How green are you?

When it comes to remodels and upgrades, the reason to use sustainable or "green" materials and processes goes beyond reducing your carbon footprint. Sustainable materials create a healthier interior, reduce or eliminate long-term chemical off-gassing, require fewer resources, do less environmental harm, and reduce long-term energy and maintenance costs.  When you're thinking of buying new items for your home, updating a room, or just swapping what you have for something new, consider using eco-friendly items. Here are 5 affordable ways with easy to find products.

1. Replace those incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lights or light emitting diode (LED) in table lamps, ceiling and pendant fixtures, and even recessed ceiling (can or pot) lights.  There are many styles to select from with good color temperature. Many are dimmable as well. You'll use 75% less electricity and have a bulb that lasts 4-10 times longer....a great value.  With 100 watt bulbs being phased out in CA in January, with other states and wattages to follow, get started on your energy savings now. Many stores offer discount cost for multi-paks and some municipalities provide on-the-spot price incentives. 

2. Save water and create a new look by swapping fixtures in your bath and kitchen with WaterSense label fixtures. Check out Delta for some beautiful, affordable and functional fixtures. You could save over 500 gallons of water per year! Don't want to replace? Add a $3 screw on aerator to the spout for a big water savings.

3. Almost half of your home's energy consumption is due to heating and cooling.  Turn down the thermostat in cold weather. Each degree below 68°F (20°C) during colder weather saves 3%-5% more heating energy. When you come in from the cold, 68 will feel warm. At night, I turn mine down a bit further and use my down alternative comforter to sleep.  A programmable thermostat heats the house back up in the morning.  Remember to clean your furnace's air filter monthly. Need to update?  Today's furnaces are about 25% more efficient than they were in the 1980s and remember to check out furnaces carrying the Energy Star label.

4. Give your room a quick face lift by painting an accent wall in no VOC paint from Sherwin Williams.  The Harmony line of paints is both no-VOC and low odor and their new Emerald line has performance, color retention and durability in store for you. 

5. Updating your bedding and bath? Purchase products made with bamboo.  The fibers are soft, luxurious and affordable. There is no pesticide used in growing it, and bamboo is an easily renewable resource. It's naturally antibacterial and your towels will be highly absorbent. A bonus for allergy sufferers...they are gentle and unlikely to cause reactions.

DIY ideas to recycle your stuff!

The items are familiar, the ideas simple, the creativity is yours to enhance! Have fun.

Spaghetti jar herb garden. Attach jars to a weathered board
for a great indoor or outdoor wall display and epicurean delight.

Leftover craft and wrapping papers keep books neat and
organized.

PVC pipe makes fabulous wine storage inside
your kitchen or pantry cabinets.

Old book bindings make great bookmarks, gift tags and tassels.

The rest of your book makes a file sorter, business card holder,
holiday card display rack and more!

Lighting Design

Lighting design is often an afterthought.  A common misconception is that you must have everything else in place before you begin selecting your fixtures.  The result is that your project budget may fall short and the effect will be that you sacrifice the integrity of your interior design. Take into consideration how lighting will affect your space as early as the design phase. To help budget correctly, there are a few key things to remember.

• Budget generously for a quality lighting plan. The style and quality of the fixtures, and how they are controlled (automation, dimmers, sensors) is important in the long run. If you begin with a higher budget, you can find ways to trim through lighting packages, showrooms, or internet vendors. A typical budget for high-end residential lighting is $6-$10/square foot. If your budget is too restrictive, finding dollars may not be possible. When on a tight budget, list what you are looking for and submit it to a lighting rep, showroom or lighting designer. They can make suggestions on where you can save money, and what you can substitute for more affordable options.

• Never be afraid to ask for help. There are vendors and designer that have a vast knowledge of lighting. Find someone that you work well with, and learn from them. They not only can help you with your budget, but can suggest scenarios along with the best lighting solutions for what you would like to achieve.

