The History of The Wallhugger

Today The Futon Shop is introducing guest Blogger, Brian Donohoo, President and CEO of Strata Furniture, the company that brought the zero tolerance Wall Hugger futon mechanism to the futon industry. This mechanism allows you to open and close the futon easily without moving the frame and mattress from the wall.

Strata Furniture is the only futon frame company that makes a true wall hugger futon. Place the frame next to the wall and the front loading mechanism allows you to convert the frame from sofa to bed quickly and easily.
In addition unlike typical futons, this wall hugging property allows you to convert your wall hugger futon between it's sofa and bed state at will without scratching or denting your walls.


Brian gives a brief history of Strata Furniture:

Strata Furniture started in 2000. Our mission was and is to provide state of the art frames combined with quality craftsmanship, exceptional customer service and creative marketing materials.

All of our designs incorporate our patented wall hugger front loading mechanism. We wanted to design unique and functional futon frames not known in the industry at that time. Our first line of frames was designed with a finished back that stays in place even when the frame is unfolded.

Our initial designs were inspired by Shaker furniture and mission styles resulting in the Mission Rim frame

which was our first frame in the marketplace. We followed up with another mission style frame called the Addison. The interesting thing about this design was that it was suggested to us by one of our retail customers. Our next two designs, the Orion and Adriana, were designed to add a modern contemporary and a traditional design to our product lineup. All but the Adriana are still in production reflecting their timeless appeal. The Adriana was a well-received frame; we would continue to sell it if we could find a manufacturer willing to make this complicated frame.

After success with our frames with the finished back, called the Signature collection, Strata Furniture felt that we could come up with unique designs to compete in the traditional futon frame category. Our design aim was to introduce designs that are unique to the market place and not sold by other companies. This resulted in a line of frames called the Carriage collection. We wanted variety and started with four designs, the Dillon, Lexington, Lambton and Flair. The Dillon is our armless low profile frame great for tight spaces, kids gaming rooms, dens as well as more spacious rooms. It also allows the cove

to be the focal point which permits the customer to emphasize their design style. We always liked the sleigh style in the futon arm but wanted one with more graceful styling, resulting in the Lexington. We accomplished this by extending the curve on the top of the arm and then adding a large curve at the bottom. The Lambton was designed to be our mission style arm but wanted to add some unique characteristics, including slightly curved interlacing slats and grooves on the arm cap. Our Flair frame incorporates features of the sleigh design but with a very dramatic look using curved slats.

When we design a product, considerable attention is given to the details resulting in beautiful, functional frames. We want our frames to look different from anything in the market. Our goal is to make the futon frame look like a traditional piece of furniture. Therefore our arm heights are higher to be in proportional to the mattresses sold today. We try to incorporate design aspects such as hidden hardware, distinctive finishes and details found in classical furniture.

Most of our designs are created in-house. They are inspired by all sorts of things. For instance our Plantation frame was based on plantation shutters. We also receive many design ideas from our customers. We are very open and happy to receive their ideas.

Bringing a new arm to market is a long process, starting with sketches, detailed drawings and building of samples with multiple variations. Everyone in the company has input and feedback. Finally a manufacturing sample is made and finished and we decide if it is consistent with our standards. If so, off to market.

3 Ways to Save

This sale does not get much better!

Free, up to 50% sale, and 20% off everything.

Save now...for that new bed, new couch, a new family room, a new memory foam mattress!

Are you on a budget, but need that new couch,. we have couches that start around $247.

Our newest selection of memory foam modern couches around the $300 price range are designed by Kathy Ireland.

So many sales, options, and savings!

Halloween Safety Tips

The Futon Shop takes safety very seriously..and would like parents to take an extra precautionary steps when Halloween arrives this year.



The Safer chemical organization gives away great tips how to be safe this Halloween.
1) CHEJ- The Center for Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ) is the only national environmental organization that was founded and is led by a grassroots leader.
-Avoid PVC: Shop for PVC-free costumes and masks. If you’re not sure what the costume is made out of, ask the store or manufacturer whether or not it contains PVC and phthalates.
Make your own costume out of safer PVC-free materials! We bet you can come up with something fun and creative by just diving into your closet.

• Trade with your friends. No need to buy more stuff.

