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!