Green Re-design

Another key to environmentally friendly design is paring down. The concept “less is more” is a hard one for many homeowners, according to Anna Jacoby, owner of Anna Jacoby Interiors in Fremont, Calif. “Most people don’t have the wrong things—they have plenty of things,” she says. “People should do a careful editing of their belongings to showcase them in a more aesthetically pleasing way.” A rule of thumb is to accessorize with one statement piece instead of 20 smaller knickknacks. Freshaire Choice Paint Decorate with the environment in mind by using natural materials, like sisal, organic cotton and sustainable woods. No-VOC paints also create a healthier indoor environment. Photo courtesy of Freshaire Choice Paint. Improve Indoor Air Quality Paint is an easy way to update the look of your home without a big investment in money or time. Interior re-designers say it takes just a minimal cost for supplies and a little effort to easily paint a room or put a fresh coat of paint on cabinets in a day. As you look at paint chips, however, it’s important to also consider how the paint you use affects the air quality of your home. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the air inside a home is, on average, two to five times more polluted than the air outside. Paint is a large contributing factor to poor indoor air quality and can emit harmful chemicals, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), for years after application and pollute the air breathed indoors. The VOCs found in some paints can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and eye and throat irritation. You can avoid these symptoms by spending a bit more on low-odor, zero- or low-voc paints, which are healthier for your family and pets. There are many no- and low-VOC paints on the market today that roll or brush on like regular latex paint. Some widely available brands include Freshaire, Mythic and Sherwin-Williams Harmony paint. Tips for New Purchases Sometimes it is necessary to update your interior decor and accessories with new purchases. Furnishings and surfaces may get shabby or beyond repair and outdated accessories may call for a fresh replacement. If you do have to buy a new accessory or piece of furniture, make it something durable that you will want to hang on to for a long time. Handcrafted items, particularly made by local artists, make interesting focal points for any space. Choose elements crafted from renewable natural materials, such as organic cotton or bamboo, which renews itself in just three years. If possible, opt for items that can be sourced and made locally—reducing your carbon footprint on the environment. Cover floors in eco-friendly materials like sustainable wood and ceramic tile. If you are a lover of traditional hardwood or bamboo floors, choose lumber that comes from sustainably managed forests. Dozens of types of wood are produced in FSC-certified forests in which the trees are regenerated, biodiversity is conserved and air and water quality are preserved. Visit the Forest Certification Resource Center Web site to find woods that are sourced by the Forest Stewardship Council. Several manufacturers now make ceramic tiles using recycled post-production waste, making them logical eco-conscious choices for your home. Shaw, Mohawk, Crossville and Daltile all make ceramic tile that include recycled materials. If you need to buy new furniture, be sure that what you purchase is durable and multitasking. You can purchase a sofa for a few hundred dollars, but odds are it will end up in a landfill after a few years. Your best bet is to purchase a well-crafted wood piece covered in high-quality fabrics that will last through years of living and cleanings. Re-designing your spaces can be an efficient and effective way to update your home’s decor. By cleverly reusing your favorite furnishings and accessories; or purchasing durable, eco-friendly replacements; you can reduce landfill waste and stretch your decorating budget.

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