• Use safer face-paints.

2) Mom's Rising Blog-
-Not so fun fact: The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics tested ten popular face paints for toxic chemicals in their report “Pretty Scary: Heavy Metals in Face Paints.” All ten had lead, while others contained allergens like nickel, cobalt, and chromium.

-http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/default.htm

-**Did you know: According to GreenHalloween.org, just swapping half the costumes kids wear could reduce landfill waste by 6,250 tons!

-Healthier options: Healthy Child, Healthy World has a guide to choosing healthier treats that you can hand out to trick or treaters instead of the standard candy treats.

Skip the sweets and foods: Stickers, snazzy pencils, art supplies: Think outside the box when it comes to your trick or treat giveaways. Non-food items are healthier; just don’t replace Halloween sweets with plastic toys.

The candy route: If you do give out candy, portion it out: Reduce waste and packaging by giving one candy to each trick or treater instead of hand fulls of treats.

3) Healthy Child Healthy World:

-3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) + 3Gs (good for people, good for planet, good for community) = a green and healthy Halloween!

Reduce: Like many American traditions, Halloween has become supersized. So we suggest handing out less

Reuse: We are not suggesting reusing treats from the year before! (Although if you stock up on “treasures,” to hand out instead of treats, that’s another matter). But candy wrappers can be reused to make uber cool crafts. Check out these runway-worthy candy-wrapper accessories for inspiration. Or just grab some glue and let the kids make some post-Halloween abstract art!

Recycle: Candy (as scraps from your Halloween party, jack-o-lanterns and natural décor items) can be composted.

Good for people: Are the treats you choose to hand out healthy?
Good for the planet: Once again, organic comes into play of course. Chemicals used while growing edibles not only affects the kids who eat them, but also the Earth that provides. Consider ingredients that are farmed with the least environmental impact. Choosing less-waste packaging, locally produced or handmade treats and treasures, non-GMO goodies, and treasures made from natural materials as other “good for planet” options.
Good for communities: When treats we purchase have a “give-back” element, it’s a great thing not only because we feel good purchasing it, but because we are teaching our children to consider how our consumer choices can choices can benefit our communities.

Green Ideas For The Fall Season

The Futon Shop's tips on going Green This fall:
While picking out new furniture to sleep on, use as a guest bed, or designing their living room and family rooms here are a multitude of great ideas on staying green.


1) look for Bamboo products-
Bamboo's long life makes it a Chinese symbol of longevity, while in India it is a symbol of friendship.

Bamboos are some of the fastest growing plants in the world. Bamboo fabric is known for its softness, and boasts strong absorbency and antimicrobial properties, though there is controversy as to whether or not the chemical process in bamboo rayon destroys antimicrobial quality.

2) Limit Off- Gassing-
Polyurethane foam is the number one ingredient in traditional mattresses today. Understanding the dangers from off gassing is why some many Americans are now purchasing organic mattresses. Off gassing from polyurethane foam, releases many harmful petroleum chemicals. The Petroleum based chemicals used in making foam are polymers and urethane, which contains an Isocyanate compound. The Isocyanate compound is one of the main culprits that causes illness, asthma and other diseases.

Instead: if foam is necessary for your comfort level and you have to have it, try such alternatives such as soy-foam.

soy foam: BioFlex Hybrid Foam is a more environmentally friendly alternative to the conventional mattress foams because it replaces up to 50% of the petrochemicals used in foam production with environmentally friendly and renewable soybean oil.


3) Buy Local:

Shopping locally in your city or Around America is so important: here is a great example Where The Futon Shop locally makes their futons: San Francico

Ten good reasons to shop at locally-owned businesses:

1. Significantly more money re-circulates in San Francisco when purchases are made at locally owned, rather than nationally owned, businesses: More money is kept in the community because locally owned businesses purchase from other local businesses, service providers and farms. Purchasing locally helps grow other businesses as well as the San Francisco tax base.
2. Most new jobs are provided by local businesses: Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally, and in San Francisco provide the most new jobs to residents.
3. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of our distinctive character: The unique character of San Francisco is what brought us here and will keep us here. Our tourism businesses also benefit. “When people go on vacation they generally seek out destinations that offer them the sense of being someplace, not just anyplace.” ~ Richard Moe, President, National Historic Preservation Trust
4. Local business owners invest in community: Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.
5. Customer service is better: Local businesses often hire people with more specific product expertise for better customer service.
6. Competition and diversity leads to more choices: A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term. A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.
7. Reduced environmental impact: Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation and generally set up shop in town or city centers as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.
8. Public benefits far outweigh public costs: Local businesses in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally owned stores entering the community.
9. Encourages investment in San Francisco: A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.
10. Non-profits receive greater support: Non-profit organizations receive an average 350% greater support from local business owners than they do from non-locally owned businesses.

