Hand Made Eco-Furniture Made in our Backyards.

Photo courtesy of Vermontwoods.com

I just happened to google the term, “eco friendly,” into google this morning to see what sites I can find. There is alot of green websites out there and lots of information to share. I clicked on http://www.ramsayhome.com which is a blog from a Canadian couple building their green dream home in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is chock full of information from other people’s site as well as picture of their development. This site is worth visiting. I wish websites like their website were around when I was building. Go take a look.

Featured in one of their blogs was http://www.vermontwoods.com . In honor of Earth Day, they are having a sale until the end of April on their outdoor furniture, which is made out of FSC woods. I have to admit that the word, “sale” actually drew me to the blog post because green products can be so much more expensive. I figured I could push off my exercise routine a little longer and take a look.

I always like to read the “about” and “mission” statements on companies’ websites to get a feel for the companies. Vermont Wood’s website is beautiful. I practically liked this statement on their outdoor furniture page:

“When you buy these products from Vermont Wood Studios, you are not only buying a superior quality hardwood furniture product at a extraordinary price. You are also recognizing the commitment of our company and our carefully-selected partners to conservation of the world’s forests. You are doing your part to protect the forest and its inhabitants for generations to come.”

When you look over their website, you will see that husband and wife team, Peggy and Ken Farabaugh truly believe in their mission to protect our forests as well as to draw attention to local artisians right in our backyard producing some of the finest furniture using enviromentally friendly materials. On their page, Protecting the World’s Forests, it reads:

The link between imported furniture-flooring and deforestation-global warming has not gained media attention yet. For example, most people are unaware that up to 90% of the imported furniture and flooring in our houses comes from illegally harvested wood, logged mainly from the rainforest. Fifty-four of our planet’s 193 countries have lost 90% or more of their orginal forest cover. By purchasing sustainable eco furniture from Vermont Woods Studios, you are helping to preserve the world’s forests for future generations, and encouraging the further development and deployment of sustainable forestry practices throughout Vermont and all over the world.

I loved the look of their rockers. Vermont Woods Studios has partnered with Bolivian furniture artisians of LaChonta because they are “well known for their work in crafting the very highest quality furniture, using traditional mortise and tenon joinery.” Each piece is made out of Bolivian Cherry and Brazilian hardwoods, which far exceed in strength and durability than teak, which is a product used by many outdoor furniture makers. In addition, buying these products from the furniture artisians of LaChonta helps “to preserve the Amazonian Rainforest and a traditional way of life for the South American furniture craftsmen and their families who work to protect the forest’s future. ”

You ask why would some people buy a wood product from outside the country? I asked this question to Peggy. Her response was that the rainforest hardwoods were more durable than cedar, which is the american wood of choice for outdoor products. So, I pressed further and asked her why not use a non-tree product such as polyprolene? I have seen these products sold on the web as well as a local outdoor furniture place. She further responded that many people do not like plastic and/or do not like to buy petroleum based products. Good reasons to buy outdoor furniture from Vermont Woods.

Go visit their site and invest in furniture that promotes in saving our trees as wells as supports artisians who believe in that mission. After all, “Trees are your best antiques. Alexander Smith “ Let’s keep it that way.