Can furniture be beautiful, durable and safe? The two local entrepreneurs behind Greener Lifestyles are proving it certainly can.

From pesticide-laden conventional cotton to formaldehyde-based adhesives in plywood and particleboard, many materials used by the furniture industry can bring toxins into the home. These chemicals (including those used to make furniture stain-proof and fire-resistant) can off-gas into the air and collect in household dust. From there, they can build up in our bodies.

Enter Ballard-based Greener Lifestyles, which opened in 2003, and launched its own line of handmade furniture last year. Owner Aimee Robinson and designer Lupita Avila oversee the entire process, beginning with sourcing materials.

"All materials have to be organic, biodegradable, or recycled," says Robinson, who also looks to third-party certifications like FSC and EU Flower to guide her choices. And she makes a point to work with companies who protect their own local environments through practices like safe wastewater treatment. One of the best parts? Every sofa, chaise and chair is built right here in Seattle.

These luxe pieces are an investment, with prices starting at $3,500. Which is why they are built to last--a major tenet of sustainability. The hand-tied steel coils will stay firm for 20-30 years. You won't see a staple or nail anywhere (even underneath!). And the classic, clean designs should never go out of fashion.

You can find more non-toxic and eco-friendly furniture at One Earth One Design, or online at Bean Products or Furnature. Need a less pricey fix? Megastore IKEA supports responsible forestry and organic cotton. And, because off-gassing decreases over time, buying quality used furniture is another sustainable solution...so stay tuned for our article on vintage finds!

See Greener Lifestyles' wares in their Ballard showroom, or check out the reclaimed wood-and-recycled polyester booths they recently installed at Ballard Loft, a new sports bar. Learn more about avoiding toxic exposure from furniture from the Washington Toxics Coalition.

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