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Can you picture yourself lounging on an all-natural, organic sofa?
Providing ways for our customers to live a comfortable and natural life is at the heart of T.Y. Fine Furniture’s mission. So when we learned about a luxurious couch constructed with the finest in natural fibers, we knew it was right for us. And hopefully, for you, too.
The Verona Sofa offers elegant and organic seating complete with cushions constructed of natural latex wrapped in luxurious organic wool batting. The finest in certified organic materials such as cotton duck, sturdy hemp and a soft hemp-cotton blend comprise the cushions, so you know every moment spent on this unique creation will be soft and luxurious. While this natural sofa is formal enough for a living room, its simple elegance makes it ideal for any décor. Not only that, seat cushions can be customized to the owner’s preference and, as such, are available as either firmer or softer.
The Verona Sofa features other characteristics that make it stand out among its lesser peers. For example, materials involved in creating the Verona include:
- Certified sustainable solid hardwood (maple)
- GOTS-certified organic upholstery (in hemp, cotton duck or a hemp-cotton blend)
- Cradle-to-Cradle certified Natural Talalay latex foam
- Natural jute webbing
- Natural coir (coconut fiber with natural latex)
- Zero-VOC natural linseed oil
- Low-VOC water-based stain with linseed coating
Moreover, the authentic Verona Sofa uses no flame retardants, formaldehyde glue, cardboard, metal coils, particle board, plywood or veneer. All natural means just that, so no fake fillers are used in these beauties.
Every Verona Sofa also enjoys unparalleled attention to construction details such as Mortise-and-Tenon joinery and removable seat and back cushions. Each Verona Sofa is built by hand by Savvy Rest, a highly regarded manufacturer of organic mattresses based in central Virginia.
Not only is this amazing sofa constructed from the finest in natural fibers and materials, it is available in several colors, too. Selections include Lavender, Navy, Brown, Black, White, Honey and Sweet Potato. Yes, Sweet Potato!
We look forward to welcoming you to the shop and showing you the amazing luxuries this wonderful organic sofa offers.
It’s cozy time! Get some sleep on one of our organic mattresses
The changing colors of the leaves and pumpkins adorning people’s doorstops means that autumn is upon us. The cooler temperatures are a welcome relief from summer’s humidity, but when sweater weather is upon us, those frigid days of winter aren’t far behind.
When the skies darken earlier, people often take the cue and go to bed earlier in the night than they might in the summer. And what better way to get cozy and relaxed then a wonderful, welcoming organic mattress!
T.Y. Fine Furniture stocks several different organic mattresses to cater to our customer’s varying desires of mattress softness and thickness. Or, if you’re not in the market for a new mattress but still crave the comfort of an allergen-free sleep experience, we also offer organic mattress toppers ranging from twin size all the way to California King.
We have partnered with Naturepedic because not only are their products manufactured with top-of-the-line organic materials, the company is also dedicated to healthful living. For example, all Naturepedic products are tested by independent third-party laboratories and certified according to the Greenguard Gold Certification Program. Naturepedic itself has earned Greenguard’s “GOLD” Certification, meeting the most stringent standard.
We offer various Naturepedic organic mattresses to fit any size budget. For example, mattresses from the Economic Organic Sleep (EOS) series are designed for luxury and comfort while also keeping an eye on practicality. Its multilayer zippered construction allows users to customize the layers in the mattress, swap out layers and even change the feel of the mattress years later. And with a 20-year warranty, Naturepedic owners enjoy many years of comfort on their mattress.
Naturepedic’s Organic Luxury Series features heirloom quality construction and materials including organic cotton fabric and filling, organic latex and organic wool. Its coils are hand-assembled and topped with a comfort layer of supportive organic latex for a delightfully luxurious feel. The mattress’s quality constructive ensures isolation of movement and pressure point relieving comfort designed to contour to the curves of the bodies sleeping on it.
If a new mattress or mattress cover aren’t in your plans but you’re still looking for an extra dose of comfort, Naturepedic’s organic cotton and waterproof protector pads, organic cotton quilted mattress pads or organic cotton luxury sheets might be what you’re looking for.
