Who doesn’t love a {sustainable} wing back chair?

You know that I have a soft spot in my heart for a well designed wing back chair, right? There is no denying that the shape is iconic. Who wouldn’t love a handsome bergere that has been modified to keep the Winter chill off one’s neck?Just in time for the cold weather months, Cargill’s Expierence BiOH polyols devision has announced Project U Design! Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) students have been asked to design an eco-friendly wing chair utilizing Cargill’s BiOH polyols based foam upholstery cushions and Ultrasuede EcoDesign upholstery fabric. The chair will be manufactured by Century Furniture and the winner of the contest will receive royalties for each chair that is sold.Think for just one moment: Wouldn’t it be completely amazing if someday the Project U Design award winning wing back chair is held in such high esteem as other iconic wing back designs? That possibility isn’t out of the question. After all, SCAD graduates are some of the shining stars in design!Alex Shuford III, vice president of sales and marketing for Century Furniture said ”A big part of our sustainability story is to create heirloom quality furnishings that will last for our customers.” Now that is an idea I can truly get behind!
Personally, I’d love to see Americans forget about disposable furniture and return to the notion that home furnishings are to be purchased and held onto. They are to be of the highest quality available to them, and are to be handed down from one generation to the next. There is a reason why so much mid-century and antique furniture is still around – it was made to last. Somehow I doubt Americans will be handing down West Elm and Ikea pieces to the next generation, don’t you?
Back to the contest: The top six wing chair designs have been selected for Project U Design. What’s the best part? It is up to our community to select the winner by voting on facebook. That’s right. Project U Design is using social media to get interior designers, furniture enthusiasts, and the general community involved. It’s their mission to spread the word that sustainable, eco-friendly furniture can be both innovative and beautiful.I know. I’ve used the hormone-free organic yogurt at Wallmart analogy before - but the theory rings true in regards to home furnishings. Interior designers listen up: Being aware of eco-friendly, sustainable options for home furnishings is the first step towards having a major impact on the reduction of oil used in upholstered furniture. If you only knew how much oil goes into our upholstered furniture – it’s quite possible you’d make different choices – starting immediately.If we -as a design community- continue to insist upon sustainable, eco-friendly upholstery and foam in the furniture we purchase for our homes and our clients, eventually the furniture manufacturers will provide eco-friendly options as the standard choice. Now that would be truly amazing for our environment!
BiOH has challenged the SCAD designers to create an eco-friendly wing chair that the consumer will actually want to buy. Not just a design in theory, but the real deal. A chair that will thrive in the market place and will be handed down from one generation to the next.Pop over to facebook to see the top six finalists. In the comment section of ABCD Design: tell me which SCAD designed chair you’d choose to decorate with! Better yet, I’d love to see other interior designers blog about this contest to raise awareness about eco-friendly upholstery and soy based foam choices – hint hint – It’s time to spread the word about the Slow Home Movement! Don’t forget, you can vote for the top three BiOH polyols’ Project U Design finalists until October 3rd. After the top three are selected, you may vote again for the number one chair until October 19th. The winner of Project U Design will be announced at Highpoint Market on Market on Wednesday, October 20th.
Don’t you just wonder if Ethan Allen uses BiOH soy polyol ingredient in their foam? I know I certainly do. Now that I know there are sustainable, earth friendly options out there, I’d be sure to inquire before I place an order. Actually, I might just insist upon sustainable options - before I buy!As always, you can click on any image in a post to be redirected to the source for the image. However, since this is such an image heavy post I am listing the links from top to bottom: Tom Dixon Wing Back Chair via ABCD Design, Fine Good Things, Papa Bear Chair, Saarinen Womb Chair via Knoll, Antique Georgian Wing Back, Design Boom, Wingin’ it via Mr. Peacock Style, Wing Back Chairs circa 1910, Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Ethan Allen, HGTV.

Posted by Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo / concept and Design and Uncategorized

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31 Responses to “Who doesn’t love a {sustainable} wing back chair?”

