Do you mind if I gush a little more?

We are so proud of, well not so young, Max. The youngest Tubman of his generation has graduated from the University of Vermont against some insurmountable odds encountered this year. On top of that, he released his first independent documentary with its premiere screening taking place this past week up in Burlington, VT. Grads, parents and some other Furniture gurus all packed the house to support this budding young star. Also, no trip to any part of the country is complete without a furniture delivery. Peg and Rich delivered a beautiful American Leather sofa to a customer in Burlington. I often wonder, are all business owners this hands on? I mean, granted I am not an outsider, but that seems pretty cool to have the brains, brawn and beauty(!) behind the biz make personal house calls. Anyway, I stray from the topic, congrats Max, we are so proud, sorry for the gush, but look at that face, can you blame me?

Pretty In Pink

Another October rolls around and its time for another great in store event at Circle Furniture's Cambridge location. The fifth annual Pink Party was the biggest turnout yet and we raised over five thousand dollars. Many thanks to those who rallied the extra leg to help put it together, Sarah, Ralph, Moise, Renee, Jonathan, Stephanie, Peg, Rich, Harold, Terri, Troy, Judy, Heather, Cindy and Martha.

All proceeds go to the Ellie Fund, raising money for families to help support a loved one fighting breast cancer. Its a great cause and a fun night, and who doesn't love the color pink!

We also met some new FABULOUS friends who share out love for the earth and this "new" trend everyone is calling green. Paula Keif and Leanne Schiller have started an online directory, Go Green Web Directory, to help guide Boston consumers to green businesses. Our own Michelle Madden got involved.

Rodman Ride 2008 - Not going to let a little rain slow us down!

Congrats to the Circle Team for another year of riding for at risk youth at the Rodman Ride for kids. This year, the 17th annual, was RECORD BREAKING, raising over 5.5 million dollars. Harold, Rich, Peg, Sarah and Kate Springfield teamed up with a couple of other furniture gurus to bike 25, 50 and 100 miles rides! Congrats to all who participated and for those who missed out, there is always next year.

Warming the Oven . . .

I know, we have not even hit Halloween yet, how can you start talking about Thanksgiving? The answer to that is easy, its my favorite holiday and its never too early to start planning the perfect meal. Its not just about the food, but the setting is important too! Having guests at your house this year? Its time to start thinking about a dining room table fit for you, your ever growing family and mother earth.

Wood Top Care and Cleaning Information:
No matter how tough these tables are, they are made from wood, and any table made from wood can be scratched or burned or dented. When in use, we recommend using trivets, placemats, and tablecloths to protect the top from plates, hot pans, dishes, etc. Darker finishes will show scratches more readily. This is not considered a manufacturing defect.

Clean the table by using a slightly damp sponge or cloth - use a mild dish soap or detergent if desired - then dry with a soft towel or cloth. Try to wipe up spills quickly so cleaning is easy. Never use abrasive cleaners or sponges. Never let candle wax drip on the table - it will discolor the finish.

Be aware that humidity and climate will affect your wood furniture. Wood exchanges moisture with the air, expanding and contracting as humidity levels fluctuate. This movement can sometimes cause periodic gapping at the rule joints {the areas where leafs are inserted into the table top}. Such temporary gapping is a natural characteristic of solid wood and is not considered a manufacturing defect. Placing your table near heating vents, fireplaces, or wood stoves can damage your furniture because of the extreme changes in temperature and moisture.

Wood does have a tendency to darken and age over time - this will be especially noticeable on lighter finishes. Avoid direct sunlight - ultraviolet rays will change the color of the wood over time. And if your table is in a sunny area, never leave an object on your table for an extended period of time - you could very well find that the area underneath the object is a different color than the rest of the table! We also recommend periodically putting your leaves into the table allowing them to age naturally to match the color of the rest of the table.

Want to wow your inlaws with a brand new hardwood table made in New England from sustainable forests? Get those orders in today! Cut offs for in time deliver are just 10 days away!

Celebrating Sixty!