• Optimize! Create a flowchart of the task areas within each space. Take note of the areas that need performance lighting. Where is office work done? What are the task areas and lighting needs in the kitchen?  Note the focal areas (i.e. Foyer, Kitchen Island, Dining Room Table) where feature lighting is important. Next, identify the areas with less foot traffic (i.e. Utility closets, Garage, Basement) where illumination is less important. After you've taken these initial steps, determine the style and number of fixtures you want for each area. With that in hand, you can obtain costs. You will then be able to see where you can trim or expand the budget to optimize the quality and overall effectiveness of your lighting plan.

• Get educated. Knowing your lighting requirements and understanding light fixture output will enable you to select the highest quality products and optimize your energy use.  It's important to note that the quality of lighting often determines how much time people spend in a space. Taking  the time to light rooms correctly can bring family together and create comfortable and effective work, play and entertainment spaces.  An example is the use of layered lighting that washes walls, highlights the ceiling, and accents artwork and architectural elements.  The effect creates an inviting yet open space where people want to gather and relax.

•   Don't forget about daylight. Incorporating daylight is crucial to good lighting design since balancing artificial light with daylight helps maximize use of a space and minimize energy use. Having the ability to control daylight - with window films and window coverings - is as important as controlling artificial lighting with the proper switches and control devices. For example, depending on the placement of windows in a space, there are likely areas that appear dark and cold throughout a typical day.   Illuminating with the right fixtures will resolve the problem.  At night you may utilize all of your lights, but during the day you may only want to use those that are illuminating a particular task area.  The result of a balanced lighting plan creates spaces for diverse needs and ultimately reduces energy use and saves money. 

A special thank you to Amelia Brubaker of OCS Lighting.

March Mirror Mania.

Our favorites for March all available through www.tot-home.com

Small bath? Try this!

Sometimes there is nothing that can be done to the footprint of your bathroom. Older homes, those with second story baths, and apartments, often don't have options for changing the space.  Small bathrooms need to make use of all available space, try one of more of these ideas to make yours feel larger.

 

1) Open it up.  Use open shelving instead of a heavy vanity.

2) Use your corners. Often overlooked, a corner is ideal for storage, display and even a sitting area. Build your cabinets and shelving into available corners to maximize the available space.  

2) Keep it monochromatic.  Busy patterns can overpower and appear to shrink the space. Light, natural tones lend an open, spacious feel. If you want to get creative, play with textures rather than patterns. Keep prints light and to a minimum.

3) Change your tub and toilet.  New tubs are designed to fit into smaller spaces.  Kohler has several small sized alcove tubs that work well. They even have a curved front tub that doesn't use a large footprint, but feels expansive while you're in it. A smaller, one-piece toilet may also have height and width, and as a bonus, you'll get a low flush model that saves water.

4) Swap your widespread faucet for a single hole to open the space on your small vanity or pedestal sink.

5) Use sliding doors instead of shower curtains to open your space. Sliding doors don't require space for door clearance, so can be better than a door that swings open.

6) Downsize the vanity. Newer vanities are smaller yet maximize the interior storage space with drawers and pull outs. Opt for a pedestal or wall-mounted sink and attain space savings. Wall mounted shelving - even using interior wall depth - will add back storage but feel less weighty.

Color!

It's a fact that people love color. It enriches their lives and  helps relax and refresh. Selecting the right color, however, can be a daunting task.  If you're not planning to re-paint frequently, that color will remain on your walls for many years. From my perspective, a color selection is simpler than a white selection. It's easier to control colors than to work in monochromatic environments, where every hue matters. Some color advice for blue and green. Next week - warm tones!


1. Blue is a high ranking favorite color for men and women. It's associated with water, sky and hence tranquility. When selecting bold blues from paint chips, it's wise to use lighter shades, since the effect in a large room can be overwhelming.  My favorites:
Behr Misty Morn
Sherwin Williams Silvermist
Benjamin Moore Buxton Blue
Pratt & Lambert Dusk Sky











2. Green is a practical color since it's abundant in nature, and its many hues complement nearly every color. Sage green is a popular classic and Emerald green is the 2013 Pantone Color of the Year.  It's a challenge to find the right shade since the hues seems to change with natural light conditions, exposing yellow undertones in sunlight, even getting acidic.   The best greens:
Behr Lima Green
Sherwin Williams Lemon Verbena
Benjamin Moore Great Barrington Green
Pratt & Lambert Herbal Garden

DIY window treatments!

