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Green Textiles

We hate to say it, but there is a dark side to textiles. Unfortunately, fun and cheery prints can become a little less innocent and sweet as the environmental impact of industrial manufacturing becomes more apparent and the more we learn about the effects of pollution on human health. It is sad but true. Here are some facts: 20 percent of water pollution globally is caused by textile processing and cotton production alone contributes 7 percent of the total. Cotton production also accounts for 3 percent of global water consumption. Linen, widely considered a natural, plant-based product, pollutes waterways with …

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5 Easy Ways to Control Pests Naturally

I have a confession to make: I hate bugs. They give me the goosebumps and shudders like everyone else, but they also make me crazy. I don’t necessarily scream when I see a spider dropping from the ceiling or cry at the sight of ants marching across my floor, but I do start performing karate moves that I have never actually learned. The other day, a spider found its way onto my lap, and I lost consciousness for several minutes, but I am told that I beat the spider repeatedly, even after it was obviously dead; my bruised leg is …

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Hot new designer buzzwords for 2019

Every industry has its own buzz words and lingo. In design, particularly sustainable design, we love to use “pop” (a pop of color, a pop of life, a pop of energy) and we love to use hygee (the Danish word meaning to give comfort, joy, and peace). Pop is easy for everyone to understand because it is literally like an exclamation point in a room—an accent, a focal point. Hygee, on the other hand, takes a little more explaining and little more thought—It is something to be considered. Hygee is tough because there is no literal translation in English and …

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Green Interiors: Bright Ideas

Bright Ideas Getting the lighting right in your home isn’t always easy. A lot of times, people complain that it’s too dark in the mornings, too bright in the afternoon, and too glaring in the evenings. Here’s how to get the perfect fit! Set The Tone Try to focus on creating lighting scenarios, not just lighting solutions. This might mean overhead dimmable recessed can lighting for the morning with under cabinet dimmable LED strip lighting in the kitchen and bathroom, a nice table lamp with adjustable modes in the living room, and sheers on any windows that need help filtering …

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7 Ways to Create a High-Tech, Healthy Home

  (Family Features) Home technology devices have come a long way, and many homeowners are discovering that their features aren’t just for convenience and comfort. A growing number of technology-enabled home features promote a healthier living space for you and your family. From boosting indoor air quality to cutting back on dust, dirt and germs, these ideas are the perfect way to add functional upgrades that improve your quality of life. 1. Minimize floor debris. The floors in most homes are grounds for an unsettling array of dust, dirt and other unsavory elements, many of which are tracked in from …

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Healthy at Home How to improve indoor airflow and quality

(Family Features) More efficient, tightly built homes than those constructed in previous generations are generally well-regarded, for the most part with good reason. However, when you consider people spend 90 percent of their time indoors on average, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), such airtight environments raise some concerns. All that efficiency cuts down on airflow, effectively trapping allergens and toxins inside. According to estimates from the EPA, the air inside the average home may be as much as five times more polluted than the air outdoors, even in a bustling city. “We know instinctively that spending so many …

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5 Sustainable Home Exterior Trends Every Homeowner Should Know

Many homeowners are making more efforts to go green. What is a better way to join in sustainable living than to begin where your life starts, at home? Many homes are now designed to be eco-friendly and sustainable. They’re constructed from green materials are responsibly sourced to reduce the effects to the environment, and can be kept up with minimal damage to the environment. Sustainable architecture and green technologies have transformed the outside of a home from merely the dressing on the house to an energy-efficient and green option for homeowners with a passion for the earth. Mixing Home Siding …

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Energy Savers That Make ‘Cents’

  (Family Features) A home that operates efficiently isn’t just better for the environment. Ensuring your home systems are as efficient as possible can also help reduce the financial burden of maintaining your home throughout the year. These tips from Gary White with JCPenney Home Services can serve as areas of focus for lowering your energy bills and lessening your appliances’ negative impact on the environment. Water Heaters The cost of heating water for bathing, laundry and kitchen use is a common home energy drain, so it’s an area that deserves attention when you’re looking to upgrade for efficiency. To …

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Top Eco-Friendly Home Design Ideas

Creativity is king in 2018! Unlike decades past when only a handful of resources satisfied eco-friendly standards, many innovative products, and building methods are now accessible to make your projects environmentally friendly. Check out these current top trends in green home construction! Innovative Use of LEED-accredited Materials You may be familiar with LEED-accredited materials, but did you know that you can use these products in a variety of applications? One of the hottest trends in 2018 is to integrate LEED-certified building materials into unexpected places. Sure, energy-efficient light bulbs are standard in green buildings, but what about LEED-certified siding? Innovative …

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How your lawn equipment is harming the environment

(BPT) – Spring is upon us and our yards are beginning to bloom. The grass needs to be cut, the hedges trimmed and the debris blown away. This is an exciting time of year as we all look forward to getting outdoors after a longer than desired winter season. As we begin our list of warm-weather chores, is it possible that our lawn equipment is actually harming the environment? Unfortunately, the answer could be yes, depending on the type of equipment you’re using to keep your lawn in tip-top shape. If you’re still using gas-powered outdoor gear, here are some …

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