So today marks a momentous occasion, Harold turns 60! Firstly, let me say a big happy birthday to one of the brothers behind this little family gig we call Circle Furniture. The Queen Bee supplied the steak tips and chicken, and Moise and Ralph manned the grill while managing the warehouse, these are men of many talents. This day in history, September 25th, also marks the writing of the Bill of Rights, groundbreaking on our very own Fenway Park, Chubby Checkers' "Twist" topped the charts (I believe Harold was old enough to partake in this one . . .) and Sandra Day O'Connor was sworn in as our first female supreme court justice. Harold himself has been making his own little dent in history as an active member of numerous community projects and organizations, see him next in the Rodman Ride for Kids on Oct 4th!
While on the topic of longevity, let us give a little shout of of gratitude to Heather Ryan, the manager of the Cambridge Store, who is celebrating 10 years with Circle this month! Its the many many folks who stay on this team for the long haul that truly make Circle a family!

Hey where have you been?

Celebrating!! What a summer of celebration it has been! Congrats to two Tubman's kicking the big C word to the curb so that the family can get back to focusing on the important things, sailing and furniture. A big applause this weekend to Sean D, as he took his first steps to becoming a key organizer for the Ally Regatta in Boston. Despite weather threats, the race went well and the fund raising for the Ally Foundation was a great success. Team Tubman let the Queen Bee aboard Charisma and finished the race with out personal property damage or bodily harm, A.K.A success!

Other things we are proud of this summer: Cindy Hale! Another "c" survivor pedaling her way to the finish of the pan mass challenge. Congrats to her and her husband, all that energy keeps the creativity flowing for OTC.


Whats in store at Circle? TAX FREE WEEKEND, we are gearing up to sell it all with out taking any extra for you know who.

Inspiration

So I moved to a new neighborhood recently and I am very lucky to have not yet taken a digger because I can not look where I am going. There is such much to see and observe walking through this thriving neighborhood. Everything is new, the murals, the people, the coffee shops and everything has a new STYLE. In the fashion world things seem to be constantly changing, but really I think they recycle the classics again and again with new twists. In decorating there are no rules and you rule your individual loves and passions. One example that hits close to home is the ocean. As Bostonians we are so lucky to have the great blue wonder at our doorstep. The big dig (I know should I even go there?!?!) has really changed the way we see our waterfront. It inspired us for this little seaside escape.




So what inspires you? Grab some photos, thoughts and scrapbooks and let our deign consultants help bring your ideas to life.

Well you talk Green, but how do I do Green?

The interest in Green Design has peeked from the current buzz at this year's furniture market and past events like Down2Earth, so why not come in for an informal chat about these new trends? I can blog all day long about how great they are but maybe you would like a panel of experts accompanied by a fine wine? "Green With Envy" will be taking place at our Alewife store next week, Thursday April 24th from 6-9. Circle has partnered up with a few great local organizations to host a free event which will include expert speakers, wine, light far, gift bags and a raffle with great prizes! Gail Ravgiala from Design New England will speak to the latest trends and Interior Designer Martha Wells will talk about new lines of eco-friendly furniture. All proceeds from the raffle go to Hope in Bloom, and founder Roberta Dehman Hershon will be there to talk about the organization. I spoke with Martha Wells to get the scoop, "This event will be a great opportunity for folks to change their perspective on what they think “green furniture” is. We have come a long way from burlap bags and twigs! Bright colors and designer styles will be highlighted, and of course, Circle Furniture has always been environmentally conscious. Come and check out how fun “green” can be!"

The Dude Abides

Rugs, they really tie the room together.

Whether your style is bold and colorful and you need to lay the thread work down to link a red sofa to your yellow walls; or your style is more clean and classic and you want to spice up the neutral tones, rugs are a great way to bring some color into a room.

Here are a couple of guidelines:

Firstly, what is your color inspiration? Check out tips from HGTV's color guru David Bromstad or bring in some pictures or swatches of the colors on pieces you want to keep in the room.

Second, talk to a circle designer about what the best options are for you. Do you want the eco friendly FLOR tiles that you can mix and match to create any size carpet? Or perhaps one of the many ready to go colorful patterns ready to take home in the store.

Third, see how it feels. As you start embracing the warmth and added sass of color you can expand, maybe add a few pillows or a cute accent chair.

Fourth, rent the Big Lebowski from your local video store if you missed earlier quote references.

Stay tuned for info on Circle's "Green With Envy" event coming up on April 24th!


