Design Ideas for making your home modern, sustainable, and eco-friendly

Look around and you will see most homes decorated in various shades of beige. These are the so-called "safe" choices since these are very easy to live with - you cannot go wrong. However, take a moment to consider the positive psychological effects that color has on us:

• Red is known to stimulate the appetite - so it's an excellent color for dining rooms.
• Blue and green are fresh and calming. They are the colors of nature make a wonderful choice for bedrooms.
• Yellow and orange are energizing like the sun, so are great choices in rooms where your energy may need boosting - the kitchen and family dining areas.
• Orange in its toned down terracotta form can be ideal in a home office; it has the energizing effect of both red and orange but isn't so bright that you won't be able to stay at your desk!

Important things to remember while picking out your paint:
Paints and finishes release low level toxic emissions into the air for years after application. The source of these toxins is a variey of VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds). New environmental regulations and consumer demand have led to the development of low-VOC and zero-VOC paints and finishes. Most paint manufacturers now produce one or more non-VOC variety of paint. These new paints are durable, cost-effective, and less harmful to human and environmental health.

The term "non-toxic" is used here in its broadest sense. With paints and finishes, it's more a matter of degree. Even Zero-VOC formulations contain some small amounts of toxins. Here are three general categories of non-toxic (or low-toxic) paints: Natural Paints, Zero VOC, and Low VOC

Here are some of the examples of readily available eco-friendly paints:
Natural based: Anna Sova - natural paints from milk casein, titanium dioxide and food-grade ingredients.
Zero VOC: Sherwin Williams - new HARMONY line of zero-VOC, low-odor latex interior paints. Flat, eggshell, semi-gloss and primer.
Low VOC: Benjamin Moore Aura - covers most surfaces in a single coat, durable, scrubbable.

Stay tuned to get more design ideas for your home or office and fill out our client consultation form to make your spaces more beautiful, harmonious, and eco-friendly.