The New Saturna Sofa
Upholstery Arts July 1, 2009
In May 2009 UA unveiled Len Laycock’s newest sustainable design – Saturna sofa. Saturna is a graceful and sculptural circular ‘environment’ that quietly swivels 360 degrees. Save for the recyclable base, the entire sofa is biodegradable.
Saturna is made from FSC certified wood, natural latex, 100% wool, is LEED eligible and built to contract quality standards throughout. It is the first sofa of it’s kind that contains no toxic or carcinogenic chemicals. Read on
New Sofas to Blame for Rash of Allergies
by Kelly Burke, The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) April 17, 2009
An unexplained rash could be a sign that your couch is making you sick. Read onGreenwash This! - Elemente Magazine interviews Len Laycock
January 9, 2009
In a recent Upholstery Arts ad, next to a juicy photo of a condo-size, lime-green chaise sectional, CEO Len Laycock penned an open letter to his clients. "Terrible things that ought to be unthinkable have become normal," wrote Laycock. "In the furniture industry, ‘normal’ practices have resulted in chemical fire retardants from polyurethane foam contaminating your breast milk, toxic heavy metals from textiles in your blood, and a chemical stew of toxic volatile organic compounds from lumber, glue, stains and padding, off-gassing into your lungs."
Read onFriends of carbon tax show support
Ian Austin, The Province June 26, 2008
Premier Gordon Campbell's beleaguered carbon tax, unpopular with the public and under attack from opposition politicians, got a brief reprieve yesterday as academics and businessmen backed the tax.
Organized by Voters Taking Action on Climate Change, yesterday's event featured half a dozen speakers touting the tax as a courageous show of leadership.
"I fear that [the government] will get cold feet," said Len Laycock, president of Upholstery Arts on Burrard, where the media event was held. Read on
Eco-chic
Angela Murrills, The Georgia Straight May 24, 2007
Furniture that's good for Mother Earth? That's a lot to expect, but responsibly sourced materials, low-chemical components, and a little foresight can lessen the impact.
Abandoned bookcases and futon frames are as much a part of Vancouver back-lane décor as dinged and dented shopping carts. Their destiny is inevitably the landfill, where the wood will be wasted and the toxic chemicals will leach into Mother Earth. But not if some Vancouver companies have their way. Going beyond recycling old timber, they're taking a hard look at how headboards and sofas are put together, making them more eco-friendly from the ground up.