Recently, I was playing around on the internet and for fun I googled the term, “eco friendly,” to see what sites I can find. One site ( RamsayHome, which is a blog from a Canadian couple building their green dream home in Calgary, Alberta, Canada) featured Vermont Woods, which features handmade FSC certified wood outdoor furniture. The furniture was stunning.
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.
The Sustainable Mission Statement
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 adore the 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 artisans right in their own backyard.
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 original 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.”
What about the Furniture?
I loved the look of their rockers. Vermont Woods Studios has partnered with Bolivian furniture artisans 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 teak in strength and durability. In addition, buying these products from the furniture artisans 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 Peggy this same question. 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 polypropylene?
I have seen polypropylene products sold on the web as well as in 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 artisans who believe in that mission.
“After all, “Trees are your best antiques. Alexander Smith “
Let’s keep it that way.
Rosemary@ Joiners Ayr says
September 28, 2010 at 5:45 amI really hope this is the future of manufactuing processes. Taking resourcces from sustainable forrests and minimising our carbon foot print is essential to producing a more concious and clean environment. And the fact the the furniture is beautiful also helps in theguilt free buying process :-)MOVE