Welcome To Our Fall Sale

The Futon Shop would love for you to join them this fall and assist you in finding the best guest bed for you family coming this Thanksgiving. If you may need a new organic mattress for you and your partner or for you kids, The Futon Shop has a multitude of loveseats, platform beds and organic and green mattresses that you can sleep on comfortably, or if you need free shipping with any of our package deals...we will find the right one for you in the right price range and quality.

Do You Need A New Mattress?

The Futon Shop Is Dedicated TO Helping You Get A Better Night's Sleep



Take this test and find out if you need a new bed.

Become a member of the ISPA( International Sleep Products Association) and find out where you can recycle your mattress and make a difference.
In an effort to encourage and support the development of more mattress disposal options, ISPA has created the Mattress Component Recycling Work Group, whose members reflect a cross-section of the industry, including not only mattress producers, but also a variety of components manufacturers and mattress retailers. Learn more about the Work Group’s efforts and other activities the Association is undertaking to improve mattress disposal and recycling options.

Moving Store Santa Rosa Store

The Futon Shop in Santa Rosa Store is moving from:
3499 Industrial Dr. 707-578-4242.

Everything must go!

Remembering Steve Jobs

We lost A great Visionary ICon This Week:Steve Jobs

"Steve Jobs is one of the great innovators in the history of modern capitalism," "His intuition has been phenomenal over the years."
New York Times columnist Joe Nocera said in August.


here are a few articles and such about the Steve Jobs:

New York Times:

National Geographic




Never Settle: Follow Your Heart, Follow Your Dreams


A short Biography of his work

Greening Your Home: A New Trend In The 21st Century

As Americans, We Have Moved From Consuming To Conserving In Our Homes And In Our Communities. http://www.TheFutonShop.com Offers Green And Organic Furniture Helping Families Make The First Step In Committing To An Eco-Conscious Lifestyle.

The Futon Shop, a San Francisco based manufacturer of green and organic furniture, is one of the largest retailers in the United States leading the path in green bedding and organic home furnishings. The Futon Shop has been around for 35 years, creating a healthy & better night’s sleep with green futons and organic mattresses. The Futon Shop helps consumers contribute to these sustainable practices by providing functional and natural products for American homes.

What does “Greening your home” mean? The first thing is you should ask what is green design and why should I green my home? CBS News opened the conversation regarding green design

in their article “40 who paved the way for the green revolution”. One of the top Green Furniture pioneers mentioned was William Mcdonough, the

prominent architect, along with chemist Michael Braungart, who encouraged manufacturers to redesign products for efficiency and recyclability. When looking into green design, there are numerous fronts opening, regarding the food we eat, the cars we drive, the clothes we wear, and the bed we sleep in. Greening your home has become the biggest trend, but what does it mean? And why as a consumer, should you care?

Suzanne Diamond, the owner of The Futon Shop helps explain the principles behind the subject of Greening your Home.

Q: Suzanne, how did you start The Futon Shop?
Suzanne: Thirty-five years ago I was an art student at the Boston Museum School of Fine Arts making futon mattresses on the floor by hand with just natural products: cotton, and wool. My philosophy of natural living came from a macrobiotic teacher, Michio Kushi, a reknown Japanese teacher, who taught the health benefits of sleeping on natural fibers instead of polyurethane foam. In the 70’s, consumers found our products by word of mouth throughout the natural food movement. This demographic group were looking for natural fibers for the health of their bodies inside and out. By the 80’s, William Bower, a Boston Architect who enjoyed working in wood, designed a black walnut hardwood futon frame that folded in three parts. It was displayed in the arts and crafts Museum next to the Museum of Modern art in New York City.

