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Copyright © 2006 MJ Farabaugh of Vermont Woods Studios llc
Vermont Woods Studios llc, Vernon, Vermont (888) 390-5571
SW-COC-1120AF
© Forest Stewardship Council A.C.
The Forest Stewardship Council is an international network promoting responsible management of the world's forests.
June 1, 2006
Welcome to Vermont Woods Studios... Today's Entry
and thank you for stopping by! Did you know that artisans come to Vermont from all over the world to be inspired by the lush natural beauty of the Green Mountain State? Vermont has what we believe to be the most talented and diverse collection of woodworking artisans in the world, all working in harmony with nature to produce functional art that embodies the ideals of conservation, craftsmanship, style and beauty. That's a big part of our reason for starting Vermont Woods Studios. I thought a Blog would be a perfect place to share our green philosophy and goals with you. I'd also like to use it to post some of the insightful questions and comments I've received from customers over time.
I hope the Blog will spark enough interest to provoke you to respond to a poll or write back to me with your thoughts, opinions, information and suggestions. I look forward to hearing from you!
September 21, 2006
The Sustainable Furniture Council
I was very fortunate to be able to join with a small group of visionary leaders in today's furniture industry. We gathered in High Point, NC at the South Cone showroom to talk about green culture and the unique position the furniture industry is in regarding its capacity to help save the world's most endangered forests, particularly the rainforest. Gerry Cooklin, CEO of South Cone Furniture was joined by Daphne Hewitt of the Rainforest Alliance and about 30 representatives from various avenues of the furniture industry in an effort to clarify our vision, values, mission and goals. Two SFC objectives were identified: to assist manufacturers in adopting sustainable practices, and to promote sustainable products. More on the SFC later.
November 1, 2006
Founding Principle: Green commerce is essential to our future on earth
What do you think? Who will protect the environment for your children and their children? Non-profits have talented and dedicated people, but competition for funds is always fierce and recruiting volunteers is very tough. Governments step up environmental protection policies when it's politically expedient to do so. We need to have another engine to fuel the environmental movement. What do you think...take this poll, then view the results:
November 12, 2006
Getting Leaner and Greener. Wouldn't it cost me less to purchase your furniture directly from the artisan?
No. One of the reasons I wanted to build this business was to help our professional artisans make time to do what they do best—create. I saw how much investment they were making in marketing and administration and thought there must be a way to work together and share those costs, increasing efficiency and decreasing the cost to the customer. Marketing, promotion and advertising must be done strategically and consistently or the investment is often lost. Artisans know this and they are happy to contract with Vermont Woods Studios with the caveat that they will not undersell us. This policy promotes efficiency and helps ensure that the artisan has meaningful work and the customer receives the best possible price.
November 17, 2006
What portion of my purchase price goes to the artisan who is building my furniture?
Hmmm...I don't think you would find many business owners who would agree to answer that question, but we are proud of our support of Vermont's artisans and truthfully, I don't think you will find another company that is more generous to them. Of your purchase price, a minimum of 70% goes directly to the artisan to purchase the finest wood and pay for their time and talent. The remainder of the purchase price goes back into the Vermont Woods Studios business and invested in administrative infrastructure, marketing and promotion of the artisans and their work. As a reference point, I believe on average, less than 50% of the purchase price goes to the artisan.
November 28, 2006
Finally, recognition for Omondi and LOTS of it
Daniel Omondi Odhuno came to this country from Kenya six years ago as an affiliate of the School for International Training in Brattleboro, Vermont. An award winning designer/carver/craftsman, Omondi had a long history of woodworking in Africa that had been handed down through his family for generations. Shortly after arriving in Brattleboro, Omondi set up shop in a drafty old barn and has been working day and night ever since to practice his craft and offer it to local community. Six years of working in relative obscurity came to an end last month when Omondi won the Best in Show award at the prestigious international Fine Furnishings Show in Providence, RI. Yesterday Omondi's success was celebrated in Montpelier with Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie and others attending. The Brattleboro Reformer also featured an article about Omondi and today, Jack Thurston of WCAX TV in Burlington came down to Omondi's shop and filmed him in action. The show is to be aired at 6:00PM on Friday, Dec 1 on Channel 3. Congratulations to Omondi! View the WCAX TV feature story about Omondi!
