| Unless you have been living in a cave for the last | | | | plywood, recycled insulation materials, etc.) and green |
| few years- you know what "Green" is (its been | | | | systems (HVAC vent placement, lighting, window |
| elevated out of mere colorhood). Green is literally | | | | planning, solar panels, etc.) . Green design features |
| everywhere. Its in magazines and commercials. Its | | | | that are laid out in planning and green materials that |
| slathered on every imaginable household product. Its | | | | are utilized during construction can be applied to ANY |
| the topic of conversation and news sources from | | | | home style. Green building materials are also better |
| here to high heaven (Mea culpa, by the way). Its the | | | | for your health (one very important component to |
| pet subject of the Architecture and Design field. | | | | the Green movement). |
| Green is what you should be. Its what you should be | | | | -Buy a built home. When you can, strive to buy an |
| buying. Its what you should be doing. | | | | already built home. It is estimated that for every |
| I think that Sustainability and Green platforms are | | | | new home, 2.5 tons of construction waste and |
| very valid. However, with so much media saturation | | | | materials are used. If you buy an already built home, |
| and "green washing", it can be really hard for the | | | | you reduce waste and evade using new |
| average person to navigate this new world of green | | | | resources.This option is not always desirable, but its |
| and white, (rather than shades of gray, we now | | | | worth heavy consideration when you are planning on |
| have shades of mint green and sea foam). What | | | | buying a home. |
| most people don't know, is that there are a lot of | | | | -Buy antique and vintage furnishings.This goes hand in |
| bona fide ways to institute green practices and | | | | hand with buying an already built structure. By buying |
| purchases when building, designing and living in a | | | | vintage and antique furnishings, you prevent using |
| house. | | | | new resources and also prevent the waste |
| Here are ways that everyone can be green. These | | | | associated with producing new furniture. Become |
| considerations are things that anyone can integrate | | | | familiar with local antique shops, tell them what you |
| into a construction or design project, regardless of | | | | are looking for. If you are intimidated, hire a designer |
| style preferences, (its not just for the modern folks!). | | | | to walk you through the ins and outs of buying |
| -Buy Quality Products.When you purchase something | | | | antiques. Its nothing to be afraid of! (Warning- it can |
| of great quality, you increase the longevity of that | | | | become addicting!). Even people with modern tastes |
| item. When you purchase an item that will become | | | | can think about integrating Bauhaus, Mid Century |
| dated or wear out in a few short years, you increase | | | | Modern, Art Deco or Post Modern vintage finds. |
| waste by throwing out the old and you increase | | | | -Refrain from buying products that use endangered |
| consumption by buying new again. Buying for the long | | | | resources. Look for products that use reclaimed |
| term is earth friendly. In the long run, you also end up | | | | wood or other reclaimed materials. Avoid products |
| spend less on great quality because you don't have | | | | that use endangered or rare species of wood, stone |
| to replace it time and time again. Consider purchasing | | | | or metal. The general definition of Sustainable is: |
| the best quality seating, carpet/rugs, and case goods | | | | "providing for present needs without detracting from |
| your budget allows for. | | | | tomorrow". Use products that source not only from |
| -Use quality materials with longevity. When you are | | | | sustainable materials, but sustainable forests as well |
| selecting surface materials, think longevity and quality. | | | | (contrary to popular thought, not everything has to |
| Use materials that are durable and will stand the test | | | | be bamboo!). |
| of time. Consider materials that won't look dated in | | | | -Use low or no Volatile Organic Omissions (VOC) |
| the future. Not everything needs to be made from | | | | paint. Everyone uses paint. May as well use the |
| recycled materials to be considered green (in fact, a | | | | healthiest option. Check out Benjamin Moore's line of |
| lot of the hottest "green" materials of today will look | | | | green paint called Aura. |
| dated in the not too distant future). Using and | | | | -Use natural cleaning products. Stop buying household |
| properly maintaining natural stone for counter tops | | | | brand cleaning products and laundry detergent. They |
| and flooring is, indeed, a green practice. | | | | contain lots of chemicals and fragrance that are |
| -Use Green building materials and systems.This is | | | | slowly degrading your health. Use basic cleaning |
| attainable when involved with new construction and | | | | methods and natural, fragrance-free products. Just |
| additions. When you start a project, tell the architect | | | | because a product has a little green "seal" or |
| or designer that you care about the siting and natural | | | | earth-friendly looking logo does not mean its truly |
| heating and cooling of your home. Also ask them to | | | | green. Start reading ingredients and do some |
| specify green materials (such as formaldehyde free | | | | homework when in doubt. |