At T.Y. Fine Furniture, if you sleep well, we can too.
We’re ecstatic about our newest professional associations
The Sustainable Furnishings Council is an educational and marketing organization, promoting healthy environments, within residences, workplaces and the out of doors. A balanced coalition of home furnishings industry players comprise the SFC, which was founded in North Carolina in 2006 to promote sustainable practices among furniture manufacturers, retailers and consumers alike.
I am equally as proud that T.Y. Fine Furniture also just earned a Green America Gold Level certification. Green America certifies businesses committed to using their enterprises as a platform for social change. Gaining this status places T.Y. Fine Furniture on par with other Green America-certified companies such as Clif Bar and Honest Tea.
Stop by to learn more about how you can inject healthful living into your everyday life.
What is a Gel Mattress?
The hottest (or coolest) trend in memory foam these days is what marketers call “gel-infused foam” or “cooling foam” or foam with “cooling chemicals.” Basically, this type of foam is standard memory foam blended with a gel or gel beads made with “phase change materials.”
Drawing a blank? So are many concerned shoppers, as full disclosures of the chemicals in memory foams and gels are hard to come by. Synthetic foam manufacturers guard their formulas closely, so general descriptions are all consumers have to rely on.
Chemical gazpacho
Phase change materials could be any of a host of chemicals. They are used to make mattress foams feel cooler because they have properties that transfer heat from the sleeper down into the mattress core. The effect doesn’t last all night long, but can make initial hours of sleep less sweaty. (We’ll get to more effective alternatives below.)
These materials haven’t been tested or reviewed over a long period of time, so not only the content but the long-term performance of gel-infused mattresses or toppers is unknown. And although their odor is less caustic than the notorious off-gassing of conventional memory foam, a chemical smell is still noticeable.
Better ways to keep your cool
One of the best materials known to help the human body regulate temperature is wool. Everyone associates wool with warmth—after all, what’s a snuggly wool sweater for? Wool is a wonderful material for outerwear or winter blankets. But lightweight wool is comfortable in summer, too. (Hence, the finest men’s summer suits are made of wool.)
The secret to wool fiber’s amazing performance is that each strand is covered with microscopic “hooks” which overlap and grip adjacent ones. This forms countless tiny air pockets between the strands. And voila, insulation—from cold OR excess heat.
Wool is also highly absorbent. When the air is cool and damp, wool absorbs moisture and keeps a layer of dry insulating air next to the skin. Likewise, beneath a “hot sleeper,” wool also absorbs moisture and traps insulating dry air. This helps the body’s own cooling system work more effectively. Even if an unusually high metabolism or hot flashes are adding to the flames, wool beneath you can help cool things down.
Choosing a “cool” mattress or topper
If you’re concerned about unnecessary chemicals polluting your home’s air or creating toxic dust, a natural mattress that uses wool for flame resistance and insulating comfort is an ideal choice. And a lot less risky than mystery-chemical gels.
Savvy Rest’s natural latex mattresses contain organic wool batting quilted within the mattress casing (made of organic cotton). Natural latex, particularly natural Talalay, is more porous and breathable than any synthetic foam or gel. And the use of wool allows Savvy Rest mattresses both to meet federal fire safety requirements without chemical flame retardants, and provide a cooler, drier sleep environment.
Naturally cooler sleep
If you’re excited about wool’s potential for a temperature-adaptable bed, you might also consider a wool-filled mattress topper, such as the Savvy Woolsy. Its fluffy, organic wool fiber within an organic cotton, duvet-style casing makes a comfortable, wonderfully insulating surface for your mattress.
Or if you’re really crazy about wool you can choose the wool-filled, hand-tufted organic Pastoral mattress, even topping it with a Savvy Woolsy. Worried it’ll feel itchy? No need. Your skin won’t be in direct contact with wool on either product—it’s inside an organic cotton casing and, of course, also will be topped with your bedding.
So stay away from those chemical gels. With a Savvy Rest you won’t be counting sheep, but you’ll certainly be thanking them. You can sleep well and keep your cool, on top of wonderful wool!