November 29, 2006
Your Furniture Choice Makes A Difference
Audubon Magazine Article, "Knock on Wood"
The "dirty little secrets" about the origin of the luxury bedroom set or sofa table you're lusting after are discussed in an enlightening article in this month's Audubon Magazine (November-December 2006 edition, pp 70-76). Did you know that up to 90% of today's imported furniture-grade wood is illegally harvested? China has taken over about one-third of the world trade in furniture over just the last 8 years, making it the leading importer of timber from tropical rainforests. Logging practices that supply the timber are often illegal and are exacerbating the problems of global deforestation. In Indonesia, for example, the current rapacious rate of logging could eradicate native forests within only 10 years. And unlike our temperate forests in Vermont for example, rainforests do not regenerate after they are destroyed. Once gone, they are gone forever and along with them the wonderful diversity of plants and wildlife that inhabit them. At Vermont Woods Studios, we have joined the handful of visionary furniture companies around the globe who have come together under the name of The Sustainable Furniture Council to promote green culture, help stem the tide of rainforest destruction and promote forest stewardship through certification of our woods by the Forest Stewardship Council, FSC.
December 29, 2006
January 3, 2006
Kit Clark joins our group of fine artisans at Vermont Woods Studios
We are very excited and proud to have Master Craftsman Kit Clark join our network this year. Kit has been passionate about building things since he was 6 years old. While studying, Kit admits to being distracted by the surrounding woods outside his school. As he grew older, students were able to build cabins in the woods and stay there on weekends. It was during cabin construction Kit discovered a keen interested in the art of building. Kit has been educated in forestry, carpentry, trout habitat enhancement, boat building and, of course furniture design. He works in his Vermont studio against the silhouette of the Green Mountains with his wife and their trusty companion and mascot Stobie at his side. His work is a marriage of his own designs and those of traditional styles as well. We welcome Kit to our community.
January 4, 2007
The Luxist features Vermont Woods Studios Artisan, David Hurwitz and his Arden Wine Cabinet
Deidre Woollard, writer and blogger extraordinaire, explores a plethora of interesting subjects on the web, including unique small businesses like ours. Deidre included us in her column on January 4, 2007. Thanks Deidre for mentioning us and we are pleased to be able to promote and market the amazing work of Vermont's finest furniture artisans to you and your readers.
January 5, 2007
My very dear and VERY OLD friend, Brian Payea counsels me not to get so serious about my work that I throw a big wet blanket on everybody's fun. I am a committed optimist at heart, but I can't help but mention this month's astonishing National Geographic cover story about the loss of Amazonian rainforest. "In the time it takes to read this article, an area of Brazil's rainforest larger than 200 football fields will have been destroyed." The devastation occurs 24/7/365. Here are some other sobering facts from the article:
- The Amazon basin produces roughly 20% of the earth's oxygen
- At least twenty percent of the Amazon has been cut down in the last 40 years (more than in the previous 450 years of European colonization)
- Scientists predict that another 20% will be lost over the next 2 decades
- Nearly every road in the Amazon is unauthorized -- cut by trespassing land sharks (with forged phony land titles) who clear the land for timber, pasture and soy production
- Brazil is the world's largest exporter of beef and second only to the US in soybeans
- The release of carbon dioxide from widespread fires in the Amazon (many set intentionally to clear land for agriculture) make Brazil one of the world's leading contributors of greenhouse gases
A related article notes that experts estimate we are losing 137 plant, animal and insect species every single day due to rainforest deforestation. That equates to 50,000 species a year.
On the bright side, many non-profits, like the Forest Stewardship Council, FSC and the Sustainable Furniture Council, SFC are making heroic efforts to save the rainforests of the world through responsible management and use. And so is Vermont Woods Studios! Check out our beautiful line of FSC certified Bolivian Mahogany Patio and Garden Furniture. Help promote green culture and save the rainforest in comfort and style.
