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One of my favorite design blogs, Design Milk recent posted an article titled, "Get Out! Faux Nature is a Real Trend." Questions started popping into my head: Why not use the real thing? Is faux a green solution? If you can't have the real thing, when is ok to go faux? What makes faux a trend?...and so on.
What is faux? What is faux bois?
We know faux is French for fake. Faux is generally used to describe synthetic items, but more eco-friendly materials are beginning to surface in the field of faux design. The term "faux bois" ("false wood" in French) is used to conotate any technique that reproduces the texture or look of wood.
What makes a green home design trend?
At Planet Green we track green trends. The most significant green trend is really how mainstream green interior design has become. Thinking globally and acting locally in regards to energy and efficiency, are the earmarks of a green home. Using environmentally responsible materials, and techniques when designing the interiors and exteriors of our homes is the healthiest choice for our families and for the planet. Visionary architects, interior designers and home furnishings manufacturers are committed to green and are creating faux products that are safe for our bodies, beautiful for our homes and for the tread lightly on the environment.
Is "faux" really a green home trend?
Faux wall finishes and accessories are hot. In many cases, such as in the case of the unethical handling and use of dead animals for home décor (leather, sheepskin and fur), it may be the only solution for those who feel strongly about using the real thing. Some fake fixes are greener than others.
Can faux be a design problem or a green solution?
Fake Fur Accents
Problem: Most faux fur like this throw one from West Elm, is made from acrylic polymers, enhanced with other polymers, called modacrylics and generally they are imported from some far off land.
Green Solution: Natural fiber faux fur is warmer than synthetic faux fur and more environmentally friendly. Beklina makes a lush, soft faux sheepskin from 100% organic wool with an organic knit cotton backing/bottom. These can be used as bedding, baby blankets, and are animal friendly & dye free.
Fake Flowers
Problem: Unless you are giving organic flowers, conventionally grown flowers can be an environmental hazard. Most cut flowers are grown in South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. They may be heavily sprayed with pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and even DDT. These chemicals pose problems for workers and florists who work with cut flowers. Add the transporting time and the greenhouse gases emitted; flowers may not be so lovely. Plastic faux flowers do not decompose in landfills for years.
Green Solution: While organic real flowers sourced locally, would be the chicest decorating choice, faux flowers have come a long way. Eco-friendly fabric flowers or origami flowers are unique.
Faux Painting
Problem: Faux painting involves many different techniques that combine paint and glazes that use various tools to create finishes that imitate marble, stone, wood, and other textures, including raw silk. The application of so many finishes with loads of VOC's gives faux painting a thumbs-down for eco-friendliness. These e carbon-containing chemical compounds that evaporate into the air create health risks and overall air quality concerns.
Green Solution: American Clay is a natural plaster made from the earth that allows you to infuse your walls with texture, color and character similar to faux finishes.
Faux Bois - Fake Wood
Problem: The majority of wall panels are made of laminated materials (fake wood). These artificial materials do not possess the charm and durability qualities of natural wood wall coverings. But, covering your walls with wood causes another problem - forest depletion.
Green Solution: There is a whole blog designated to faux bois - fake wood. It's Not Wood has so many really wonderful products that are not wood, but look like wood and are eco-friendly alternatives. You could get lost in It's Not Wood viewing all of their inspired woodsy ideas for your home.
Faux Leather Furniture
Problem: If you are opting out of leather for ethical reasons, you probably already know that raising livestock for leather production requires a great deal of feed, land, water, and fossil fuels which all cause a tremendous amount of pollution. The process used to tan leather is noxious and polluting. Toxins from tanneries includes mineral salts, such as aluminum, iron, and zirconium, as well as formaldehyde and coal-tar derivatives. Certain oils and dyes used in the tanning process are cyanide-based. Most faux leather is not particularly eco-friendly either, as it is made from dioxin releasing vinyl or PVC.
Green Solution: If you love the look of a leather couch and want it to be eco-friendly, the company, Brentano's makes faux leathers that are a more eco-friendly alternative.
Want to donate your an old fur throw or leather coat? PETA donates blankets and fur coats to homeless people who can't afford to buy their own.
As with anything that you bring into your life, weigh the options and ramifications of these products to your health, your ethics and your planet.
