Design Within Reach

April's edition of the magazine Design WIthin Reach is all about being green. It's called "What Is Green?" There's a quote inside that I really like: "Green is creating maximum effect from a minimum of materials." I think that ties in a lot to our current project because I think a lot of us are trying to do just that.

I scanned some pages of this issue that I found to be particularly interesting. The pages I chose to upload are on rug designers. One is named Angela Adams who uses 100% New Zealand wool with 100% cotton monk's cloth backings attached using a natural rubber latex adhesive. The other featured in the magazine is Melina Raissnia who uses 100% lamb's wool, vegetable dyes, and no chemicals or toxins.

"From the production of synthetic carpet to its installation in the home, there are toxins and hazardous chemicals used at nearly every step of the process. Most carpets today are made from fibers derived from petroleum. They are bonded to their backings with natural or synthetic latex. They are treated with pesticides, bleaches, dyes, stain protectants, and anti-static solutions. Add to this mixture anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agents, as well as chemical baths containing substances like chlorine, bromine, and phosphorous to render the carpet non-flammable.

What is wrong with this picture? Many of these substances are not approved for use in our clothing or bedding, for instance, and are not meant to come in contact with our skin. And yet, how many of us have pets or children who crawl, nap, and play on our carpets? How many of us sit or lie on the floor when watching television? How many of us live in energy-efficient new homes which seal the air in, not allowing fresh air to replace the outgasses of our shiny, stain resistant, flame-retardant, insect, fungus, and bacteria-proof carpeting?"

(http://www.caberfeidh.com/Carpet.htm)












green rugs by various designers that I love