Archive for the ‘Interior Design’ Category
August 17th, 2008
Win a Free Custom Green Home –Seriously
Stumble it!
We have already written about the innovative folks at FreeGreen, who are providing free green home plans online. (You really need to check out their plans– they’re amazing!) And now they are going a step beyond and offering a contest by which you can win a CUSTOM green house plan. Seriously! I know you’re skeptical, so read on….
“We have created this contest to interact with you and create the next evolution of the American Home. Rather than doing this in a prescriptive manner, we felt that it would be best to allow you (our great FreeGreen users) to help us. We invite each of you to enter our contest, tell us about your new and ideal Green Home, win a free custom home design from FreeGreen, and help us shape the future of residential dwelling in this country.”
There are only three main requirements to enter this contest:
+ You must own land and be prepared to build a new home in the United States
+ You must be prepared and plan to build your new home in 6 months from the end of the design process
+ You must be willing to share your design process, design story, and construction\finished home photos with other FreeGreen users
If you fit the bill, hop to it!
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Popularity: 1% [?]
August 13th, 2008
Fabulous Green Furniture Finds
Every once in a while I like to cruise around online (some low-carbon cruising!) to check out cool green home furnishings. I went to some of my old favorite haunts, as well as some new ones– and was totally overwhelmed with all of the gorgeous furniture design going on out there in the eco-sphere. Let me share some really lovely pieces with you.
One of my favorite craftsmen in Brandon Morrison of Whyr’hymer Furniture. He uses totally sustainable materials in his pieces and they are just stunning. He uses only FSC-certified woods and non-toxic finishes. He makes spectacular tables, beds, cabinets and some of the most distinctive lighting fixtures I’ve ever seen. At left you see the exquisite Ladies Rose Cabinet. The Whyr’hymer website is also just a rich visual experience, so take a spin and enjoy!
Check out what’s new at Knu! Knú is primarily known as a leading supplier of eco-friendly office furniture, but don’t try to put them in a box. They make dining tables, chairs and now great kid’s furniture as well. Knú uses FSC-certified, sustainably harvested birch whenever possible and also uses FSC-certified natural veneers or SGS-certified engineered poplar veneers. Knú uses proprietary hardware consists of 40% recycled steel on average. What’s also great about Knú is that they buy local: 90% of their suppliers are within a 50-mile radius.
Any babies on the horizon? Take a gander at this special IoLine Crib. The sustainably-harvest wood and bamboo in this crib are too beautiful for words, and the whole piece features non-toxic finishes and adhesives. What makes the crib even better is that it transforms into a toddler bed– which makes the investment more worthwhile. That’s one lucky baby!
And mama needs a comfy place to rest, too. How about this sweet Rondi Chair from Viesso? Viesso is another great eco-minded furniture design shop and they make beautiful couches, bed, chairs– the whole shebang. They use FSC certified woods, natural organic latex, recycled steel springs, water-based glues and more eco-friendly materials. (Be sure to check out their floor-model section as they have some amazing deals!)
Related Features:
As always, be sure to see our wide range of eco-friendly furniture options
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Popularity: 1% [?]
August 10th, 2008
Groovy Green Dorms
We have started to get a lot of email from folks heading back to college who are wondering how they can make their dorms more eco-friendly. Well here’s our guide to going green in your dorm! Also be sure to read down below where we highlight universities around the country doing very innovate eco-minded things. It’s exciting!
Saving Energy, Saving Money
1. You probably can’t do structural work like installing insulation or solar panels at your dorm (but if you can get your college to let you, more power to you!) But you can definitely still reduce your energy use. Use efficient lighting– like compact fluorescents or better still LED (light-emitting diode) lights, which are over 10 times more efficient than CFLs. You can find both CFL and LED lighting options here.
2. Turn off the AC and use a fan. Fans use much less energy than central or window-AC units. Click here to see energy-efficient fans. But if you do need to get an AC unit, make sure you get an Energy Star model.
3. Get a solar charger for your iPod, phone and laptop. How cool will you look? So cool. Solar chargers are a great way to keep your portable electronics running when you’re on the go and you need no electricity at all!