  1. carrie leber on 16 Sep 2010 at 8:43 am

    what an amazing line up – my favorites are the blue ones at the bottom. Love them!

  2. Jenny on 16 Sep 2010 at 9:36 am

    I love Century Furniture, it was always a treat to visit their showroom at Furniture Market. We have a lot of antique furniture handed down from Grandparents in our home, as well as antiques. We had to get some cheapo Ikea tables and bed for our condo (until we sell our house) and it really is crap. Trouble is people today expect to have their home completely decorated and “perfect” in a matter of a couple of months after they move in. I think collecting special things over time is the way to go. And invest in good furniture (preferably made in the USA – I grew up in NC, we need those jobs)! I swear it’s the only way to go. Also working for upholstery manufacturers as a designer for over a decade, not only in residential, but also in hospitality, office, healthcare and even automotive markets, it’s been amazing to see the transition to more sustainable options. I worked for one of pioneers in sustainablility (Interface). It’s all very exciting.

    As for the SCAD competition I love the Buncombe and the Luna. Thanks for highlighting this!!! Fun!

  3. sharon on 16 Sep 2010 at 10:07 am

    Gosh … I would have a terrible time picking a chair from that grouping as my fave … I think the Fritz Henningsen … But then again some of the Mid-century modern styles are so beautiful … What a great contest this is and you’re right … an amazing opportunity for some bright young star out there! Great Post!

  4. sharon on 16 Sep 2010 at 10:07 am

    Gosh … I would have a terrible time picking a chair from that grouping as my fave … I think the Fritz Henningsen … But then again some of the Mid-century modern styles are so beautiful … What a great contest this is and you’re right … an amazing opportunity for some bright young star out there! Great Post!

  5. Ludmila {creamylife.com} on 16 Sep 2010 at 10:14 am

    AMAZING post! I’m a big fan of chairs and this collection here is delightful!

  6. Petra on 16 Sep 2010 at 10:18 am

    I totally agree with you – the best way to be eco-friendly is to buy good quality furniture that you’ll never want to throw away. It’s so much more important to buy heirloom quality pieces that you can pass down rather than Ikea quality pieces that you have to continue to replace (and clog up our landfills!). I think we live in a disposable culture that values new and fast over old and slow. It’s such a shame. Thankfully there are people like you who add your voice to the slow living and green movements. Thank you for your great post!

  7. Typhanie on 16 Sep 2010 at 10:33 am

    LOVE the Ethan Allen Wingbacks…You can never go wrong with a classic.

  8. Catherine on 16 Sep 2010 at 10:36 am

    Amy,
    Far and away my favorite is the first – the black Tom Dixon chair.
    I have a wingback chair from Ethan Allen and its chinoiserie fabric does not fit with where my decor and design vision is going. After seeing this photo, I am seriously considering re-covering it in velvet – not sure which color yet. Black might be too dramatic in my celadon living room.
    Very excited about the contest for these young aspiring designers! What an amazing opportunity.

  9. ABCDDesigns on 16 Sep 2010 at 11:00 am

    Catherine –
    You’re right, I love the Tom Dixon – it really is my favorite one too!
    What about mohair for your re-covering project? That is what the Tom Dixon is in — a far more user friendly fabic than velvet, unless of course you were speaking of mohair velvet? (Maybe I am confused?)

    xoABCD

  10. ABCDDesigns on 16 Sep 2010 at 11:01 am

    I meant it, I can’t help but wonder if they have sustainable practices in place at Ethan Allen…
    Thanks for commenting today Typhanie!
    ABCD

  11. ABCDDesigns on 16 Sep 2010 at 11:03 am

    Petra, I so appreciate your comment – we are truly on the same page with this.
    Thanks for taking the time to comment, and let me know if you decide to post about the contest or about sustainable foam/upholstery on your blog. I will be certain to tweet it for you, and I know that Leslie (@tkpleslie) said she would promote it too.

