Lisa Harland

2010-03-22T03:25:00.000-07:00

Funky Eco Friendly Wallpaper for Children
in Bedroom Play

There has been an explosion of colourful wallpapers for children this last year and is a fabulous way to brighten up your kids bed and playrooms. What we particularly love about our round up today is that they are all non-toxic... do you really want your kids to breathe in a big whiff of formaldehyde? Thought not. So look no further than our groovy selection of funky wallpapers to cheer up your kids the eco friendly way!

Another super destination for "gorgeous, non-toxic, vinyl-free, environmentally friendly wallpapers" is our friend Lisa Harland. Lisa's organic furnishings company has a clever line up of decorative materials, from upholstery fabrics, furniture, headboards, bed linens and home accessories, and in the case of wallpapers, Harland also caters for children.

Retro and modern, Harland stocks Mini Moderns, the eco friendly wallpaper collection by Absolute Zeroº and is printed with non-toxic, water-based inks on paper from FSC certified forests. And these wallpapers definitely are a good match for kids, as sticky dirty fingers aren't a problem as they can be wiped down easily - bonus! Harlands have a quite a few designs on offer, so no doubt your boy or little girl will find something they like, and please do request a sample.

We like their Knock Knock version as it's a fun way to count...

And we also love the idea of letting the kids graffiti colour in the walls with this super Tick Tock wallpaper. What fun!

Why not check out Harlands Organic Furnishings complete range of children's wallpaper as they have 13 wallpapers to choose from, and have a good choice for both girls and boys.

Happy decorating!

2010-03-01T14:22:00.000-08:00

Non Toxic Upholstered Headboards
Harlands Organic Furnishings, Upholstered Headboards

Available in a wide variety of upholstered fabrics - colours, prints and materials - you can update your bedroom's decor with a stunning, chemical free headboard. Harlands offer a diverse range of headboard shapes, even bespoke sizes, to suit your taste and room's interior.

To give you peace of mind, Harlands' products meet strict legislation and comply with The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, but without the harmful chemical fire retardants. Clever and important, because it has now been found formaldehyde, a common fire retardant has been linked to nausea, coughing, allergic reactions, fatigue, even cancer.

Harlands' sustainable approach to organic furnishings go one step further too as all the products are lovingly handmade in the UK.

View Harland's Chemical-free Headboards online today!

2010-02-10T06:45:00.000-08:00

A cut above
Harlands Organic Felt Panels

Harlands Organic Furnishings is a bespoke, made-to-measure service.

The company have lots of lovely things to entice you and one of the items we liked were the intricately cut 100% wool felt panels.

The panels are coloured using environmentally friendly dyes and suitable for a variety of interior applications including sliding curtain panels, room dividers and wall panels.

They have been designed by British designer-maker Selina Rose who uses cutting edge technology to create intricately cut and printed interior felt surfaces in a choice of 21 distinct colour options.

The panels are made in the UK and the felt is renewable and biodgradable.

As the panels are bespoke prices vary. For more information visit organic-furnishings.co.uk

2010-02-02T15:42:00.000-08:00

Feb 2010,

2010-01-28T07:09:00.000-08:00

Feb 2010 issue

2010-01-19T12:42:00.000-08:00

LIFESTYLE & HOME: HARLANDS ORGANIC FURNISHINGS

January 11th, 2010

Harlands Organic Furnishings offers a classy, highly customer-focused service suitable for anyone wanting to make a significant investment in their home, whilst having the peace of mind that comes with choosing an ethical company that supports animal welfare, British farming and craftmanship.

Sustainably produced furniture, with a great deal of flexibility in the design - Harlands can work from a photo or drawing to create an item tailored to you - but what I especially liked was the wonderful range of fabrics available. Harlands work with several textile manufacturers so they can offer a fantastic range of styles, from something traditional and simple like Ian mankin to something a bit more quirky like Pieces Of You.

As well as the bigger items of furniture, there are some really interesting and original accessories for the home. I really like the innovative Felt Panels, which could have any number of uses, and look particularly beautiful with the light shining through the cut-out patterns, bringing the colours and the texture of the wool to life.

Harlands and all the companies they work with have impeccable green credentials, are certified to the hilt and are experts in producing furniture and furnishings which comply with the fire safety regulations without using formaldehyde and other chemicals which have proven associated health risks (especially important when furnishing a child or baby's room).

