SUSTAINABILITY: what does it mean to YOU?

Since I'm in the design industry, I come across the word "sustainability" all the time - usually regarding specific building products, systems, furnishings and finishes. Sustainability has a much broader meaning than that though, and may mean something completely different to everyone who doesn't work in design or construction. 

I think a broader understanding of the word acknowledges our roles as stewards of the planet and our environment and means seeking out knowledge to enable us to make informed choices - for big picture decisions (like choosing where to live) and in our daily lives (like where to shop and what food to eat).


Then, there's an even broader meaning of the word: "the capacity to endure". I love this definition (from Wikipedia) because it encompasses all of the narrower meanings relating to the environment, business practices and personal finances but also can be applied to society as a whole. Can everyone on the planet continue their own way of living indefinitely? Also, can we, as a society, continue our current processes and systems indefinitely? It's not just what we individually choose, but how we relate to each other as well.

There are some easy decisions to make, and some hard, and there's the balance of not giving up on either one if you find any of the decisions too difficult to make. If you live in the exurbs, where you have to drive for a significant amount of time just to get basic groceries, then you should still feel empowered to make lots of other decisions which will increase sustainability - like growing some herbs and vegetables, driving a fuel-efficient car, reducing consumption of plastic, etc. We can't give up on making the best choices, even if we can't make the best choice for the environment every time.

Most importantly, I see the goal of achieving sustainability in my own life as an opportunity to bring in positive change and happiness. I recently had the opportunity to meet and have dinner with Debbie Phillips, founder of Women On Fire. Her recent blog-post about adding happiness to your day rang so true for me. If I can achieve greater sustainability AND happiness at the same time, that's just incredible!

There are lots of examples to choose from, but here are some snippets of sustainability at work in my own life. Hopefully at least one of these will give you some good ideas. Trust me - if I can do any of these, so can you!

What's Hot: Ikat

Trina Turk Peacock fabric

Spring is here! Vivid colors and interesting patterns are back to display the season's character.


While in San Francisco a while back, I remember seeing a textile exhibit at the de Young Museum that was really inspiring. The show displayed lavish ethnic textiles showcasing various techniques of dyeing such as batik and ikat. Now, about two years since I saw that show, ikat patterns are everywhere! (Maybe batik patterns will be next?)

Here are some of the latest home design products featuring Ikat patterns, all available from mainstream design sources: 

Eco Spring Cleaning

Earth911 always has valuable info, and their latest article on eco-friendly spring cleaning is no exception.  Their new Spring Cleaning guide will make sure you're positively contributing to the air quality of your home (or office) and to the environment, even as you spray, polish, declutter, and reorganize.

One of the biggest take-aways for me is the emphasis on purging and creating open space.  Going through those closets and cabinets that contain stuff that goes unused or unworn will help you free up space so that you're less likely to run out of it in the near future.  The most cost-efficient and eco-friendly way to get organized is often to use the space you have better, avoiding expanding until you've used all of your current space efficiently.

Check out all the details here, including (my favorite) a guide to help you donate your old stuff.  With all these options, you'll find it easier to avoid sending those purged items to the landfill.

Happy Spring Cleaning!

LEED vs Passive House

As a LEED Accredited Professional, I stand by the benefits of the U.S. Green Building Council's  LEED  rating system and certification, even when people question its alleged greenness and whether it lives up to its hype.

“You get points for including bike parking spaces?” they protest. “C’mon!”

Nonetheless, LEED is a thoroughly useful tool in green design and construction.  I also firmly believe that the additional steps of getting a project certified are worthy and a good investment.  Of course it's not realistic for every project, in which case we work with clients and builders to incorporate green principles on a case by case basis.

Recent conversations, however, have led me to explore other types of sustainable building standards and methods. The Passive House standard, originally developed in the US in the 70's and then perfected in Germany, is also an exciting option for builders, homeowners and developers.  With the founding of the Passive House Institute US, local projects can be certified using criteria that are specific to the US market.

Passive House’s basic premise is to lower energy loads by using building mass with the goal of eliminating building systems.

Check out some photos of Passive House projects on Inhabitat (US and international projects).

Green Living Event @ Millstone Farm

I went to a great event held recently at Millstone Farm in Wilton, CT.  Millstone is a local farm "whose mission is to operate in a sustainable manner". They provide ingredients for some of the best restaurants in the area - including one of my favorites, The Schoolhouse at Canondale. It's a beautiful place, and they're doing great things in terms of community outreach. If you live in the area and haven't visited yet, do so while it's nice out!

The event was essentially the unveiling of the relationship between Green Living Technologies, a pioneer in green roofing products, and The LaurelRock Company, a local landscape contractor.  LaurelRock will be the new exclusive distributor, installer, and maintenance company for GLT's products, which include their patented green roof panel system and the "living wall" system.

Favorites from the Show - AD Home Design Show 2012

Eco Kitchen: Replacing Appliances

Picking out new kitchen appliances can be a daunting task.

Here are the basic questions you should ask yourself when first undertaking this project:

1) What are the built-in appliances you absolutely need?

2) Are you replacing existing appliances and not changing cabinetry? If so, detailed measurements need to be taken of existing appliances, so that new appliances will fit.

3) What counter-top appliances are necessary for your kitchen?  Are you OK with them sitting out on the counter, or will they be put away between use, or is there a way to build them into surrounding cabinetry, especially if they'll be used frequently?

The next few steps are the fun part:  Browse online and in person at showrooms to determine the style and finish you like for your new appliances.  Just make sure it works with existing cabinetry!  Keep this step to aesthetics only.  You don't want to narrow yourself down to one or two brands before considering this very important next step....

Pergola... SHADED!

Design Dilemna: Shade Needed!

After the first 80+ degree day in our new home last summer, I quickly realized that our patio is useless without some kind of shading device. It faces West, and gets sun pretty much from noon to sunset.  The dark stone flooring also absorbs all the heat and just keeps on radiating, making our primary outdoor room a pretty unwelcoming place to hang out on a hot summer afternoon.

I considered retractable awnings, a big umbrella, tensile structures, regular sail cloth mounted to posts, etc. Frankly, I didn't like any of these options.  I wanted something that will withstand the test of time and that will be flexible in terms of the actual shading material.



My solution: a pergola! And here it is:

Case Study 01: Kitchen Remodel

I completed this kitchen remodeling project for a client in Cleveland last spring. My clients' problems with their kitchen extended beyond aesthetics. The primary issue was the lack of a relationship between the kitchen itself and the eating area on the opposite side of the pass-through. This space was underutilized, despite being quite bright and enjoyable due to a skylight and large window. Since the pass-through to the kitchen was small, the kitchen did not benefit from all this light, but instead felt dark and closed-off. The eating area became essentially a hallway used solely for circulation, instead of a destination on its own.

Case Study 02 - Post & Beam House Remodel

About a year ago, my husband and I left the city and moved to the wilds of Weston, CT.  We love our new area - complete with dirt road, a couple acres to roam around, and pond-front property.  The clincher for us are the cultural aspects of the area - which, for me, includes a gourmet food scene, vibrant community theatre, and enough of an upscale granola vibe that we don't feel like we're in the middle of the burbs.  Weston prides itself on being the "exurbs" and its "rural and residential" character.  No big box stores here!

the pond