January 10, 2007
January 11, 2007
Opportunities for the Eco-Luxury Partnership
Luxury eco travel has soared in popularity over the past few years. Many new options have become available so you can take a great vacation without damaging the planet or trampling on people's lives. Indeed, green tourism has the opportunity to improve the quality of life for indigenous people, flora and fauna as visitors gain awareness and passion for the environment and bring that message home. And so does luxury furniture buying.
It’s time for luxury home and furniture buyers to take advantage of this window of opportunity to help save the planet by purchasing wood and furniture that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, FSC as being sustainably harvested. The price premium for making this responsible choice is minimal if anything, however the outcome associated with making ethical choices in wood products will be enormous and far reaching into future generations for our children and grandchildren. Mahogany and teak, two of the most popular woods used in luxury furniture are harvested illegally in most cases, and unless you see an FSC logo on the item you’re buying, there is a very good chance that it is contributing to the destruction of the rainforest. The pieces in Vermont Woods Studios' A Rainforest in Vermont, ARIV Collection, are made of FSC certified Bolivian Mahogany, Maple and Cherry. Check out these beautiful indoor-outdoor Patio and Garden Furniture pieces and help save the rainforest in comfort and style.
January 21, 2007
I can help stop global warming by sipping a pina colada in my FSC certified Bolivian Mahogany Rocking Chair?
Indeed. Did you know that the rainforest is considered the "Lungs of our planet"? The Amazon basin produces about 20% of the planet's oxygen and plays a huge role in cleansing the Earth’s air of carbon dioxide, thus controlling the buildup of greenhouse gases. Purchasing FSC certified furniture and building materials is one of the most effective actions we can take against global warming as it helps to maintain the forests we so vitally need to control our climate. Read more in this MSNBC article, Brazil's problems = Earth's problems by Jennifer Rich.
January 27, 2007
A customer recently asked me about bamboo furniture and whether we would consider adding that wood to our collection. We have so many other eco-friendly choices in Vermont that we won't likely be using bamboo, but nonetheless, I was curious about the green aspect of it, so I did some research. A recent article in TreeHugger notes that, as with almost any green fad, this one has been exploited to the point where it is probably best not to buy bamboo at all. In their quest to quickly satisfy the demand for "green" bamboo furniture and flooring, unscrupulous harvesters have stripped much of the natural sources for bamboo. Their current mode is to clear cut existing rainforest and replant with all bamboo. Not only does this practice destroy habitat and cause erosion and destruction of nearby waters, it also requires vast amounts of pesticides and fertilizers to grow the bamboo. In fact, most of the literature available today recommends that if a bamboo product is not FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified, it has been produced with great harm to the environment.
January 28, 2007
Sustainable Logging in the LaChonta forest of Bolivia
There is so much greenwash in today's furniture market. I work hard to ensure that what we claim about our green furniture is true and that our products are authentic and part of a bigger solution. I came across this account of travels in the LaChonta National Forest of Bolivia, by Dr. James Reynolds of Brevard College in Brevard, NC. I was delighted because the forest where he describes very meticulous responsible forestry management is the same forest where our LaChonta line of outdoor patio and garden furniture originates. "Each tree of interest is mapped and then eventually cut with care to minimize damage to other trees of commercial interest in order to create a sustainable forest for future logging. It is really quite impressive."
January 29, 2007
The Luxist features Vermont Woods Studios Artisan, Steve Holman and his Valentine's Heart Chairs
Deidre Woollard, of the Luxist had included us in her luxury items Blog once again. Deidre first included us in her column on January 4, 2007 when she featured David Hurwitz's Arden Wine Cabinet. Thanks Deidre for mentioning us again and we are pleased to be able to promote and market the amazing work of Vermont's finest furniture artisans to you and your readers.
February 7, 2007
Earth Trends is an environmental, social and economic research database, sponsored by the United Nations, the World Resources Institute and various governments around the world. In January Earth Trends published an update on the health and future of the world's forests. It's one of those double edged swords that makes us feel really good about the work we're doing to promote sustainable forestry, and certification by the Forest Stewardship Council, (FSC) and the Sustainable Furniture Council (SFC). But it is also very concerning when you consider the dire nature of the facts. For example, the report cites that 54 of the world's 193 countries have lost 90 percent or more of their forest cover. Encouragingly, deforestation rates in Europe and North America have slowed in the past decade due to reforestation initiatives. However, rapid deforestation continues in the tropical regions of South America, Africa and Asia, where tropical woods used in furniture (such as mahogany) are harvested. The report highlights many other important facts and trends that help to illustrate the importance of buying FSC certified, sustainably harvested wood furniture, flooring and mill work, particularly where exotic tropical woods are involved.
February 8, 2007
Race for the Rainforest Care 2 Group
Care 2 is a 6.5 million member online community of people who are trying to use green commerce to make a positive difference in the world. Its supporters include some of my favorites, such as the Nature Conservancy, the Wildlife Conservation Society and Defenders of Wildlife. One of the hardest working subgroups in Care 2 is the Race for the Rainforest group. They are urgently looking for help in saving the rare white Kermode "Spirit" Bear from imminent extinction. This genetically-unique subspecies of black bear is found only in British Columbia. Its temperate rainforest habitat has been under threat from logging. In 5 minutes or less, you can join Patrick Morgan and help save this species from extinction by visiting the Race for the Rainforest site and signing a letter of conservation support to the IUCN.
February 12, 2007
Five Vermont Woods Studios Artisans have been nominated to appear in Elite Traveler Magazine
Five of our Vermont Woods Studios fine artists and furniture makers have been nominated to appear in an upcoming issue of the Elite Traveler magazine. Our 5 world class artisans listed below will be considered for a high design article, highlighting "extremely luxurious art/design items for decorating a luxury home." One or two artists in each of eight tourism destinations (U.S., UK, France, Italy, India, China, a second Asian location and a Central or South America location) will be included in the article. To be considered each artist must be extremely accomplished and well known in his or her region. We extend our congratulations to these fine Vermont talents and hope to see them featured in Elite Traveler and other magazines in the near future.
February 13, 2007
St Louis Homes + Lifestyles Magazine features Vermont Woods Studios ARIV line of Garden, Porch and Patio Furniture in March 2007 Issue
Beth Campbell writes a monthly column called Eco-Logic for interior design magazine, St Louis Homes + Lifestyles Magazine. In her upcoming March column, "Into the Woods," Beth discussed sustainable forestry, the link between that and green furniture and the benefits of purchasing items made out of wood that is certified as coming from a well managed forest. Beth featured Vermont Woods Studios ARIV (A Rainforest in Vermont) line of FSC certified wood indoor-outdoor garden, porch and patio furniture to illustrate that purchasing responsibly can also be stylish and affordable. Thank you, Beth for your help in spreading the message about green culture and sustainable forestry!
February 22, 2007
Vermont Woods Studios prepares to participate in Architectural Digest Home Design Show in New York City, March 8-11, 2007
We hope you will be able to stop by the Vermont Woods Studios booth #659 at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show at Pier 94. We will be featuring the work of many of our artisans, Including Daniel Omondi Odhuno, Bob Rueter, David and Michelle Holzapfel and Rick Schneider. Stop by and pick up your free Vermont Woods Studios coffee mug, some fresh Green Mountain Coffee and a piece of Vermont Natural Cabot Cheese. We look forward to seeing you there! Watch a television program on Vermont's best (and only) TV Channel 3, WCAX-TV, about the many Vermont fine furniture makers who will be attending this year's Architectural Digest Home Design Show.
February 25, 2007
Have you seen this movie yet? I think the value of vehicles like this is in the impetus to help people think about what they can do to help. Sometimes it feels like the problem is so big, there's just no use in trying, but there are many little things you can do to help re-direct the future for your children and grandchildren. For example, Rainforest Alliance, a wonderful non-profit that has been around for many years, has launched a campaign with Wangari Maathai, Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign. This effort, supported by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), aims to mobilize individuals, communities, businesses, non-profit organizations and governments to commit to tree planting pledges entered online with the goal of collectively planting at least one billion trees worldwide during 2007. Why not sign up online and get the kids to help you plant a couple trees? You'll feel great about yourself!
