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.