Colorful fabrics boost office productivity

OFM, an office and school furniture manufacturer and distributor, has released a new in-stock fabric program which can affect office workers’ creativity, productivity and overall mood. The company’s new Elements program has upgraded the upholstery offerings on many of its chairs with new fabrics and vinyls, all of which feature bolder, richer colors and more striking patterns and textures than typical office furniture.“We’ve been taught to think that things like colors and patterns are superficial, but it turns out that they can affect us in profound ways,” says Audrey Barnhill, architect and design sales manager for OFM. “Light and color have long been known to stimulate the brain, which fosters a more creative and productive workplace and overall atmosphere. We can’t say exactly what designs might stimulate individual workers the best, but we believe that by expanding the palette, we can help find what works for them.”
The designs are based in part on recent research which found that a more colorful environment can boost workers moods. OFM’s new collection includes luminescent vinyls that take on a different shade depending on the light and a mix of warm vibrant colors featuring reds, blues and greens, along with designs that exude energy with the movement of the patterns. This includes everything from swirling dots to multi-colored staggered blocks.
“Now that we understand how important color, patterns and texture are, we should do everything we can to expand the range of options,” Barnhill said. “By having a colorful palette varied by the latest styles, we are offering more options to our dealers who in turn can offer more to everyday end users.”

Harmony with just a hint of Asian mystique

Fashionista Vivienne Tam’s new upholstery line for Rowe Furniture is not the traditional East meets West fare.
Known for her iconic “Mao” collection, Tam adapted some of her signature fabrics for her new furniture line.
“Designing furniture is such a natural extension and passion for me. I have been thinking about this and collecting archives for years,” says Tam. “I want to bring beautifully designed prints, fabrics, colors and textures to create a truly unique line with subtle and sophisticated pieces inspired by my Chinese roots.”
The collection features multiple sofa groupings as well as accent pieces and will start shipping in early 2010.

Little space, big idea

Instead of offering out-of-town guests the couch or a blow up mattress, now you can offer them the ottoman.
Hollandia International has designed a convertible ottoman that folds out into a twin bed. The space-saving furniture trend is available in more than 250 fabrics, and features a Vita Talalay Latex mattress that is specially ventilated for increased air circulation. It also has a flexible shoulder zone (a softer area where shoulders can press further into the mattress without resistance). The bed is designed to alleviate back pain and numbness for side-sleepers.

Once your guest is over the shock of sleeping on the ottoman, it may encourage them to ante up for a hotel room next visit. Well played.

Fairfield Chair makes green strides

Fairfield Chair has completed the Enhancing Furniture’s Environmental Culture program for environmental management at its two upholstery plants and its Lenoir, N.C., headquarters, according to the American Home Furnishings Alliance.
Fairfield President Dick Posey said the program took more than a year to complete and during that time the company reduced its landfill tonnage by 28 percent, water use went down by 14 percent and kilowatts of electricity used was reduced by 5 percent.
EFEC stresses employee education, using environmentally friendly components and sustainable lumber.
Fairfield’s lumber is from sustainable U.S. forests, and plywood meets CARB requirements.

Greening couch potatoes

Who knew soybeans could be so comfortable?
The furniture industry is introducing foam and cushioning made with BiOH’s soy-based ingredients to make your easy chair a little bit greener.
BiOH ingredients replace a portion of the petroleum typically used in foam production. For every 1 million pounds of BiOH Polyols that replace petroleum-based polyols in foam cushioning, approximately 2,200 barrels of crude petroleum is saved. BiOH Polyols produce 36 percent less global warming emissions, 61 percent less non-renewable energy use and 23 percent less total energy demand. Soy-based cushioning is also being used in bedding, carpeting and flooring products.
If you’re looking to lessen your carbon footprint, Crate and Barrel is one of the first retailers to offer soy cushioning in its Lockport sofa and chair collection. Klaussner Home Furnishing is now using BiOH Polyols across most of its product line. And many more furniture manufacturers are making the switch.