Environment Furniture Announces the Official Unveiling of Retail Showroom in New York City

Address: 876 Broadway (at 18th & Broadway) New York, NY 10003 Tel 212.780.0051

(New York, NY) - March 11th, 2008: Environment Furniture, Inc (EFI) officially announces the completion of the interior installation of their retail location at 876 Broadway in Manhattan. EFI is committed to using sustainable materials and responsible processes to create aesthetically sophisticated designs with a true organic quality. The 4,000 square foot showroom is the company's first freestanding retail outlet on the east coast.

The loft-like space reflects the company's respect for nature while combining existing historical building elements. A solid wall of custom blackened steel gives the front of the store a dramatic frame. The two-level interior is adorned with eco/sustainable accessories throughout the store. Richly textured repurposed truck tarps are used for wall hangings and recycled strands of Brazilian glass curtains are used to divide the space throughout. A wall of pure Peroba (a 100 year old reclaimed Brazilian wood used in many of EFI's signature designs) highlights the upstairs loft area.

"This is an infusion of old and new with an organic edge," Chief Designer and Creative Director Thomas Bina says. "If we've proven anything, it's that eco-friendly furniture and accessories can be exciting and vital, and the New York showroom is a reflection of those values."

A diverse range of EFI's growing stable of collections are on the floor, including the Santomer dining table, the Beam, the Edge, and Lotus collections among many others. A new arrival is the expanded line of upholstery. Shown on the floor are daring lounge chair designs called the Giramundo (a swivel chair covered in multi-colored scraps of yarn) and the Cubex (a modern twist on the bean-bag concept.) Also various sofas in natural upholstery or "old truck" - an ingenious covering composed of recycled canvas from old Brazilian flat-bed truck tarps.

EFI also offers accessories for the home. A Brazilian line of lighting called Scatto is a perfect complement to the vignettes woven through the store. The Matteo brand of bedding is used on all our beds, and is available in a cotton/linen blend, along with gorgeous eco-fiber bamboo throws. Vibrant sumak wool rugs are offered in all-natural vegetable dye colors, in a variety of sizes. In addition, a curated collection of vintage books and vinyl fill the shopping void, for customers searching for an unusual gift.

CEO Davide Berruto believes that New York City is the perfect location for EFI's east coast retail foray. "The New York consumer is savvy and always looking for the next unique product for their home and lifestyle." He adds, "It also gives us the opportunity to test new designs and other concepts in a sophisticated marketplace."

Environment Furniture is located in the heart of Manhattan's Flatiron district and Union Square. The area is home to landmark architecture, art and photography studios and major publishing houses. Located on the edge of Midtown East, this historic area is a high traffic destination boasting fashion boutiques, restaurants, spas and home-furnishing stores.

Environment Furniture is built around an idea that's as revolutionary as it is basic: the fundamentals of design come from nature. The materials used in EFI's collections is either reclaimed or responsibly harvested, providing true diversity in both appearance and texture. In a few short years, EFI has developed a passionate following from world-renowned architects, eco/sustainable organizations and members of the design community.

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