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By: Marisa Miller
You’ve
been watching all the popular home makeover shows,
and you’ve decided your own home could use some
sprucing up. You follow a natural style of living,
and you want to conquer the task in such a way
that uses the least amount of resources and the
most earth-friendly materials. Thanks to
architectural salvage centers, environmentally
friendly building products and recycled goods,
it’s not difficult to do.
Families who tread lightly on the earth can make
substantial impact by reducing consumption. Resist
the urge to purchase home decor, furniture and
materials from your local big-box retailers.
Besides, reusing materials, buying second hand and
furnishing a home with loved pieces of art and
sentimental objects creates a more interesting and
individual look. Decorating a home should be a
creative effort that reflects your family’s
personality.
Start at the very beginning
So, where should you begin an earth-friendly
decorating project? Start the way they do on the
decorating shows. Clear the room out. Re-evaluate
what you want to keep and what can be donated to
charity or recycled — or trade and barter with
friends or neighbors for objects you like better.
Select a color palette. You might look at
an “inspiration piece,” a piece of art or
fabric you love. Colors derived from nature can
offer the most soothing, sophisticated interiors.
Focusing on only a few colors narrows your scope
and makes shopping easier. (This is also a great
tip for building and maintaining a clothing
wardrobe. Pick those colors that make you look
best and carry them through each new piece you
purchase, making mixing and matching easier!)
Assuming you aren’t starting from scratch, you
already have gathered some possessions over time.
Is there a recurring color scheme?
Build a foundation
A well designed room needs a good backdrop. A room
might never look quite “right” without good
walls and windows. Choose a no-VOC or low-VOC
paint, milk paint or natural clay plaster to color
your walls in a unifying neutral. VOCs, or
volatile organic compounds, are
petrochemical-derived substances that become
breathable gas, contaminating indoor air. Milk
paint is free of petrochemical solvents and is
made from milk products, natural minerals and
pigments. (See the resources listed below for more
information.) Unless you are doing an all-neutral,
monochromatic color scheme (whites, browns, grays,
etc.), white is usually not the most satisfying
choice for tying together your color palette —
it actually makes any other color that does not
belong jump out!
Window coverings are an important part of the
foundation of your room. Vinyl or plastic window
coverings contribute to off-gassing as the
material becomes heated by the sun. Blinds and
shades in natural materials like bamboo and reed
offer clean lines and simplicity. Organic cotton,
hemp or linen can be fashioned into simple curtain
panels. Coverings that are easy to clean and care
for will simplify maintenance.
Flooring can make or break an environmentally
friendly design. Synthetic wall-to-wall carpeting
harbors dust and mites, mold and mildew and
decreases indoor air quality. Wood floors with a
non-toxic finish, cork, bamboo or natural linoleum
are good choices. For softness and warmth, use
wool or woven cotton rugs, or use jute or coir
mat.
Furnishing your room
Buying suites or room packages of furniture
results in lifeless arrangements lacking a sense
of identity. The furniture itself is usually
poorly constructed of particle board,
petroleum-based foams and all kinds of other
earth-unfriendly materials.
Flea markets and antique stores are a great way to
start your décor shopping. If thrift stores and
garage sales aren’t appealing to you, there are
plenty of high-end consignment shops and antique
galleries that cater to the more refined palate.
Buying second-hand is preferable to purchasing new
goods; the materials usually have off-gassed, and
re-using furnishings reduces consumption. Look for
solid wood pieces and signs of quality
craftsmanship such as sturdy joints and strong
construction. Most vintage and antique pieces are
classics that can stand the test of time, whether
it be a Chippendale chair or a sleek mid-century
modern sofa.
Try the unexpected when it comes to selecting wall
art and accessories. An amateur oil painting might
be more interesting than a poster print of an old
master’s work of art. Shabby frames add
character, but if that isn’t your style, have
your art reframed or hang the canvas without one.
Old paint-by-numbers from the 1940s through 1960s
have become highly collectible and can be found
inexpensively on auction. Support small villages
by using folk art or pottery made by local
artisans. Old books can be dismantled and the best
illustrations can be framed for a great graphic
statement.
When it has to be new
For goods that must be purchased new, try locating
small or home businesses to supply your needs. By
searching the Internet or browsing the ads in the
back of natural living magazines, you are sure to
find plenty of ecologically sound products for
your home. Use what you love, surround yourself
with art and beauty and minimize the cycle of
consumption in your family.
Redecorating
your home doesn't have to mean a trip to the big
box store; keep the 3 Rs in mind (reduce, reuse,
recycle) and come up with a unique look that
incorporates what you love, as well as being
mindful of natural resources. Save up to 70% on natural home décor, unique women’s accessories, elegant dinnerware, organic gifts and more at VivaTerra.
Marisa
Miller is the co-owner of http://www.businessincolor.com -
a t-shirt screen printing and graphic design
company she runs with her family from home. |
