Q: We're looking for American-made upholstered furniture, but want something that is not made with flame retardant treated materials. In other words, we're concerned about the health implications with flame retardants and consequently would like something that is composed of entirely natural materials.
Our research has shown that wool is naturally flame retardant, as opposed to foam, etc. But we can't seem to find a manufacturer who produces say, a sofa, that has a real wood frame, wool stuffing (both in loose cushions and the sofa body) and some natural fabric upholstery (cotton, linen, wool, whatever). We've seen down-stuffed pillows, but not necessarily the body of the sofa itself. We're not too keen on down anyway as it tamps down unevenly. And we've seen sofas with wool fabric covers, but the stuffing is still synthetic and treated with PBDE and whatnot.
It's much more difficult to find than we expected — are we headed down the (very expensive) custom-made route? Or are there some alternatives out there and the information is just not transparent?
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I agree with you and can't wait to see some helpful responses (as mine is not!).
Off the top of my head, about buying something vintage and having it reupholstered?
I'm pretty sure many states require the fireretardant. I'm going to have to say you're real only option is going to be reupholstered vintage. Here is a recent NPR article about this: http://www.npr.org/2012/05/23/153308887/fight-over-flame-retardants-in-furniture-heats-up
Dwell Studio furniture is not treated with flame retardant. I have a down-filled sofa and while it tamps down unevenly, the tamping down is very easy to fix by beating the sofa with a stick or just shaking the cushions. I don't find it too taxing to fluff up the couch occasionally and it is incredibly comfortable to sit on. I got mine from Shabby Chic.
Stickley Furniture fulfills these requirements, but is terribly expensive. You can occasionally find it at consignment stores.
http://www.stickley.com/green/
check out Ecobalanza Furniture, http://www.greenerlifestyles.com/
Ecobalanza wool sofas are beautifully hand-made. I believe Ecobalanza will custom order.
from a general google search, I found http://www.eklahome.com/the-collection/ which uses natural latex in some sofas.
Where is the sofa in the picture from?
Does it absolutely have to be American made? Because George Smith sofas fit your criteria, and you don't have to order them custom. They do have sales on floor samples and sofas made specifically for the sales.
Google "Low VOC furniture." Fire retardants aren't the only toxic chemicals used on furniture. You should find plenty of links.
I was in a similar situation after I read the Tribune article regardin this issue. I have a small toddler that crawls on the floor all day and I didn't want to expose her to these chemicals. We decided to go the vintage route due to budget. I found an old (pre-1975) sofa on CL that had a wood base and found an upholsterer who could do spring cushions instead of foam. Total cost will end up being around $1575 (sofa $275, fabric $500, re-uphostery $800) Could not find any new chemical free sofas at that price.
I've been considering the same dilemma, and I agree that the best bet is probably to buy a vintage sofa and have it reupholstered by someone who understands what you're going for in terms of materials.
The springs themselves are covered in muslin and then tied together to make cushions of various sizes. If you want to look it up they are called marshall spring units. The unit is then covered in batting which can be wool or cotton and the fabric goes over that. From the upholsterers I have spoke to springs give a firmer feel and are more comfortable compared to foam.
Please keep in mind that there are carcinogens in the natural environment, as well as loads of other "toxins." What's important is the dosage, not the mere presence of them.
If you want to buy chemical-free furnishings, going the natural route is no guarantee. For example, some people are allergic to wool. I'm pretty sure wool stuffing in a sofa will also pack down unevenly. There is a reason foam was invented and used.
Keep in mind that you shouldn't smoke on this sofa.
Wool felts if dampened and rubbed. I have never heard of wool cushion stuffing, probably for that reason. (If they make any, I'd ask about long term wearability, since I suspect it could mat and be a problem rather quickly.)
Latex used to be a common cushion filler, but I wonder if the latex allergies associated with medical gloves would indicate a risk there, too.
Down is the most common "all natural" cushion stuffing I know about, and beating or fluffing usually is all that's required to maintain it's loft.
Horsehair was used in Victorian cushions. All natural but very scratchy. I think it was often used to pad inner springs (that were actual wire springs.)
Everyone is entitled to their own levels of comfort and concern about their environment, but I personally am not going to get paranoid about chemicals in my furnishings. I've been living with synthetics and flame retardants and whatever my whole life and my health is pretty normal and pretty good. Life is full of compromises, and in attempting to protect against every possible danger, we are over using antibiotics so we are developing MRSA and other seriously evil germs that antibiotics don't control. We are creating children with sickly immune systems because they are "protected" against dirt and pets and life in general. And maybe, just maybe, we are developing allergies and toxic reactions to chemistry that would be benign if used properly...