Providing choice, quality, attention to detail, being environmentally and ethically sound, Harlands are helping people to create beautiful homes - the right way.

Sophie Colbert

2009-06-20T05:39:00.000-07:00

Trend Watch

Big, Bold Wallpaper Designs

For The Very Brave

This wallpaper is mind-bogglingly alluring, but the strength of its pattern means that it should be limited to rooms that are busy and lively. Put it in a bedroom and the effect will be show-stopping, but is unlikely to be restful. Junglish 21 by Dominic Crinson, £62.95 per roll, Organic Furnishings

Big Space, Big Impact

This wallpaper is of such a large scale that it's best left to large spaces. Put it on more than one wall at your peril - whichever wall you put it onto will visually advance into the room. Extreme Cloud 7 by Dominic Crinson, £62.95 per roll, Organic Furnishings

Tradition With A Modern Twist

If you've got antique or period furniture that you want to complement but update, putting it against a modern take on a traditional wallpaper design will do the trick. Grand Jubilee by mod green pod, £85 per roll, Organic Furnishings

By Clare Steel

2009-06-15T11:21:00.000-07:00

Country Living, July 2009

2009-06-15T10:50:00.000-07:00

House Beautiful, May 2009

Country Living, May 2009

2009-06-07T10:15:00.000-07:00

The [Accidental] EcoManiac

Let's put a new coat of paint on this lonesome old town...

Thursday, 19 March 2009

My 'Hot Houses' blog on property porn seems a long time ago now. Like me, you may still feel the odd twinge as you rifle through the ads, mags and websites, but the reality of the property bust has cooled our lust. It's like the moment a gent realises his favourite pinup's not real: fake chest, fake lips, fake hair – oh, sorry, bad analogy; most XYs don't actually care. Anyway, the glossy illusion of property heaven has evaporated, revealing the hell of negative equity and looming repossession. Just as well: our cravings for bigger, shinier, more obscenely indulgent homes were out of line with the planet's limited resources.

Now, instead of hankering after what you can't have, it's time to make the most of the home you're in. Think of it as cosmetic surgery (without the troubling philosophical dilemmas), especially in the mantra that less is more. Instead of a scorched-home policy, try the light touch. The easiest (and most earth-kind) way to freshen up your home without going overboard is a fresh lick of (eco-friendly) paint like Beckers (left), my Favourite Find for March. Try a new coat of paint, cue up Tom Waits on the music system (or tickle the ivories on your own customised piano: Beckers has some wild ideas, right) and laugh at that old bloodshot moon in that burgundy sky.

Another easy trick is to whizz up some new cushion covers. I know, I was very snooty about SIY (sew it yourself) but perhaps I was a bit hasty. It's not clever to crow about your ignorance or dearth of skills (especially in the current mend-and-make-do mood of thrift and self-reliance). I'm suitably humbled and have asked a friend for a few lessons on her sewing machine. Will I be opening my own fashion boutique? Now you're being too hasty, but if I can turn up my kiddies' trousers and magic up some presentable cushions, I'll hold my head high.

Go one step better by choosing organic fabrics to tart up your pad: see the list below. And don't sniff at extras such as buttons and trims, a handy way to liven up a cushion or skirt without spending a fortune (and if you're re-using old buttons or ribbons that have been lying about for yonks, even better).

Harlands Organic Furnishings has a great selection of organic fabrics, many made in the UK. It's a step above many organic fabric collections, with fresh colours and patterns, like this hand-printed organic cotton from Les Indiennes (above).

Mod Green Pod (right) has sleek printed fabrics in gorgeous contemporary styles (made in US but stocked at Harlands).

Hemp Fabric stocks a big selection of cool neutrals that are all-natural.

Draper's Organic has gorgeous fabrics and cushions covers (if you find you don't have the knack – or the time – to SIY.

Near Sea Naturals They obviously stock the natural look and pale seaside colours, but I'm a sucker for their deep scarlet sateen organic cotton.

2009-01-10T04:11:00.000-08:00

Published 2008,

2008-11-22T12:24:00.000-08:00

Nov 2008

Big City Small Footprints blog

Our Eco Shop’s pop-up Christmas boutique opened in Westbourne Grove this week. A collaboration of UK designer-makers and small green companies have come together for the second year running to create the shop. From now until Christmas Eve, they will be selling a selection of fair trade, ethical and organic products from the boutique.