This article was written by Laura, September 8, 2015, Savvyrest.com
Organic Mattresses: What to Look For
Pictured is the Naturepedic EOS Organic Mattress
I ran across this article and it has such incredible information I decided to make it today's post. This is an interview conducted by the folks at www.organicitsworthit.org
In this profile, Naturepedic co-founder Barry Cik explains the difference between organic mattresses and their non-organic counterparts, uncovers why organic mattresses are particularly important for babies and young children, and offers his top 5 tips on what to consider when you are in the market for a new, organic mattress.
Q: What requirements must a mattress meet to be certified organic? How does this differ from the requirements that non-organic mattresses must meet?
A: The only organic certification for mattresses is the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
The GOTS certification program takes all the contents of the mattress and essentially divides it into two groups, fiber and non-fiber.
- Fiber– Fiber content includes all fabrics, filling materials, and any other mattress components derived from fibers. For an organic mattress, GOTS requires that 95% of the fiber content come from USDA NOP certified organic fiber. The remaining 5% may be non-organic per certain restrictions and per GOTS approval. (GOTS also provides for a Made with Organic Fiber label if at least 70% of the fiber is NOP certified.)
- Non-Fiber - GOTS permits various accessories in an organic mattress. These include, for example, steel innersprings for structural support and flame proofing in order to comply with government mandates. All such accessories and chemical inputs must be approved by the GOTS program. If a mattress complies with all the above, then it is eligible for GOTS certification as an “organic mattress.”
Q: What is the best way to verify that a mattress is organic?
A: There is only one way to verify organic mattresses and manufacturers, and that is to check the GOTS list of certified organic mattress manufacturers. This is found at http://www.global-standard.org Search under Public Database / Product Category (Other) / Manufacturing.
Consumers are easily confused between organic mattresses that are certified under the GOTS program versus non-certified mattresses made with organic materials. In general, “organic mattresses” not certified under the GOTS program may only contain a small amount of organic fiber. With GOTS certified organic mattresses, all the materials and ingredients are reviewed and approved by an independent GOTS approved certifier.
Q: Your Company specializes in making organic mattresses for babies. Why is choosing a mattress made from organic materials so important for people at such a young age?
A: Mattresses, particularly including baby and children’s mattresses, are made with questionable materials and chemicals. For example, chemicals in mattresses may include phthalates, antimony, chlorinated or fluorinated compounds, etc. Organic mattresses essentially eliminate virtually all the possible chemicals that would be problematic.
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson has recently gone on record in this regard stating the following:
“A child born in America today will grow up exposed to more chemicals than a child from any other generation in our history…Our kids are getting steady infusions of industrial chemicals before we even give them solid food…Today, advances in toxicology and analytical chemistry are revealing new pathways of exposure…There are subtle and troubling effects of chemicals on hormone systems, human reproduction, intellectual development and cognition.”
Q: Is it important for adults to buy organic mattresses as well?
A: Of course. We live in a chemical laden society. We don’t really know what all these chemicals are doing to us. One (rather simple) way of reducing our chemical exposures is to sleep on an organic mattress.
Q: How does the price of organic mattresses compare to non-organic mattresses? What is the explanation for this price difference?
A: The price of an organic mattress is usually higher than a lower-end conventional mattress, but an organic mattress is not necessarily more expensive than a typical upper-end conventional mattress. In any event, for example, the primary filling in conventional mattresses is polyurethane foam (or so-called soybean foam, which is really still polyurethane foam), which is made from petroleum. (The American Association of Fire Marshals refers to polyurethane foam as “solid gasoline”).
The primary filling in organic mattresses, on the other hand, is certified organic cotton, which is far more expensive than polyurethane foam.
Q: How easy is it to find organic mattresses? Are they widely available? If not, where is the best place to find them?
A: Organic mattresses are not difficult to find. Once again, the GOTS directory is the best way to locate certified organic mattress manufacturers.
Q: What are the top 5 things people should consider when they are shopping for a new, organic mattress?
