Style With a Conscience

Style With a Conscience

(ARA) - Functional used to be the best word to describe "green" home design and décor. But, luckily, "green" has been undergoing a glamorous transformation. With more demand for environmentally-friendly products, designers and manufacturers are introducing upscale and luxurious options that prove stylish and "good for the earth" can go hand in hand.

According to home improvement expert Leslie Segrete, "Eco-inspired home décor products have become more beautiful and elegant. With so many great materials and choices available, you'll be able to decorate stylishly, while making a difference for our planet." Here are some of her tips on getting started:

Green Foundation
Build an eco-friendly room from the ground up. Use 100 percent recycled floor tiles made of materials such as rich recycled leather to provide a fashionable and environmentally responsible alternative to chemically-treated rugs and manmade flooring.

Segrete suggests asking for products made from rapidly renewable resources, such as fast-growing bamboo. "This wood-like flooring offers great design, yet requires no replanting and little fertilization or pesticides," she says. Another choice is cork, which is harvested from the bark of a cork oak tree -- without harming the tree. It provides a soft, cushioned floor under foot, making it ideal for high traffic areas or rooms needing some sound-proofing.

New carpeting is available to suit all styles and tastes, so look for those that are biodegradable and chemical-free. Made from hemp, linen, wool or cotton, they come in a range of colors made from natural dyes. The Ethos Company uses a rubber backing made from recycled windshield wipers while the Bicicleta brand of carpeting has backing made from recycled bicycle tires.

Wise Walls
Sherwin-Williams and other paint companies have recently introduced water-based and low VOC paints such as the Harmony line with soft, nature-inspired hues, to combat the environmental hazards often caused by chemical-laden paints. In addition, wall paper manufacturer, Phillip Jeffries, is now producing alternative home wall coverings made from earth-friendly materials, like hemp, linen, bamboo, cork and recycled paper. Stylish, sophisticated and natural, these wall coverings are anything but ordinary.

But Segrete recommends something more adventurous. "For a unique look that combines color and texture, try American Clay Plaster," she says. "This blend of pure clay and non-toxic pigment transforms any wall surface. An array of colors can be created with different tints and finishes that appear smooth, rustic or even Old World."

Faucet Flow
Homeowners waste gallons of water every day leaving the faucet running while washing their hands and performing other tasks at the sink. But, new hands-free electronic faucets, like the Destiny powder room faucet from ShowHouse by Moen, conserve water while reflecting your personal style. With a sleek minimalist design and a distinctly-styled spout that produces a sheeting water flow, the Destiny faucet reduces water waste, providing water only when it is needed. "Make the switch to hands-free and watch your style quotient go up as your daily water usage goes down -- a win-win situation for you and the environment," says Segrete.

Tankless water heaters are another great solution for home energy savings. Similar to the hands-free faucet, these systems heat water only when needed. In many cases, this can add up to a significant energy savings -- more than 20 percent each year. Plus, tankless heaters reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as well.

Window to Tomorrow
High-efficiency, large-scale windows let more daylight in the home and decrease the need for electrical lighting. But, large scale windows can sometimes call for large, expensive and resource-consuming window treatments. For a great green option, forgo window treatments altogether and install frosted glass panes throughout your home. To supplement natural lighting, replace energy-wasting incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient fluorescent lighting fixtures.

Furniture Faux Pas
Each year, millions of furniture items are dumped at landfills, polluting the environment and wasting precious space. "Consider holding a garage sale or donating to Good Will or other charitable organizations," suggests Segrete. "You can also shop at your local flea market or antique store and do your part in helping to recycle old items while finding unique shabby chic treasures that are no longer in production."

If new furniture is a must, look for pieces created from a single piece of rapidly renewable wood. For couches and chairs, look to companies that produce sustainable selections such as Lee Industries. The company's Natural Lee sofas are made from recycled plastic bottles and use soy and water-based finishes.

As "going green" continues to gain momentum, it's easier than ever before to make a style statement in your home while still having a conscience.

For information on the Destiny faucet from ShowHouse by Moen, visit showhouse.moen.com. Additional style tips from Leslie Segrete can be found at www.lesliesegrete.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent