So Much More Than Just Being Green
By Lorianne Lee
When Michael Baetge first opened SC41 Furniture Store five years ago, it led the way by being one of the few, if not the first, local businesses to be entirely green from the inside out. SC41 is a member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council, The Forest Stewardship Council and The Monterey Bay Area Green Business Program. Today SC41 continues to pave the way by providing quality, simply styled sustainable furniture and bedding at the lowest prices available.
Some people still have the misconception that green means hippies from the sixties, granola, tie-dye, wicker chairs and straw baskets. SC41’s Interior Designer and Buyer, Lori Hannum, dispels the myth.
“We’re trying to show that green furniture produced in a healthy, environmentally friendly way can actually be really pretty, can be very stylish, and can also be affordable.”
Hannum realizes that some customers want to be educated on what green really means, and the well-trained staff at SC41 is more than happy to share their knowledge with customers. SC41 serves as a resource to help people move beyond green products to a sustainable lifestyle.
Many of SC41’s customers are already living green and are looking for quality furnishings that fit seamlessly into their lives. Knowing that SC41 is committed to working with companies that have ecologically sound business practices gives these discerning customers peace of mind. Most of the woodworkers that SC41 partners with are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for their conscientious use of sustainable, responsibly harvested wood.
Instead of worrying if the gorgeous table and chairs were harvested responsibly, customers can focus on the craftsmanship, style, and how much they’ll love seeing their family and friends sitting around it.
Discriminating customers also appreciate SC41’s choice to support local businesses by providing locally made products. Owner Michael Baetge recalls the slogan, Think globally and act locally. One of the designers featured at SC41 is Maria Yee, originally from Santa Cruz and now headquartered in San Jose. Maria Yee’s handcrafted California contemporary furnishings are luxurious and ecologically responsible. Yee creates beautiful works of art using pure joinery, where no nails or screws blemish the integrity of the materials, and her patent-pending BambooTimbre™ is rapidly renewable.
In addition to the showpieces for your living and dining rooms, SC41 offers everything you need for your bedroom. General Manager Denise Vivar explains that the SC41 natural mattresses are made from natural and organic components, do not contain any chemical flame-retardants, and are made in California.
Everything, from the European-style slats on the bed frame, to the breathable latex, is customized for your body. SC41 takes the time to ensure your bed, even your side of the bed, has targeted support tailored for optimal comfort and pressure reduction. In addition, SC41 carries the supportive and comfortable Oxygen Pillow to help create a complete bed solution.
The gorgeous showroom at SC41 is washed with warm hues and vibrant, rich organic fabrics and linens. It’s hard not to walk in and want to run your hand over the luxurious fabrics on the furniture. Most of the artisan-crafted tables, bookcases, chairs, dressers and beds are customizable. SC41 is unique in that they offer customization at all prices. As a customer, you choose the item displayed on the showroom floor, but you can also specify the height of the legs, the color of the stain, or other features that would make the piece of furniture uniquely yours. SC41’s vendors then craft your one-of-a-kind item just for you.
The seasoned staff at SC41 is experienced in helping customers transform their houses into homes. At SC41, you can also call upon the interior design skills of Lori Hannum to assist with space planning and selecting colors of paint, carpet, flooring and finishes. Hannum also provides advice with furnishings, wall coverings, window treatments, lighting, art and how to re-use and re-purpose existing items.
SC41 was an innovator by modeling green and sustainable living in Soquel before it was popular. They continue to lead the way by offering affordable furniture and bedding made in America and crafted by local artisans.
•••
SC41 Furniture – 2647 41st Avenue, Soquel, CA. Phone: 831.464.2228 Website: www.sc41.com • Open 10 – 6 Monday through Saturday, 11 – 5 Sunday
