My Design Secrets

A British company named "olli & lime" created the "George" pattern you see above. It's meant for kids, but with a color described as "milk chocolate", I have decided it's good for adults too! It's printed on paper made from sustainably harvested wood.

As I start using more eco-friendly paint on my projects, it has really gotten me thinking about wallpaper, too. Unfortunately, many wallpapers are vinyl and can off-gas harmful compounds into your home for years to come.  Plus the adhesives, inks, and finishes can be hazardous as well.  The good news is that fantastic eco-friendly wall-covering designs are popping up every day so you can have the beauty of wallpaper without the concern of harmful chemicals in your home.  

How to choose and eco-friendly wallcovering:

1. Look for wallcoverings that are printed on paper instead of vinyl.  Vinyl not only emits harmful gases in your home but the chemicals it is made with can harbor mold.  And once it gets to a landfill the problems continue.  Also, it is best if that paper is FSC certified.  This means that the Forestry Stewardship Council has approved the forestry methods used by the company that harvests the trees that eventually become paper.
2. Make sure the company uses natural water-based paints and dyes so you are not adding VOC’s to your environment.  You might be surprised at how beautiful vegetable dyes can be.
3. Lastly, use an eco-friendly wallcovering adhesive or make your own like they did in the old days.  This is not the time to cut corners and bring the chemicals back into the equation!

I hope you consider an eco-frendly wallcovering when your walls need sprucing up.  These great options will show you that they are short on harmful chemicals but long on style.

I LOVE these wall flats from Inhabit, but I am not sure why they are called wall flats when they are full of texture! They are made from 100% molded bamboo pulp, come 10 panels per box, and come in 5 textures. They an also be painted!

This beautiful wallpaper from Graham & Brown has a modern and classic feeling, all at once. The textural pattern is created from the bird feather patterns. All papers from their Eco Collection are printed on paper from managed timber sources and are printed with only water-based inks.

Mod Green Pod designs and sells beautiful eco-friendly wallpapers and fabrics. They use water-based inks on a cellulose paper and give the paper a water-based glaze that can tolerate light wiping.

Prefabricated houses have a long history in the United States.  In the first half of the 20th century alone, Sears, Roebuck and Co. sold more than 100,000 prefab homes.  For less than $2,500, the home buyer received a kit containing about 30,000 pieces – including everything from lumber to nails and hardware to paint and shingles — plus a book on how to construct the home. 

Since then, prefab homes have come a long way!  Personally, one of my favorite architects of prefab homes is Michelle Kaufmann.  Her firm, Michelle Kaufmann Designs, is a full service architectural design firm that specializes in sustainable, innovative, high-quality prefab homes.  Check out the following video to learn more!

One of the most compelling books that I have read in the last several years is Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things by authors William McDonough & Michael Braungart.  Guided by the principle that waste equals food, McDonough, an architect, and Braungart, a chemist, explain how products can be designed from the outset so that, after their useful lives, they will provide nourishment for something new.

Using a cherry tree as an example, they note how “wasteful” it is.  Each year it dumps a great pile of fruit and leaves on the ground to rot.  But all of this waste goes back into nature to be reborn as new trees, bacteria, and other parts of the natural ecosystem.  According to the authors, we should try to emulate this natural system instead of replicating the “cradle to grave” model that has been so popular since the onset of the Industrial Revolution.

The following video, which I highly encourage you take the time to watch, has William McDonough asking what our buildings and products would look like if designers took into account “all children, all species, for all time.” 
 

It is nice to know that there are forward thinking companies that have already instituted the cradle to cradle design philosophy.  Take a look at these beautiful pillows from LoooLo Textiles.

Every pillow or blanket  the company makes uses hand and machine knit biodegradable textiles.  You can even throw them in your composter at the end of their useful lives and they will biodegrade within one year.  That is truly eco-friendly!

Are you following me on twitter?

~ Lorrie

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If you are going to remodel your kitchen and would like to do it in an eco-friendly fashion, consider using the following materials in your new design.

Appliances- Certified with an Energy Star label.  Use a convection oven versus a conventional oven to save energy. 

Cabinets – FSC-certified plywood, wheatboard, bamboo, formaldehyde-free MDF, reclaimed wood, recycled timber, or recycled steel.

Countertops – Granite, engineered stone, recycled ceramic tile, FSC-certified wood, recycled steel, recycled glass, recycled plastics.

Flooring –  Bamboo, cork, linoleum, stone tiles, recycled glass tiles, recycled metal tiles, reclaimed & sustainable woods.

Lighting – Copper light fixtures, recycled glass, recycled aluminum, recycled steel, sustainably harvested wood, and post-industrial waste products.  Be sure and use energy-saving fluorescent bulbs.

Storage – Store food in glass and ceramic pieces instead of plastic.  They are easier to clean, do not hold odors, and if on display, aesthetically much more pleasing.

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Are you following me on twitter?  You should be!

~ Lorrie

Today’s giveaway is sponsored by Jenny Lee-Katz Designs.  Born in Wales, Jenny Lee-Katz is an award winning textile designer.  Now, working from her own studio in Pennsylvania, Jenny offers a variety of collections and standard products including pillows and eco-friendly floor cloths. 

The beauty of the Welsh coast line, and a photograph of a seagull taken on a visit to Newport, Rhode Island, inspired many of the shapes and patterns used in her latest collection, called Glan y Môr, which translated from Welsh means Seaside.

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Jenny designs are printed using eco-friendly textiles.  Both the hemp and 100% certified organic cotton have been whitened without the use of bleach.  The water-based pigment inks contain no volatile organic compounds (VOC’S), and there are no post-printing chemical finishes applied.

Jenny’s bespoke designs have won international design awards, been auctioned internationally to support African charities and have been created for one of kind corporate gifts.

Gwylan Pillow - $126

 

Would you like to win the Gwylan Pillow?  To Enter Simply…

1. Visit Jenny Lee-Katz Designs website and browse around.

2. Leave me one comment below telling me which product from Jenny’s website is your favorite.

If you are receiving this via email, go back to the site to enter.  Replies by email will not be accepted. 

One entry per person.  You have until 11:59PM EST on Wednesday, May 13th to enter.  One random winner will be chosen and announced soon after.

Are you following me on twitter?  You should be!

~ Lorrie

Front Porch - HGTV Green Home 2009

Today, I want to share a video tour and some photos of the 2009 HGTV Green Home with you.  In case you haven’t heard, HGTV is giving away a 2,430 square foot, eco-friendly, three-bedroom, three-bath home.  And if that wasn’t enough, they are also throwing in a new 2009 GMC® Sierra Hybrid.  It’s a grand prize package worth $750,000! 

This idyllic, eco-friendly home can be found in the town of Tradition, which is located in Port St. Lucie, Florida.  Tim and I live about 60 miles south of Tradition and we are very familiar with this area.  Lately, most news regarding real estate and the city has been, putting it mildly, awful.  According to a recent article in the Palm Beach Post, there are more than 10,000 empty, bank-owned houses in Port St. Lucie.  The area has the 10th highest foreclosure rate in the United States.  Frankly, the growing hype about the home could not have come at a better time. 

Livin Room - HGTV Green Home 2009

Master bedroom - HGTV Green Home 2009

Master bathroom - HGTV Green Home 2009

The house recently won platinum-level certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, program.  Here is a short list, compiled by the experts at HGTV, of some of the very cool eco-friendly features that can be found both inside and outside of the home.

1. Water Efficient Fixtures – Using low-flow toilets reduce water usage while maintaining water pressure. Aerators on sinks and showers are added to reduce water flow. (Products from sponsor KOHLER.)
2. Water Heating- By using both solar and tankless water heaters the home will save energy by allowing the sun to create hot water, and any additional heating will be generated by the tankless heater on an as needed basis. Also, a recirculation pump has been installed to ensure that all fixtures and appliances receive hot water on demand, which increases the water efficiency of the house.
3. Solar Power – The house includes a photovoltaic (PV) system that provides about 40% of its required power.
4. Countertops- The countertops are not only gorgeous and durable, but are also made with recycled glass.
5. Permeable Pavement- Allows rainwater to naturally seep into the ground rather than running to the stormwater system.

