If anything good can be salvaged from our current worldwide Pandemic it’s the noticeable difference to the climate. Clearer skies, fresher air, fewer cars. Nice isn’t it. And for some the realisation of just how important our planet is.

Since the outset Go Modern has placed a huge importance on working with suppliers who share our philosophy which, alongside sourcing furniture of the highest quality, also includes keeping sustainable materials on our radar. We realise that it’s somewhat of a paradox that we’re in the business of encouraging people to buy more furniture.  But our focus has always been on supplying the best and most durable furniture we can find. And our mantra is, and always will be, ‘buy once and buy well’.

The planet pays the difference

There are many look-alike sofas, beds, table and garden furniture collections on the market for a fraction of the price.  This may work for some if the emphasis is to think of furniture as a short-term purchase.  Something to be replaced a couple of years down the line.  Many of these designs may look great, but there is almost certainly a reason for their cheaper price tag. The planet is paying the difference. However, if a flat-pack quick-purchase is your thing we know we may never convince you.

We also love designs that include sustainable materials using, for example, recycled fibres and non-toxic water based lacquers etc.  That’s important to us. As is an emphasis on hand-made, custom-built design, which is obviously always high on our list.  Go Modern’s furniture is almost all made-to-order, hence the slightly longer waiting time.  Mass production from the other side of the world just isn’t our style.

Are you Sitting Comfortably?

The conservation charity the World Wildlife Fund’s report Are You Sitting Comfortably in 2016 focused on trees.  From their research the report found that many companies simply had no strong policy for timber sourcing.  A huge amount of furniture was being imported into the UK from countries where illegal logging took place, and over half of it came from outside of Europe.

So we thought we’d focus here on just a few of our wonderful suppliers who, alongside superb design, keep the planet and environmental concerns high on their radar.

Porada and its French forests

“Love for wood.  Solid wood, worked with artisan skills of those who know how to transform a log into a small work of art” – Porada

Porada’s slogan is ‘for the love of wood’.  This wonderful Italian company began life in 1948 and its main strengths lie in tradition and craftsmanship.  They produce some of the most breath-takingly beautiful wooden furniture around. Very much the kind of furniture we would hope could be handed down from one generation to the next.  Their answer to the question of sourcing sustainable wood is to own three sustainable 450 acre plantations in the heart of Bourgogne, France, that consist of 15.900 m3 of ash and oak wood.

These Porada woodland plantations follow strict management and controlled logging. In fact the company actually cuts a lower percentage of trees than is officially allowed under full compliance.  All driven by their love of nature and rooted in a deep eco-friendly spirit.

“Knowing the wood so well, we have a duty to respect, protect and use it in the most responsible way.” – Porada

Novamobili – designs for new living

Novamobili is part of Italian manufacturer Battistella, a leading name in furniture since 1953.  They make cool, stylish furniture for almost every room in the house.

Their special areas of expertise include wardrobes, modular wall units and home offices; designs that can adapted to suit any space.  Novamobili furniture is always highly flexible, and available in a dazzling array of colours and finishes. And, importantly, it’s built to last.

In line with the company’s green policy the group chooses to use environmentally compatible materials, such as 100% recycled wood that doesn’t involve any new felling of trees. They constantly verify the origin and certify the quality of materials used. These include non-toxic panels with near-zero formaldehyde emissions, and packaging systems that limit the use of oil-derived materials. They are also big on recycling the material used in the production process (rags, sandpaper, waste, packaging etc) and they work carefully with a specialist recycling partner.

Since 2002 Battistella has also used a special water-based matt paint and lacquering system that results in reduced emissions of polluting solvents (which also has a better performance than traditional paints).  This protects both the health of the planet, their workforce and customers.

Miniforms – unafraid of originality

“We cannot ignore the importance of living in these areas, which is why we want to preserve them using internationally inspired business models enhanced by the local culture” – Miniforms

This wonderfully quirky Italian company uses a green programme which “stems from a social responsibility, that spurs us on to manufacture locally, based on circular economy thinking”.  Starting with their choice of materials, to working with suppliers who share their same objective of being environmentally aware of what they do. They also use wood sourced from reforested areas and painting methods that reduce solvent emissions.

For Miniforms it all starts from their own beginnings.  From the Venetian lagoons where they began, which then extended into the rest of Italy. “We cannot ignore the importance of living in these areas, which is why we want to preserve them, using internationally inspired business models enhanced by the local culture”.

Miniforms also work with partners in the textile industry who apply the ‘ethics of re-use’. Two of their fabrics in particular, Kvadrat and Maharam Merit (available for many of their designs) are produced from reprocessed waste.  These materials use fibres derived from disposed waste which instead of going to landfill, are reprocessed, spun and dyed.

Sustainably sourced teak – great for the garden and the planet

Our outdoor furniture suppliers love natural materials that are sustainably sourced. They use only sustainable A-grade teak for their designs, sourced from controlled logging. Which also means that a new tree is planted for each one that is felled.

As well as being high on style, teak garden furniture is also incredibly durable.  Its reputation is for strength and high weather-resistance as it contains high levels of oil and natural rubbers. So it’s not only an eco-friendly wood but will last for years and years.

So, in terms of sustainability, we are on a journey and always trying to do as well as we can or be better at what we do.  Our message is buy wisely.

We came across a quote recently from the designer/architect Philippe Starck, which we thought summed things up nicely:

“A designer has a duty to create timeless design. To be timeless you have to think really far into the future, not next year, not in two years, but in 20 years minimum” – Philippe Starck