Curbed
It seems like just yesterday when news of the pandemic forced us to adjust to a new normal way of life. The midst of lockdown taught us to think more consciously in life by simply appreciating what truly matters. For us here at White Dahlia Design, this included thinking about the world we live in and our responsibility as designers for sustainable design.
If you don't already know, Architects and Interior Designers are also responsible for implementing sustainable practices in their projects by sourcing which materials and products will be used to minimize adverse social and environmental impacts. At White Dahlia Design, we love to design for efficiency and with items that have a low environmental impact. This means sourcing from suppliers that truly care about the impact of sustainable design, and educating our clients on the importance of the subject. Keep reading for a list of our top three go-to sustainable furniture companies that have caught our attention.
1. West Elm
West Elm
Online: westelm.ca I Stores: 90+ US cities and internationally in Canada, Mexico, South Korea, Australia, the UK, and the Middle East.
About The Brand
West Elm is a brand that focuses on modern design, affordability, quality, and community and we love sourcing from them! They sell everything from small decor items such as table vases to bedding, with a baby and kids line to seasonal outdoor items.
Sustainability Values
They design 90% of their products, including a 'good for you' line which only carries items that were made without harming the planet. They also provide a beautiful variety of 100% organic all-cotton bedding and bath towels. If your goal is to create a healthier home with sustainable furniture, natural materials, and non-toxic finishes, then this is the shop for you.
Why We Love Them
They are truly sustainable sourcing made simpler and we love it. West Elm uses icons for stamps of approval to meet their standards of sustainable sourcing, ethical design, and responsible manufacturing. Just to name a few, these include:
Organic - fibers that aren't treated with pesticides, insecticides, or herbicides, and conserve more natural sources such as water.
Sustainably Sourced - Furniture made with wood certified to Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) standards comes from responsibly managed forests.
Our Top Picks from West Elm:
West Elm
Love These Pieces?
You can easily shop for these items on their website (Canada - US) or check out their store locations for Canada. If you want us to do the shopping for you, make sure to take a look at our packages to see which one would be best suited for you, or shoot us a message on if you're unsure.
2. Crate & Barrel
Crate & Barrel
Online: crateandbarrel.com I Stores: over 100 stores and franchise partners in 9 countries.
About The Brand
Crate & Barrel is a brand that focuses on contemporary and modern design. The products offered include stylish and high-quality furniture, housewares, and decor.
Sustainability Values
They supply ethically made furniture and believe that the best place to start making the world a better place is right at home and we couldn't agree. Their environmental initiatives are not just a trend, but an ongoing mission that started as early as 50 years ago.
Why We Love Them
We love them for their affordable eco-friendly furniture, but also their efforts to educate their consumers with simple steps to keep an environmentally friendly home, which they discuss on their website. Crate & Barrel offers a beautiful variety of handcrafted eco-friendly bamboo furniture which is actually one of the most sustainable plants in the world! They also sell drinkware made from recycled glass, just to name a few. Some of their environmental initiatives that we're on board with include:
Recycle all paper, glass, and aluminum products including electronic waste.
Change any incandescent light bulbs to CFLs or LEDs to use less energy.
Our Top Picks from Crate & Barrel:
Crate & Barrel
Love These Pieces?
They can be found online (Canada - US) as well as in-store. If you are a local, they have 8 locations with 3 locations in Ontario.
3. Mater
Mater
Online: materusa.com I Stores: North, Central, and South America
About The Brand
Founded in 2006, they are an ethical and conscious brand with a strong design philosophy and great craftsmanship. Mater combines high-end furniture, lighting, working methods that support people, local craftsmanship traditions, and the environment. Design is all about the details, and love that this company is on board with every design detail from concept to production!
Sustainability Values
Wise words speak true to our responsibility not only as designers but as humans. "Mater means ‘mother’ in Latin. The name is the daily reminder of our small contribution to preventing the challenges ‘mother earth’ faces. Design influences how we as humans live our lives; it shapes values, culture, and society. Unfortunately, we are increasingly aware that the choices made during design processes often have environmental consequences. However, as a manufacturer, we have the opportunity to rethink dubious practices and create an ethical and sustainable design that minimizes adverse social and environmental impacts.”
- Henrik Marstrand, CEO & Founder
Why We Love Them
We love them for their references to Scandinavian minimalism, and for creating products that are made with sustainable and ethically sourced materials. They believe that products should both stand the test of time as well as inspire the consumer to cherish and savor them. Their values and goals that help people engage in sustainable thinking include:
Production with partners who are certified in sustainability.
Sustainable Harvesting - with mango wood to provide sustainable furniture.
Upcycling and recycling - opportunities in waste and scrap materials to recycle, reuse, and create new and durable products.
Our Top Picks from Mater:
Mater - The ocean collection made from ocean waste such as discarded fishnets.
Mater - FSC certified beech or oak wood with paper cord seat
Love These Pieces?
They can be found online through their gorgeous and inspiring webpage. Their products are conveniently designed for both commercial and residential use. So if you've got a commercial business that needs decor help, keep these guys in mind and make sure to give us a shout to help you get started on your space.
Eco Design Matters
Sustainable design principles include the design for energy efficiency, waste reduction, longevity, healthy environments, and low environmental impact. With the world's natural ecosystems being destroyed at an astounding rate, it's crucial to design with purpose and responsibility and it is definitely our goal to further enhance our projects with this in mind. As designers, we are here to help you attain a healthy and sustainable home by soucing from retailers that value environmentally-friendly furniture and products.
Pictured: West Elm organic curtains mixed with reused existing furniture
White Dahlia Design Open Concept Living Dining
Thankfully there are a variety of affordable, eco-friendly furniture options out there who are all working to incorporate sustainability principles in their designs. However, another option most people forget when it comes to outfitting their homes is to reuse and refurbish wherever possible. I'm sure we all know the three R's (reduce, reuse, recycle), so keep this in mind when you looking to re-do your space. You can easily create a beautiful space by re-using existing furniture as well as incorporating new. Let us help you work with what you have in the design, as well as help you shop sustainably. Make sure to subscribe down below and take a look at our packages for your next project!