For your chance to win, click here to enter!  Rules allow for you to enter the giveaway once daily.  But you better hurry though, this giveaway will end at 5PM EST on June 5th.

Stylish and Sustainable:  Innovative ‘Green’ Home Décor Products

by Greg Hakim

The media claims that living sustainably and purchasing eco-friendly and organic products is the socially responsible thing to do.  In the last couple years, newspapers, magazines and broadcast outlets have flooded consumers with the following message:  ”Go Green!”  With the current economic situation, however, most homeowners do not have the ability to spend large amounts of money on big-ticket ’green’ products like solar panels and hybrid cars.  But have no fear, for I have scoured the Internet to find the greenest, trendiest and most affordable home décor and interior design products available today.  Here are a few of my favorites.

The Natural:  Furniture designer Bob Naboicheck, third-generation owner of Gold Bond, recently released The Natural;a stylish, eco-friendly and affordable futon.  The Natural, which was designed specifically for the ‘Greenest House in America,’ is made with 100-percent rubber wood, the most ecologically friendly wood in the world.  While most trees are cut down prematurely to make products and furniture, rubber wood is only used after its 25-30 year life cycle.  It is never cut down or burned prematurely.  Priced at just $279, the modern style and flexibility (couch and mattress) of this futon makes it a great sustainable purchase for the home.

Hawthorne Chaise:  Hand crafted of entirely non-toxic, sustainable, all-natural materials, this chaise is as comfortable to lounge on as it is good for you and the environment.   Better yet, the modern and sophisticated white style is a safe bet for all interior design savvy homeowners.  The Chaise is made by using only reclaimed woods, which help preserve the earth’s forests, along with all natural and organic product options.

Stylish Glass Tile:  Recently featured, interior designer Eli Mechlovitz, CEO of GlassTileStore.com, has released a new line of high-end recyclable glass tiles, perfect for the modern day kitchen backsplash or bath.  Priced at just $14 a square foot (50 percent below retail!), a backsplash of GreenTile by GTS can be installed for around just $500 and will completely transform the look of any room.   In addition to attaining a luxurious and eclectic look, homeowners help reduce landfills and conserve energy by choosing recycled glass tiles. Typically, producing recycled glass tiles requires 50-percent less energy usage as compared to ceramic tiles, and 25-percent less as compared to regular glass tiles.

 OrganicPedic Pillows:  OrganicPedic by OMIproducts are made in the first Eco-Factory in the US – crafted in a chemical-free, smoke-free and fragrance-free environment with an exclusive ozone sanitation chamber.  The purity of the plant is so closely guarded that employees are forbidden from wearing deodorant, fragrances and even using fabric softeners on their clothing. Specifically, the Wool-Wrapped Organic Buckwheat-Hull Pillow and Wool-Wrapped 100% Natural Shredded Rubber Pillow are high-end and extremely comfortable, stylish and eco-friendly bedding options. 

Tansu Collection:  The Tansu Collection, by Viva Terra, will bring an old-fashioned yet chic look to any bedroom.  Perfect for storage or display, the tabletop’s small, compact shape is perfect to organize rings, necklaces, and bracelets. All of Viva Terra’s products are made with only the most sustainable products.  The company even ensures that their business partners have an element of sustainability to their practice.  With most products priced 50-percent off, Viva Terra home products are perfect for those looking to go green in their homes.

3D Mattress:  Hollandia International has recently revolutionized the eco-friendly bedding industry with the release of their new 3D Mattress, the first 90-percent recyclable mattress on the market.  With millions upon millions of fibers to provide comfort and support, the 3D braided fabric is the most hygienic material available for mattresses today.

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If you are not going to go green for yourself, at least think of your tots and pups. This sofa from Greener Lifestyles is made from FSC certified wood, natural latex cushions and is available in a variety of organic hemp, cotton and wool fabrics.