BCSF was at the launch party last night to check things out. Alongside old favourites like Little Green Radicals and Izzy Lane, we discovered some exciting new ethical brands such as Harlands, an organic home furnishings company that makes chemical-free upholstered sofas, chairs and headboards.

It was good to see that even in the current financial climate, the shop was packed. And people weren’t just there for the delicious organic wine and nibbles - there were plenty of transactions taking place too! There’s a lot packed into the two-level shop. You can pick up everything from baby clothes, jewellery, stationery, beauty products to an electric cycle. It might be just the thing if you’re out looking for unique presents - many of the items on sale are one-off creations, and nothing in the shop is mass-produced.

Our Eco Shop is located at 303 Westbourne Grove, W11. Nearest tubes are Notting Hill Gate and Ladbroke Grove.

Opening times 10:00-18:00 (Mon-Sat), 12:00-17:00 (Sun), from November 10th until December 24th.

2008-09-20T11:21:00.000-07:00

Sept 2008

As seen on thegreenbabyspot.com

Fab Eco Friendly Nursery Decor

This is my little attempt at interior design! I’ve put some swatches, furniture and furnishings together to try to give you some ideas for eco friendly nursery decor. The background is covered with different patterns of Eco-friendly wall paper from Mod Green Pod. Mod Green Pod is a lovely company which makes whimsical, sophisticated organic fabric and vinyl-free wall paper. Their beautiful and stylish non-toxic wallpaper can be bought at Harlands Organic Furnishings in the UK. The printing is done with water-based inks and no harmful finishers are used.

The comfortable oversized, upholstered chair is ideal for snuggling up in a cozy corner of the nursery, during those late night feedings. You don’t have to worry about baby’s skin brushing up against the chair, because it’s made chemical free.
The Claude dark herringbone chair is available at Harlands Organic Furnishings, for those who can afford to splurge on a quality nursery chair…the rest of us can only dream! Be prepared to fork out £1,800.

The stunning Danish Leander Cot, made out of high quality Scandinavian birch is available from Natural Mat. The Leander Cot is a worthwile investment as it converts into a toddler bed, and can be used up to 6 years. The cot comes with a Natural Mat Latex Mat mattress made to fit. The cot mattress is made from 100% natural fibre materials which makes it breathable, non-allergeic and offers superior support £655.00.

The 100% organic cot bed sheets are also from Natural Mat. Their range of organic sheets includes fitted and flat sheets made from soft flannelette and crisp cotton percale. Prices start from £17.45

2008-09-09T05:35:00.000-07:00

SHE, Sept 2008

Kitchens, Bedrooms and Bathrooms, Sept 2008

2008-09-09T05:04:00.000-07:00

MSN Environment, summer 2008

The Green Bedroom: Hang-ups

Attractive curtains can help hold in heat during the chilly winter nights, saving money on heating bills. Harlands Organic Furnishings has stellar eco and ethical principles – and a nice selection of fine organic textiles. Order made-to-measure curtains or blinds in traditional or contemporary styles or try some eco-friendly wallpaper. Top tip: instead of papering a whole room, simply cover a large board or canvas to hang on the wall. Then it’s easy to ‘redecorate’ without huge mess, waste or expense.

2008-07-11T15:44:00.001-07:00

May/June 2008,

2008-06-26T05:35:00.000-07:00

June 2008

As seen on blog: theginlady.com

ECO WALLPAPER - NON VOLATILE, RECYCLED AND VINTAGE TRENDS

Wallpaper remains bang on trend, but the pong it emits is bang out of order. Put up the conventional stuff and you'll be breathing in harmful VOCs for a long time to come. While stylish eco wall coverings are regrettably few, here are a few of my latest discoveries.

Style gurus are gushing over bold prints, so look no further than this Jubilee Grand in Licorice stocked by Harlands Organic Furnishings. Owner Lisa Harland says "Mod Green Pod's non-toxic, vinyl-free wallpaper looks good and takes care of the planet. With such great designs who wouldn't want to be green."

To whet your decor appetite, their hand silk screened wallpapers come in a range of delicious colours: Raspberry, stilton, chocolate, cream and licorice.

