Sneak Preview: Abigail Collection
Sneak preview! The brand new Young America Abigail Collection is making its big debut this week at the High Point Market, North Carolina.
Our newest look, Abigail, believes there is nothing wrong with living a charmed life — at least in one’s room. Classic forms wedded to timeless architectural flourishes create a feminine presence that has unmistakable substance … useful charms for the modern girl.
The new Abigail Collection will be shown online and at retailers nationwide in the coming months.
shown: Abigail Manor Bed, Abigail Single Dresser, Abigail Mirror and an Abigail 1 Drawer Night Table in French White. Available in 19 Young America colors.
Source: youngamerica.com
A Lightly Sanded Paint Finish Creates a Relaxed Room Style
Kids put furniture through the paces with their everyday open, shut, bump, climb, stuff, slam and bam. Luckily, Young America furniture is built to meet the challenges of living with young kids, but sometimes, for some families, an already-broken-in look is appealing from day one.
Our Sand Thru finish is a good example of how a bit of extra sanding on the soft corners and pulls gives a freshly painted piece of furniture that not-so-new, well-loved look. It helps pieces blend with furnishings you may have and gives a room a relaxed style. Sand Thru painted furniture is as comfortable as your favorite jeans.
Below are a few close-up examples of our Sand Thru technique with color.
Young America colors with the Sand Thru technique shown clockwise: Sea Grass, Shell, Surf Blue and Peach
Protect your Baby’s Health with an Organic Crib Mattress
Young America cribs are GREENGUARD certified to protect babies from exposure to potentially harsh chemicals. Cribs that are not GREENGUARD certified or crib mattresses not certified “Organic” may “off-gas” and be unhealthy for a baby.
The term “Off-gassing” refers to the evaporation of synthetic compounds used in manufacturing products, from cars to computers and toys to tennis balls and cribs and other home furnishings. Two identifiable types of off-gases are the “new car” and “new carpet” smells, but they can be odorless too.
What are the Health Risks of off-gassing?
Exposure to or inhalation of these airborne gases may cause asthma, coughing, rash, hives, watery eyes and compromised immunity. To avoid the health risks of off-gassing, we recommend pairing a Young America crib with an organic crib mattress to ensure a pollutant-free nursery and indoor environment. You will also want to be mindful of other elements in a baby’s living space, including carpets, wall paint and even toys.
What is an Organic Crib Mattress?
Mattresses made with organic, non-toxic materials, without conventional chemicals (ie: formaldehyde, polyvinyl chloride or PVC) and meet strict standards. The mattresses are, of course, not 100% organic as 1) they are not an agricultural products and 2) you probably do not want a biodegradable mattress, but they are made with the highest percentage of non-toxic materials available and meet strict standards for health and safety.
Why Choose an Organic Crib Mattress?
Parents and physicians recommend an organic crib mattress as an important way to avoid unnecessary exposure to the off-gassing of toxic chemicals.
What are the Certification Standards for an Organic Mattress?
Organic mattresses, like other certified products made with organic fiber and textiles, are certified under the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). The largest U.S. GOTS approved certifier is Oregon Tilth Certified Organic (OTCO).
In particular, the GOTS standard requires that all fiber and fabrics, with limited exceptions, must be made from certified materials that meet the USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) standard and are processed in accordance with the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
All other components (such as innersprings, fire protection, etc.) must meet stringent Federal standards for health and safety.
Are Mattresses labeled “Eco” or “Green” good too? Not really.
“Eco” and “Green” are not regulated terms and can be misleading. For example, plant-derived or soybean foam used in many eco mattresses are vastly petroleum/chemical-based and not really made of soybeans. Likewise, bamboo fabric found in eco models is typically made using environmentally-toxic chemicals with no trace of bamboo plant in the finished product. Many of these eco materials may sound enticing, but are not truly natural or green and are certainly not focused on eliminating harmful chemicals.
Where to Buy an Organic Crib Mattress?
We recommend two companies as organic crib mattress sources - made in USA - as healthy companions to our GREENGUARD certified Young America cribs:
Naturpedic and Colgate mattresses are broadly distributed or may be ordered directly via their websites. FMI contact a Young America Signature Shop or retailer in your area: Young America Store Locator
5 “Green” tips for a Healthy Home and a Healthy Baby
“Green” is a modern day, catchall word for making the best, healthiest choices for your home and nursery. Deciphering the real meaning of “Green” can be daunting. The truth is, there are some basic, practical “Green” rules of thumb you can follow. Here are a 5 of them:
1. Stay away from harsh chemical fumes during and after your pregnancy - and keep your baby away from them too. House paints, for example, are something you may not think of, but they may contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the toxic fumes that off-gas. Use low or no VOC paints and make sure your home and nursery are well-ventilated.
2. Choose a “Green” crib and nursery furniture. Young America has this category covered in three important ways. First, Young America cribs and nursery furniture are made in the USA, so our products have a much smaller carbon footprint than their imported counterparts. Second, our furniture is GREENGUARD certified to minimize indoor air pollution. Third, we offer furniture that’s Built To Grow for longevity and sustainability. Bottom line: Young America nursery furniture is a “Green” choice. It’s local, non-toxic, and will not end up in a landfill any time soon.
3. Allow a new crib mattress to air out (off-gas) before your baby sleeps on it. This important step will help release toxic fumes and prevent allergy symptoms ranging from puffy, red, and watery eyes to a runny nose, congestion, coughing, and asthma-like symptoms. Off-gassing can also cause skin irritations like rashes, itchiness, and hives. Choose bedding that has NOT been treated with polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). These chemical fire retardants accumulate in our bodies and have been shown to affect human health adversely.
Check out Healthy Child Healthy World’s “Make a Safe Bed” Checklist” for more helpful healthy bedding guidelines and tips.
4. Avoid wall-to-wall carpets. Carpets can harbor dust mites and allergens, and new synthetic carpets can off-gas VOCs. An area rug is a healthier, easy-to-clean choice. If you insist on wall-to-wall carpet, go with one made of natural fibers such as wool, cotton, hemp or jute. Look for natural rug underlays too.
5. Keep it clean. “Green” cleaners are safer for your nursery and whole house. Harsh chemical cleaners can irritate eyes and lungs, and companies are not required to list all ingredients on their cleaning products, so you don’t know exactly what’s in them. Make an effort to choose non-toxic, green cleaners or go ahead and make your own from items you probably already have around the house, including the old standby: white distilled vinegar.
sources: www.thedailygreen.com and www.everydayhealth.com
Kermit The Frog famously sang “It’s Not Easy Being Green”. Follow these “Green” guidelines and you may find it’s not so hard after all.
Source: youngamerica.com
Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine - June 2012
June 2012 Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine features a Young America Crib in “A Taste of the Rainbow”. Crisp, simple lines exude craftsmanship and grace, especially when paired with 25 Young America paint colors and wood stain finishes. Shown in Surf Blue.
Source: pnmag.com
Young America Furniture Clearance
The Young America furniture pieces listed in our new online CLEARANCE section are brand new, first quality, and discontinued. Clean and sparkling on the outside with that nice new wood smell inside. You’ll feel great about the savings; your child will jump for joy. These items are first-come, first-serve. All sales are final and non-returnable. For more information, visit our clearance section online.
Remade in the USA - Crib for Baby: Made in China or Made in USA?
Young America is Stanley Furniture Company’s industry-leading brand of nursery and youth furniture, is excited to be featured in a story in the Marketplace section of today’s Wall Street Journal: Remade in the USA Crib for Baby: Made in China or Made in USA?
Young America cribs and children’s furniture is all made in USA in Robbinsville, North Carolina. More about Young America Made in USA
Wall Street Journal subscribers can read the full article online
image: Wall Street Journal
Young America, Stanley Furniture’s industry-leading youth brand, is featured in the first part of this September 19, 2011 PBS “NC Now” video. It’s an interesting piece on the furniture industry in North Carolina and how a few companies, like Stanley, have successfully brought furniture manufacturing and good jobs back to the USA.
Source: video.unctv.org
