San Francisco.  June 4, 2007.   Big Pagoda Company, San Francisco�s destination store for Asian-influenced home furnishings, has introduced new �truly green� designs by Oakland-based furniture designer and maker Gabriel K. Beil of Semolina Design.  Beil�s �BP Green Collection� epitomizes Big Pagoda�s evolution of classic Chinese forms combined with eco-friendly materials currently found in the market. 

"As our partnership with Gabe Beil moves into its tenth year, we are excited to offer new, modern, yet timeless designs that once again push the boundaries of our signature look," said Kurt Silver, President of Big Pagoda Company.  The store is located at 310 Sutter Street in San Francisco. 

"These new designs capture Beil�s and our commitment to new materials uniquely well matched to contemporary living. The new designs are singular in inspiration and execution, and they respond to a need in the market for green products with strong, clean lines that can easily be incorporated into a range of interiors,� Silver explained.
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The core components are fabricated from a variety of products carefully chosen based on durability, aesthetics and minimal environmental impact. The casework is fabricated from palm wood, which is a completely non-toxic board product composed of agricultural by-products.  The cabinets and tops are completely free of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and contain no urea formaldehyde. The wood finishes are made from natural oils and contain low volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

The interior cabinet materials are formaldehyde free, and made from recycled wood fiber.   In addition, the hardware � legs, knobs, pulls � are manufactured from aluminum with a high recycled content, and are completely recyclable.
Palmwood comes from farmed plantations of old coconut palms. These trees were planted as a crop in large plantations throughout the tropics in the first half of the 20th century in order to harvest the coconut fruit. Coconut palms bear until approximately 70 years of age, at which point they is considered to have reached the end of their economic life. 

Designs � the BP Green Credenza

Working with Big Pagoda�s signature style as the premise, Beil, a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, has created clean forms that exemplify elegant simplicity. 

�We believe this versatile collection is certain to appeal to a contemporary sensibility, adding style and grace to an interior without competing with it,� Silver said. 

The initial piece in the line, the BP Green Credenza, was designed not only to stand on its own, but also to adapt easily to any interior.  All pieces in the line are versatile enough to be used in commercial, hospitality, institutional, and residential installations. 

"These designs are pure expressions of form," said Silver, "that are ideally suited to the flexibility, strength and natural beauty of palm wood." 

The BP Green Collection springs from Silver�s desire to create a green product that is aesthetically pleasing and does not smack of environmental overstatement.  The body of the cabinet relies on color tones and hues that range from golden to near ebony with dark brown flecks. Palm trees have no annual growth rings, rays, heartwood, or branches, making the wood free from knots and other imperfections.  The top is slightly elevated to suggest a floating surface. With aluminum pulls and legs, this cabinet is distinctly modern, yet versatile enough for any interior it graces. 
 
Availability

The BP Green Collection by Beil will be available in June 2007. The pieces will be sold through Big Pagoda�s San Francisco store and select independent showrooms nationwide.  For more information on Big Pagoda Company Inc., visit www.bigpagoda.com  or call (415) 296-8881. 

Big Pagoda Company

Known for its clever juxtapositions of styles and periods in furniture, accessories, and contemporary art, Big Pagoda Company combines seemingly opposing design impulses � classic and contemporary, elegance and irreverence, East and West.  Now in its eleventh year, Big Pagoda looks to the future, yet dares to mine the past for the right classic touch.  

Big Pagoda Company is located at 310 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94108.    Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10:00 - 6:00.  Telephone (415) 296-8881; Fax (415) 296-8818. E-mail [email protected].  Call toll-free at (877)-BPAGODA (272-4632) or visit the web site at www.bigpagoda.com.