At Natural Interiors, Carrie Cutter and Jessica Davey spend a lot of time doing their homework.
What materials are woven into the organic cotton sheets on the store’s shelves? Where do the materials for the recycled glass countertops come from? Are there carcinogens in the natural paint they mix?
“We look for all of those things,” Davey said.
Natural Interiors, 3855 Wadsworth Blvd., stocks natural flooring, window covering, countertops, paint, cleaning supplies and other interior products.
The popularity of using earth-friendly products has soared in the last few years, but the trend has also made it harder to find products that are truly good for the earth, Cutter said.
“There are no regulations. People can say they are eco-friendly but don’t have to prove it on their label,” she said.
That’s where the research comes in. The mother-daughter team checks in-depth material lists, scours ingredients for hidden chemicals or petroleum-based products and takes note of whether or not items are produced in an environmentally friendly way. As a result, their retail store carries flooring made from pressed sunflower seed hulls, wood panels grown in managed forests and chemical-free paint made with clay or milk.
Cutter dreamed up the business in 2005 when she worked for a company that sold environmentally-friendly floor plans for contractors. She thought that if customers wanted efficient, low carbon footprint homes, they would probably also want their interiors decorated in an environmentally-friendly way.
“Builders and designers are starting to take an interest in this, and it’s really exciting,” Cutter said.
Natural Interiors also markets to those with chemical sensitivities.
“You don’t often think about how many chemicals are in your home, even in the adhesives in your flooring,” Davey said.
One major “hidden” chemical is the type used on bedding and sheets to make the materials flame retardant.
“If you think about how many hours you spend in your bed each day, that’s scary to think about,” she said.
Natural Interiors sells organic wool sheets and bedding because wool is naturally flame-retardant, she said.
Mattresses are often made of a latex mix that uses petroleum to create, so Cutter and Davey found natural rubber mattresses that do not use a petroleum base.
Both Davey and Cutter own the mattresses and sheets they sell in the store.
Anthony Bruno, a contractor who does landscaping and interior remodeling, said his customers have started asking him to remodel their homes with renewable, recycled or environmentally friendly materials. He has been ordering many of the materials at Natural Interiors.
“I’ve used some of their products, and they work incredibly well. The homeowner was happy about it too,” he said.
Cutter said business has grown with the “green” trend catching on. Demand has also lowered prices for renewable materials, she said.
“There’s the misconception that it’s more expensive, but you can find these products for a comparable price,” she said.
Is it good for the environment?
The Forest Stewardship Council often approves wood materials such as flooring and cabinets: fscus.org
The U.S. Green Building Council has a green building certification system called LEED: usgbc.org
The Green Home Guide, a division of USGBC, answers everyday questions about going green in homes and apartments: greenhomeguide.com
For more information about Natural Interiors, visit naturalinteriors.us or call 303-424-0606.