"Remember that using a few green items is better than using none"

The U.K.'s Times reports that "a stylish and eco-conscious home can be created pretty cheaply." This article was very interesting, especially one VERY sobering quote that caught my eye, "According to The Ecologist, 2.5 million tons of timber is removed from libraries, churches, hospitals, pubs and homes each year in the UK." If that is JUST the UK, what are we doing in the US?

While we all know some resources for re-using materials (think Craigslist, salvage yards and friends/relatives), there are other great guidelines and sites forming for NEW eco-friendly materials.

According to "guidelines by the interior designers One Eco Home: (new)products should be made from recycled and recyclable materials, or they should be made from a renewable material and wood should have been grown sustainably (look for the FSC or PEFC stamps); they should be made locally." Also, look for "finish(es) on hard and soft furnishings should be free from chemical lacquers, preservatives, bleaches and if possible toxic flame retardants." The Times lists various means of obtaining eco-friendly products in the UK.

This brings up a great point, though (WARNING: Rant ahead). As Interior Designers, we are very concerned with the health, safety and welfare of the users or the spaces we create. Flame retardant coatings were created for a very specific reason: To protect the public. We have all heard of the nightclub fires where many people were killed as a result of extreme flame spread. Until there are viable natural alternatives to these chemicals, we have an ethical dilema on our hands. Okay, back to the articles...

So what about new products available in the USA? There is a great website called ecolect which is a "Community for Sustainable Design". And there's always Craigslist.

PaperStone for Countertops

For those of you who haven't heard, PaperStone is one of the latest and greatest in countertop materials. It is made from recycled paper (beer cartons, to be exact) and can be used in any kitchen or bath application. The colors are a palette of rich and almost suede-like tones that are great for a variety of spaces. The black looks like soapstone, the gray,like concrete. One very nice thing is that any fabricator who works with Corian can fabricate this stuff. No special equipment required! Another great feature is that undermount sinks can be used, no problem.

You have got to take a look at this product, and all the other recycled and sustainable building products out there.

http://paperstoneproducts.com/products.shtml

Mid-Century and Danish Modern Furniture

In searching for some unique desks for our office, I ran across Spinario Design, an exceptional boutique in NE Minneapolis that specializes in Mid-Century and Danish Modern Furniture and accessories.

Spinario Design is located in the Bottling House near the corner of 13th and Marshall. Hours are currently limited and by appointment but make sure to stop over of you get a chance. It's as though you just stepped into a classic Sean Connery/007 film and I'm sure you'll hear (or utter) at least one comment about "My parents (grandparents) had one just like that!"

www.spinariodesign.com

People seem to find themselves in the design world for many different reasons. For me, its the visceral reaction from an object, color or composition, so perfectly executed, that can make you weak in the knees. A truly timeless, elegant, functional design like this desk just takes my breath away.

Whether you see it as fantastic (like I do), terrible, or simply retro kitch, Spinario Design is giving it a new life in Northeast.

clipped from www.spinariodesign.com