Harlands Organic Furnishings also offer eco gorgeous fabrics and a bespoke upholstery service.

Another striking eco wallpaper range is from Graham & Brown. This bittern feather design communicates a real threat to the bittern: only 50 pairs remain and face ever increasing threats from global warming effects, including sea level rise.

Graham & Brown's eco range is made up of 10 designs, the result of an innovative collaboration with design students from Central St Martins. They boldly challenge the myth that eco wallpaper is dull and uninspiring.

Their eco range is printed on 100% FSC paper, use pure water based inks (no VOCs or solvents), and its packaging is compostable as its made from corn.

I'm also loving this flower press design from EcoCentric. It has a delicate impact.

Oliver Heath, EcoCentric's owner remarked "This lovely nature inspired wallpaper has soft muted tones and a feeling that it has come straight from the pages of a Victorian botanist. These leaves were actually inspired by leaves found in a flower press belonging to the designer’s grandmother. This wallpaper could easily be used as a feature wall, complimented by a natural paint of the colour of the background of the wallpaper."

Talking of paint, EcoCentric also stock a fabulous range of 'eco chic' claypaints made by Earthborn, the only UK manufacturer to carry the EU Ecolabel.

The 'Eco Chic' Claypaints are high quality as they contain a high proportion of solids, and as such, cover walls remarkably well, and are amenable to special effects.

Best of all, you won't have to breathe in any toxic pongs. VOCs are absent and the paint is virtually drip-free.

Another great way to transform your walls is to adorn them with Mioculture's innovative 3d PaperForms. Their philosophy is 'Responsible Desire', a stance I love!
Jaime Salm, Mioculture's designer reflected "The idea of the PaperForms came from the material and technology. I had been exploring recycled paper as a material for furnishings since my college days and realized that it was much more than a disposable packaging material. It was more durable, flexible and beautiful than most people give credit for, so I decided to really celebrate it, present it in a different context where no one expected it. The Flow pattern was the second one we developed, and it was very much a reaction to the first one: V2. Flow is more organic and free flowing, and it creates a more denser pattern that works quite well all round."

And last, but by no means least, an alternative eco approach

to wall coverings is hunting for vintage wallpaper. And hunting is the appropriate word. That's why I was thrilled to find 5qm, a German online supplier of vintage wallpapers. They have an impressive wide ranging collection.

You may of course wonder about wallpaper paste. Afterall, what's the point of having eco paper if you use a paste chock full of toxic substances?

I found a simple paste recipe on Care2.com. All you need is some flour, alum, water and a few drops of oil from cloves, which performs well as a natural preservative.

Once you've whipped up your natural alternative, it has a shelf life of 2 weeks, leaving you plenty of time to put up the wallpaper.

Happy wall covering!

2008-06-07T06:20:00.000-07:00

You Magazine, May 2008.

Green Scene by Sheherazade Goldsmith
Cushioned for comfort Relax and unwind

After six months of making big decisions and talking dimensions, paint and flooring, we are now safely installed in our wonderful house. There were a few teething problems, such as boiling water coming out of the filtered drinking-water tap and, worse still, the bidet! But now my focus can move on to the more whimsical, indulgent side of renovating: soft furnishings.

Whether you're a minimalist or a clutter-lover, it's the decorative touches - a lampshade made with a much-loved piece of vintage fabric, a worn-in rug, lots
of old one-eyed cuddly toys - which will instantly liven up the hotel-like blandness of a newly decorated house and turn it into a home. And the beauty is, it's almost impossible to make a mistake, as something that isn't quite perfect will often add charm. My house is full of these touches, in particular my cushions - a mish-mash of adored presents, memories, can't-live-without vintage fabrics and the odd hasty decision. Nothing quite works, and yet it all does - at least, I hope so!

The vintage cushions are my favourite - the vast majority of which have come from Cath Kidston - and they tick lots of eco boxes, too. Why buy new fabrics when you can reuse wonderful old ones? Cath Kidston does a variety of one-offs that include brightly coloured tickings, French florals and retro cartoon prints (tel: 0845 026 2440, cathkidston.co.uk).

