Shopping for furniture has always been towards the bottom of my “things I enjoy” list. While I do get a kick out of interior design, finding sustainable design brands that make high quality furniture with personality is like asking for Al Gore to become ruler of the world. For the past few years, IKEA has been my go-to source, though I know that there are much more sustainable (and long lasting) options.

Now that my boyfriend and I finally plan to stay put for the next few years, buying furniture that we really enjoy and plan to keep (and hopefully pass along to future generations) has been bumped further up our to-do list. It is time to move on from our Swedish, big box friend but … WHERE DO WE START!? That question answered itself when I was reminded of Toronto’s Greentea Design last week.

Embracing traditional Asian styles, all Greentea’s original designs are made from salvaged wood from Korean farmhouses, barns and other structures, in their own factory. Along with their own line, Greentea’s founder Dale Storer, visited Asia on a regular basis to find traditional antiques to sell on the company’s website and in their 5,000-square-foot showroom. From bed and bath to kitchens and living rooms, Greentea Design has readily available options for every area of your home. Each piece has its own custom options available as well, from different stains and hardware to shelving and door design options.

With a passion for Buddhism, yoga and manga, it is easy to see why Greentea Design is our kind of furniture collection. Already enjoying a sparse bedroom, the addition of one or two Wheel Tansu tables would give us a place to rest our glasses and evening reading materials. Though currently without a dining room, I couldn’t help but admire the beauty of the antique Low Red Sideboard. Rarely do I find myself enjoying items with immense amounts of detail, but the antique Tibetan Chest has a life all its own. Having been on the hunt for just the right living room table for over a year, I am sure we have found “the one” – the Korean-style Small Rice Chest.

After the devastating earthquake on May 12th in China, Greentea quickly responded by donating 5% of each sale for the month of May to the Chinese Red Cross. “I was on my way to Beijing at the time and for the past week have witnessed the effects of this tragedy on our business partners and friends here,” said Greentea Design founder Dale Storer. “We have been assured by The Red Cross that money raised will go directly to the affected area. As with other global events, this is not about government or politics but about helping the people who need it so desperately right now. “