We decided this was a great way to introduce futons, not just as a traditional bed mattress, but also as a space saving functional couch that converts into a bed. After this futon couch was developed and the mattresses became more popular by word of mouth, these simple practices of natural living ended up coinciding with the trend of green living throughout the decades, leading to our eleven retail location and selling to more than two million green consumers.

Q: What makes Futons from the Futon Shop more green than a traditional mattress?

Suzanne: one of the biggest differences between our mattresses and traditional mattresses is the organic components. The Futon Shop uses only green and organic materials in their mattresses. As a member of the Organic Consumer’s Association, The Futon Shop takes pride in knowing that there are no synthetic chemicals in our Organic cotton. Organic agriculture is the only form of agriculture practiced on the planet that creates soil fertility and does not deplete soil nutrients. This method of soil fertility utilizes only renewable resources that do not pollute the environment and that foster biological activities within the soil. Other companies that use polyurethane do not coincide with The Futon shop’s goal of sustainable manufacturing, because they do not use renewable practices, they use oil and energy; therefore, creating more carbon footprint and creating more fossil fuel. The Futon Shop takes great pride in being an innovator in manufacturing and encouraging their consumers to think about using less waste and chemicals into the environment.

Q: What about the wood that is used for your platform beds and futons couch frames?

Suzanne: According to the Sustainable furnishing council, which we are a member of, home furnishing manufacturers are one of the top three consumers of wood in the world. Deforestation is a major problem for our planet and many companies do not use green options when manufacturing their furniture. The Futon Shop on the other hand, uses plantation grown hardwoods including rubber wood for their platform beds and futon sofa frames. The way the rubber tree plantation works is the sap from the rubber tree is used, but once the sap is dried out, the tree must be taken out and a new tree must be planted. The trees are recycled and every frame we sell is not contributing to the disaster of deforestation.

Q: Are there other sustainable and green products that you have in your products?

Suzanne: We use top quality Bonnel springs, which are strong recycled steel. This recycled steel is tested according to rigorous standards, and offers a green alternative to traditional mattresses on the market. We also have green bedding, as well as a new Organic baby line.

Q: I have heard that your business is local, is that another way that your business is sustainable and green?

Suzanne: We are a member of made in SF, which is an organization for San Francisco local manufactures. Yes, we have been a locally San Francisco based factory, solely manufacturing organic and green products since 1976. According to the SFC
(Sustainable Furniture Council), conservation is a major shortcoming when it comes to most furniture businesses in America. There are countless importing and exporting companies which increase the carbon footprint. The Futon Shop is a local manufacturer, which does not import their futon mattresses.

Q: Why should consumers go green?

Suzanne:
I believe that consumers when aware of their choices, they often choose to go green because they want a better life as well as a better future for their children and their future. The Futon Shop and many other companies and organizations have been coming together to inform consumers how to make a difference and change the way the world is going. As active citizens with knowledge and awareness, we can all make the right choices for our future and our health.

Tips on Greening Your Home

Sustainable Kitchens!



Architectural Digest: Sustainable Homes

Top Green Furniture Tips- fro treehugger.com

1) Certified sustainable wood Whether a piece of furniture is made from wood, cloth, metal, plastic, or whatever else, there are earth-friendly options. When cave people realized that boulders weren't the most comfortable things to sit on, wood was almost certainly where they looked, so let's start there. The world needs more trees, not less, so practices that lead to deforestation aren't any good. Not only do trees absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, they keep the surface of the planet cool, they hold soil together so it can stay rich, and they provide the habitat that animals, insects, birds, and other plants call home, not to mention they support many people's livelihood. Simply put, don't mess with the trees. There are sustainable ways to harvest wood, however. Wood from sustainably harvested forests, sustainably harvested tree farms, and reclaimed wood are the main sources.

