Green Interior Design Newsletter: Easy Home Tips
Monday, March 1st, 2010
Are you interested in making your home more healthy for your family and the environment? Green building design focuses on 4 key components: Energy, Water, Indoor Air Quality, and Materials. Even if you aren’t remodeling or undergoing construction, here are 5 easy green improvements you can do today!
Seventh Generation discloses all ingredients in their cleaning products.
1. Use CFL Bulbs in Utility Areas. You can dramatically reduce your energy usage by simply replacing the incandescent bulbs in your hallways, laundry rooms, and garages with CFL bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs typically consume 65% – 75% less electricity than regular light bulbs, and they last up to 10 times longer.
2. Use Non-Toxic Cleaning Products. Buy cleaning products that are biodegradable, phosphate and chlorine free, and derive their ingredients from plants (renewable sources) rather than petrochemicals like crude oil or natural gas (which are not renewable). There are a number of green cleaning lines, including companies such as Seventh Generation, Simple Green and Method. Always check the labels to ensure the ingredients are listed.
3. Buy Recycled Paper Products and Unbleached Coffee Filters. Standard white coffee filters require a bleaching process that unnecessarily pollutes the environment. Opt for brown unbleached filters and purchase paper products that have recycled content.
4. Improve Ventilation: Open a Window! The Big 3’s for indoor air quality are: Elimination, Ventilation, and Filtration. Elimination: Reduce the number of products that off-gas into your living space: Paints & finishes, Carpets and adhesives, Engineered wood products, and Cleaners. Ventilation: Open a window! This will reduce the impact of high concentrations of unhealthy gases.
5. Conserve Water. You can save water by simply paying attention to your habits and modifying them to use less. Turn off the faucet when you brush your teeth, use your dishwasher and clothes washer only for full loads, install water saving shower heads and low-flow faucet aerators. If you are in the market for new appliances, make sure to purchase EnergyStar® and WaterSense® rated models.
NEED PROFESSIONAL HELP? Green Interior Designer San Francisco – Providing interior design services to homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Call today for a free in-home consultation!
Tags: easy green tips for the home, green interior design tips for the home, green interior designer bay area, green interior designer san francisco, green interior home design
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Eco-friendly wallcoverings by Innovations
Wednesday, October 21st, 2009
As a Green Interior Designer in San Francisco, I am always looking for innovative and sustainable products. I recently used this eco-friendly grasscloth wallcovering made by Innovations USA in a project. Offered in their Innvironments line, this wallcovering is made from 100% cellulose and is certified by the Green Building Council. Best of all, it brings great texture to the room in a subtle way.
Niwa - Tsuru, From Innovations eco-friendly line of wallcoverings
Check out a more comprehensive list of San Francisco green furniture and material sources!
Tags: green interior design, green wallcoverings
Posted in Green Design, Paint & Wallcoverings | No Comments »
Before & After: Dining chairs
Thursday, October 15th, 2009
It always feels good to extend the lifespan of a piece of furniture, keeping it out of the landfill and also saving client’s money. With these dining chairs it just took a few coats of paint and newly upholstered seats in a graphic print.
Tags: before and after dining chairs, custom upholstery, painting
Posted in Before & Afters, Furniture, Green Design | 1 Comment »
Interior Designer in San Francisco: Green Furniture Guide
Saturday, October 3rd, 2009
Read on for sources from a Green interior designer in San Francisco on where to find furniture and remodeling materials that are easy on the environment.
PaperStone countertop made from recycled paper
FURNITURE
San Francisco Antique Mall: Save waste and energy and buy antique or vintage furniture instead of new. 701 Bayshore Blvd, San Francisco. 415.656.3530
Verellen Upholstery: Organic cottons and linen fabrics and sustainable wood frames. Ruby Living, 180 Townsend St, San Francisco. 415.541.9206
The Wooden Duck: Furniture made from reclaimed wood. 2919 Seventh Street, Berkeley. 510.848.3575
FLOORING, REMODELING & BUILDING MATERIALS
Ohmega Salvage: Reclaimed building materials. 2407 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley. 510.843.7368
Heritage Salvage: Reclaimed building materials. 1473 Petaluma Blvd So, Petaluma. 707.762.6277
The Green Home Center: 1812 Polk Street, San Francisco. 415.567.3700
FLOR: Recyclable carpet tiles
PaperStone: Countertops made from recycled paper
Plyboo: World’s only formadelhyde-free FSC-certified bamboo flooring
** Click here for an in-depth look at the principles of green design! **
Tags: eco-friendly flooring, eco-friendly furniture san francisco, green interior design sources sf, green interior designer sf, interior designer san francisco, san francisco green interior design
Posted in Green Design, San Francisco Design Sources | 1 Comment »
Goodbye Pesticides, Hello Organic!
Monday, April 27th, 2009
Organic bedding and accessories are making their way into the mainstream, with new lines at Pottery Barn and West Elm. Organic cotton and linen fibers are grown without the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, therefore eliminating tons of harmful pollutants that end up in our soil and water systems. The above organic hemp linen Birch pillow from Loop Organic would make a great accent for your bed or armchair.
I can personally endorse West Elm’s organic cotton blanket, which I received as a Christmas gift and have been loving ever since.
Pottery Barn’s Organic Flannel Duvet and sham are soothing and sophisticated. Bonus: They are currently on sale!Tags: eco-friendly design, organic bedding, organic linens
Posted in Accessories & Lighting, Green Design | No Comments »