A: Certification – “Green-washing” is widespread, with many people making green or eco or organic claims that are questionable. GOTS certification is the only way to verify whether consumer products, like mattresses, meet recognized organic standards.
• Chemical Off-Gassing Verification – Although certified organic mattresses will be low in chemical residues, an additional certification for low chemical emissions can add verification. The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute provides testing and certification for low-emitting products, including mattresses.
• Allergenic Materials Avoidance – Some materials may be allergenic for some people. For example, natural latex and wool can be problematic. People with chemical sensitivities may wish to consider whether these materials are appropriate for them.
• Firmness – Firmness is unrelated to organic or chemical considerations. However, it is important to make sure that the mattress firmness is appropriate. For adults, this is a personal and subjective matter, which means that when buying an adult mattress, it is best to be able to “test-sleep” the mattress. For babies and children, the Consumer Product Safety Commissions only recommends firm mattresses.
• Price – While organic mattresses are not cheap, there are models that are much more doable for people on a budget. A less-expensive organic mattress may essentially be just as good as one with more bells and whistles.
About Barry Cik
Barry A. Cik is a Board Certified Environmental Engineer with over a quarter century consulting experience. He is also certified by the Institute of Professional Environmental Practice and the Ohio EPA. Mr. Cik is also a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager and a Certified Diplomate Forensic Engineer. Mr. Cik is the author of a text book published by Government Institutes.
In 2003, Barry was sent by his wife to a juvenile furniture store to buy a crib mattress and other items for their first grandchild. Barry (who had never been in a juvenile furniture store) quickly realized that every single baby mattress was made from polyurethane foam and vinyl. His response to this was “My grandfather slept on straw, and I’d rather put my grandchild on straw than on these materials. This is not progress.”
Barry, together with his two sons Jeff and Jason (both magna cum laude graduates from Ivy League universities), then formed Naturepedic. The company was organic-focused from the very beginning, using organic cotton fabrics and filling as the basis of all Naturepedic products. Naturepedic joined OTA early on. In 2009, Barry reached out to GOTS and Naturepedic became the first certified organic baby and children’s mattress manufacturer.
Barry, and the entire Naturepedic family, are particularly strong supporters of the organic community, and of OTA in particular. Barry believes that the general public is more inclined to make the switch to organic products when their babies are the focus. Naturepedic is taking the organic message to increasing numbers of people who might otherwise not have realized the value of organic products in their homes.
T.Y. Fine Furniture is a certified Naturepedic dealer.
Brain Feel Dirty? Get some Sleep!
Sleep is often seen as simple, but the more science reveals about rest the more complex it appears. One recent study found that as we sleep, our brains actually undergo cleaning to remove buildup and clear the way for the next day. These findings may give new insight into the phenomenon of sleep-deprived brain fog and into the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Read on to learn about this new research and healthy sleep.
Study Finds Sleep Works to Clean Brain
In a study published October 2013 in Science Magazine, researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center sought to see how sleep relates to the brain’s natural cleansing system. Previous studies recently discovered that while the brain is hard at work during the day, neurological by-products build up as a result of normal functions, and that the brain has a system which supports the removal of this waste. Similar to how the body’s lymphatic system removes wastes and toxins, the brain has a “glymphatic” system that serves a similar function.
URMC researchers discovered that during sleep, this glymphatic system goes into overdrive to remove waste, upping its performance by 10 times compared to waking hours in mice, whose brains operate similarly to humans. This increased action, along with an increase in space between brain cells that occurs during sleep, allows the cerebrospinal fluid to accelerate its cleanup service and flush waste products out of the brain and to the liver for removal.
Researchers speculate that the cleaning activity takes place during sleep because it would require too much brain power to perform while we are awake. It is also speculated that this process may be to blame for some sleep deprivation side effects such as staying awake for extended periods of time.
This discovery is important because the brain “waste” being removed include toxins responsible for some neurological disorders and neurodegenerative diseases including amyloid-beta proteins, which are believed to contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers are hopeful that this information may contribute to finding cures for and preventing neurodegenerative diseases in the future. Since the CDC estimates that one-third of Americans are sleep deprived, this could have significant implications for many people.
