Your Guide to Choosing an Organic Rug

Taking steps to free your home of harmful chemicals and toxins doesn't have to mean you have a barren, minimalist home. With the increasing focus on organic materials and eco-friendly products, it's possible to design a beautiful, sacred space that enhances your health instead of hurting it. One easy way to reduce some of the VOCs in your home is to choose an organic option when adding rugs to your space, and thanks to Stephanie Holmes and Matt Budenholzer, of Organic Looms, we've got tips on how and why to go about it!

Why Go Organic?

Perhaps the most important reason to go the organic route with rugs is indoor air quality. We spend most of our time indoors, yet our internal environments are actually much more polluted than the outdoor atmosphere, due to off-gassing, VOCs and more. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the average person experiences 72% of his total chemical exposure in his own home!

How does this relate to rugs? Rugs and carpeting are two of the most common culprits of off-gassing, due to chemically produced material and backing. Since many traditional and machine-made rugs are actually composed of several loose pieces of yarn, they include chemical backing for cohesion, which can off-gas harmful VOCs over time. Many popular rug materials, like nylon and polyester, will eventually produce these gasses as well. With a truly organic rug, there will be no off-gassing. Organic rugs are made of more environmentally (and health) friendly materials like wool, silk and various plant fibers. These rugs are also longer lasting, generally of higher quality and have a low carbon footprint. 

How to Go Organic

So where do you start if you're on the search for an organic rug? Research! Go old school and call local rug companies, or head to Google and search "organic rugs" to get a good idea of what's available for your budget and needs. Be diligent and careful not to fall into a greenwashing trap, though, as the term "organic" has become a bit diluted over time and there are no regulations on what businesses can label with that term. 

Take care to ask about materials used in the construction of your rug, not just the primary material, as well as the process itself, including dyes used and construction method. This will help you determine whether each rug option is truly organic. 

Know ahead of time what the perks are for each option. For instance, wool is the most durable organic option and is easy to clean, making it great for high-traffic areas, whereas silk is a strong, beautiful material, but is more difficult to clean. If you're vegan, opt for plant choices like hemp, nettle and other animal-friendly materials! Check out these tips for finding the right material for your space. 

There are many organizations dedicated to producing high quality, eco-friendly rugs, like one of our favorites and our gracious all-things-organic-rugs educators, Organic Looms. Ultimately, it's about finding the right company and right rug for your space!

by Anjie Cho

An Introduction to Using Color in Feng Shui - Part 3

We've been talking all things color and feng shui lately, and we've made it to the final installment of our Introduction to Using Color in Feng Shui! This time we'll cover when and how to use the colors red, black, pink and peach to enhance your holistic space and let the universe know your needs and desires. 

Reds

Red is the most auspicious color in the world of feng shui, related to passion, fame and recognition, including the Recognition area of the bagua map. Shades of red can invoke passion in any sense from romantic to enthusiasm for work and more. 

Because it is such a strong color, adding shades of red to your spaces requires a bit more caution. In fact, the best way to add red to your home is to do so sparingly, adding pops of color in certain areas, like the Recognition area of your home, home office or desk. To add passion to your bedroom, opt for a new red blanket, artwork including red colors or some sexy underwear! 

Blacks

Shades of black are related to wisdom and knowledge in feng shui, so if you're looking for those in your life, consider adding a few dark hues! 

Black is also the most yin color on the feng shui scale, representing contemplation, but as in any situation, it's important to maintain balance. Too much black can lead to an excessively dark space, which can be very depressing. If you're looking to add some black shades to your home, look to do so with accent pieces, or even an accent wall. This way you can bring color into your space without darkening the mood and energy.

You can also add black tourmaline, a protective crystal, to your space to absorb negative energy (including that from EMFs) and provide a positive atmosphere. 

