Designlog

Green Building

I recently returned from attending ASID's Interiors 08 Conference.  One of my classes was given by architect, Eric Corey Freed on Green Building.  The class was excellent!  Freed's presentation was very inspiring to me as a designer.  He is the Principal of Organic Architect, based in San Francisco.  Freed is the author of "Green Building & Remodeling for Dummies".  (The first "Dummies Book" to be published on recycled paper...he mentioned)  I haven't bought the book yet but intend to do so very soon.

I am very interested in Green Design and would like to be able to make a difference with the products I specify.  I believe as responsible Designers we have the ability to better the environment with the choices and selections we make.  Freed's presentation was very valuable in that he gave some great resources for green products.  I started requesting literature as soon as I got back to the office, so that myself and other designers at our firm can start specifying more green products.

Are you interested in Green Design?  Do you specify a majority of Green Products?  Do you only present Green options to your clients?  Have you read Eric's book?  What do you think?

Armstrong Ceilings

Ever look at space, say your home or your office and wonder how you can add a little something special to the ceiling? Your answer Armstrong! Wether it's just a touch of class you want to add to your formal living room, or an impression you want to give your client when they walk through the door. Do it through your ceiling. Look around the Armstrong website, an d call us. We can make it happen.

Spring Spruce-ups

Spring always makes me want to do a little something different in mi casa!  Suddenly the warm, cozy colors and textures of the winter throws and pillows feel a tad stifling. . .as I open the blinds, throw back the draperies, and invite the sunshine in, I somehow want to make a little change for a breath of fresh air.  One great way to do this now is with indoor/outdoor rugs; there are so many patterns and colors available now that there really are some good options.  Inexpensive, lightweight, and versatile - these rugs may be used on the patio as a welcome invitation to the outdoors as well as inside, for a feeling of lightness, and bringing the outdoors in.  Perhaps in the kitchen, or under the dining table?  Scattered in the den or hall, these little jewels can add a punch of pattern, texture or color.  They also come in great neutrals, which means you can use them to define an area without changing any other colorful accents already there.  I just love the technology that brought us these rugs, and the ability to use them creatively!

Dune

Put your sunglasses and sun screen on. Spring is around the corner! Want to make your backyard ready for all those spring barbeque's with a little excitement? Check out these new outdoor chairs from Dune. These new fun and funky chairs will jazz up any get together and make you the talk of the town. Also check out their indoor tables and seating. When you find something you like, give us a call and let us price it out for you!

Old furniture in your way?

I have just read about a great program, and thought I'd pass it along.  This program is called Help1up, and is sponsored by the NFBA, or National Furniture Bank Association.  The NFBA has designed this program as a "win-win" situation; people need to get rid of their old furniture, and others desperately need any furniture at all.  If you are fortunate enough to have a Furniture Bank in your area, just call them up, and they'll send out a truck to pick up your unwanted/outdated/replaced furniture items.  Your castoffs then go into a large 'furniture bank', where they are distributed to families truly in need. 

It's not hard to imagine how low on the list furniture can be to a family barely making enough to pay for the basic necessities, such as lodging, food and clothing.  What a difference it could make to one of those families to have a sofa and loveseat, even if it was covered in '80's fabric'!  Maybe you're downsizing, and only need a small kitchen table now; what to do with the dining room set you've had for years?  They are often hard to sell, but why not give it away to someone who will truly appreciate it?  All contributions are, of course, tax deductible; the drivers will give you a receipt on the spot!

Don't forget the 'green' aspect also; furniture banks keep thousands of tons of items from going into incinerators or landfills each year.  Do the responsible thing; give your old furniture a new home!  You can find (hopefully) a furniture bank close to you by going to help1up.org/locate-a-bank.php

How does your FloorScore?

Our Amtico Rep came by this week and mentioned that their product has been certified by Greenguard and FloorScore.  We had heard of Greenguard before, but not FloorScore.

So what is it?  "The FloorScore program, developed by the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) in conjunction with SCS tests and certifies flooring products for compliance with indoor air quality emission requirements adopted in California. Flooring products include vinyl, linoleum, non-PVC resilient flooring, wall base, and associated sundries." Source: http://www.scscertified.com/iaq/floorscore.html

Many of the other resilient flooring companies have the certification within their product lines... Armstrong World Industries, Jonhsonite, Mannington Mills, Congoleum Corporation...   

Another way to improve indoor air quality! 

What is LEED®?

So if you have been hanging around the construction or design community lately you might have heard the word LEED thrown around. Well being the interested designer I am I have decided to start researching this idea of LEED. The U.S. Green Building Council defines and describes LEED as, "(Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™ is a voluntary, consensus-based standard to support and certify successful green building design, construction and operations. LEED is transforming the marketplace by providing a nationally recognized certification system to promote integrated, whole-building design practices in the building industry. LEED is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality." To learn more and find out who LEED affects, its rating system, how it was developed and much more visit the U.S. Green Building Council. Also please give us your thoughts on LEED and what you would like to see out of it in general and here in East Texas. We love hearing from you!