You can also order customised versions. Tobias and the Angel in Barnes, Southwest London, is a great source of vintage fabrics, and will make cushions to any specification (tel: 020 8878 8902, tobiasandtheangel.com). And wherever you live, car-boot sales are rich hunting grounds. Be sure to pick a feather filling rather than a fibre one, though, as these are natural and will break down rapidly in a landfill site.

Other favourite cushions of mine include ones that commemorate special occasions, such as a wedding or a birthday. The Monogrammed Linen Shop in London offers an embroidery service that will replicate your child's drawing on a cotton cushion (tel: 020 7589 4033, monogrammedlinenshop.com).

To make something that is particularly personal, why not use a piece of old clothing? Pieces of You (tel: 020 8567 9692, piecesofyou.co.uk) makes cushions using cherished or worn clothes; you can either choose a design from their ready-made collection or commission something special.

If the chaos of random nostalgic cushions is not your style, then Harland's Organic Furnishings (tel: 07984 635726, organic-furnishings.co.uk) has a selection of beautiful cushions made using the finest organic textiles and handmade silk-screened, non-toxic prints, which will give a chic designer look to any space.

Me? I'm just glad to have my own sofa on which to relax again - and the occasional five minutes to rest my head on my much-loved cushion collection.

2008-05-08T13:50:00.000-07:00

Putney Time and Leisure, May 2008

2008-05-08T13:47:00.000-07:00

Home Angels, Spring/Summer 2008

The Suburb, Spring 2008

2008-02-17T14:01:00.000-08:00

House and Home, Feb 2008

Soft furnishings goes eco-wise.

By Faith Glasgow

Published: February 16, 2008

From long-life lightbulbs and energy-efficient fridges to good wood and lead-free paint, homeowners these days are confronted on every side with well-publicised opportunities to make their homes more sustainable. But how much thought do most of us spare for the environment when it comes to choosing upholstery, curtains or cushions? Probably next to none in most cases – not least because of the lack of alternatives that meet green concerns as well as looking and feeling good.

New talent with ethical and environmental concerns is finally gathering strength on the soft furnishings front, however. Recently the British interior designer Emily Todhunter has teamed up with O Ecotextiles – a company based in Seattle, US, that produces textiles in a socially and ecologically responsible way – to launch a range of organic cotton, linen and hemp upholstery fabrics in sophisticated shades. “I can’t claim my motives for producing an organic range are eco-intellectual,” admits Todhunter. “I didn’t know much about the environmental arguments when I started but I’ve learnt a great deal since teaming up with O Ecotextiles. Having spent many years visiting textile mills, I felt there must be a better way than modern mass production. Fabric produced on a small scale using traditional techniques and natural dyes has a different quality – it drapes and performs so much more beautifully. I came to the idea from the aesthetic angle, really.”

Visual appeal aside, the case against the textile processing industry is a pretty compelling one. Cotton production is the worst offender: it’s a massive and largely intensive industry accounting for 16 per cent of global pesticide use – more than any other crop – according to the Institute of Science in Society (ISIS). These agrochemicals pollute the environment and poison farm workers on a huge scale: at least 1m agricultural workers around the world are hospitalised because of acute pesticide poisoning each year, says ISIS. There are also fair trade issues centring on US cotton subsidies and the impact of artificially low prices on poor farmers in Africa and India.

Wool is an animal welfare horror story perhaps less familiar to many people. The Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) website contains stomach-churning details of the inhumane treatment of intensively farmed sheep in Australia, which produces a quarter of the world’s wool.

Further down the production chain, textile bleaching and dyeing processes involve toxins such as formaldehyde, dioxins and chlorine, among others. Millions of litres of contaminants are discharged into the ecosystem by textile mills. Moreover, these chemical cocktails are associated with serious health concerns in the home. Jesse Johnson, New York-based co-founder of the green furnishing company Q Collection, doesn’t mince his words: “It is reasonable to think of most textiles in your home as hazardous waste,” he says. “They can contain pesticides and heavy metals, dyes, stain-resistant chemicals, stiffeners and flame retardants that are known to cause health problems [for the people living there].”

Leigh Anne Van Dusen, co-founder of O Ecotextiles, admits that she did not focus on human health concerns when the company was set up four years ago. “But we now believe they will be a strong market driver,” she says. “The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named indoor air pollution as one of the five most pressing public health problems in the US.”

