Vegetable Dyes Are a Safe Alternative

We are seeing more and more companies working with vegetable dyes in textiles, area rugs and finishes. Removing this part of the toxic manufacture of these products is commendable.

Those Certified Healthy Interior Designers carry lists of manufacturers that comply to these rigorous standards for better live able interiors.

Aniline dyes, and standard dying methods in the textile and carpet industry account for much of the smell and off gassing in the soft goods product lines. These changes are taking place faster than any of us expected because of the education of the consumer by the Certified Healthy Interior Designer. This is a group of professionals that not only create live able interiors but take the responsibility of proving it with documentation to the consumer. This in itself is not only commendable, but a great step in a process that has never had rigorous demands on its specification phase. Most residential interior designer choose items based on beauty, not on technical specifications. The industry typically does not demand it, and creates many unusable or live able interiors as a result. Add to that a dramatically changing industry of imported goods with little or no governance of ingredients and you end up with the product firestorm that we are now experiencing.

An educated designer realizes that all products have a designated use and performability. Not all products are usable for every situation. Form follows function was terminology used by Sullivan in the early 1900's in describing products demands must match the use. Some residential interior designers do not understand this, and do not bother to learn technical specifications to this day. The customer demand for an educated resource that goes beyond typical design schooling and begins to warranty and document the products being used in the living environment is what Certification of the Healthy Interior Designer is all about.

Healthy Design Moves More Mainstream in the US

Entering a newly designed and furnished space and smelling NOTHING, is very rare. This is what happens with the Certified Healthy Designer is in charge. What we equate to a "new car smell" that we used to find exciting, takes on a whole new meaning when new carpeting, window treatments, furnishings, finishes and accessories add their own "new smell" to the mix.

We all know now that it is the off gassing of Volatile Organic Compounds and Formaldehyde that create the smells that identify anything as new. Unfortunately, it is not a good thing. As our manufacturing processes have moved to Asian countries, compounds, and raw materials have become cheaper, uncontrolled and unregulated. The cheaper the compounds the more of the above agents are used. It has resulted in health concerns for many of us.

This usually manifests itself first in irritated eyes, upper respiratory problems, breathing difficulties, and may cause many other illnesses. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has been linked to it. Asthma, autism, rare cancers, polyps in the nose, lungs, and bronchials, pneumonia symptoms, and labored breathing. People that work in the housing industry complain of headaches, nausea, unexplained skin ailments, and respiratory problems first. It is suspect that

cancers occur later after these compounds have invaded our systems for years.

The only answer is awareness. Many of these products now carry warnings required by our government. Many do not. It has just been ordered that brass products imported into our country carry warnings because of the amount of lead content in the brass. Imagine the surprise when you open the door to your new house and a warning stares you in the face saying "this product should not be touched by those that are pregnant or plan to become pregnant".

The reality of this warning is a dire one. How many things in our environment have the same

VOC content but have not been legislated yet? More such labeling is to come.

As the public becomes more aware, the Certified Healthy Interior Designer insures that all products in the environment being specified by them are held to a "0" VOC and Formaldehyde

standard. It is the gold standard for the informed consumer and the informed design professional.

Forging Ahead With Healthy Design

Oftentimes pioneers in any industry hit bumps in the road. It can be products that do not measure up, promises not kept, or just the economics of business catching up with a supplier.

In the field of Certified Healthy Interior Designers and the education that is taking place, this is a valuable topic of discussion. Every Interior Designer takes a high level of responsibility in a project. When things go wrong we reach into our own pockets to fix these problems. When it involves new technology and new certifications, it becomes an expensive responsibility.

If a supplier lets you down with either production of promised product, or keeping their business afloat long enough to supply you, it becomes expensive for the responsible designer. That is one reason why it is imperative that the Certified Healthy Interior Designer knows what they are doing during the specification phase. Only then do you have a leg to stand on to insure that the losses are ones that your company can bear.

I personally feel that any supplier contracted by you that fails to perform is the designers problem. Usually designers have clauses in their contracts placing the cost (and the problem)

on the clients shoulders. This is usually met with an unhappy client, but by that point, that is the least of the designers concern. This is not ethical or feasible for a client relationship to withstand the trauma of a non performing supplier in the process.

We are protected by State laws governing contracts being fulfilled. Litigation is a possibility.

But as we all know, litigation is expensive. The non performing supplier has probably used all of its resources already and is probably not in a position to give you anything, except an apology.

My approach is a bit unorthodox, but usually garners good results. I try to sit down face to face

with those that owe me money. I politely ask how I can help them pay me. I ask for collateral. I take something in exchange for non performance to have them vested in the idea that they need to pay me. It may sound harsh. But the business of not fulfilling contracts is not a pretty one. I try to get their emotions involved in the solution of following through. Once that is done, I usually get paid, or at least get moved to the top of their list!

Working with smaller niche market suppliers and contractors does bring you into the danger zone of non performance. Everyone feeds their children first. That fact alone puts us at risk when we are filling orders in a project and must buy these non toxic materials locally for best result. We all want a win win situation, and erring on the side of communication with your supplier early on during non performance seems to work best. Collateral is your ace in the hole. Don't be afraid to ask for it. Don't be afraid to accept it. Make it personal and get it resolved.