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Green Idea: Repurposed Wood Floors

Jul 07, 2010

Had to share this inventive budget flooring idea! Robin Reimer's clever reuse of a common household item gave her a wood floor worth talking about. Now where's that triple word score?

Photo: Kritsada Panichgul for ReadyMade Magazine.

Read all about how Robin did it at ReadyMade Magazine. Then start collecting Scrabble games at the thrift shop!

Okay, so maybe a Scrabble floor isn't your style, but what is? If you're having trouble defining your decorating style, I can help. I'll give you all the design direction you need, down to the last detail, to put together a room that reflects your personality and works with your lifestyle. Stop spending money on furniture and accessories that don't work, and get a plan that actually solves your design problems. Want to get started? Just email me. Or poke around the site and download complete eDecor Plans that I've designed for real clients. Questions? Find answers here. —Diane

TAGS: readymade ready made magazine scrabble tile floor gorilla glue how to repurposed reclaimed wood flooring floors

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Green Idea: Upcycle Your CD Cases

Apr 05, 2010

At my former job as a magazine art director, we had a joke that never seemed to lose its appeal. Over the years we'd collected a huge box full of CD jewel cases. There were so many, and even though we reused them all the time for transferring files here and there, the pile only seemed to grow. Just about every day, one of my coworkers would stop by and ask with a sly grin, "Do we have any empty CD cases?" We would laugh. Every time.

In homage to the never-ending supply of CD jewel cases that are surely scattered upon this poor, over-burdened planet, I offer this idea. It's simple as can be, hardly worthy of step-by-step instructions. The only trick is hanging, so here are some tips for creating a perfect grid using the most brilliant household adhesive ever invented, 3M Picture Hanging Strips.

PHOTO: Rob Brodman for Sunset Magazine.

HOW TO CREATE A PHOTO GROUPING USING CD JEWEL CASES

Lay the CD cases on the floor, arranged roughly with the spacing you'd like for your grid. Measure the overall dimensions of the grouping.
Using painter's tape, mark off the upper left corner where you want the grid to begin. Use a level to draw a light pencil line across the top.
Measure off the width of one jewel case plus the space between. Stick on another piece of tape. Repeat for each row.
Load the cases with your photos. You can use 5-by-7-inch photos trimmed to size, or size the photos in Photoshop and print them on an inkjet printer using photo paper.
Attach a 3M Picture Hanging Strip to the back, centered near the top. (One will do for these lightweight frames.) Peel the backing and firmly press into place following your taped guideline. When it's time to remove the frames, the Picture Hanging Strips will leave no trace.

And if you need any jewel cases, just go hit up my former coworkers at Traverse Magazine. —Diane

TAGS: how to create a photo grouping using cd jewel cases recycle repurpose upcycle reuse inexpensive art display ideas

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Green Idea: Buy Furniture that Lasts

Mar 18, 2010

Bamboo this, hemp that… there's a lot of stuff touting its green-ness out there. While sustainable materials are an important part of creating eco-conscious pieces for the home, there's a lot more to it. The most important thing consumers can do to limit their environmental impact is to limit their consumption. That can mean buying secondhand. It can also mean buying new pieces that are well made and classic enough to last many years or even a lifetime, never needing replacement.

Whether you're buying furniture new or used, there are some basic signs of quality construction that should be observed. You can use this checklist as you "kick the tires" on a piece of furniture to help determine how long it will last and whether the asking price is fair. The more yes answers, the better!

Sculpted Dining Table from Sawbridge Studios. Make this handmade floor model the only table you ever buy at $3,825.

Dwelement's Furniture Quality Checklist

Does the piece feel solid and sturdy?
Is it made of solid wood? Check the underside or a hidden area to see if it looks like wood or particle board.
Is the hardware solid metal?
Is the back finished as beautifully as the front?
Are drawers dovetailed at the corners? Dovetails look like angles in the wood that fit together like a puzzle. Staples are not desirable.
Do doors and drawers open and close smoothly without catching or gaps?
Are panels free of warping?
Are chairs secured with pegs at the joints? Avoid glued joints.
Does the grain match or flow in a rhythmic pattern?
Is the finish even and clear?
Is the piece free of ink-stamped markings that are often a sign of mass production?
If it's an upholstered piece, is the cushion supported by springs or another sturdy suspension mechanism? Avoid flimsy foam, but also be aware that upholstery can be redone and improved.

LEFT: A dovetailed joint on a drawer

A piece of furniture that gets an affirmative answer to most of those questions is worth buying and often worth refinishing or reupholstering to fit your decor. Look beyond the big furniture stores and check out local woodworking shops and craftspeople. And consider how often you'll replace a less expensive piece; a top-quality, handmade piece is often cheaper in the long run.

Freebie!