Clearly, the luxury eco-furnishing fabrics industry is still embryonic. But a growing number of designers, small producers and suppliers is focusing its energies on creating and marketing alternative textiles that are not only organic, non-toxic and ethically produced but also beautiful and durable.

Understandably, they are of interest to eco-enthusiasts who place the welfare of the planet at a premium and to people with health concerns – for example those with asthmatic children – but, says Jesse Johnson: “There are folks purchasing our textiles who either don’t know about or don’t particularly care about the health and environmental benefits of the collection. They just like the design and the quality, and that is essential too.”

His point is echoed by UK upholsterer Lisa Harland, who set up Harlands Organic Furnishings in 2006. It was among the first furnishing companies in the UK to work exclusively with organic, environmentally responsible and ethically produced fabrics. “I see as many people coming to us because they like our designs as for green reasons. As far as they’re concerned, the green angle is a bonus,” she says.

Harland prides herself on the fact that the company is “the first in the UK aiming to bring together all the organic/ethical furnishing fabrics under one roof; previously many of the small companies producing organic textiles got lost on the internet”. She stocks 300 fabrics from eight suppliers, of which three are US-based. They include the jolly retro designs of Mod Green Pod plus woven organic wool fabrics from Del Cerro. She also sells hemp and hemp mixes. “Hemp has a rather unfortunate sackcloth image but it is great – it grows prolifically, it can be produced very organically, it’s strong and it can look much like linen,” she says.

Most popular is the the work of British textile designer Sarah Roberts, who creates bespoke silkscreened cotton-hemp fabrics, colour-matched to the customer’s requirements and printed to order. Another favourite is the range of traditional woven tweeds from Ardalanish Weavers. “They are pioneers in that their wool is certified organic by the Soil Association; they also buy in wool from local Scottish farmers on a fair trade basis,” explains Harland.

Van Dusen set up O Ecotextiles in Seattle because she was looking to re-upholster her sofa and couldn’t find a luxurious fibre that was also eco-friendly, except recycled polyester. It has taken her and her partner, Patty Grossman, four years to source their range. “We had to find partners who supported our vision and also to try new things for high performance – durability, softness, colourfastness, luminosity, drape. And the fabrics have to meet the Global Organic Textile Standard introduced in 2006,” she says.

In terms of lateral thinking, Q Collection’s range of fabrics demonstrates the potential for interesting new natural fibres. “Our first collection was made from just viscose – wood pulp – and wool,” says Jesse Johnson. “Today we use a much wider selection, including bamboo, banana plant stalk, alpaca, jute and leather as well as cotton, linen and hemp.” But the company is keen to expand further and is experimenting with fabrics developed from corn-based bioplastics.
What about the more sumptuous end of the soft furnishings spectrum? Velvet using wool and organic cotton, plus artisan-made silk made without toxic dyes, feature in the Q Collection. O Ecotextiles, too, offers bamboo plush velvets, though the company has not yet ventured into leather. “The tanning process remains one of the most chemically intensive and toxic in the fabric spectrum – but some companies are claiming green credentials and I think they’d be worth a look,” says van Dusen. “Silk is the fibre with the lightest environmental and health footprint – unless you’re the silkworm.”

Harland stocks organic wild silks from India and is waiting for the launch of an eco velvet in the UK. “We’re desperate for it,” she says. And leather? “I see it as a natural byproduct of a well-managed herd; we’d be willing to use it in principle but so far, to keep our message simple, we have stuck to materials where animals have not had to die.”

Naturally, the shift back to sustainable production techniques brings challenges. How, for instance to achieve rich colour palettes without toxic dyes? “We used to be limited in colour but that has changed dramatically in the past few years,” says Johnson. “It has taken some research but our line includes dark darks and ivory whites.”

Another issue is over the fire safety standards to which furnishing fabrics must conform. Conventionally it’s a matter of treating the material with toxic flame retardant but Harland has come up with a sustainable alternative that meets British Standard 5852 requirements. “We use a special interlining that is 70 per cent organic but 30 per cent Kevlar, a synthetic material. It’s a compromise but, apart from the stiffener in our curtain headings and the use of ordinary sewing thread because organic cotton breaks too easily, it’s the only naughty we have in our products,” she says.