Your mileage may vary, of course.
Everybody has forgotten about the most traditional upholstery material -- horsehair.
George Sherlock, George Smith and high-end custom upholsterers offer horsehair. There are others, but that is what you need to look for.
Cushions could be stuffed with down or horsehair; horsehair is an ideal material for upholstery because it springs back.
Anyone know where the sofa in the picture is from?
I've seen ads for Thrive furniture which is American made in L.A.
I thought about ordering from them but was unable to find any reviews. and ultimately, I didn't fall in love with any of the fabric samples they sent me.
If anyone knows about Thrive furniture... I'd love to read about it here. for future reference.
I ended up ordering my sofa from ZGallerie. (it arrives next month!! Whee!)
P.s. please don't killjoy my ZGallerie purchase!
I am a buyer for a Decorating Company and we try to have as many environmentally friendly options as possible for our clients, there are a lot out there....but you are going to have trouble finding a sofa with down/wool on both body and cushions.
There are many companies who use Bio-hybrid foam as well as Latex cushions. Also keep in mind that even if a sofa cushion is labeled as down, it may be a blend with foam and batting.
Also, there are so many other issues to be concerned with beyond the flame retardants. A vendor who does not use those chemicals, may be cutting "Green" corners elsewhere.
Check out these furniture Industry websites for more info on the regulations and certifications:
http://sustainablebydesign.us
http://www.eco3home.com
http://www.sustainablefurnishings.org/
I can personally attest for Kincaid Furniture- the only vendor to attain the tough Eco3Home certification. Although they do not use down fills on the sofa body, and the cushions are a down "blend", I have physically toured their factory in NC and can tell you that they are doing things right and are committed to providing safe and healthy furniture.
I really wish I had explored this more before I had some furniture restored. I have an extremely sensitive sense of smell, and I can sense a slight petrochemical odor in my upholstered pieces, which I assume comes from either treated fabric or foam cushions. Good luck!
@MsChatelaine, George Smith uses boar hair. Their down cushions can be a bear to fluff, but hybrid cushions (with a firm core) hold up well.
that couch is the Oscar couch by Matthew Hilton. The couch can be bought in the UK or ordered from a store in Brooklyn, NY called Future Perfect. I LOVE that couch and have for awhile!
This is for the Europeans with the same problem: http://www.grueneerde.com/de/Shop/Schlafen.html
I can only recommend Gruene Erde, most of the pieces are Austria-made and completely free from any harmful stuff.
Here's a great resource for American-made furniture. Many of the featured brands carry sofas, though I can't speak to the exact technique use to make them or to treat the raw materials.
http://www.allmodern.com/American-Made-Furniture-C533158.html
Loving that Matthew Hilton couch in the pic, and the matching chair, oh the chair! Top of my wishlist...
http://www.scp.co.uk/collections/Living-Room/products/oscar-3
There is definitely a lot of information to sort through when it comes to this topic. We are very satisfied with this line of furniture that we carry at our showroom. Our clients have also given great feedback regarding quality, comfort durability. They do offer a version called Inside Green which has no flame retardants, the cushions are made up of natural latex wrapped in wool. (Although we have had a few people mention they have latex allergies). Made in L.A.
Hope you find this useful in your research.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H249wMtnedA
http://eco-fusiondesign.com/cisco-brothers
I want to second Ecobalanza. I have one of their couches and have visited their small factory so I've seen the furniture being built. They use wool, FSC certified wood, latex, sturdy springs and lots of fabric choices. Just the good stuff!
People, you need us and we need you: We have zero flame retardants and some other bona fide efforts to reduce toxics and keep furniture affordable, prices range from around $1750 for 72" to $2200 for 84", and our sofas are designed in Maine, built in NC to fit into smaller homes. That's ALL we do. We modify our designs, too, for around $300 each... Placeholder website is condosofa.com. Lots of interest in our zero flame retardant sofas after our appearance on local news last night. We ship to NY area from NC factories direct for around $300. No sales tax charged yet. Zero flame retardant cushions will cost only $27 per seat cushion. After all, if we don't do this, who will? We know NY - left there 10 years ago. If you don't make it affordable, can you expect to create measurable, lasting change? We are getting busy, but will respond as fast as possible; we must maintain the best service we can, while making as affordable as possible.
Becky, how is your Ecoblanza? I am thinking about buying one of their sofas. Is it comfortable and is it wearing well?