Here are five casual  ideas to dress up your windows, whether you have existing blinds or shades, or panels now. These fresh ideas can be used seasonally or left up year-round. Your style and your budget will dictate!





Using re-claimed exterior shutters is a gorgeous, rustic look. 




Draping a fringed shawl over a pole sets the stage for an antique dressing table.











Don't need privacy? Add some lacy fabric remnants for softness.






Dishtowels make great window toppers, as these do, to filter sunlight and a country charm.

A napkin draped over a ready-made shade adds color, pattern and a custom look.

Outdoor textiles are fabulous indoors.

When you have young children and pets, you often had to choose between durability and style. No longer.  While using outdoor textiles indoors started out as a trend, with the plethora of colors, patterns, fabrics and design options,  it has now evolved into the ideal solution for achieving aesthetic value and functionality. Tough enough to brave the sun, wind and rain, outdoor fabrics offer incredible peace of mind in interiors as they will never fade or stain. 

You can now have white sofas! With the right shade and fabric, you can have en elegant style and the clean ability and durability that is a must!  Take a look at some of these vibrant and dynamic options. Stop by the showroom, on-line, or give us a call for more!

Holly Hunt

The line of Great Outdoors textiles by Holly Hunt is one of my favorite options for high quality, washable fabric. It’s so beautiful and yet so durable! These fabrics come in a wide range of gorgeous colors and patterns that can be applied anywhere!

Perennials Fabrics

Perennials’ fabrics are made of 100 percent solution-dyed acrylic andcome in solids, prints, reversibles, wovens, stripes, trims and sheers. Not only will you get beauty and durability with these fabrics, but comfort as well. 

Sunbrella Fabrics

Sunbrella fabric will hold up to “the messiest kids and the reddest wines.” This well-known brand continues to come up with new patterns and hues to keep furniture stylish and carefree.

Osborne & Little

I love the patterns available in the Ionia Outdoor Indoor Fabric collection by Osborne & Little. Inspired by the islands of Greece, these fabrics offer a fresh, contemporary look.

DeLany & Long, Ltd. 

Known for their fine interior fabrics, the founders of Rogers & Goffigon decided to bring their quality and style to the outdoors with DeLany & Long, Ltd. Produced with European specialty mills, these outdoor fabrics feature a beautifully understated palette of stunning stripes, solids, and textures.

The pouf. Trend or classic? You decide.

Recently, they're everywhere; design magazines, home shows, retail shops and even style blogs.  

They’re great when you need a quick seat, to 'set' on and to add a decorative accent . The pouf has become a staple in interior decor.  Their styles range from ultra-hip patterns to stitched leather to cozy embroidery. 

I've seen round, square, tufted, and even cloverleaf shaped.  They're part ottoman, part footstool, a dash of bench, and a huge dollop of style.     Need a footrest in the nursery? Add a pouf. How about an extra seat in the den or a decorative table for a living room? Use a pouf. 

Do you hate clutter?

When your belongings control your time, your happiness and your house, it's time to de-clutter and free yourself from the burden of storing, moving, cleaning, organizing and managing it.

I do like things neat, but like everyone else, collect things, forget to pick up after myself, and procrastinate.  When inset a system in place, like in the garage and my closet, things do stay uncluttered and organized.  My secret:

1. Keep a hamper, bin, basket or shopping bag for discards. In the garage it's a large box, and in my closet it's an old hamper.   If I try something on that didn't fit right, needs repair or isn't the right style, I add it to my hamper.  My husband does the same with clothes that look too worn.  When the container is full,  I go through to be sure I don't want to salvage something, put it all into my reusable shopping bags and take it with me to work.  As I pass a donation location or goodwill center, I drop it  off.

2. Don't buy storage containers until you really intend to use them. You'll usually end up storing stuff you really don't need or have extra containers once you pack them up.

3.  Do a bi-annual purge of your two largest clutter areas.  Usually it's the children's toy collection and the garage.  If the children have outgrown a toy or don't  really play with it anymore,, pass to a friend or neighbor, or donate to a church, charity or community organization. I use tools and garden, so I am more conservative about what I purge in the garage.  Old paint, extra nails and screws, lumber, and extra canned goods all get reviewed and dealt with.  The old bike that never got repaired, the bowling balls my husband used in 1999 and assorted items we don't use, don't make the cut.  You have your own list, I'm sure!