Cost is a potential hurdle for many consumers, judging by the price tags on some of these fabrics. Todhunter’s range retails for between £70 and £94 per metre in the UK, while the Del Cerro wool stocked by Harland costs £300 per metre.

“We don’t charge any green premium but every step of the production process is currently more expensive and the fabric is produced more slowly, so prices can be 25-50 per cent higher,” warns van Dusen. But Johnson is less pessimistic. “We work very hard to avoid asking our customers to pay a premium for sustainability,” he stresses. “Our goods are generally no more than 5 per cent more expensive than comparable textiles.”
..............................
Friendlier fabrics:
O Ecotextiles, tel: +1 206-633 1177; www.oecotextiles.com

Harland Organic Furnishings, tel; +44 (0)7984-635 726; www.organic-furnishings.co.uk

Q Collection, tel: +1 212-529 1400; www.qcollection.com

----------------------------------------------------------

The Accidental Eco Maniac.com, Feb 2008

Cotton on to this
11 February, 2008:

Leading textile testing laboratory, Shirley Technologies tells us that 10% of the textiles (towels, clothes, bedding, etc) it tests fail ecological tests. And the most harmful are from the US.

Surprise, surprise. Well it is a surprise if you've seen the US Cotton industry's 'Feel the Difference' campaign (right), complete with angelic young maidens and a 'Pure, Sensual and Sustainable' tagline.

STL tells us the cotton typically fails for pH (meaning the fabric may cause rashes, itching or allergic reactions), allergenic dyes and alarmingly, toxic heavy metals.

"There are some very nasty chemicals used in the production of clothing and household articles, including formaldehyde (which is carcinogenic), extractable heavy metals such as cadmium and chromium, and pesticides," says Phil Whitaker of STL. "As the consumer becomes more and more aware of organic and ecological issues, the key point is that the makers [for instance, illegal sweatshops] are exposed to a deadly chemical cocktail, all day every day, to produce merchandise."

The issue hasn't escaped the notice of UK textile designers. A group including Lisa Harland of Harlands Organic Furnishings is starting to tackle greenwashing in the textile industry. Have a look at Lisa's blog entitled 'The Environmental Impact of the Furniture Industry'. It also includes a disturbing film from Peta on Merino wool. She also wants consumers to know that chemical flame retardants are now widespread, due to fire and safety regs, and that some of these chemicals may have harmful effects on humans and should be replaced with non-toxic or natural alternatives. These chemicals are also tested on animals, so should be avoided for any truly ethical furnishings. Anthony and Jesse at Q Collection also have a lot to say on the subject of ecological and ethical upholstery.

2008-01-24T17:16:00.000-08:00

Interior Design Today, Jan/Feb 2008

2008-01-07T13:17:00.000-08:00

SW, Jan 08

La Vie, Taiwan, Feb 08

2008-01-04T02:12:00.000-08:00

House and Homes ideas, Dec 2007

Interior Design Today, Nov/Dec 2007

It was a nice surprise to be included in the feature about the Eco Design Fair unfortunately there was an error in our information. We DO NOT use any chemical flame retardants in our products.

First, Oct 2007

The wallpaper in the main picture is Mod Green Pod's Butterfly Jubilee, Licorice/Earl Grey and the blind is Mod Green Pod's Ticking Stripe, Licorice/Earl Grey. Unfortunately there is an error and the Wee Jubilee fabric swatch is attributed to Rugmark.

8 Oct 2007

Property advice: The room planner

Paula Robinson offers space-saving solutions, architectural advice and style tips. This week: Going green is worth the effort· The Earth channel

I am embarrassed to think how many times I've bought something based on looks and price alone, without pausing to think where, how and from what it was made. By contrast, my new regime of "shopping green" is hard work, especially when it comes to furniture. It isn't fast, easy or cheap, and I have had to re-think my approach to shopping entirely. I took my cue from the way the French shop for food: for quality, not convenience, carefully picking each establishment for its best produce rather than opting for a one-stop shop. Applying this principle to "green shopping" instantly turned it into an enjoyable quest rather than drudgery.

New life: The drum of an old washing machine can be transformed into a spectacular coffee table

Buying locally-made furniture is a major objective: it's better for the environment than anything shipped from halfway around the world. I'm a huge advocate of buying the work of British craftsmen. They offer quality and value for money and are well worth seeking out. Find them by word of mouth, online, or at fairs such as the Eco Design Fair (ecodesignfair.co.uk/, November 23-24).

