As an interior designer, I’ve found it difficult to acquire eco-friendly upholstery that isn’t 30-50% more expensive and sometimes more “green-washed” than green. I decided to take matters into my own hands. For the past several years, I’ve had a small company fabricating my upholstery pieces in Hickory, NC. Most have been my personal custom designs. Together, we have collaborated to produce a new, sustainable product line. The Kristin Drohan Collection will launch in August and initially feature six pieces:

· a sofa/sectional group that can be configured into numerous combinations

· a host dining chair that is a modern take on a Wing Back chair with a lower arm to fit under the dining table apron

· a chaise

· an upholstered headboard

· a fully upholstered bed

· a modern Klismos barstool

· a funky ottoman

We have taken deliberate steps to create a line that is durable, incredibly comfortable, sustainable, and most importantly, not any more costly than a non-green counterpart. We are using sustainable American hardwoods derived from managed forests in the U.S. for the frames. The cushions are soy based and the cotton batting is from 100% recycled material. The metal components are from 75% recycled steel including the 8-way hand tied coils. We are also offering water-based stain finishes with low VOCs. The most exciting aspect is the upholstery fabrics. I’ve searched for durable, washable fabrics and have found some really great options. The first is Sensuede. As you can see from the picture below it comes in a myriad of colors. This is the only luxury faux suede made entirely from high-purity recycled polyester in the world’s first commercial chemical-recycling process. It is not made with harmful solvents. Sensuede is spill proof, and can be machine washed. Most spills bead up and can be blotted away. Lastly, it exceeds 100,000 double rubs in the Cotton Duck Method abrasion test. This is the most expensive of the upholstery options, but it isn’t anymore than a quality leather.

I’ve found another company that produces a heavy-duty linen with 20,000 Wyzenbeck double rubs. Linen is both an environmentally friendly and economical choice.

Finally, I found an interesting material option for bed and headboards that I originally pursued using for barstools and dining chairs. The material is called Silverado, treated with Agion. It is a fabric that looks remarkably like leather but is PVC free polyurethane treated with the patented technology, Agion. Agion is an antimicrobial that actively targets microbes and bacteria on the protected surface of the upholstery and is Cradle to Cradle certified. I originally had children in mind, but found the material is very versatile and would be an excellent option to use on the beds in additional to the barstool and dining chair. It exceeds 400,000 Wyzenbeck double rubs and can be washed with a mild soap solution. The prototypes are currently in production and should be ready for sale in August on my website www.boulevardinteriordesign.com . Pricing to the trade will also be available. I can’t wait to share this complete high style collection with you.

Sensuede comes in 130 colors

Linen with custom print options ( I'm using this on the barstool prototype)

Silverado with Agion

 1st Generation Charles Headboard the new prototype will have be tufted as an addtional feature

Andrew Sectional shown in the Theater Group