    Thanks again,
    xoABCD

  12. ABCDDesigns on 16 Sep 2010 at 11:05 am

    Sharon, thanks for chiming in — did you pop over to see the facebook contest? Those are the chairs that are up for the award. They have yet to be made ~ it is all very exciting to thing that these SCAD students could create something that someday will be held up along side these vintage pieces I featured in the post.

    Thanks again – I’d love to know if you decide to blog about sustainable upholstery/foam or the contest – let me know and I’ll be sure to promote it!

    ABCD

  13. ABCDDesigns on 16 Sep 2010 at 11:07 am

    Jenny,

    LOVE your comment ~ it’s fun to hear a little more about your history. I think we are very much on the same page from what you describe above. As always, I do indeed appreciate ‘hearing’ your ‘voice’ chime in on ABCD Design.

    Thanks again,
    xoABCD

  14. ABCDDesigns on 16 Sep 2010 at 11:08 am

    Those are from Ethan Allen Carrie – they were featured in the HGTV Santa Fe dream home last Wiinter/Spring. Don’t you wonder if they’re using eco friendly foam? I know I do…

    Thanks for chiming in today!
    xoABCD

  15. Nicole on 16 Sep 2010 at 11:38 am

    What a great tribute to the history and evolution of design of the wing back chair. Beautiful page and layout. Thanks for the shoutout for Project UDesign. We are thrilled with the design concepts and looking forward to announcing the winner on Oct. 20th!

    Thank you!

  16. ABCDDesigns on 16 Sep 2010 at 12:46 pm

    Nicole –

    It’s my pleasure to bring attention to sustainable design and this wonderful opportunity you’ve created for a design student. OMGosh, if I were still at SAIC and this contest was going on ~ I’d want to transfer to SCAD to take part!! It is really a cool project, and I do indeed hope that 50 years from now that the SCAD designed chair is held up along side these beautiful Wing Back Chairs as amazing design to come out of the early 2000′s ;)

    Take care, and thank you for tweeting about this post!
    ABC Dragoo

  17. diane on 16 Sep 2010 at 1:21 pm

    I have written a post on this idea and included a link to the contest site to be published on Oct 2, 2010 on my blog site. It will be fun to see where this goes and what a wonderful opportunity for these talented students. Keep us posted on the winner.

  18. ABCDDesigns on 16 Sep 2010 at 1:49 pm

    Diane, that is wonderful to hear! I can’t wait to read it — and thanks for linking to me! :D

  19. Sarah @ Natural History (and Passementerie!) on 16 Sep 2010 at 2:03 pm

    Absolutely fab post – I adore wing back chairs, and love love love the Henningsen one above – so very elegant. I think my house is probably very environmentally friendly so far as furniture is concerned, if only by accident – it being our first bought home, we had to buy all our furniture for the first time, very quickly! This means that every stick of it is unfashionable late Victorian, via that chicest of all furniture sources… ebay.

    Sadly, as you might imagine, it is rare to see anything as lovely as the chairs you posted above on ebay – when Natural History has made me rich and famous, perhaps I’ll upgrade one armchair to something like that Henningsen…

  20. Maggie [The Freckled Citizen] on 17 Sep 2010 at 11:44 am

    I love the idea behind this post… if only it were budget-friendly to have heirloom pieces in every room! We certainly have our fair share of Ikea and West Elm sprinkled through our home. The funny thing is, with every piece we’ve upgraded, the lower-cost pieces have been sold in an instant on Craigslist. There’s a huge market for all things, really, and in that respect I don’t feel like what I’m buying is “disposable” – it’s simply passed on to someone else, and the cycle continues.

  21. ABCDDesigns on 17 Sep 2010 at 11:55 am

    Maggie,
    At least you’re doing the responsible thing and selling or giving it to someone else to use. I know a lot of people do not take the time to deal with it and they’re ending up in our landfills instead.

    Thanks for commenting today! :)
    ABCD

  22. Leslie Carothers on 18 Sep 2010 at 1:53 am

    Dear Amy~

    Thanks so much for this incredible post! As you know (but some of your readers might not) #ProjectUDesign is a contest for our social media client, BiOH Polyols (@BiOH4ALL and @BIOH4ALLjk on twitter).