"Green shopping" also makes it important to know what a product is made of, and how it is made. Materials need to be from a sustainable source, reclaimed or recycled. Equally, the process of transforming them from raw material to finished product must involve only natural products (no toxic glues, solvents or finishes), and have minimal impact in terms of energy consumption. I ask lots of questions of the supplier. Wood should always be from sustainable sources and have a certification stamp: FSC is the most common, but also look out for CSA, PEFC SFI and MTCC.

With fabrics, carpets and rugs, stick to the "buy local" creed. Britain is famous for wool, linen, hemp and other natural materials. Avoid man-made fibres, and insist on chemical-free products - for your own health as well as that of the environment. Check out the Crafts Council's list of textile producers (craftscouncil.org.uk/wellfashioned/).

Also, look for recycled fabrics, and get creative with what you already have at home: remake old cotton shirts into eye-catching laundry bags; use bright tea towels to upholster dining chair seats or to make cushion covers; or turn a sheer cotton skirt into a window voile.

Ultimately, the best eco-furnishings are pieces already in existence, transformed into something new and exciting with minimal fuss. Repaint old furniture using natural paint, lime, quark, or stain it with old recipes such as tea and vinegar, and plant colour. For inspiring, simple eco-finishes, I love Lynn Edwards & Julia Lawless's The Natural Paint Decorator (Kyle Cathie, £16.99).

Natural paint is kind to the planet

Look around your home, second hand and charity shops, and architectural salvage yards to see what can be transformed from one use to quite another. Some of my favourites include turning a paned window frame into a mirror; discarded trellis into a kitchen wall rack; a stair spindle into a tall candlestick; and an old shutter into a CD rack. Moira and Nicholas Hankinson's Recycle! (Kyle Cathie, £16.99) is packed with DIY projects to get you started. If you don't have the time or inclination, there are plenty of companies carrying out unique transformations, including turning washing machine drums into coffee tables and old cast iron baths into sofas!

If you must discard furniture, don't go to the tip.Contact organisations that re-distribute unwanted furniture to underprivileged families. And, before buying anything new, pause: don't let looks and price alone dictate your choice. Ask where it comes from, what it's made of, and how it's made, and avoid anything with excessive packaging. There's something satisfying about making a difference, one step - and one person - at a time.

Eco tips

1 Before buying anything from a major company, check their environmental and social record. The Ethical Consumer Research Association (ethicalconsumer.org/) has an eye-opening online shopping guide and magazine.

2 Remember that the market is consumer driven. The more people ask questions, shun mass-produced products in favour of local, environmentally friendly goods, the more readily available the latter will become.

3 Get hold of Nicky Scott's Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! (Green Books Guides, £4.95).

4 Avoid plastic unless it is recycled. For an extensive list of materials made from recycled products, check out kingston.ac.uk/rematerialise/.

Useful contacts

Organisations:

Forest Stewardship Council fsc-uk.org/ 01686 413916

Green England green-england.co.uk/ 01636 678540

Crafts Council craftscouncil.org.uk/ 020 7278 7700
The Guild of Master Craftsmen guildmc.com/ 01273 478449

Sustainable furniture from ash thinnings:

Roy Tam Design eco-furniture.co.uk/ 0780 853 5863

Furniture from reclaimed timber:

Carbon carbonframing.com/ 01424 814687

Not A Wooden Spoon notawoodenspoon.com/

Eco furniture, lighting, wallpaper, accessories:

EcoCentric ecocentric.co.uk 020 7739 3888

Organic fabric, wallpaper & soft furnishings:

Harlands organic-furnishings.co.uk 07984 635726

Washing machine drum coffee tables, shopping trolley chairs:

Reestore reestore.com/ 07810 716 775

Eco paints:

Lime Earth Paints lime-earth.com/ 01925 480600

Nutshell Natural Paints nutshellpaints.com/

Redistribution of unwanted furniture:

Furniture Recycling Network frn.org.uk/ 0117 954 3571

The SOFA Project sofaproject.org.uk/site/1.asp 0117 954 3567

Zest, Oct 2007

Ethical Living, Sept/Oct 2007

Move or Improve, Sept 2007

Period Ideas, May 2007