Health and Sleep
There are many complex and not well understood processes taking place while we sleep. While we may not know all of the whys and hows of sleep, we do know that getting sufficient, quality rest is important for many aspects of health. In addition to cleansing the brain on a cellular level, rest also appears to play a role in obesity, diabetes, heart health, muscle recovery, mental health, skin aging and other vital functions. Other research has also shown that sleep deprivation is a leading cause of accidents, and can cause impairment on par with alcohol intoxication.
Practice Good Sleep Hygiene
With all of this at stake, it’s clear that getting rest should be a top health priority for everyone, right alongside nutrition and exercise. However while many may be aware of sleep’s necessity, many of us have difficulty optimizing habits and schedules for rest. If you find that you are drowsy during the day or aren’t getting enough rest, the following sleep hygiene tips may be helpful:
- Allow yourself adequate time for rest every day. The average adult needs 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Teens and young adults may need 8-10 hours.
- Try to stick to a regular sleep schedule. Going to bed and waking at the same time every day (including the weekends) helps keep your hormonal system regular and may actually be associated with healthier body weight.
- Keep your bedroom clean. Allergies and breathing difficulties can disrupt sleep, and dust mites (a leading allergen) thrive in bedding. Wash sheets and pillows often and consider using an allergen resistant mattress cover. A cluttered environment can also make it hard to relax and rest.
- Make sure your bedroom is comfortable. Studies have shown that a dark room is important for melatonin regulation, and that cooler rooms are better for deep sleep. Make sure distractions and disturbances are minimized, and that your mattress is supportive and in good condition.
- Avoid dietary sleep stealers. Certain foods and beverages like caffeine and some fats may keep you up at night, while other vitamin and mineral-rich foods can actually support rest. Read our article on sleep and diet for more on this.
- Establish a rest routine. If you have difficulty winding down at the end of the day, a relaxing routine may help your mind and body get ready to sleep. Try a warm bath, light music, reading or other calming activity and see what works for you.
- Exercise regularly. In addition to the numerous physical benefits of exercise, regular moderate exercise during the day can actually contribute to better sleep over time. To multitask, you could take a walk outside during the day as sunlight can also help regulate sleep hormone cycles.
- Advances in technology and increasing interest in the science of sleep continue to show that rest is an essential and vital part of health. While it can be at odds with the demands of modern life, making enough time for rest can provide a host of long-term benefits, many of which are still yet to discovered, while there is clear evidence that skipping sleep has negative consequences. Keep your brain clean and your body healthy by making sleep a priority!
The Best Bedroom Air Cleaners
Ever think how contradictory it might be to use electric air purifiers to go “pure and natural” at home?
Many people who choose natural mattresses want the bedroom to be an oasis from pollutants of all sorts. Outstanding plan! However, especially in newer houses, dangerous off-gassing chemicals come from many sources.
Plywood and laminates, fabric treatments, synthetic carpets and foams, flame retardants, glues, cleaners and paints are just a few sources of toxic vapors you don’t want to be breathing. Indoor air quality is often worse than air quality outdoors, even in polluted cities.
In the late 80’s, NASA was tackling the problem of how to keep the air in space stations pure. They found that certain houseplants can clean the air as effectively as air-purifying machines. They’re quieter, too, last time we checked. Though ultimately the astro-plants stayed home, the list of plants NASA produced is a great resource for selecting green buddies for your bedroom—or all around the house.
Super-heroes in Pots
There are many other plant options, too, so if you’re fond of favorites such as spider plants, peace lilies, chrysanthemums or aloe (all excellent air cleaners), just mix up your choices to cover a spectrum of nasty gases. Formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene, for example—these odorless gases are carcinogenic and also contribute to respiratory problems.
It takes at least one air-filtering plant per 100 square feet of space to do its job efficiently. While busy looking beautiful, increasing your connection to nature and uplifting your mood, these silent allies are seriously supporting your health.
One is good but more is better, because different plants are effective at eliminating different chemicals. (And small groupings look great.)