***********UPDATE: I keep talking about how great this FLOR stuff is and showing you to their website, however (shame on me) I forgot to mention the SWEET DEALS on shipping you get by ordering through Circle! You can also come in to check it out and touch and play with our exclusive in store display.*******************************

Hip to Be Square is so 1986

This is 2008! Get with the times, get with Circle! Down2Earth was a smashing success. Tons of people passing through, many of which had furniture from Circle in their homes. BUT not everyone knew about our dedication to staying SUSTAINABLE: business wise we keep it in the family, and GREEN: furniture wise we keep it in New England, check out the article from NHFA on the last post for details. One of the biggest hits at the event was our, customized exclusively for Circle, FLOR display. What is FLOR you ask? FLOR makes do it yourself rug tiles made of recycled materials. FLOR tiles can be seen displayed in out store and our designers can help match your rug design to the room or vice versa. Come in now for our special, FREE shipping now through earth day. For more information on this amazing product, in case you missed the fun at Down2Earth check out the FLOR website. Stay tuned for more on rugs, they really tie the room together.

NHFA Comes Full Circle

Nationa Home Furnishing Association wants the dish on the Green trends, so where do they turn? Why Circle of course! Our own Queen Bee and Sarah Cooney share their knowledge, check it out.

DOWN:2:EARTH

Circle Furniture

WILL BE AT

DOWN:2:EARTH (D2E)

AN EXPLORATION INTO SUSTAINABLE LIVING

MARCH 28-30, 2008 at HYNES CONVENTION CENTER, BOSTON

Boston – Circle Furniture will be at D2E (Down:2:Earth), a sustainable lifestyle event being held at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, March 28-30, 2008. D2E is an exploration into the movement that seeks answers on how to tread more lightly on the earth. It is an exposition of companies who are responding to consumer wishes for products that combine sustainability with style and innovation, as well as an education forum for learning about a greener lifestyle. More at www.d2eboston.com.

A healthy home starts with a healthy environment. That's why at Circle Furniture we look for manufacturers that share our commitment to the environment. The woods used to make our wood products come from forests that are managed according to strict environmental, social and economic standards. Additionally, most of our wood products are made by craftspeople in New England. These are folks who truly care about the quality of the product that lands in your home. Gorgeous woods, thoughtfully made. Preservation and conservation are values that are important to us.

While you are looking at the fine earth-friendly wood products, you'll have to see our collection of revolutionary, bio-based upholstery. The cushions are made of Soy-based foam and other sustainable components and offer an enhanced level of comfort. With water-based finishes and recyclable materials, these products are truly eco-friendly!

Circle Furniture is proud to be founding members of the Sustainable Furniture Council, a non-profit coalition of industry players created to promote sustainable practices among manufacturers, retailers and consumers. We carefully research every new manufacturer before we put the Circle stamp on it. The environment, our local economy, it matters to us. It's our world and we have to take care of it.

D2E HOURS: Friday March 28: 5pm–10pm

Saturday March 29: 11am–8pm

Sunday March 30: 11am–5pm

Ticket prices: $12 adults, $10 students/seniors.

There will be a $2 discount for on-line advance purchase.

For more information about D2E visit www.d2eboston.com, or call 617-266-6540.

Sectionals With Style

by Christine Cellucci

For decades now, sectional seating and family-rooms have gone hand and hand. In the 1970’s, overstuffed monstrosities plunked down in front of television sets were a staple in lower level ”playrooms” from coast to coast. At some point in the early 1990’s, Americans collectively shifted to a more casual use of the previously designated “formal living room” and comfortable seating was promoted, finding it’s place on the main floor. By the end of the decade, with interest rates hovering around 5 percent, the family room addition became the home owners upgrade of choice, second only to kitchens and baths. Again, Americans sought out in search of great looking pieces with exceptional comfort for their gathering rooms. At that time, American Leather was among a handful of fashion forward furniture manufacturers that was ready with a new generation of frame styles. These sleeker models were perfect for busy great rooms, covered in durable and spill friendly leather or Ultrasuede^®. Many styles included chaise or angled seat components, offering fresh options and sophisticated arrangements.

This spring American Leather once again positions itself as an industry leader with their introduction of the “Zen” frame.

The grouping offers plush seating, fantastic support and a beautiful sweeping profile, making it a showstopper when positioned to float within a space. Both this years “Zen” and the “Valero”, released in 2007 and designed by industry visionary Vladimir Kagan, are available in sectional configurations. These pieces offer the perfect combination of high style, amazing comfort and quality construction. You can even feel good about supporting our national economy since American Leather still makes their furniture right here in the good old U.S.A. Check out the complete line at www.americanleather.com.

