BuyGreen: Desks and Workstations

Man, I want an eco-freindly desk, but I find all of these designs a little ugly. Does anyone know where to find a simple green Parsons desk?

These design are beautiful, however, I am fearing that the movement toward green is just another way to make money. We want everybody on board but only upper class can afford this green furniture. The middle class is the largest so who is going to produce green that we can afford. I have a fear that living green is just going to become another status quo. Thats is the last thing we need. I want this change to come for genuine reasons, so that all can truey take part.

I agree with the previous comments -- these are way too expensive and "designer" desks. I just want to purchase a simple "green" desk that is made of sustainable materials and has a standard design like something you get from Staples. This isn't rocket science, they should just be able to put together a simple desk for a reasonable price made from "green" materials that most people could afford. We don't need any fancy "designer" look, we just want something reasonable that will work in a home office with a flat desk that can accept a keyboard tray installed underneath. Why does that seem impossible to find anywhere???

I have to agree that going green is just another way to make money, so find a desk used! :) That way you get the style you are looking for even if it may take a little longer. No toxic fumes since they have long ago expired, You can paint, chop, and refinish any way you want with a few earth-friendly products. it will cost you less than half (depending on where you shop) than the desks available at any store brand new. PLUS you keep something from taking up precious space on our lovely planet in a landfill somewhere!

I think it's cool that manufacturers are deciding to produce new designs with completely different material choices. Materials choices can both limit and expand design possibilities. Certainly manufacturers could be building standard old fashion designs, but WHY? If you are as cutting edge and unique enough to go uber-green, then maybe you should be cutting edge and unique with your designs. I say be creative and create something new.

I too worry about the marketing of green (greed). I have found many old beautiful kitchen and dinning room tables, one had a badly warped leaf, so I left it swung down and it made a wonderful desk. I hit some remaining warped wood with 200 sandpaper, to level the table out (just wrap sandpaper around a wooden block; makes for an even/level sanding). I have an antique well made desk, only a little imagination needed to remember what it once was (a beautiful dinning table where families came together).

All of these desks look pretty cool. My dad bought a really nice desk/table for his home office form Natural Fine Furnishings. Everything this company makes is made out of sustainable woods and is eco-friendly. He said that they sell other products too and was thinking about buying some of their wall panels and stools. Just thought I would throw in my two cents—their website is www.naturalfinefurnishings.com

I agree with you guys about the higher then usual price. I'm a business owner myself and maybe I can explain to you why those products have to cost more.
1. the material cost for any FSC certified materials are sometimes 200% or more then "conventional" resources. That means, instead of paying $30 for a 4'x8' ply we are paying up to $400/ each!
2. the finishes we are using are also way more expensive. I just bought 3 gallons of tinted black natural oil (enough for 4 bed frames). The set back was $1200.
3. we are not producing in China! therefore we have to pay local wages, rent, insurance, gas and of course taxes.

I totally agree, prices have to come down. But please don't think "Wal-Mart" when shopping "green".

Cheers,
Andreas Schwall
www.ecofurniture.ca

I understand the business side of this debate, in terms of production and manufacturing costs. Of course I also agree that the prices of green furniture (and most things green) need to come way down so that everyone has the ability to go green. I know that labor costs are the hardest to reduce (if you want to be fair), but what about the prices set by the suppliers of the materials and finishes? They are surely making a profit.
I suppose until there is a much higher demand for eco-friendly furniture, prices will stay high. It takes competition to drive down costs. However I am hopeful that this will change. Until then, I will follow your advice and go second-hand:)