The truth about eco friendly furniture: Wash away your worries with Richard Mays 'Eco' Bath

The truth about eco friendly furniture: Wash away your worries with Richard Mays 'Eco' Bath

http://www.castironrolltopbath.co.uk/ecobath.html

Wash away your worries with Richard Mays 'Eco' Bath

Richard May has asked me to review his designer eco bath. It’s important to note that because iron baths are made of steel, the extraction of iron ore and its manufacturing process requires a lot of energy. Although steel can be recycled (which still requires a lot of energy). Therefore is steel in fact an eco friendly and sustainable material? However Richard’s baths are restored, so lets look at how effective his methods and processes are in regards to eco friendly and sustainable practices.








The baths are sourced in their local area. The tiles are hand made, imported from Europe. More info really needed on how they are made and exactly what they are made of. Richard has noted they are looking to source hand made tiles in the UK. The bath is re-enamelled in situ, so no need to take them elsewhere for restoring. The grout is sealed with an impregnator ( bought in the UK ) to enhance the colour and ease of future cleaning. NB: I have no further information on this product.


The Coating used on the baths is a high performance acrylic polymer designed in the States to cover Vitreous, pot and ceramic surfaces as well as plastic and acrylic. The Coating is tested up 204 degrees C and is non yellowing, unlike many other materials that other resurfacing bath companies use. It is a non isocyanate lead free coating.


Some bath companies use epoxy resin coatings but some of these cannot tolerate UV rays in natural daylight and may yellow over time. Some epoxys cannot tolerate hot water temperature change and will split and crack. Cast Iron can go from cold to hot quite quickly and a coating has to expand with that.


Some bath companies use epoxy resin coatings but some of these cannot tolerate UV rays in natural daylight and may yellow over time. Some epoxys cannot tolerate hot water temperature change and will split and crack. Cast Iron can go from cold to hot quite quickly and a coating has to expand with that.


The bathtubs have a high level of thermal and sound insulation and their surface is very smooth and easy to clean.





The feet are chromed through a local company. Although chrome plating provides a beautiful finish, it involves using highly acidic substances which has environmental and waste issues. There are laws and regulations in place for this industry. Weather everyone is abiding to these laws and regulations is another matter. Not that I’m suggesting Richard’s outsourced chrome company is not doing this. Nevertheles it would have been good to have more information on the production processes of the chroming company.

Richard has clearly made efforts to be as sustainable and eco friendly as possible. I would give this product 3.5 out of 5 stars based on his restoration efforts and the use of certain quality materials but also because of limited information.

To view Richard May's products, go to website: http://www.castironrolltopbath.co.uk/

Tim Wigmore takes us on a journey with his Giddy Up stool

New Zealand designer Tim Wigmore has designed a fun and quirky product that could 'bring the child out' of any adult.

The stool is made from Gaboon Marine grade plywood, high grade. The Plywood is CNC cut via a fabricator in Auckland, however the parts are sent down to Wellington, where Tim resides, where he finishes and assembles them.

The old leather saddles are sourced from local pony / horse clubs, second hand stores, internet auctions and wherever Tim is out and about in his travels.

Tim has noted to me that he produces 2 stools per sheet of plywood. Of this, 70% of the sheet is used. Half of the offcuts are used for future projects while the rest is sawdust and waste.

The stool is used sparingly with waterbased 'No more Gaps' glue and the screws are stainless steel and locally sourced.

Tim uses a finishing oil called Java Classic Resin oil which is an excellent eco friendly oil. This product is blended from The Natural House Company in Motueka in New Zealand, although the raw materials are from overseas. The dark stain that is used is from Resenes water based stain.

Depending on exposure to moisture and UV, the stool should be re oiled about once a year. The saddle should oiled every few years. Tim uses an imported product called 'neatsfoot oil'.

There is clear evidence of eco friendly materials and practices used. However the stools are not cut locally in Wellington and although the gaboon plywood is sustainably grown, it is still imported as are other products Tim uses for the stool. A good effort nevertheless.

Tim Wigmore's Giddy Up stool gets a 3 and a half star rating.

To see more info on the Giddy Up stool and see other products by Tim Wigmore, go to http:/www.unless.co.nz/

'Wilding' bed by Jeff France. To dream the impossible dream...

Putting the craft back into craftsmanship. The ‘ Wilding ‘ bed gives me a sense of fairy tale and echo’s a craft well before today’s modern furniture making. Given global environmental concerns, lets see how it holds up in an eco conscious world.

The bedposts are felled locally and prepared by Jeff. Bed slats used are pre-cut untreated commercial grade wood ( radiata ). The frame is Corsican pine (pinus nigra). Milling them him self would actually be less eco friendly, too costly and time inefficient than relying on the economies of scale of a commercial mill. Would be good to know what measures the mills commercial practices are in terms of sustainable and eco friendly practices.


Jeff has used the underlay patina by applying steel wool and vinegar solution. The finish stain is from water- based charcoal "palette wood dye". For more info see http://www.liberon.co.nz/.

Furniture is finished in Kiwax. See http://www.mainlandpaints.net. It is a locally made product. Most ingredients are sourced and processed in New Zealand. Unlike some furniture waxes, Kiwax contains no silicones or artificial scents. Although the Kiwax product does not have an eco certification of any kind the company does claim to have ISO 9000 standards in place. However these standards relate more to their quality of key business processes rather than the quality of the end product. The manufacturers have noted that the product contains mineral waxes to help with the ease of applying the wax. However no information has been given to me on the exact details of what these mineral waxes are.

There are many opinions on what is a good natural eco friendly and sustainable furniture oil finish. Some swear by olive oil and vinegar/lemon juice while others swear at it! Regardless of any eco furniture finish oil claims, there needs to be formal tests made and proven for each furniture oil product based on what types of wood were tested, (including wood with synthetic substances in/on them), reactions to the material, physical conditions, durability testing, application techniques and how much and when it is used. Finally if the product can then be analysed and approved via an independent third party, in terms of an appropriate eco certification, then this will not only reduce any doubts, it will add credibility to the product.

The adhesive used on the ‘Wilding’ bed is Titebond original wood glue. This is a water based product in which the manufacturer states there are no harmful fumes / associated health issues and it cleans up in water. It is also FDA approved for indirect food contact and is low in VOC, (10.7 g/l). For more info see http://www.titebond.com/.

In terms of waste, the shavings and off-cuts are used in his log burner for home heating. Finish rags used are from recycled clothing.

In terms of packaging, Jeff is looking at building custom pine ( pinus radiata ) boxing for the ‘Wilding’ bed. NZ pine is a sustainable and renewable resource.




Jeff has clearly made every effort to be as cost efficient while being as sustainable and eco friendly as possible. His efforts in using local materials and ‘eco’ stains, adhesive and finishing products while reducing waste and cost, is an excellent example to us all. The ‘Wilding ‘ bed therefore for me, earns a 4 star out of 5 rating.

You can view Jeff France's products via www.montanawoodworks.co.nz