Velero by Vladimir Kagan

designer’s notebook

by Christine Cellucci

02/27/08

New York’s Fashion Week

Take a Peek at Autumn

Color Trends
As far as I am concerned, Spring officially arrived on Friday February 1st, with the kick off of New York Fashion Week in the Big Apple. There is nothing like viewing autumn attire to fool the spirit into thinking spring is near at hand. During this, “Super Bowl of Fashion” the world is treated to a preview of colors and palettes that will impact every consumer product from plastic cutlery to stilettos in the coming months. Pantone, Inc., the gurus of color for design industries worldwide, released their Spring ‘08 color preview, last September. If you want to get a peek at the colors you will see hitting the racks in the months to come, visit: http://www.fashiontrendsetter.com/content/color_trends/2007/Pantone-Fashion-Color-Report-Spring-2008.html

You will find a palette that is dominated by soft neutral pastels, with quirky saturated vibrant hues mixed in to accent and surprise. For a shot of adrenaline, check out the Spring Crocus and Rococco Red. Contrast these with tranquil Cantaloupe and Daiquiri Green. Combined, these restful notes evoke a sense of calm which easily translates to domestic goods, paint colors and area rugs.

If you would like to see what we will all be wearing next fall, check out pics from New York Fashion Week at http://www.showbuzz.cbsnews.com/elements/2008/02/08/style_fashion/photoessay3807955.shtmlpreviewhttp://www.fashiontrendsetter.com/content/color_trends/2008/Pantone-Fashion-Color-Report-Fall-2008.html

Happy Spring

GREEN: We talk the talk AND Walk the walk

We would like to point out a new collection from one of our FAV vendors, Vermont Tubbs. The Chelsea collection is featured in birch, a less grainy and more attractive wood for contemporary designs. The pieces are still available in all the same great finishes and, most importantly, made using new methods that help Vermont Tubbs continue to make headway on being sustainable and GREEN.

Here are a few things that may be important to the Circle Furniture customers and readers.

We use sustainable woods.

We harvest our woods from local mills within 150 miles of our factory making us a bit greener than anyone importing lumber.

We only do business with reputable mills that don't clear cut and that have regenerated forest growth.

We use Sherwin Williams paints that have no lead or metallics. What that means is our filters that once had to be removed as hazardous waste can now be dumped into a local landfill.

There are no formaldehydes in our paints.

We use a water based glue.

We use renewable, biodegradable materials for our packaging.

We are about to launch a few water based finishes.

We currently manufacture under a private label for a private company product that is recommended by Healthy Child Healthy World, which is a non profit group helping parents find non-toxic, eco-friendly, products for their children.

This same private product we produce is also certified by the Greenguard Environmental Institute, a nonprofit group that evaluates and verifies products that meet exacting low-VOC emission standards.

This is just some of the great green avenues we have already taken and will continue to educate ourselves as well as our customers.

Thank you Denise and all at Vermont Tubbs!

Something is missing in the bedroom

When designing your perfect bedroom don't forget the accent chair. A chair in your bedroom is something often overlooked when picking out the bed, dresser and lamps. Sometimes you want to curl up in the sanctuary that is your bedroom to relax or read a book, and you don't always want to lie down. I know if I lie down on that bed I am falling asleep, which is fine if its late, but not if its only 6 pm. A chair can create an atmosphere of a full room not just a place to sleep and can facilitate conversation as opposed to immediately lying down and flipping on the TV. Be sure to pick a chair that is cute and really ties the room together to avoid it being just another place to throw your stuff. Chairs come in all shapes and sizes so you can surely find one to fit your style and space. In my city apartment I have an armless Chloe chair with pink and green stripes to accent the other colors in the room. My parents recycled a beautiful blue and white striped chair to their bedroom with blue walls after they redecorated the living room. My little brother's room recently had a makeover and went from graffiti walls to a more mature, you are about to graduate from college, wallpaper. In the midst of this crazy time in his life he needs a place to kick back and relax in style, and what better way to do that than in a chaise lounge.

