Article:
"Green" decorating and remodeling
By Shelley Anderson
April 2009
“Sustainable” and “green” are terms we hear about on a daily basis. But just what do they mean to the everyday homeowner?
Just about every home decorating and remodeling magazine you see feature extensive articles on green and sustainable products. They can really overwhelm you with all of the steps and products you could or should use when approaching your project. Of course, the suggestions are valid, but most of us are not in a position to incorporate 100 percent of our decorating or remodeling budget to this effort. However, any small part that we can do will have an impact — so start small and gradually add on layers of “green.” And have fun! The Green product list grows daily.
One of the easiest ways to change the look of your interiors is color. Painting is something just about anyone can do themselves to add drama and attitude to your home. All paint used to have high VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and was suspected of causing everything from sore throats to cancer. Now we have available low- or no-VOC paints which are water-based, fast drying and nearly odorless. Just about all paint companies offer this environmentally friendly paint. It’s low or no odor characteristic makes it an ideal choice for adding color and style to your home while helping the environment. Initially these paints didn’t have a wide array of colors but manufacturers have increased their ability to manage the colorants. Check out GreenSeal.org or Greenguard.org for a complete list of green paints.
A new generation of fabric and wall covering bridges the span of earth-friendly to green. They use sustainable materials from rapidly renewable crops to recycled polyester from industry waste and consumer waste like plastic bags. Some of these fabrics are even renewable and recyclable at the end of their fashionable life. Bright and bold colors are even green. The use of water-based inks and heavy metal-free dyes allow fabric and wall covering manufacturers to offer current and trendy patterns and color palettes while achieving LEED and Greenguard certification.
Remodeling projects can incorporate incredible decorative elements while focusing on green and sustainable products. Have you ever considered that the seemingly endless supply of quarried materials may cometo an end? Just how many huge holes in the land can we dig and keep pulling out ancient slabs of granite and marble? There have been substitute products on the market for many years, but the look has not been close enough to the “real” thing for many consumers. A relative newcomer to this market is Urbanslabs. They use 100 percent recycled glass (85 percent post-consumer glass containers commonly sent to landfill, 15 percent post-industrial) mixed with a proprietary patent-pending cement matrix.
Another incredible product is from Oceanside Glasstile. They use recycled glass post-consumer and they recycle their own tile trimmings for the next batch. It’s a beautiful product, and worthy of even just a small accent in your back splash.
On a final note, look for house wares that are green. Even if you aren’t redecorating or remodeling, you can still support the green movement. One of my favorite finds is recycled Melamine bowls by ZAK! Design. They are 100 percent recycled material, dishwasher safe and fun confetti bright colors. Check them out on Amazon.com.
Shelley Anderson has been creating interiors in the greater Seattle area since 1990.You may contact her at (206) 719-6814 or email her at
shelley.anderson@shelleyandersoninteriors.com.