gorgeous bath experience we are pleased to introduce you to Sensatia, a line of all natural, paraben-free bath, body and face care products. Sensatia is a wonderful profit sharing workers co-op from Bali, so you can feel good about yourself and feel good about helping others, while looking gorgeous at the same time!  Why choose just one, when you can have it all?!

To complete your green home, we offer a variety of home products. Table linens are a great way to help save trees.  Reusable napkins are elegant, yet casual enough for any night and an intelligent alternative to throw away napkins. To complete your table we have a great selection of recycled glass table ware, including wine glasses and plates.

For the kitchen we offer Austrian made enamel ware.  This is the healthy alternative to non-stick coatings.  The glass enamel is naturally non-stick, and is also inert-adding no chemicals or metals to your foods. Complete your organic kitchen with organic cotton  towels, aprons and hot pads and New Hampshire made wooden spoons.

Also available is a selection of bags and purses made from recycled materials, home décor and gifts

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