March 1, 2007
Vermont Woods Studios featured in Niche Magazine
Today I received an email from Karla Little of Fine Furnishings and Fine Craft Shows notifying us that Daniel Omondi Odhuno has been recognized and pictured in Niche Magazine's 2007-2008 Winter issue. This recognition is in honor of Omondi's First Prize Award for Best in Show in the 2006 Providence International Fine Furnishings Show. Congratulations Omondi!
March 13, 2007
I wanted mention BUYER BE FAIR: THE PROMISE OF PRODUCT CERTIFICATION, an excellent new film about the importance of product certifications, such as the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification embraced by Vermont Woods Studios. The film takes viewers to Mexico, the Netherlands, the UK, Sweden, the USA and Canada to explore how conscious consumers and businesses can use the market to promote social justice and environmental sustainability through product labeling, with a focus on Fair Trade coffee and Forest Stewardship Council certified wood. BUYER BE FAIR is an inspirational and balanced television special that reaches beyond the choir to present the promise of product certification to a wide audience. It explores how consumers can use their purchasing power and market choice to promote green culture and make the world better for people and the environment.
"As consumers we have the power. When we buy products with eco-labels like the Forest Stewardship Council and Fair Trade we really make a difference, for both people and nature."
Barbara Bramble, National Wildlife Federation
March 17, 2007 — Top o the Morning To You!
Green Luxury
St. Patrick's' Day seems like a good time to don your favorite green garb and begin to embrace green in other aspects of your life. What do you think of the notion, "Green Luxury"? The marriage of eco and luxury has oft been shunned in the past, but I think its time has come. Luxury Eco travel has taken off, over the past 10 years or so, leading to creation of some of the finest resorts in the world...with environmental sustainability at the heart of their mission. Upscale travelers are coming home looking for ways to incorporate shades of green into their daily lifestyles. Green furniture is a natural fit for them, as through their travels into the rainforest and other ecologically sensitive areas, they become aware that the furniture industry has a huge role to play in curbing deforestation and global warming. Luxury eco travelers are delighted to know that they can still enjoy the finest style and quality the world has to offer, while at the same time, doing their part to help preserve the planet's endangered forests. The purchase of each piece of Vermont Woods Studios artful furniture supports the Forest Stewardship Council, (FSC) the Sustainable Furniture Council (SFC) and a number of other non-profits working to save the forest and the flora and fauna who live there. HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY!
March 20, 2007
What are you planning for April 22, Earth Day?
Foster green culture with an Earth Day action plan for your family.
March 23, 2007
Eco Mall publishes Furniture with a Conscience Article by Vermont Woods Studios owner, Peggy Farabaugh
March 27, 2007
Vermont Woods Studios Featured in The Robb Report
We want to thank good people at the Robb Report for featuring Vermont Woods Studios in both online and print versions of their May, 2007 magazine. Featured items include David Hurwitz's Carved Wine Cabinet, Michelle Holzapfel's Cushion and Bowl Sculpture, Doug Jones' Curved Mahogany Bench and Daniel Omondi's Natural Tree Burl Demi Lune Hall Table.Thanks!
April 2, 2007
Are you concerned about Global Warming? Do you wish there was something you could do to help? There is! Make a commitment to buy only wood products (furniture, flooring, millwork, etc) that are made from sustainably harvested wood. Furthermore, promise yourself to make sure those woods are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) if they are imported. Why?
Peter S Goodman and Peter Finn have done an excellent job in the March 31, 2007 issue of the Washington Post, of illustrating the epidemic of global illegal logging that is rapidly decimating the earth's rainforests and contributing to global warming. At the current pace of cutting, natural forests in Indonesia and Burma — which send more than half their exported logs to China — will be exhausted within a decade, according to research by Forest Trends, a consortium of industry and conservation groups. Forests in Papua New Guinea will be consumed in as little as 13 years, and those in the Russian Far East within two decades.
You can help. Whether you are looking for high end custom luxury furniture or beautiful affordable outdoor patio, porch and garden pieces, be sure you know where the wood comes from. If it is teak, mahogany or any other imported tropical wood and there is no tag specifically telling you the wood's origin, you can bet that is was illegally logged.
