Seattle – Shopping for the “green” home can be a little haphazard for the uninitiated.
Many home stores carry items such as sustainable bamboo cutting boards or magazine bins made from recycled materials.
But finding green furniture is another matter.
So instead of carrying bits and pieces, a few stores are addressing consumer interest by going all green. That means the design-minded do not have to sacrifice looks for the eco-friendly tag.
Seattle stores such as Greener Lifestyles (greenerlifestyles.com) and the new One Earth One Design (1earth1design.com) cater to shoppers who want good green design. These outposts carry sofas with natural latex cushions, and tables made from Forest Stewardship Council certified wood. Glues are water-based; textiles are organic.
“You don’t have to look at labels and wonder,” says One Earth One Design co-owner Paul Campbell. “Everything here is safe and … researched.”
One Earth shoppers have a more sustainable approach to their lifestyle, including their home, food and even medicine. “We have a consumer who is more aware of holistic living and sustainability,” says Sandy Campbell, who co-owns One Earth with her husband.
People sensitive to chemicals were among the first to advocate furniture made with natural materials – without volatile organic compounds or formaldehyde-based glues that contribute to poor indoor air quality.
Concern about the environment has expanded that consumer base, says green building expert Thor Peterson.
“People are only now making the connection (that) if you build a green home, you should maintain it and decorate it in a green manner,” says Peterson, who works for Seattle Department of Planning and Development.
Though people tend to start buying green products when they have children, buying green also appeals to a younger generation, said Mindy Pennybacker, editor of The Green Guide, a consumer newsletter.
“A lot more singles who may not even have babies are getting into green design,” Pennybacker says. “It’s holistic. It doesn’t stand alone. It’s part of the ecosystem.”