4. If you have a fridge in your dorm room, also be sure to go use an Energy Star refrigerator. Small Energy Star refrigerators are very energy-efficient and will save you money in the long run as well.
5. Is a new computer on your back-to-school list? Laptops are more energy efficient than desktop computer models. And again, get an Energy Star laptop model. You can find models here.
6. Seal any cracks in your windows and doors. Leaky windows and doors let lots of valuable hot/cool air out. Buy some caulk at your local hardware store and seal the cracks.
Cut Your Greenhouse Gas Emissions
1. Get thee on a bike! Do you really need to drive for your errands? Biking is a great way to stay in shape, meet people out and about and cut your contribution to global warming.
2. Do you really need a car at all? Check out car-sharing options like Flex Car that can get you four wheels when you need them– but allow you to save money and gas by biking, walking and using public transportation the rest of the time.
3. Take a train or a bus. Remember that flying is a major contributor to global warming, and whenever you can take a train or a bus you’re cutting your carbon emissions in a big way.
Save Water
Energy-saving gets all the big press these days due to global warming, but saving water is also a critical thing we all need to do more of.
1. Only run full loads of dishes and laundry. This is the most efficient from a water and energy-saving perspective.
2. Don’t hand wash your dishes or clothing. You’ll use more water that way rather than using your machines. And you could be wasting a lot of water rinsing off your dishes before you put them in the dishwasher. Most dishwashers can wash your dishes clean even if you haven’t rinsed them first.
3. Turn off your faucet while you brush your teeth, scrub your hands, and wash your face.
Other Great Ways to Save Resources
1. Say no to plastic water bottles! Get a Brita or other filter for tap water and buy a reusable metal water bottle. Plastic water bottles waste not only plastic but also cuts carbon emissions from the trucking and shipping of the bottled water.
2. Take your own reusable shopping bags to the grocery store. The answer to “paper or plastic?” is “Neither!”
2. Recycle to the max. Make sure you know your school’s or town’s recycling regulations and recycle all you can. And if your dorm doesn’t have a recycling program, start one!
3. Consider composting. Composting food and yard waste can cut your trash load half. How about having everyone in your dorm chip in to get a composter? You can find composters here.
Learn from the Leaders: Outstanding Green Universities Across the U.S.
The Princeton Review has created a “Green Honor Roll” for the leading green colleges across the country. For example, Bates College in Maine is a leader in many ways–from the 28% of its food budget dedicated to local, natural, and organic purchases to the bicycles and cars they share to reduce pollution, environmental sustainability is part of Bates College’s DNA. Bates has opened two new major buildings, a student residence hall and dining commons, both built to LEED-Silver equivalence. Other leading green universities include Emory in Atlanta, Yale in New Haven, and the University of Oregon in Eugene. Check out their amazing commitment to sustainability!
Related features:
Back to School Green Style
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Popularity: 1% [?]
July 24th, 2008
Do Your Countertops Glow in the Dark?
OK, you can accuse me of choosing a sensational-ist title, but I did come across a NY Times article this morning that was quite illumating! We’ve often advocated for green countertops for the environmental benefits, but now there’s another very important reason to choose green as well: some of the traditional granite countertops emit high levels of radiation!
It sounds pretty crazy at first glance. However, the earth’s crust is filled with minerals that emit small amounts of radiation, and granite is one of the types of rock that contains radioactive elements. Uranium deposits, for instance, are often found at the boundaries between igneous rocks (such as granite) and other layers of rock. As uranium decays, it emits radon gas. In fact, much of the radon gas that seeps into homes in certain parts of the country comes from the decay of uranium in underground granite deposits. Granite quarried in the US is most likely safe because of better testing and sourcing, but with today’s explosion of granite options from all parts of the world some less-than-safe choices have slipped in.
So, should you call in your local radon surveyors or rip out that granite countertop? Not so fast … even when decorative granite does contain high levels of radiation relative to your average granite slab, it still isn’t nearly as bad as the cosmic radiation you’re bombarded with when flying in a commercial jet. That being said, no radiation is good radiation, especially when you have young kids around. So, if you are thinking about a remodel or choosing new counters for your dream home, consider the many eco-friendly countertop options that DON’T contain minerals from deep within the earth. And, if you have granite already, consider using an inexpensive test kit (several options here) to check before making any expensive decisions.