April 3, 2007
Like 54 of our planet's 193 countries, Uganda has already lost most of its rainforests. Mabira is one of Uganda's last remaining rainforests, home to hundreds of threatened species. The Ugandan government has indicated that they want turn 7,100 hectares into a sugar cane plantation. The loss of Mabira’s rainforest would be a disaster for the climate, the human and animal inhabitants and the water flow and purity of Lake Victoria. You can help affect the future of this rainforest by signing this petition. Thanks!
April 6, 2007
April 14, 2007 The China Effect
Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, IKEA, Ashley Furniture — what do these companies have in common? Audubon Magazine has an interesting article about furniture made in China. Did you know that China is the source of most of the furniture in these stores? Furthermore, up to 90% of that furniture is made from illegally harvested wood, often from endangered rainforests. The prices are extremely low, but the unseen price paid is far higher than most of us could imagine. In addition to deforestation, the furniture comes at the cost of pervasive child and slave labor practices:
At Vermont Woods Studios we are working hard to help you live the green culture by offering you beautiful heirloom quality furniture, made from the finest, sustainably harvested wood the world has to offer. We want you to truly enjoy your handcrafted furniture knowing that, like the forests it came from, it will be here for your children's enjoyment for generations to come.
April 17, 2007
Steve Holman has been featured for a second time in the upscale, luxury living publication, The Luxist out of California. Journalist Deidre Wollard, who loves Steve's Green Satin Fainting Couch has been a wonderful supporter of Vermont Woods Studios artisans and the beautiful work they continue to surprise us with. Thanks, Deidre!
April 20, 2007
Earth Day Sale
Help us celebrate Earth Day by taking advantage of a fabulous sale on our beautiful line of eco-friendly, indoor-outdoor FSC-certified garden, porch and patio furniture. Just in time for Spring, we are offering this luxury line of porch swings, Adirondack chairs, classic rockers, bar stools and occasional tables for up to 70% off. It is the same gorgeous furniture that is being offered in Neiman Marcus for $600 and up per piece, but we have priced it at just above cost for our Earth Day Sale. Prices are good through the month of April only.
April 26, 2007
Looking for green lifestyle tips on the web can be pretty daunting due to the amount of greenwash out there. Fortunately, a search engine has come along to make it easier, Green Maven. Editors at the site hand-pick Web pages and news items related to green culture and the environmental movement—about everything from eco-friendly cities to organic socks—that can then be searched using the Google tool on the homepage or browsed through using a directory. Register your business on GreenMaven and submit your site for review by the editors. It's free!
April 27, 2007
Today Vermont Woods Studios was featured in the online venue:
Great Green Goods, Green Shopping for the Greater Good. Liz Hincks, a selfdescribed "Vermonter whose heart will always be in the green mountains" has moved to Boston and started this very well acclaimed green lifestyle forum. Check it out! Thanks Liz, for your recognition of the gifted artisans at Vermont Woods Studios.
April 28, 2007
Vermont Governor Douglas Learns about Vermont Woods Studios
My husband Ken and I met with Governor James Douglas in Montpelier recently to brief him on the activities of Vermont Woods Studios. Governor Douglas was very supportive, lending high praise for our company and its many affiliated artisans. We discussed the intensive statewide efforts to promote, market and sell Vermont's exceptional wood products, particularly artisan furniture. At Vermont Woods Studios, we work cooperatively with the Vermont Wood Net and the Vermont Wood Manufacturer's Association to increase local, regional, national and international exposure of Vermont's wood products. Thanks, Governor Douglas, for you support!
May 8, 2007
Gerry Cooklin and Susan Inglis of the Sustainable Furniture Council, Our Mentors
Gerry Cooklin and Susan Inglis are the most prominent, well respected, visionary leaders in the eco furniture world today. A TreeHugger article on 04.26.07 provides insight into their personal mission and that of the organization they, along with Vermont Woods Studios and other eco furniture leaders founded last Fall. As described by Gerry, the Sustainable Furniture Council, SFC is a new group of industry leaders aiming to raise the bar for corporate responsibility in the furniture business. "This group will define the future of sustainable furniture manufacturing."
Most people don't think of the furniture industry as being an important driver for global sustainability, but it's impact is HUGE.