Dwelement's Furniture Quality Checklist

Click to download this list as a wallet-sized, printable PDF! Take it with you, then let me help you work your new purchase into your decor. —Diane

TAGS: how to buy identify quality well made constructed furniture checklist

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Green Idea: Wool on the Floor

Jan 28, 2010

Remember when the carpet installers left, how the house had that "new" smell for weeks? That's chemical off-gassing. The air you breathe in a room with new, synthetic (i.e., petroleum-based) carpeting is not good for you. What are some healthy alternatives? Minimizing the amount of carpeting or rugs in favor of bare wood or tile is one option. But there are certain spaces in your home where you really want a plush, warm surface underfoot. In these places, natural fibers are called for: in particular, wool.

Unlike synthetic fibers (nylon, polyester, olefin), wool emits no chemical gases. But it goes a step further by actually absorbing contaminants in indoor air— and it won't reemit them.
Wool has a natural dirt-repellant quality due to the overlapping scale structure of its fibers. It has a tendency to keep dirt near the surface of the rug where it can easily be removed.
It contains a lot of moisture and protein, which give it natural flame-resistance.
Wool fibers are more resilient than synthetic, so it will retain its loft and shape longer. Each wool fiber has a spring-like shape that helps it retain its original appearance, even with repeated foot traffic.
Wool resists static electricity.
Wool has natural repellancy to moisture. (Cue sheep grazing in the rain.) This means it's naturally mold- and mildew-resistant.
Wool has superb insulating qualities, helping to control heat loss through the floor. Consider it for window treatments also, where it can regulate temperatures year-round.
Wool is a sustainable, renewable, biodegradable resource. There is some question about conventional wool production and textile manufacturing, regarding the treatment of sheep and chemical usage in factories. The best-quality wool is organic: produced from free-range, organically fed sheep without the use of pesticides/herbicides or synthetic medicine

So why isn't wool a more popular choice? Price, of course. Wool rugs are more expensive than synthetics, for all the reasons stated above. But always consider the cost of an item over time. Buy a synthetic rug, and you'll likely have to replace it in 10 years or sooner. A wool rug that's properly cared for can last 50 years or more. And in that case, you'd better choose wisely.

Here are a few stylish and well priced wool rugs.

Brown Wool Rug from Overstock.com, 5x8, $118

Current Rug from Overstock.com, 5x8, $174

Royal Quill Rug from Overstock.com, 5x8, $144

Baxter Plum Rug from Crate and Barrel, 4x6, $249

Rodeo Drive Rug from RugsUSA.com, 5x8, $224

Enter discount code JP50 at checkout to get an extra 50% off! This is a fantastic deal, with many wool rugs to choose from in the clearance section.

Need some help making your space more stylish and more eco-friendly at the same time? I've maximized the green in my own home, and I can help you do it, too, with a room plan that emphasizes sustainability and re-use of pieces you already own. Just email me!

TAGS: wool woolen rugs carpets carpeting eco-friendly green flooring chemical off-gassing air quality budget discount wool rugs

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Green Idea: Minimize Energy Usage from Holiday Lighting

Nov 30, 2009

Notice I didn't title this post "SAVE Energy…" because we all know that putting up holiday lights is really no way to reduce energy usage. But there are some things you can do to slow down that meter and control your carbon footprint. Try a few of these tips and you'll notice a lower electric bill compared to last year.

Photo via Creative Commons License from Flickr user lecates.

Use LED lights instead of incandescent lights.

Yes, they are more expensive, for now. But they will last longer and cost far less to run. According to the Alliance to Save Energy, LED bulbs are up to 90 percent more efficient than their incandescent equivalents. They calculate the savings: "A household burning 10 strands of lights for eight hours a day for a month at $0.0853 per kilowatt-hour would spend $127.67 for large, incandescent bulbs, $7.20 for traditional mini-lights, and just $0.72 for LEDs."

In addition, LEDs last up to 100,000 hours (about 20 years), and remain cool, allaying fire concerns. They're available in almost as many styles as the old-fashioned bulbs, and the price comes down a bit each year. For a large selection, try holidayleds.com.

Use timers.

This way there's no forgetting to turn them off, and you don't have to go out in the cold to plug them in. Try this simple and inexpensive timer from Amazon.

Keep it simple.

A simpler display will save energy, save time, and save you from being "that neighbor."

Enjoy candlelight.

It's the perfect time of year to turn down the household lights and enjoy some mood lighting. Just be sure to burn candles within sight and far from anything flammable. Go for soy candles to maintain air quality. Try this beautiful set of three handmade soy candles scented with cedar, fir, balsam, and spice from Etsy seller Mireio.

Do you have more ideas for saving energy during the holidays? Post them in the comments below. —Diane

TAGS: christmas hanukkah holidays led lights energy saving green decor

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