Upholstery Blues

The polyurethane foam used in upholstered furniture raises health concerns due to its treatment with possibly toxic brominated flame retardants known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs. The good news is that the retardant of greatest concern, penta-BDE, ceased to be manufactured in the U.S. in January 2005. The problem, however, is that current stocks of penta-BDE-treated foam will likely be used until they run out-that is, indefinitely-and without labeling, who's to know? The solution: untreated natural-fiber furniture, which avoids both the flame retardants and any chemical fabric finishes, which may include carcinogenic formaldehyde. While "natural" often means expensive, keep costs down by choosing reclaimed or unfinished wood couch/futon frames and chairs, to which you can add natural-fiber seat and back cushions to measure.

Product Picks

Tamalpais sells kits to build couches and chairs from reclaimed wood, including their Forester chair, starting at $196 (www.tamalpais.com). For cushions, Vivètique offers a natural latex core with organic cotton and wool quilted to an organic cotton cover in custom sizes ($80 to $120 each for Forester chair or couch cushions; www.vivetique.com, 800-365-6563). Bedworks in Maine offers unfinished couch frames in Canadian ash and maple from Heart of Vermont (Maine couch frame, queen $599, www.heartofvermont.com), White Lotus (queen, $275 to $620, www.whitelotus.net) or directly from Bedworks (207-989-1515). For cushioning, Abundant Earth offers an organic cotton and chemical-free wool padded futon (4" queen $624; www.abundantearth.com, 888-51-EARTH). Bean Products sells natural latex upholstered chairs and sofas using Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-wood from well-managed forests: Bean organic club chair ($2,500; www.beanproducts.com, 800-726-8365). Ikea's furniture, some of which is made with FSC-certified wood, does not use penta-BDE-flame retardants in its polyurethane foam. See their Lillberg Loveseat ($131, www.ikea.com). For a splurge, Furnature sells custom organic cotton, natural latex and wool upholstered chairs and sofas such as their Boston Lounge sofa ($3,805; www.furnature.com, 800-326-4895). Berkeley Mills will create custom chairs, such as their beautiful Masaya Rocker, from FSC-certified wood ($2,150, www.berkeleymills.com).