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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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, green remodeling san francisco
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Green Interior Designer Tip: Natura Paints by Benjamin Moore
Thursday, March 5th, 2009
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 *
Tags: eco-friendly paints, green interior designer san francisco, natura paints benjamin moore, zero-voc paints
Posted in Green Design, Paint & Wallcoverings | No Comments »