"Firstly, because we use so much wood, as well as significant amounts of other materials," explained Susan Inglis. 'Secondly, because we are a fashion business. We have a great opportunity to inspire responsible choices. The greatest value that can be added to any tree anywhere is to make it into a piece of high-end furniture. And when that furniture is sold, by including the full story of the difference it makes to use that wood for furniture, instead of firewood, even more value is added."
Gerry adds "that the furniture industry is the main customer for the forests’ most precious species. Until the customers begin to ask for certified product, and start refusing non-certified lumber, the forests will continue to be exploited destructively." The rapid destruction of the rainforest is exacerbating the problem of global warming. Furniture consumers have enormous power to abate global warming through the purchase of sustainable furniture.
Vermont Woods Studios is actively working with the SFC to promote green culture and educate consumers on the importance of purchasing legally harvested wood that has been logged in a well managed forest, preferably one that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, FSC. Please join us in this important effort, by reading more about the FSC, the SFC spreading the word to your friends and neighbors and using your purchasing power to help change the world.
May 11, 2007
Happy Mother's Day!
Our very sincere best wishes to all our Moms for a happy and relaxing Mother's day where family members wait on Mom, hand and foot, with cheerful attendance to her every desire. And it's not too late to send your Mother a special gift to thank her for instilling a love of nature in your soul. Check out World Wildlife Fund's Online Gift Center for an instant gift to warm any mother's heart. A symbolic animal adoption shows mom how much you appreciate all she's done for you. The gift includes a personalized electronic adoption certificate, screensavers, wallpaper and AIM icons that will be emailed to your Mom on the date you choose — including Mother's Day, May 13! It's the perfect present to save a world of life for all the moms in your life, including your grandmother, sister and daughter.
May 12, 2007
Anna Hackman recently featured Vermont Woods Studios in her wonderful blog about green home building at http://www.green-talk.com. Anna built her house in 2005 using green materials and found the process very difficult. Her mission now is to help others navigate through the many options and decisions of green construction and design. She addresses everything from gardening to energy efficiency and nontoxic and sustainable materials. "My mission is to connect those who made the large leaps to those who still need a helping hand or those somewhere in between. Many of the posts on my site will be generated by my own personal experiences whether I am looking for an eco friendly material or someone stopped me to ask me a green question. Visit Anna on her blog and "help turn the Planet green, one conversation at a time."
May 20, 2007
Why would a Vermont-based company care about the rainforest?
Good question and thanks for asking. The rainforests are not only rich in beauty but also function as the lungs of our planet and sustain innumerable life forms essential for our future. Many of the medications we use today, such as cortisone, quinine, muscle relaxants, steroids and cancer drugs, come from rain forest plants. Scientists have identified 3,000 plants as having anti-cancer properties... and 70% of those plants are found ONLY in the rain forest. Unlike other forests, many tropical forests have poor, thin soils. Virtually all of the nutrients are in the plants. The rainforest will not regenerate like our northern temperate forests can. When the trees are destroyed, what was once a dense woodland full of life becomes a barren wasteland.
Help Protect the Rainforests
Please look for the logo of the Forest Stewardship Council on all of your forest products, from furniture to tissues to office paper to decking and flooring products. By supporting companies who subscribe to this gold standard of environmental responsibility and accountability you will be doing your part to ensure a healthy environment for your children and theirs.
May 27, 2007
Sundance Channel Focuses on Furniture’s Environmental Impact
Mairi Beautyman writes a column for Interior Design. We want to thank Mairi for using her column to showcase the importance of sustainable furniture. She keeps us up to date on upcoming events like this TV show:
- “Big Ideas for a Small Planet,” episode “Furnish." On Tuesday, May 29 the Sundance Channel puts the spotlight on the furniture industry and its sustainable efforts.
- The program focuses on the global impact of furniture and singles out 2 firms for making strides to improve their environmental footprint.
- The episode will air at 9pm Eastern Standard Time. Visit the Sundance Channel for more information about the show.
Thanks, Mairi for highlighting the important issue of sustainable furniture. Most people don't realize the enormous impact the furniture industry is having on global warming through the destruction of the world's rainforests. Did you know that almost 90%