Kalon Studios‘ Ioline Crib was recently awarded one of the top 100 eco designs in the world in TIME Magazine’s “Green Design 100″ issue, and we’re equally impressed with the Ioline Dresser, which shares the same eco-friendly design qualities and aesthetic appeal. Kalon Studios, founded by husband-wife team Johannes Pauwen and Michaele Simmering, have created many innovative delights for tots, and we love their sustainably designed, modern IoLine Dresser which is just as befitting for the nursery as it is for mom and dad’s bedroom. What a great, green concept if you’re sharing close quarters with baby.
At $1,795.00, this beautiful dresser may seem out of reach for many, but the IoLine is so beautiful and solidly made, that it is sure to become an heirloom piece, enjoyed for many generations. The IoLine Dresser, part of the IoLine Collection, was named for Pauwen and Simmering’s daughter Io, and was designed with a raised upper edge that securely holds the amazing IoLine Changing Trunk as seen above.
Eco-benefits of the IoLine Dresser:
- Made with 100% solid bamboo and zero formaldehyde FSC certified multi-ply.
- Assembled with water based non-toxic glue.
- Made with materials that are recyclable, renewable, and biodegradable.
- Finished with Kalon Studios natural, non-toxic wood oil & a low VOC, 100% HAPs free paint.
- Domestically made to order and heirloom quality for a long life of use.
- Kalon Studios meet a level of 95% material efficiency, and unused material is retained for use
+ Ioline Dresser $1795- no assembly required











Why is it that an interesting design that is “green” is so frequently priced for a millionaire? The vast majority of people are low-, middle-, or upper-middle class. The Kalon Ioline dresser is definitely priced out of reach for the vast majority of people. Although I love my one-and-only child, I could never justify $1795 for a single piece of children’s furniture. I could never justify that price even for a dresser for myself. If designers want the “public” to buy into the green concept, they must “get real”. No one will build a “green” house if it sells for $1,000,000 or more. No one will buy a “green” car that lists for $250,000. That is why the Toyota Prius is so successful. It is priced where the people can get to it. It’s better to sell a million widgets for $1 each than to make a $1,000,000 widget and wait for a millionaire to wander by.
Although I am middle class, I would never be able to justify $1795 for a dresser, not even for myself, let alone a child. If designers keep sending the message that sustainability is only for the rich, then they will sell one or two million-dollar widgets, instead of tens of millions of $1 widgets. With all due respect to the designers, it’s a nice piece of furniture, but they need to “get real”.
Sustainable furniture is more expensive because it is more difficult to make. When designers are on the cutting edge of making the world greener and safer for our children they don’t have the luxury of mass production to drive the prices down. I personally have a few Kalon pieces and I could not be happier with them. I really felt as though I was making an investment in the furniture I bought and I will pass on the furniture to future generations. The pieces are both modern and classic. I also felt good spending my money on a movement. Surely there is cheaper furniture, but sustainability is not going to become a reality unless we make it one by investing in companies that are laying the groundwork for future companies.