    Our main goal is to highlight the beauty of sustainably designed furniture made with sustainably sourced materials and our deeper message is {beautifully articulated in your post } the savings of oil and energy when we all buy and think sustainably~

    It has been a pure pleasure to develop this contest over this past year with our traditional PR partner, @LeslieNewby of Brand Communications and very, very exciting for the Savannah College of Art and Design students who now have the chance of a lifetime to become very well known at a very young age.

    They are BEYOND excited about what is happening in the blogosphere for them and wanted me to share with everyone how much they appreciate your support of their work. You can only imagine what it means to them.

    Two weeks into the contest, over 1000 of you have selected your favorite eco wing chair on http://facebook.com/BiOHFans. Thank you! Our goal is 5000 by 11:59 pm ET on Oct. 19th when the contest ends!

    For every blogger that writes a post around their fav chair on Project UDesign, we will be showing your blog posts on a continuous video loop that will be playing in the Century Furniture showroom for the 5 days of High Point Market where manufacturers, retailers, other designers and shelter editors will be able to see them + we have some other ways to thank you *in the works*!

    Thanks again, Amy! You’ve done an amazing job in showcasing sustainable design and it is so appreciated!

    And please, everyone, choose your fav on http://facebook.com/BiOHFans and take a peek at the vids of the student’s creative process on http://youtube.com/user/BiOHPolyols if you have a few minutes-it’s a fascinating process to watch!

    With Warm Thanks~ @tkpleslie

  23. Chanee on 19 Sep 2010 at 1:56 pm

    Wow! you’ve really outdone yourself – AMAZING line up {especially the eco-friendly chairs}. Thanks for the inspiration and the history lesson! A really, really well done post.

  24. Tara Bradford on 19 Sep 2010 at 5:44 pm

    Thanks for this inclusive post. Love wingback chairs and the SCAD one is a star! My daughter graduated from SCAD and I know those design students are cutting edge.

  25. Project UDesign from BiOH Polyols | Pretty Little Green Things on 29 Sep 2010 at 8:11 pm

    [...] There are many design bloggers talking about this project online, so if you’re interested in seeing which chair they liked, you can read these blog entries: The Studio Luxe from Marcia Zia-Priven, Interior Concepts from Wanda S. Horton, Frou La La from Maybelline Te and ABCD Design from Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo. [...]

  26. Clare on 02 Oct 2010 at 2:29 pm

    Jenny,

    I’m so glad to know you love the Buncombe! I hope you will vote and get your friends to vote too!

    - Clare

  27. Matt Gray on 03 Oct 2010 at 2:59 pm

    Thanks for the support of this competition! we anxiously await to hear the top 3 tomorrow. This is a beautiful blog and I look forward to checking back periodically to see what you’re talking about.

  28. Ryland on 03 Oct 2010 at 3:13 pm

    Amy,

    What an amazing post! Thank you for picking my chair “Alifair” as one of your top two favorites! This competition is a huge opportunity not only for me, but also for the other students involved. I love what you had to say about sustainability and how important it is in this post. I also loved looking at all the other wingback chairs you were able to find on the internet. My favorite is the Tom Dixon. Again, thank you for the exposure and I look forward to your many blog posts to come!

    -Ryland

  29. ABCD on 04 Oct 2010 at 9:59 am

    Ryland,

    Thanks so much for visiting my site – I am delighted to hear that both my top favorite picks made it to the finals! Congratulations to you.
    Best wishes,
    ABC Dragoo

  30. ABCD on 04 Oct 2010 at 10:00 am

    Matt,
    Thanks for visiting ABCD Design and for commenting on my site – I am so thrilled to hear that both my top favorites made it to the finals!
    Congratulations to you. I’ll have my fingers crossed!

    Kind regards,
    ABC Dragoo

  31. BiOH® takes on the Big Apple! | The BiOH Experience on 04 Oct 2010 at 2:30 pm

    [...] ABCD Design Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo, Artist, designer and stylist. @abcddesigns [...]

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