Picking and Placement
Some popular plants are toxic to children and pets, so be sure to read up on your choices before heading to your local garden center. Or consider some alternative placements. Golden pothos trails beautifully, for example, so you might display it in a planter hung from the ceiling in a corner. It’s happy in low light. Just trim it regularly to keep it out of reach.
The purest air possible will ease your breathing and your sleep. And pollution-fighting plants are perfect companions for your dreams.
Written by Laura, February 6, 2015 www.savvyrest.com
Organic Mattresses Surpass the Comfort of their Toxic Cousins
Mattresses, like cars, are usually available at different price points featuring different options. Today I want to touch upon the issue of organic mattress comfort. I’ve done some reading about the level of comfort, or alleged lack thereof, provided by the typical organic mattress. The truth is that, like cars, mattresses (organic or otherwise) come at those different prices for a reason. The cold hard truth is that if you want your mattress to feel like a ride in a Rolls Royce you’re going to pay the price for that feel. If your budget allows a Mercedes level of comfort then you’ll pay that price and, of course, if your budget will allow you to buy Toyota level of comfort then that’s what you will get. The notion that organic mattresses are uncomfortable solely because they are made of organic materials and not man-made materials is false and any article making such a claim should be viewed with great skepticism.
So, just how does the manufacturer of an organic mattress, design and build a mattress sleep system that is not only equal to a memory foam mattress but better? They do it by at least doubling the coil count in their mattresses with springs that have a high chrome content that makes them stronger over the life of the product. They then layer the top of the mattress (the comfort layer) with either organic latex or a layer of micro coils which are encased in PLA (Polylactic Acid: made from potato or corn starch) and then covered in organic cotton. If you want a pillow top effect you can then purchase a topper made from organic latex, or a combination of latex, wool and cotton. As an added comfort bonus, the buyer won’t experience head-aches, a burning nose or other side effects caused by the chemicals in typical mattresses containing man-made materials. Finally, a reputable manufacturer will back up their products with a 20 year warranty. I haven’t seen very many manufacturers of the toxic variety of mattresses who will give customers a 20 year warranty.
By Wes Miller
Why Buy an Organic Mattress?
I suppose that I bought my organic mattress for the same reason that I buy organic produce; I want to make sure that I’m not putting chemically laden food in my body or my home. We all know about the organic craze that is sweeping the country and a large number of us are trying to do the best that we can to eat healthy. We want to know where our food comes from. I have a strong feeling that this is not a passing fad like the low-fat debacle of the 90’s (Olestra and its’ unusual side-effects come to mind…unfortunately). Rather, this is a realization occurring on a grass-roots level, by a huge number of us that we are tired of eating produce coated in pesticide residues and processed food that is created in a laboratory and made on an assembly line. When you consider that you are lying in a bed for at least 8 hours a day, a third of your life, with your skin in constant contact with the bedding and your face buried in the fabrics; if you have a non-organic mattress you are quite literally enveloped in a cocoon of toxins. Here’s a short list of chemicals commonly found in non-organic mattresses: formaldehyde, used in the adhesives that hold mattresses together. Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether is used in flame retardant compounds. Xylene which is used in many mattress adhesives, the EPA has identified this compound as a cause of birth defects. Toluene Discarnate or TDI is an ingredient in many visco-elastic and polyurethane foams and is known to cause respiratory problems and skin irritation. OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has classified it as toxic. The list goes on: Antimony Oxide, PentaBDE, Benzene, and Polyvinyl Chloride. Personally, I simply do not see how lying on a bed soaked in these chemicals can be good for any of us. When I was shopping for my organic mattress I looked for a few key certifications from trusted third party testing organizations. I suggest that you look for GOTS(Global Organic Textile Standard), GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard), OTCO (Oregon Tilth Certification) and CU (Control Union). Certifications awarded to manufacturers from these organizations mean that the mattress is certified organic. Steer clear of advertisements stating “eco-friendly,” “green” or “all natural.” Those are slick marketing buzz-words used to try to convince consumers that non-organic mattresses are somehow healthy products for use in home. The bottom line is if the mattress isn’t certified as such, it’s not organic.
By Wes Miller