We love our Vendors and Our Vendors Love Us

Perhaps it a product of being raised by a mother with great taste and tact, but I find myself basing my decisions on whether or not to support businesses based on the service experiences I have. For example there is this little dry cleaners down the street from my apartment, one of three or four in a few block radius, and after one visit I was sold as a customer for life. They only accept cash, which is hard sometimes because, as I am not a waitress anymore, I don't always have cash on me, and their prices can be a touch higher. HOWEVER, after one visit the elderly gentleman who runs the place, who is literally there every day, recognized me and I was immediately welcomed into the family of clientèle. Each customer that squeezed through the door to the shop had a very personal exchange with the shop owner, it just made me smile. The experience reminds me of the early years of Circle Furniture, a little mom and pop shop run by my grandparents who worked diligently for so many years. Today just because there are more stores and one more member at the helm (see note earlier about my wonderful mom) doesn't mean the values of family and quality service have gone, our family has just grown exponentially. Our family now includes vendors and sales people and more and more customers. It is the strong bonds created between all of us that keeps our business alive. Thanks again to all the great folks at BDI, our Vendor of the Year as voted by our designers, for all your contributions to our success!

Circle Gets Jazzed For February

Circle Furniture is helping to sponsor this years Jazz Fest at the Reggatta Bar at the Charles Hotel. Come celebrate opening night with us on February 8th featuring the musical rhythms of the legendary Dr John. If you get there early you will definitely have a comfortable seat. If you want more info or to purchase tickets to this or any of the Jazz Fest performances check out the Jazz Fest homepage.
Speaking of jazz and comfort, check out the new Jazz chair by Ekornes. We have always LOVED Ekornes chairs for their unrivaled quality and comfort and this year they are delivering a new design to fit a more modern style.

"The Stressless Jazz will be right at home with today's modern interiors," says Peter Bjerregaard, president of Ekornes. "The sleek, unique design says 'retro' to some and 'futuristic' to others, but everyone agrees on the comfort of Jazz, the comfort for which Stressless is known around the world." We recommend a test drive, so come on in to one of our locations and put your feet up for a bit.

The Most Exciting Thing Happened at Dinner Last Night!

"The most exciting thing happened at dinner last night," were the first words out of my mouth to my mother on the phone this morning. (I would have called in the heat of the moment last night, but I am a bad daughter and live three time zones away.) "I spilled red wine on my chairs", I squeaked. My mom hesitated and I could feel her glancing over in her mind each chair she had chosen to perfectly compliment my new apartment, "Now why is that exciting?"
Well let me tell you.
Last night I had a lovely casual dinner with friends. We whipped up a little post activity dinner and complimented it with a bottle of red wine, ok maybe two bottles. As we were winding down the meal my friend knocked her glass and red wine went everywhere, immediate shock, horror and panic ensued. Someone grabbed the shout spray and we were going after her sweater and the place mats, and then we saw it, a trail of red wine down the back of the upholstered dining room chair. My friend's face went white because she was unaware that these chairs were not sewn from just any thread, they were Ultrasuede, not microfibre, but Ultrasuede. I had to admit I even felt fear at first, I had heard the talk of this miracle fabric that can handle ANYTHING, but was it all talk? I took a little soap and water on a paper towel and with one stroke the wine stains were gone, it was really unbelievable. So the next time you are shopping upholstery and someone tries to sell you a microfibre for less, consider spending the extra to the Ultrasuede trademark brand, it really can stand up to ANYTHING, all you need is a little soap and water. Another interesting factor in the equation here is the upholstered dining room chair. Ultrasuede makes it reasonable because with a fabric like this you can have beautiful (see mine above that I LOVE) and comfortable upholstered chairs in a food and beverage danger zone that will last for years, unstained.

Designers Notebook: Yellow

How is this winter weather making you feel? With all these storm clouds stealing your sunshine the windows in your house are not adequately brightening your rooms. Well here is a tip: the color yellow can not only brightened a space but it can make a small space seem larger or draw attention to certain aspects of your room. White has always been a go to brighten and enlarge small rooms, but yellow can have the same wondrous effects with just a touch more sass. Yellow doesn't just look great, it and other bright colors bring a sense of warmth into a room that inspire memory and learning. Still not convinced to let Benjamin Moore lemon your walls?
Try out accents like a rug or a Maine Cottage Cubby Case, you will be amazed what just a splash will do to brighten up your home!

