You find a gorgeous antique love seat at a flea market, but the upholstery is beyond salvation. Before you make the trek to the fabric store for a bolt of cotton damask made by god-knows-who from god-knows-where, take a moment to think about the consequences: cotton production uses 25% of the world's insecticides and 10% of the world's pesticides, despite using only 3% of the world's cropland. And conventional upholstery is treated with additional toxic chemicals during production, which can offgas for years. Ouch.
But don't toss that love seat in the garbage, because finally there's a company that makes upholstery fabric that's both sustainable and beautiful. Mod Green Pod, launched by sister-in-laws and fashion industry veterans Nancy and Lisa Mims, offers a whimsical selection of 100% organic cotton upholstery fabric as well as vinyl-free wallpaper. All of their products are silk-screened by hand in the U.S. and are made using a mechanical process that minimizes chemical usage. Sweet.
There's a catch, though. Mod Green Pod's fabric is, admittedly, a little on the pricey side (retails at about $100 per yard), but it's so pretty that's you'll have a hard time turning it down. Plus, every time your friends sit on your sofa, you can tell them you're protecting them from chemical offgassing. If they don't run away first, they'll surely thank you.
Send your product ideas to greengear@plentymag.com.
Comments
i use the mod green pod textiles in my work as often as possible. not only are their patterns and colors divine, but the fabric itself is luxe and durable. well done!
Posted by:deana bracken |August 21, 2006 1:07 PM
I also wanted to note that we offer discounts to the design trade and sell wholesale!
nancy mims
mod green pod
Posted by:nancy mims |August 22, 2006 9:05 AM