Pinks and Peaches

If you're seeking romance, as so many of my feng shui clients are, pay special attention to these colors! Shades of pink and peach are nurturing, romantic and soft and are related to the Relationship area of the bagua map as well as to the concepts of youthfulness and joy. In the feng shui remedy, "peach blossom luck," shades of peach can assist in attracting a romantic partner.  

Unlike stronger colors, like red and black, pinks and peaches are perfect as wall colors, as they flatter most skin tones and create the same effect as "rose-colored glasses." If you're looking for romance, opt for peachy colors on your bedroom walls to let the universe know you're ready to be part of a loving couple. You can even wear peach to enhance this desire, but be sure to change your colors (or at least the intention behind them) once you meet someone special!

If you've read all three parts of our introduction to color, you've essentially got the basics of color and feng shui down. When adding color to your holistic space, be sure to pay close attention to the meanings of each shade as well as your intention behind using it. If you're looking to go deeper with the feng shui aspect of your space, pick up 108 Ways to Create Holistic Spaces or seek out a feng shui expert who understands your vision!

by Anjie Cho

4 Tips for Buying Sustainable Wood

As you're creating your holistic space, there will almost definitely be situations in which you need to seek out wood in some way or another. Whether to add a wall, redo flooring or to replace an entertainment center, the uses for wood in our society are numerous. Unfortunately, the wood we use is often in danger of extinction and is not often harvested in an eco-friendly, sustainable or respectable way. 

Not only can using certain harvesting processes significantly reduce the number of certain types of trees on our planet, it can also displace many species of animals, as well as indigenous people who call these forests home. In addition, unsustainable, at times even illegal, practices can contribute to poor water quality and environmental issues as well. 

Since trees produce the very oxygen we breathe, opting for a sustainable route on this front is a no-brainer. But actually putting this into practice can be difficult if you don't know what you're looking for. Keep these tips in mind when hunting down wood for new projects or searching for that perfect coffee table. 

Seek out Gold Standard

The FSC, or Forest Stewardship Council, is well-known as the highest standard in ensuring that wood is sustainably harvested. This organization takes great care, from the initial cut to the final product, to ensure that wood delivered to the masses is produced with high regard for the environment, animal species that live in these forests and indigenous people who depend upon these trees for livelihood. The FSC has an easily identifiable label stamped on each piece of certified sustainable wood, which is available at most supply companies. Before anything, look for this option. If you cannot find it, ask in depth about the origin of the wood you have your eye on. 

Avoid Tropical Woods

Though it's ideal not to buy any wood that isn't certifiably sustainable, purchasing certain tropical woods can do even more damage, based on the fact that these trees do not grow as quickly or in as great of numbers as other materials. If you're in the market for any of the woods below, look for the FSC label, ensure that it's been sustainably harvested, or seriously reconsider. 

  • Big Leaf Mahogany

  • Spanish Cedar

  • Caribbean Pine

  • Ipe

  • Rosewood

  • Teak

  • Ramin

  • Merbau

  • African Mahogany

  • Okoume

Know WHERE Your Wood Originated

If you're unable to find the type of wood you want with an FSC label, it's important to ask the right questions in determining whether your particular selection is contributing to deforestation and other negative outcomes. For certain woods, including Beech, Pine, Oak, Douglas Fir and more, the geographical area of harvesting is just as important as the actual process. This post in Eluxe Magazine is a great resource for determining whether you're buying legal, ethically harvested wood. 

Keep an Open Mind

Wood may be one of the most elegant, timeless and sturdy options for building, but it isn't the only one. If furniture is your end game, be open to other options, like bamboo, wicker, plastic wood or a plastic-wood composite, all of which can significantly reduce the harm done to our forests, while still providing beautiful options for holistic living. 

Other options include seeking out reclaimed or recycled wood, both in building projects and in completed furniture, or checking out your choices of used furniture on trusted sites like eBay. In this case, be sure to clear the wood of any predecessor energy before welcoming it into your space! 

by Anjie Cho