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Upholstery 

I have to admit this is a tough one right now.  As a designer, there are a number of companies from whom I can buy eco-friendly upholstery.  For retail customers, the options are few.  Plus you have to be careful because some companies are taking advantage of the “eco-friendly hype” to sell mediocre furniture.  Yes, a sustainable hardwood frame and organic fabric sound great, but how is the piece made?  What’s inside? (The answers should be a hardwood frame with wool or natural latex cushions)  What is the warranty?  Some companies do not sell directly to the public but you can find an authorized dealer in your area.

• Lee Industries - Crate and Barrel carries some of their items.
• Greener Lifestyles – A great selection of mostly modern sofas.
• Williams Sonoma Home – Offering some stylish options in their Green Collection.  Look for the little green leaf.
• Eco Terric- They offer the Inside Green line from Cisco Brothers.

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I have been admiring this Viva Terra table for quite some time. Reclaimed railroad ties-made from teak, pine, and ironwood have been crafted into a nesting coffee table with sturdy metal frames that have been given a waxed finish. It has a nice clean look but the weathered wood gives it an interesting twist.

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Casegoods

Casegoods are pretty much anything that is made out of wood.  Think coffee tables, armoires and dressers.   Here we have many options to choose from.  Antiques and used furniture are the most obvious way to go green.  You can use these items in exactly the condition you find them or refinish them to your taste using earth-friendly products.  If you are handy you can create furniture out of items or wood that had a previous life.  Lastly, there are plenty of talented artists and vendors that are making new furniture from eco-friendly and sustainable materials.

• Vivaterra – One of my favorites, a lovely selection of furniture and accessories.
• Green Culture Furniture - They offer everything from bedrooms to living rooms in traditional, transitional and modern styles.
• Design Public – Great Modern furnishings for your home.

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Pottery Barn has a wide selection of organic bedding in solids and prints. The Sanibel Collection is great for a vacation home or any room where you want that beach house feeling.

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Pillows, Bedding and Other Soft Stuff

If you like to sleep as much as I do, then you spend more than a few hours with your pillow snuggled under your head.  Since these items are close to your skin for many hours at a time, it’s a good idea to go green.

• A Happy Planet - If you are going with a simple white or ivory palette, they have got you covered with vendors such as Anna Sova and SDH Purists.
• Pottery Barn – They have a nice selection of organic bedding in lovely colors.  200 thread count is fine for shams and duvet covers but make sure your sheets are 300+.
• LAUREN SPA - Their new spa collection features the trademark Lauren style but with a softer look and feel.

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Lighting

Again, we can arrive from two directions.  Take what you have to a lighting store, make sure it’s safe and add a new twist with shades, beads or crystals.  There is also some great refurbished antique lighting on the web.  Bare in mind that compact fluorescent bulbs are available in many sizes.  You can also look for Energy Star approved fluorescent lighting that require 2/3 less energy than standard lighting, generates 70% less heat, and lasts up to 10 times longer.  Some people are concerned that they won’t get the same warm light from a compact fluorescent but if you select a fixture with that has opaque glass, you can hardly tell the difference.

•  Chameleon Fine Lighting – If you are interested in finding a period fixture or just something funky for contrast, they have a beautiful selection.
• Rejuvenation Lighting- One of the few places where you can get an perfect antique reproduction that takes a compact fluorescent bulb!
• LBC Lighting - You also have the option of selecting light fixtures that are made of recycled glass or grass clot for an interesting twist.

I hope this helps you jump into the world of eco-friendly furnishings.  Just remember: consider what you can reuse, analyze what you really need and then do your research.  There are lots of great companies offering a wonderful selection of products that will make your home beautiful and eco-friendly.  Now that’s a smart way to go!

Reuse and Recycle 

First, consider the items you have that might just need a little TLC.

• Friendly Facelift - Sometimes an old favorite just needs a little pick-me-up.  Try a sunny coat of paint on an old table, a new shade for Grandma’s lamp, or reupholstering your favorite chair.
• On the Move – Consider moving accessories, lighting and furniture to another room.  You will be amazed how different the piece looks and how it dramatically changes up a room. 
• Friendly Swap – Talk to your friends and family about what you are looking for and what you are willing to part with.  You might just have a perfect match.
• Dispose With Care – If you have decided that you are ready to part with that sofa, chair, or rug, do your best to pass it on to someone else  who can use it.  (www.freecycle.com, www.craigslists.com, & www.goodwill.org)

Ready to Purchase ? 