4. Organize and label  everything you store away.  My favorite storage method is stackable bins with chalk labels. I can stack them in the floor six high, and can easily read what the contents are.   A good  shelving system is essential so you don't have stacks of stuff you can't access.

5. Start de-cluttering with your shopping habits.  When you're out looking for clothes, kitchen items, cleaning supplies, or just about anything, think twice before you buy an item.  Can you remove one thing you don't need and replace rather than add to your collection? Do you have the space, use and desire to maintain it?  That's stopped me from buying yet another black sweater top, a kitchen accessory I really didn't need.

The health of your home is important.

Among the threats your home poses to your health are poor air quality, the presence of carbon monoxide, molds, environmental tobacco smoke, chemicals, dust and pests. Did you know that children growing up in a household with someone that smokes are 40 percent more likely to develop asthma? When you undertake an upgrade of any kind consider improving the health of your home so the health of your family is improved.  

In the last 20 years, a number of studies have shown significant health improvements in homes that have been upgraded to be energy efficient. They include improved windows, doors, seals, flooring choices, lighting efficiency and improved interior furnishing selections. Symptoms including runny noses, sneezing, throat irritation, coughing, fatigue, and irritability were markedly reduced in those homes compared to those in a control group. A major factor was improved ventilation which directly leads to lower contaminant levels in the air (translating to fewer respiratory irritants), lower relative humidity (reducing dust mites and associated allergens), and lower moisture levels (reducing mold and dampness).

It was noted that while volatile organic compounds (VOCs) seem to be dropping in construction-related products like paint, cabinetry, plywood, strand board and other materials, they are going up in consumer products in the form of pesticides, air fresheners, cleaners, household cleaners, carpeting,  furniture and other products homeowners bring into their homes. Why?  People are often misinformed about indoor air quality and the how the products they bring into their homes will affect them. Keep in mind that layering is important;  it’s self defeating to install a high-quality, ultralow-VOC carpet over a low-quality, potentially high-off-gassing pad. It’s also important to properly ventilate a newly finished interior prior to occupancy, and then to continue ventilating the home at the highest practical rate for several months thereafter.

There are many resources on line to learn about home health and the products that should be avoided. We are passionate about sustainability and home health and are available for in-home or e-zine consultations to get you started. 

The "new" pastels.

Does the word pastel conjure up a stereotype, like Easter eggs, little girls’ bedrooms, and 1980s interiors?  Are they too feminine?  NO. They have re-emerged as a bright, airy, calming option in retail, health-care and residential settings. New shades have depth and substance to them, which makes them more vibrant and usable. Many pale and blue-gray hues - which are pastels - are masculine and powerful. When using them in residential and retail interiors, pastels often need a strong accompanying color to provide contrast.  Bright red seating and a red lacquer wall are a great accent against the pastel lavender walls and ceiling.  Their soothing effects also make them popular in health care settings as well as bedrooms and bathrooms. When using pastels for painted walls I recommend that clients select a shade lighter than what they like on a color card. Once the color is spread on the surface, it becomes a little more intense. A top glaze can intensify the color in spaces like powder rooms, dining rooms and playrooms.

As part of its 2013 Color Forecast, Sherwin-Williams focused on pastels in a few of the trend palettes. The pastels that make up their Vintage Moxie not only exude a carefree attitude that reflects current fashion trends, but also echo retro color preferences of the 1950s and ’60s. With the economy being the way it’s been over the past few years, people want to get back to having fun and feeling uplifted. The pastels are a bit bolder, including semiprecious gem tones like citrine, peridot and amethyst, set off by crisp neutrals. Hues like Radiant Lilac (SW 0074), Rosedust (SW 0025) and Bathe Blue (SW 6771) are coupled with black and white for a modern edge.  Aloe (SW 6464) — a minty green deemed the Sherwin-Williams color of 2013 — pairs wonderfully with chartreuse, bright coral, periwinkle and violet.