The Futon Shop has certificates of :
ITTO- SustainableForest management and
MTTC

2) Bamboo
You've probably heard by this point that bamboo isn't a tree at all, but a grass. Bamboo represents a family of grasses that range in size from tiny to huge, and in color from lime green to maroon stripes. It is incredibly fast-growing and versatile and has become the unofficial poster material of environmental designers and builders. Bamboo can be flattened into flooring, molded into furniture, pressed into veneers, sliced up to make window blinds, or hey, you can just build your whole house out of it. Using bamboo in buildings earns architects and builders LEED points. Most bamboo comes from China and is grown with few of no pesticides. Because it is so fast growing, it is much easier to maintain healthy bamboo forests. This also means it uses a lot of water, however, and harvesting too fast can deplete soil fertility. Some growers do use pesticides and other chemical inputs, however, so keep that in mind. But for the most part, bamboo is one of the greenest materials around.

The Futon Shop has a few Bamboo Options


3) Recycled/recyclable metal and plastic
Since both metal and plastic are recyclable, at least in theory, these can be considered eco-friendly materials for furniture. More and more furniture is being made from recycled plastics and metals as well, like the recycled aluminum. Recycled materials require less processing and fewer resources, and help support the market for recycled materials. Technologies are always improving, meaning that recycled plastics and metals are always going up in quality.
The Futon Shop uses recycled steel for their spring mattresses, and a huge selection of recycled foam bean bags,

4) Low-toxicity furniture
When you buy a piece of furniture, bring it home, and set it down in a room, it doesn't just sit there. No matter what it's made out of, chances are, it's offgassing (or releasing substances into the air). Almost everything offgasses, which isn't necessarily bad, but synthetic materials or those treated with synthetic substances can offgas chemicals which are toxic. Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are the most common family of chemicals that are offgassed and have been linked to birth defects, endocrine disruption, and cancer. Flame retardants and formaldehyde are common VOCs offgassed by furniture. Especially if your home or office is well-insulated (which it should be for energy purposes) toxins can't get out easily. In fact, studies have shown that air quality inside your house is often worse than outside. Everyone should be conscious of the kinds of chemicals they bring home, but especially if you have kids, pets, or other family members who are low to the ground and prone to licking things. There are some good ways to help maintain good indoor air quality when it comes to furniture choices. Also, look for furniture that is untreated or treated with natural substances, like natural wood finishes, or naturally tanned leather. Organic cotton is also less likely to be treated with toxic stuff. Another great way to dodge toxic chemicals is to buy furniture that is vintage or second-hand and has already done most of its offgassing (just make sure it doesn't carry anything worse, like lead paint).
The Futon Shop has a whole Organic Selection

6) Buy local
Just like the food on the dinner plate, we might be amazed how many miles the constituent parts of a piece of furniture might have had to travel in order to reach us. If possible, source furniture close to home. This will support the local economy, small craftspeople, and decrease the environmental cost of shipping (not to mention the other kind of cost).

The Futon Shop is a San Francisco based company that manufacturers solely Organic and Green Mattresses in the factory.

7)

October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The Futon Shop Honors:

Breast Cancer Awareness Month:

Since 1993, nearly 7 million walkers across the United States have raised more than $400 million to help fight breast cancer through Making Strides events. In 2010, nearly 800,000 walkers across the country raised $60 million to help fight this disease.

Here are some detailed facts everyone should know about Breast Cancer.

The American Cancer Society's most recent estimates for breast cancer in the United States are for 2011:

• About 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women.
• About 57,650 new cases of carcinoma in situ (CIS) will be diagnosed (CIS is non-invasive and is the earliest form of breast cancer).
• About 39,520 women will die from breast cancer

Risk Factors, We Can Control, Can't Control, and Controversial Issues.

With a Click of The Button: you can participate in The San Francisco and San Jose Make a stride Event:

Each step you'll take is personal. And each dollar you raise will help save lives. How far will you go to end breast cancer forever?

Your reasons for supporting Making Strides Against Breast Cancer are as unique and special as the story that motivates you. This is your opportunity to not only honor breast cancer survivors and remember people we have lost, but also to raise funds and awareness to help save lives and create a world with less breast cancer and more birthdays!

The Making Strides event is not a race; it is a celebration of survivorship, an occasion to express hope, and a shared goal to end a disease that threatens the lives of so many people we love. When you raise funds for a Making Strides event, you're helping create a world with less breast cancer and more birthdays - where breast cancer never steals another year from anyone's life.

While there is no registration fee or minimum fundraising amount, people of all ages are welcome to participate and help raise funds. If you'd like to join our efforts to help end breast cancer, please click on the button above to sign up.