Furnishings & Buying Canadian

For those interested in eco-design, one of the first rules is to buy locally. Though there are a plethora of Canadian-made furnishings available, many are not identified as such in retail stores…until now. Quality Canadian Furniture (QCF) was formed with the goal of helping you “get to know the faces behind the furniture” by the Quebec Furniture Manufacturers’ Association.

QCF is not only a web site, it is also a label. The label, in the form of hang tags, stickers, and other materials that can now be found in retail stores, was created to easily identify Canadian-made furniture. While the listings are not exhaustive, with over one hundred (100) manufacturers, it is an excellent beginning resource. (There are many more local sources available exclusively through interior decorators and designers.)

Canadian-made furniture holds greater appeal than just being manufactured locally: Canadian hardwoods are sought internationally for their hardiness, a trait attributable to notable changes between the seasons. Though many manufacturers ship Canadian wood overseas where they complete their production before shipping it back to Canadian soil, it is important to note that the wood often loses strength and stability during this process. Because the wood is often not adequately acclimatized, many end consumers report problems with cracking and splitting wood or frames within the first year of their offshore-produced purchases.

Sourcing pieces locally also allows for a higher level of customization. Not only can you often alter fabric selections to anything you want, many manufacturers will allow you to alter dimensions, swap leg and/or arm styles, etc. (Upcharges may apply.)

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MeCC Interiors is an award winning full service design studio specializing in residential design, commercial redesign, and project management. Have your spaces custom designed from the ground up or simply dressed and accessorized – no job is too big or too small.

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