ECO-CHIC

BY DABNEY DOSWELL

"Eco-chic" is a buzzword applied to almost every industry, ranging from fashion to food. While the "eco-chic" label is relatively new, the design trend has been around for many years, even before it was cool to be green. Before dolphin-safe tuna and hemp clothing, before canvas shopping bags and bio-diesel engines, designers recognized the need to conserve.

Good design and green design are mutually attainable. Those on the front lines of contemporary green furniture are pushing aesthetics in invigorating and bold directions and, in the process, are opening up entirely new possibilities for how we furnish our homes.

Sustainable furniture might even save you money and make the air in your home healthier. These days, cutting-edge green furniture can be beautiful, stylish and fit the way you want to live.

"RISOM" ARMCHAIR BY KNOLL The Risom chair is a KnollStudio classic and one of the very first designs commissioned by that company. The frame is clear maple hardwood with a clear or ebonized finish. The upholstery is 100 percent natural cotton and is GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified® as a low chemical and low particle-emitting product. $734, available at Design Within Reach or www.knoll.com	"CHINA BAY" BED BY PALECEK Palecek has always relied on quickly renewable resources such as rattan, abaca and bamboo for its furniture. The hand woven designs utilize plantation grown woods that prevent the depletion of forests to achieve a modern, architectural aesthetic as well as an organic sensibility. $1,798, available at Random Harvest, 1313 Wisconsin Ave, N.W. or call (202) 333 - 7588.

"GUANACASTE" WOOD CONSOLE TABLE BY MADARA DESIGNS Madara Designs uses wood harvested from fallen trees or buried driftwood in South America to make its big, beautiful slab furniture. It has an unusual tree trunk top that naturally follows the shape of the tree on top of a black steel display base. $11,000, available at madaradesigns.com or call (917)553-4559.	PILLOW BY LOOOLO TEXTILES This organic, luxurious and biodegradable pillow is made of 91 percent organic knit wool and 9 percent Ramie. The "Zero- Impact" dyes do not contain any heavy metals or hazardous chemicals. Because of the organic dye process, these pillows can be made in subtle colors. $195, available at 2modern.com

"CAMPO" CHAIR BY PALACEK The Campo Chair is made from plantation hardwood; the back panel is of bent rattan. The glossy black finish is water-based. $938, available at Palecek.com