Holiday Party

Another fabulous year with our Circle Furniture family deserves another fabulous party. Thanks for everyone who attended and congrats to this years big winners. Roberta Frost was our top designer, she and her talents can be found in our Cambridge store. Jonathan Boyle, our Director of Operations, picked up another employee of the year award. BDI, providers of sleek home entertainment systems and other accessories received the Vendor of the Year award. Cheers and here is to a great 2008!

Sleep

So the holidays are over and with the new year comes resolutions and goals, but how about a little relaxation? With all the travel or hosting your family what we all need how is some rest, a good nights sleep. These days television is littered with ads for various sleep medications, but that should be a last resort. Any sleep center or expert will tell you there are many steps involved in getting a better night's sleep, they include routines, less caffeine and most importantly a comfortable place to sleep. So how is that mattress you sleep on every night? I recently discovered how valuable mine is as I went traveling for the holidays. Once I diverted from my ultra comfortable memory foam mattress I experienced the horror of a restless night's sleep on someone's old standard spring mattress. So you thought your mattress was fine but you are still having trouble sleeping? Do you share the bed with a tosser or a turner? Stop in and check out the Circle Furniture Private Mattress collection and see what a difference foam makes. Before you go here are some helpful tips to picking out a memory foam mattress from Google and Wickipedia:

How to Buy a Memory Foam Mattress

Looking for some zzzz on a memory foam mattress? Before you walk into a mattress store get the facts by following the steps in this how-to.

Steps

1. Make sure the memory foam is of high enough density to support your body properly. The best way to know is to check the package for the density of the foam. Cheap foam is normally 2 to 3 lb. density, mid-grade foam is 3 to 4.5 lb. density and good foam is over 4.5 lb. density. Usually, 5.3 lb. to 6.2 lb is considered the ideal density to properly support the human body. The lighter grade foam won't support you and will quit returning to its original shape after only a few months.
2. Look for memory foam that is temperature sensitive. The one thing that makes Memory Foam so unique is temperature sensitivity. When you first lay down on a memory foam mattress, your body weight causes the mattress to "melt away" from that pressure until your weight is spread evenly over the surface of the mattress. However, after you "settle in," your body temperature begins to affect the material, causing it to soften in the places where there is increased temperature. This fine tuning is what accounts for the unmatched comfort of the genuine memory foam mattresses.
3. Read the warranty information carefully. See exactly what will be required of you when you have a warranty issue. Will you be responsible for shipping, packaging, etc.? Most importantly, how long has the manufacturer been in business? A lifetime warranty from a company that's only been in business for a short while is probably worthless.
4. Check for ample testing done with real people. Many times, testing done in laboratories, without humans, isn't a true picture of what happens out in the "field." The human body is unique and it affects materials differently than a mechanical testing device.
5. Ask for a "comfort test" period. You should be able to sleep on a memory foam mattress for a short period, to see if you have any issues. If elect to try the mattress it will be covered in plastic to ensure it remains sanitary and the company can re-sell it if you return it. This will limit your ability to truly feel the benefits. If A high percentage of people love memory foam mattresses, but a few don't. Know what to expect if you are one of the few. Will you be able to get a refund of all your money? Or is there a re-stocking fee? Will you be required to "exchange only" with that merchant? If so, make sure they carry a wide variety of products so you'll have lots of choices.

Tips

• Get a written "comfort guarantee." Make sure it's at least 10-14 days or more.
• If you can take ice, in a zip lock bag, you can verify if the material is temperature sensitive. It will become firmer in the place you put the ice after 5-15 minutes.

Warnings

• Most people don't realize how heavy a solid foam mattress is. Solid memory foam or regular foam mattresses are a real job to move or even to turn around even for two healthy people, and you surely don't want to carry one up stairs.
• Nothing lasts forever.
• Salespersons will try to give you "facts" which will favor their product, no matter how inferior, so just remember density, temperature sensitivity and reading all you can about memory foam to be educated before you buy and you'll be happy with your purchase.
• Foam mattresses act like sponges, this means they absorb liquid. You should always use a waterproof mattress protector when you set up your memory foam mattress to prevent liquid from getting into the memory foam and to keep you sleeping cool during hot weather.
• Many memory foam mattresses are manufactured in China. Some of the latest products coming out of China are of super high quality and chemical free. Ask for the details of manufacture before you buy.