 Let’s start from the ground up in the world of eco-friendly decor.

This Hickory Hand-Scraped Flooring is from Eco Timber Flooring. The fantastic character and warmth would be perfect in any room. It is Certified according to the Principles & Criteria of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) as well as being LEED certified.

Flooring 

There are lots of eco-friendly options ranging from cork to reclaimed wood.  My best advice is to do your research like you would for any other purchase.  Be honest with yourself and make sure the flooring works with your lifestyle (and the dog’s and the kids’).  And it’s not just the wood or cork you have to consider.  Make sure you have information on any adhesives and sealents that will be used as these often contain volatile organic compounds (VOC’s)  Just because the flooring is eco-friendly, does not mean the vendor is customer friendly.  Assume nothing and ask a lot of questions.  Get a firm quote, ask about warranties and post-installation care. (Though I have not specified it for any of my clients, my flooring company tells me they are getting a lot of service calls for bamboo flooring, so be vigilant.)

• Eco Timber - Sustainable exotics and hardwoods.
• Check out your local architectural salvage companies for great deals.
• epanko – Cork options for every style.

An Angela Adams rug is truly a thing of beauty. The design, colors and textures mimic the beauty of the natural world.

Carpet & Rugs 

This is where things are getting interesting.  Area rugs can be made from a variety of natural and recycled materials bringing us a fantastic array of textures and designs that are truly amazing.  Along with checking that the rug is made from a sustainable material (recycled items, wools, cotton) make sure it’s made using earth and people friendly practices.  All the better if it’s made in the USA!  This will lessen the use of fossil fuels for transport.

• Flor - Carpet tiles for your whole room or just an area rug.  You can send your old tiles in to be recycled.
• Rug Studio - Sisal, Sea grass and Jute are a good, natural place to start.
• Angela Adams at Velocity – One of my personal favorites.  She makes earth-friendly wool rugs and they are a member of Rug Mark – assuring your rug is child-labor free.

Now that you have the floor covered, are you ready to start adding some furniture?  Then stay tuned for the Eco-Friendly Furnishing Guide Part II this Friday! 

The safest, most effective, pet cleanup system anywhere! An eco-firendly aerosol that is free of harsh chemicals and is both fur friendly and kid safe.

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A few minutes before the guests start to arrive and things could not be going more smoothly.  House, clean, top to bottom.  New decor, tastefully done.  Appetizers, warm in the oven.  Drinks, chilling.  Hair, fierce.  Little black dress, ooh laa laa.  Fido and Miss Kitty, misbehaving!

They have decided to greet your guests in their own special way.  Miss Kitty has coughed up a furball on the newly upholstered sofa and Fido has releived himself in the foyer.  Not exactly the first impression you had in mind, huh?

Fear not, you have Clean + Green by SeaYu to save the day.  Non- toxic, non-carcogenic, and eco-friendly, these are the most powerful and effective pet cleanup products on the market.  With an assortment of products for dogs, cats, birds and even small animals like ferrets, you can be confident that if your pet has an accident anywhere in your home that you will be able to eliminate the stain and odor with Clean + Green, quickly and easily.   

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Cleans and permanently removes stain and odor due to dog and cat clean up problems, such as urine, feces, vomit, cat spray, hairballs and more.

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Clean + Green is all natural, works instantly, easy-to-use, safe for pets, people, and the environment.  I like that!

Ready to Win Six Cans of Clean + Green for Your Home?

Step 1:  Visit SeaYu and choose six Clean + Green products.

Step 2:  Leave me a comment below telling me which 6 products you want.  You win, you get all six!  And if you would like to add a story about your pet, we would love to hear it!  If you are receiving this via email, go back to the site to enter.  Replies by email will not be accepted. 

Step 3:  You must follow directions accordingly to be entered into the giveaway.

One entry per person.  You have until 11:59PM EST on Wednesday, March 18th, 2009 to enter.  One random winner, that has followed directions, will be chosen and announced soon after.

Good Luck!

~Lorrie 

Win this Gorgeous $32o Lamp!