Oh, and if you really do want countertops that glow, check out EnviroGLAS surfaces made with EnviroGLO aggregate. They are VERY cool. (Pictured at left.) You can see an example on TV on my Greenovate episode (on Discovery Channel’s Planet Green network) starting tomorrow night, for Adam and Suzan used it in their home’s flooring to amazing effect! Click here for a schedule of upcoming shows - the Adam & Suzan Greenovate show is at the bottom.
Popularity: 2% [?]
July 17th, 2008
Green Condos in the West
A couple of weeks back we did a feature on the great trend of green condo developments taking off all over the country– and we covered many developments in the East and South. Click here to learn about Green Condos in the Eastern U.S.
A green condo can be a wonderful alternative for (the vast majority of) those of us who cannot afford to build a new green single-family home. We want sustainable design, solar panels, energy-efficient appliances and so much more, but we can’t afford to build. Viola– the green condo!
This week we cover many of the excellent green condos available in the Western United States. There are so many to choose from it’s tough to pick just a selection to highlight here!
In the Los Angeles Area
Evo South is an exciting development in the heart of downtown LA. It is an urban tower of steel and glass– 23 stories with 311 residences. They are in the process of seeking LEED certification for the building. The units feature such eco-friendly elements as Bosch Energy Star appliances, low-flow water fixtures, Nature’s Choice carpeting and more.
If you prefer the beachy side of life, Green On 19 is a cool townhouse development in Santa Monica. These townhomes are the first of their kind in Santa Monica, and there are five units in the development. Architect Jesse Bornstein has integrated modern style, light and sustainability into his design. The units meet Energy Star New Home standards and feature solar power, bamboo and concrete floors, LED landscape lighting, xeriscape landscaping, and more.
In the San Francisco Bay Area
The Arterra is a relatively new development in the Mission Bay district. Arterra is also seeking LEED Certification. The Arterra has three sections: “sky”, a 16 story tower with city and bay views; “city”, a 9-level building with city views and green roof; and “park,” a 6-level building with two-story residences that come with private outdoor spaces. Altogether there are 269 units in the Arterra, and apparently 55% of them are already sold.
The Green City Lofts in Emeryville have 62 units of Energy Star Certified living. The steel superstructure and interior framing contains 25-90% post-consumer recycled content creating a more durable, earthquake-resistant, fire-resistant, rot-resistant, mold-resistant, and pest-resistant building. The units have radiant heating, no-VOC paints, double-pane windows, and cool metal roofs.
In Seattle
Enso is a thrilling condo development in Seattle. They are seeking LEED Gold certification. Units are for sale now and will be available in Spring 2009. The building is gorgeous and the units feature such eco-elements as concrete counters, sun shades, 100% recycled content carpet, no-VOC paints, and Ecoresin panels. The building also uses heat-pump technology, which is a very energy-efficient option for heating and cooling.
The Veer Lofts are bringing a kicky spirit to Seattle. They have three styles of lofts for sale– the “Flexi-loft” is 1 and 1/2 stories; The Full Loft is two stories and The Flat is a one-story. They are seeking LEED Certification and the units include daylighting, water-conserving fixtures, recycled building materials and drought-tolerant landscaping. Check out the funky website– it’s very fun!
In Portland
The Metropolitan in the Pearl District is a gleaming, modern tower that is a LEED Certified building. The Metropolitan balances luxury with a commitment to sustainable design and healthy living. The LEED Silver building has high performance energy efficient mechanical systems and glazing systems, storm water retention for landscape irrigation, the incorporation of durable, low-maintenance materials and the use of healthy materials and abundant natural ventilation for improved air quality.
In Denver
Just a few blocks from Coors Field in downtown Denver, 20|20 Lawrence Street features 60 residential condos atop an exciting mix of ground-level retailers. The development is LEED Gold (no small accomplishment!) The 50,000 watts of electrical power that will be produced from a roof-mounted photovoltaic system will represent one of the largest solar photovoltaic arrays in Colorado. The individual units feature sustainable hardwoods and low-VOC carpets and paints.
Click here to find green real estate for sale across the U.S.
Click here to find an EcoBroker to help you with your green real estate needs.
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