The Search for the Perfect Natural Sofa for the Natural Home
Like the rest of the furnishings in our apartment, our sofa/couch is more than 20 years old. It is gray and dirty and tattered and old and grungy.
Well, it is still serviceable. We are able to sit in it. We are able to watch television in it. We are able to lie down in it. But. not comfortably. Not remotely. In about ten minutes after sitting in it , a serious killer pain hits us in our hips, our backs, our necks and everywhere else.
We are done cursing so we have decided to get a new one- a
We need a perfect natural sofa?
But What is a perfect natural sofa?
We want a sofa that will not make us or our children sick in the short term or the long term. This means we want a sofa that contains or emits the lowest or possibly even zero levels of toxins like volatile organic compounds( VOC) combustion gases, particulates, allergens or flame retardants.
We want it to be comfortable and cozy.
We want it to be stylish.
We want it to be durable and last a long time
We are certain this category exists.
Here are our candidates:
Stem Goods:
Stem has beautiful modern designs with sustainable materials.
The company was established in 2005 and was originally called Viesso. The manufacturers claim their products are healthy and built to last with a lifetime warranty on the frame. They use a variety of eco friendly materials and never use any fire retardants and harsh chemicals. They use CertiPUR-US® certified foam .
They use only solid domestic woods that is fSC certified domestic woods using zero VOC glues and natural finish. They don’t use veneers. Their inexpensive version uses foam while the natural version uses natural materials like latex. They offer a 100% natural versions for all their upholstered materials.a
Cisco Brothers
Cisco uses sustainable materials and building methods to create furniture that is “ healthy for you, healthy for the environment.” Their products are made in Los Angeles by local craftspeople. Cisco Brothers started as a small family furniture business and has now grown into a business of over 200 employees.
Their designs are very sophisticated but casual. They are very conscious of their impact on the environment.
Aside from their regular everyday sofa, they have an inner green version of their sofa – using natural materials only— organic latex and wool for the insides, linen and cotton for the upholstery and fsc wood for the , jute and hemp for the support. Expensive, yes and oh, so natural and beautiful.
We tried sitting in some of their couches in an ABC showroom in New York and we are impressed by the luxe comfort.
Savvy Rest
Savvy Rest produces “sofas That are safe and sophisticated.”
Their organic sofas , love seats and armchairs are made in Virginia and feature the finest natural, nontoxic and organic materials throughout, including solid hardwood, organic hemp and cotton fabrics, pure natural latex foam, and zero-VOC finishes.
Savvy Rest organic sofas contain NO flame retardants, formaldehyde glues, metal coils, particle board, plywood, polyester, or down.
Their organic sofas are made with natural Talalay latex, sustainably sourced maple, organic fabrics and zero VOC stains. They are hand-built by their own skilled woodworkers in Virginia using mortise-and-tenon joinery. They know the importance of quality craftsmanship and claim their furnure pieces are an investment that will last for yers.
You can purchase their furniture online or at their dealers.