3 Daylighting tips for the long-term

When it comes to saving energy, making use of natural daylight is the ideal first solution. For darker rooms in your home, here are some ideas to bring in the light!

1. Skylights are great for rooms in single story homes. A dark living room was transformed with six small skylights.  You can have operable - for ventilation - or fixed models.  Since increased light is the reason to use them, no coverings are needed.

2. Bay windows bring light and space into rooms. To add light to a dreary great room, changing the slider to a bay window provides light and an fabulous architectural element. 

3. Large scale windows are often the simplest and most cost-effective solution.  Rather than a single window in a bed room or bath (or any other room for that matter), a set of two or three can open a room and provide significant lighting. They work well in North facing rooms where the light tends to be muted. 

One of the most important design elements is lighting. Without  it, the spaces designed don't function well and focal points and accents are lost.  Here are some ideas for lighting specific rooms. 

1) Kitchen.  This is the most important space to light properly. Many builders use large, recessed can lights over-lighting the room throwing and shadows on work surfaces. The best lighting ( be sure to use fixtures and lamping that complies with your local code) is to place recessed fixtures slightly away from the cabinet faces, so the beam of light is thrown onto the counter and into the walkways.  LED under cabinet fixtures are a fantastic way to get task lighting, with low profiles that are nearly completely concealed.  Tucking puck lights into glass-fronted cabinets provides accent light and night lighting as well. LED strip lighting under toe kicks and in crown molding accents and provides mood lighting. Pendant for islands, peninsulas and tables are a great lighting solution that adds artistry to functionality.Be sure to use the right number and scale. 

2) Bathrooms. Whether it's a master bath suite or a shared hallway bathroom, the lighting needs to address the requirements of all users. I do trans-generational lighting whenever possible. What does that mean? Many couples buy a home, start a family and raise them there. Both they and their children age and have different lighting needs over time. Start with a good ambient light for the overall space.  Add task lighting for vanities, showers, toilet areas, soak tubs, and specialty areas for make-up and health related tasks. Recessed and flush mounted fixtures are practical and provide excellent ambient light. Wall sconces that shine light down and across the wall or mirror are better than 'bath bar' lighting, but can be challenging to wire in small spaces. Accent lighting can be incorporated into cabinetry.

3) Living and dining rooms.  Lighting should multi-functional, keeping in mind that reading and entertaining are likely done there. For living rooms, ambient light is easily provided with table and floor lamps, which serve dual function as task lighting. Since these rooms are often joined, a well-scaled pendant over the dining room table can also provide light for the living room.  Wall sconces are nice in either room, flanking a fireplace, a piece of art, a focal point piece or a mirror, and even lighting a dark corner.  Hanging a dramatic chandelier over and end-table is an updated look in lieu of lamps.  Accent lighting can take many forms, from a decorative fixture to lighting in moldings and cabinetry. 

4) Family and play rooms. With TV watching, reading, meeting, playing and relaxing all in one room, the lighting needs are very diverse. From dim lights for movies and TV to bright lights for playtime and homework, layered lighting is a must. Many family rooms have focal points of fireplaces, entertainment units, and even a combination of both. Place lighting first to light the general space, then where tasks are -  reading, eating, homework - and add decorative accent lighting as a final touch. Lamps deliver both ambient and task lighting with the ability to move light as needed. Clip on lights and small mounted lights can be used for bookcases, desk lights, piano lamps and even for artwork. If your room has a focal point, be sure to accent it - down-lights can be focused on a great fireplace, and shelf lights can highlight an entertainment center. Game tables generally require good task lights and pendants and chandeliers are a good choice.


5) Hallways and entries:  For safe and easy access, hallways should be well-lit. Recessed lighting is great for good floor coverage, so the width and length of a hall have adequate light. Wall sconces work well too, depending upon their placement. If your entry or hallway has the space, table lamps provide a decorative element when used on a console or hall table.  Dark hallways can benefit from solar tubes - depending upon the structure of your roof-line. Consider lighting for night if the hallway must be traveled for bathroom use.

In any lighting scenario use dimmers, low wattage bulbs (like compact fluorescent) and smart placement for the best results. Consulting a professional lighting designer is wise to maximize your lighting and conserve energy at the same time; not to mention having a beautiful aesthetic.