Niche Interiors » Green Design

Earth Day Special: Niche Interiors featured on Raenovate

jennifer — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 18:33:19 +0000

We are thrilled to be featured on Raenovate today with a nod to our green interior design services and a feature of before and afters from the North Beach residence. Thank you Rachel, and Happy Earth Day to everyone! Click here for the full article.

* Green Interior Designer San Francisco *

Green Interior Design Newsletter: Easy Home Tips

jennifer — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:29:25 +0000

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!

Eco-friendly wallcoverings by Innovations

jennifer — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:46:01 +0000

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!

Before & After: Dining chairs

jennifer — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:08:00 +0000

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.

Interior Designer in San Francisco: Green Furniture Guide

jennifer — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 16:39:07 +0000

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

www.sfantique.com

Verellen Upholstery: Organic cottons and linen fabrics and sustainable wood frames. Ruby Living, 180 Townsend St, San Francisco. 415.541.9206

www.rubyliving.com

The Wooden Duck: Furniture made from reclaimed wood. 2919 Seventh Street, Berkeley. 510.848.3575

www.thewoodenduck.com

FLOORING, REMODELING & BUILDING MATERIALS

Ohmega Salvage: Reclaimed building materials. 2407 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley. 510.843.7368

www.ohmegasalvage.com

Heritage Salvage: Reclaimed building materials. 1473 Petaluma Blvd So, Petaluma. 707.762.6277

www.heritagesalvage.com

The Green Home Center: 1812 Polk Street, San Francisco. 415.567.3700

www.thegreenhomecenter.net

FLOR: Recyclable carpet tiles

www.flor.com

PaperStone: Countertops made from recycled paper

www.paperstoneproducts.com

Plyboo: World’s only formadelhyde-free FSC-certified bamboo flooring

www.plyboo.com

** Click here for an in-depth look at the principles of green design! **

Goodbye Pesticides, Hello Organic!

jennifer — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:46:00 +0000

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!

The New Academy of Sciences

jennifer — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:31:00 +0000

Last night we went to the Academy of Sciences Thursday night event, featuring cocktails, food and a Live 105 DJ. The best part (besides being able to drink a whiskey while watching penguins) was the living roof. Absolutely amazing! Hats off to the architects for this functional and beautiful creation.

Green Interior Designer Tip: Natura Paints by Benjamin Moore

jennifer — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 23:43:00 +0000

Finally, a line of zero VOC paints that come in a wide selection of colors. It’s music to a green interior designer’s ears! If you aren’t already up on the lingo, VOC stands for volatile organic compounds. The United States EPA defines a VOC as any organic compound that participates in atmospheric photochemical reactions except those designated by the EPA as having negligible photochemical reactivity. Meaning products that affect your indoor air quality. It’s unknown how much a fresh coat of paint can actually harm you, but it’s better safe than sorry.

Skipping ahead to the good stuff: Benjamin Moore has a new line of paints called the “Natura” line, which are considered zero VOC paints. The best part is that almost ALL of their colors are available as a Natura paint! Hallelujah options! If you are painting a baby’s room, are expecting a child, or just want to avoid the fresh paint smell this is for you. Go to Benjamin Moore’s website to learn more. (And, no, I am not getting paid for this!)

* Need professional help? Interior Designer San Francisco *

Green San Francisco Interior Design Newsletter

jennifer — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 22:20:21 +0000

HOW GREEN IS THAT TABLE? With the interest in green interior design increasing, there is a risk of information overload when shopping for environmentally friendly furniture. It’s a huge topic to tackle, but these key factors will start you on the sustainable path.

Reclaimed barn doors at Heritage Salvage

1. Reduce, Re-use, Recyle. It’s basic but very true. Before immediately purchasing a new furniture item, consider buying a vintage or antique piece. They have a lot of character and will not be using up any additional resources.

2. What is the furniture made of? If it’s wood furniture you are looking for, determine what the veneer (thin decorative covering of fine wood) and sub-layer beneath consist of. Veneers preserve rare trees by using only a fraction of the wood that would be needed if the piece were solid.

The use of a more abundant species of solid wood or medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is a good option. Avoid using particle board as a sub-layer, since it is not very durable and is likely to end up in a landfill at the end of its short lifespan. Check to see if the type of wood used is renewable (grows quickly), reclaimed (re-used for a new purpose), and/or responsibly harvested. The highest stamp of eco-friendliness is an FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood.

If you are in the market for upholstered goods, consider what types of fabrics, glues, and fillers are used in the furniture. Some manufacturers, such as Verellen, offer organically grown fabrics that are grown without the use of pesticides. Do your homework, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

3. Where is the furniture made? If a dining table travels halfway across the world to get to you, does it matter that it was made from reclaimed wood? The fossil fuels consumed to get it here might offset the benefit of using reclaimed lumber. Consider the integrity of the manufacturer whom you are supporting, and what types of commitments (if any) they make to their community and the environment.

* Need professional help? Interior Designer Bay Area *

Re-purposed gurney coffee table

jennifer — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:55:00 +0000

Who knows if sick children were actually carted around on this old metal gurney. But, I do know that it serves it’s new purpose as a coffee table base very well.
After finding the folding metal gurney at a flea market I removed the caster wheels (which were cool but made the table too high) and had Walnut plywood cut to serve as the table top and the lower shelf. It’s sturdy, collapsible, and best of all you can put your feet up.