Home Design Going Green

Home Design - Going Green with the latest eco-friendly products.  Consumers more and more these days are starting to wonder how they can leave a more positive impact on the earth by starting with their home design and using more eco-friendly products.  Well here are some cool new and fresh ideas and products to aid in your search for green home design.

Let's start with the Caroma Eco-Friendly Water Saving Toilet with integrated sink.  If it's the environment that your thinking about then this is the ultimate space saver for your bathroom.  It has dual flush high efficiency - full flush/half flush.  This unique designed toilet with awards for innovative design and engineering from Popular Mechanis also comes with an integrated hand basin, which is so cool because after flushing the fresh, cold water is redirected to the faucet, then back into the tank for the next flush.

Next up let's take a look at the companies producing eco-friendly and green textiles.  One company that stood out for me in my research was Brentano.  It was founded in 1990 by Iris Wang and her husband E-Kwan Chen.  It has now become an in international presence in the textile community.  Their growing collection of eco-fabrics shows how they can meld environmental consciousness with their beautiful fabrics.  Brentano's variety of eco-fabrics are bamboo, eco-wool, recycled, eco-friendly faux leather and organic cotton. 



Photo Credit Brentano Fabrics

Harwoods specialty products and the environment.  We are trying to minimize our impact by making the environment an ongoing component of our house design decisions.  When researching for environmentally friendly wood subsitutes and the reliability of the sustainability of the forest products industry, look no further.  Kirei Board is one fine example of modern design, naturally.  It is a very strong, lightweight and durable subsitute for wood that is eco-friendly.  It is made from reclaimed sorghum straw with no added formaldehyde adhesive.


Photo Credit Kirei

Low Impact House Design Materials.  I want to focus on your kitchen home design for this particular section by making your space more efficient, livable and more earth-friendly.  Standard materials consume resources and contain tons of toxic chemicals.  Here's one idea of a product to promote a low impact kitchen design.
     Countertops: Terrazzo consists of recycled glass and crushed stone that's held together by cement or epoxy.  It is so beautiful with a smooth finish.  Enviroglas is one such company taking terrazzo back to its roots.  "Those glass bottles you're throwing away can be recycled...into beautiful...economical...sustainable...floors, countertops & decorative surfaces!" - Enviroglas


Photo Credit Klondike Contracting

Sustainable Furniture.


Photo Credit Vivavi





1. Hive Bench/Table by designer Arktura and can be used as a bench or table and has a unique generated pattern and is made with high recycled content steel construction, Zero VOC powder coat finish, and wind & solar powered production facility. 

2.  Light Block by Brave Space.  This pendant produces outstanding results by casting shadows in organic patterns and shapes with a wooden texture.  The walnut panels are from Ecoresin and has energy-efficient components.



Photo Credit Vivavi

3. Habita Collection by Ciscobrothers.com is a sophisticated furniture collection based on city living & specifically for those who are urban dwellers and a liking towards subtle, clean details and lines.  Cisco Pinedo is a leading designer of upholstered furniture and unique casegoods.  They created Inside Green which is their unique method of furniture construction that is 100% sustainable.

 



Photo Credit Ciscobrothers.com

Top Interior Design Trends For Summer 2011

Let's bring a whole new attitude adjustment in our desire for updating our home interiors for Summer 2011.  We live in Florida so the blazing sun as hot as it is, brings a joy & light to my heart that makes my soul sing.  We as a family entertain more and just generally feel as if life moves at a much slower pace. 

Trends do change but our style doesn't have to.  All of us in our own right have a certain idea about what design we tend to be inclined towards.  Are you into bright, colorful design elements or more subtle, neutral colors that subdue and relax?  Well guess what both are right and whatever suits you and what makes you feel good inside is what works.  Let's take a look at a couple of different trends emerging for the upcoming summer....there are huge ranges of trend forecasting that go from nostalgic trends taking us back in time by traveling to exotic places. 

For fabrics this summer it seems there is a wonderful blend of certified organic cotton, linen & bamboo for those seeking to use environmentally conscious materials in their homes.  Also solid earth tones are popular, as are pewter, platinum and golds. 

Lisa Perry's the fashion designer icon's New Haven Beach House is a prime example of some fabulous trends for the summer.  Her fashion has a bold signature & so does her beach house.  Lisa worked with interior designers Tony Ingaro & Alexia Kondylis and Veranda captured the drama in their colorful photos.




Photo Credit Veranda Magazine & Martin Sobey

Photo Credit Veranda Magazine & Martin Sobey



 This is one of those homes that people will either love or hate.  The style is crazy, bold, full of contrast and has its fair share of nuttiness.  There are white walls, black trim, lucite, jade green and Chinese red.  You can imagine yourself in the above photo eating eggs benedict washed down with mimosas and then just walk yourself right into this luscious pool and take a dip. 

Photo credit Veranda Magazine & Martin Sobey

This is an amazing display of a child's room with lush green carpet as if they are frolicking in the grass and gorgeous white four poster beds and the stuffed black & white tiger just sets it off!  Magnificent.