Earth Day Special: Niche Interiors featured on Raenovate
Thursday, April 22nd, 2010
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 *
Tags: earth day, green interior design, green interior designer bay area, green interior designer san francisco
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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
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Green San Francisco Interior Design Newsletter
Monday, March 2nd, 2009
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 *
Tags: FSC certified, green interior design, green interior designer bay area, green materials, reclaimed wood, san francisco green interior design, veneers
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