Did you know that your furniture could be poisoning the air in your home from the inside, emitting, or “off-gassing” chemicals like benzene, ethylene glycol, or formaldehyde?
In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, the air in our homes and workplaces can be more polluted than the outdoor air in the most industrialized cities. And, according to the American Lung Association, “poor indoor air quality can cause or contribute to the development of infections, lung cancer and chronic lung diseases such as asthma.”
This was news to me, until speaking with Sean and Laura Sullivan, which prompted further research on my part. I was shocked to find a study on certain nursery furniture revealing a rocker that emitted seven times as much formaldehyde as the state of California considered safe, paint containing five times the amount of chemical gases as the recommended limit, and more than 100 chemicals, including industrial solvents and alcohol, wafting from crib mattresses.
Of course, all of this was old news to Sean and Laura, who have spent their entire lives in construction, design-build, green living, and interior design. The newest venture on their mission to “whole living” (designing + building + living green) includes their business, Atelier Maison & Co, a new kind of furniture store, “one that promotes not only beautiful and comfortable furnishings, but also offers healthy choices to builders, designers, architects, REALTORS®, and the public at large,” says Sean.
“Atelier Maison & Co is dedicated to providing design-forward, unparalleled home furnishings. We are committed to educating our community on the importance of sustainable, well-crafted, environmentally friendly and healthy furnishings that contribute to good indoor air quality,” says Sean.
Sean grew up building furniture and doing wood projects in his dad’s garage. He volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in college, where he developed a love for construction. After graduating with a degree in Business Management, he went to work for a builder in Asheville. Seeing many “flaws” and the “disservice” clients were getting from “the broken way of doing things,” Sean went out on his own and started Living Stone Design & Build, a builder-led design + build firm.
Living Stone Design & Build collaboratively works with REALTORS® to help their clients find the right lot, be connected with an architect to design specifically for their budget, and then partner with ID.ology Interiors & Design (Laura’s business), to guide them through beautiful, healthy selections. Each home they build is certified Energy Star, high-level Green, and Indoor Airplus.
“As we began building green homes, we became increasingly aware of the importance of the selections that were being made. Tight energy-efficient homes, as wonderful for the environment as they are, were trapping toxins inside the home and negatively impacting the health of the homeowners,” says Laura. “As we began specifying furniture [through ID.ology Interiors & Design] it hit us: Furnishings could be polluting the otherwise-clean environment that we had just built!”
Born into a family of creativity, healthcare and real estate, health and home has been a staple in Laura’s life since childhood. She was immersed in all aspects of real property design and construction as her father’s sidekick on construction sites, riding along with him to closings, and investment meetings. Throughout college, Laura worked in the healthcare field and earned a degree in Interior Design. She obtained her real estate brokerage and general contractor licensures before solely dedicating her work to interior design in 2012 when she opened ID.ology.
“With a well-rounded understanding for all things home, health and well-being, I focus on curating personalized, livable, comfortable spaces that speak to the essence of each homeowner’s personality and lifestyle, while thoughtfully selecting low or non-toxic materials, finishes and furnishings to enhance well-being,” says Laura.
Sean and Laura are using all of their experience and expertise to make Atelier Mason & Co. unlike any furniture store out there. “We are providing more than just furniture, we are providing a destination with an experience steeped in concierge service, high style uncharacteristic to the ‘green’ reputation, regular educational events that are fun, and a focus on our community partners,” says Laura.
“We truly care about our partners and customers,” says Sean. “This is not just a business transaction, but a relationship. We see Asheville Real Producers as our partners and have created a program just for them, even store credits specifically for them to give to their buyers. This store is not about shopping for furniture, it is about having an unparalleled experience. We offer much more than just furniture, but you have to come to see it to experience it for yourself!”
For more information on your Asheville Real Producers Program, with Atelier Maison & Co., visit www.AtelierMaisonCo.com/Partner-Programs, or call 828.277.7202.
This article was originally in Asheville Real Producer’s May Issue.