~ Use *live plants as much and as best you can. They are natural air cleaners.
*see a list of easy care live plants under the Resources.
~ Use dimmers on light switches. By dimming a light when bright
light isn't necessary, you can reduce consumption by 50% or more.
~ Use reclaimed wood for flooring. You'll have instant history too! (see below for
resources)
~ Use timers and/or motion sensors on light fixtures that might
otherwise get forgotten.
~ Use bamboo flooring. It's a great *renewable resource. It has a very
contemporary, clean look - if that's what you are after. *See below
under the article for more information about how "green" bamboo
floors really are.
~ Paint with Zero-VOC paints - that means they don't emit toxins
into the air as they cure. They don't smell bad either!
~ Select a gas or LP gas cooktop when remodeling your kitchen.
Gourmet cooks will tell you it's the finest way to cook and they're
more energy efficient than cooking on electric.
~ Find and use antique furniture!
~ Find and utilize, used furniture. Many times, the older the better for
durabilty. A lot of furniture was built better years ago. It could be
worth reupholstering an old sofa! - Really!
~ Some used furniture can get a whole new life with just a coat of
(good) paint.
~ Buy carpet made with recycled plastic. See Mohawk
below under Resources.
~ When remodeling, take your old cabinets, plumbing fixtures, doors,
hardware, etc to Stardust Building Products.
~ Upgrade your toliets with one like Toto's Aquia Dual-Flush. The
manufacturer Toto, claims it will save 7,000 gallons of water for the
average family of 4. It uses a standard flush for solids and a lower
~ Check out the "Green thoughts" section of Our Updates page. Resources:
~ www.Ecomanor.com This is a fun (free) house tour. This is Ted Turner's (yes, the Ted Turner) daughter who has built and decorated her families home - all eco-friendly and responsibly. Well done! ~
www.Enmarflooring.com This is another flooring resource in the valley and also in California. They have a wide array of reclaimed wood flooring sources.
~ A new countertop product that uses recycled glass - fun colors! Retails at $40-$90 sq. ft. depending on the color (compariable to granite) www.vetrazzo.com ~ Checkout a new ('07) countertop product made with recycled glass. http://www.icestone.biz/new/ ~ Reclaimed lumber for flooring: Search ebay. There's lots of sources.
~ A local (Tempe) design studio who produces green countertops, fireplaces, furniture, etc - www.goredesignco.com ~ Easy care live house plants: