Under the green roofs, behind the red doors, the owners of Camp Joy in Clarksville, OH, wanted to remodel in a way that better served the needs of their visitors and the planet Earth.

This meant all of today’s usual energy-efficient upgrades – but also some not-so-usual interior design elements, courtesy of design team Heather Curless, architect, and interior designer A. Maris Bernard.

Dining hall counter tops made of Forbo Marmoleum flooring, for example.

“The linoleum, which is an all-natural product made from linseed oil, is remarkable when used this way,” Bernard says.

This idea grew out of the need to use an affordable product with environmental attributes, Curless, who also owns Greener Stock, explains.

“A plastic laminate would not do,” she says. “The linoleum wood-grain pattern was perfect.”

Camp Joy is an outdoor education establishment, and its mission is to provide life-changing educational opportunities as an environmentally responsible community organization.

“We listened to the feedback from our guests this winter and renovated our dining hall and youth cabins to better serve our guests,” says Amy Thompson, the camp’s executive director. “In this process, we were also focused on decreasing our impact to the environment.”

GBBN Architects of Cincinnati designed the renovation and Miller Valentine Group was the general contractor.

Throughout the complex, existing windows and lights were replaced with energy efficient options.  Because the camp’s waste water treatment plant is almost at capacity, it was imperative to install automated faucets and low-flow toilets in the expanded bathrooms to reduce the waste water load

In the main dining hall, the existing concrete floor was ground, stained and sealed. Wall paneling was salvaged and reused. A fireplace mantel was built from a cedar tree that was on the property.

Carpet tiles with CRI Green Label Plus Indoor Air Quality Certification were installed in the Leadership Dining Hall.

Forbo Marmoleum Composite Tile (MCT) was used for the bathroom and hallway floors.

A walk-off carpet installed in the main entryway is made of 98 percent recycled content, including recycled tires and plastic bottles.

The design elements of the complex, including exposed rafter detail, the green standing seam roof, the red doors, the tan buildings for adult learners, and the brown buildings for youth, created a visual continuity, which Bernard envisioned continuing inside.

“We furthered this imagery by re-articulating the interior building elements including furniture, signage, and color palette – using a modified complimentary color scheme of terra-cotta red and sage green –within the interiors,” she says. “All materials selected have a sustainable component, whether from recycled content or local sourcing, which heightens the story of environmental awareness.  In addition, a corporate hospitality aesthetic was infused without losing the casual, ‘camp’ experience. This was vital in creating and keeping retreat atmosphere.”©

See more Designers’ Forum features here.

– Nancy Kibbee is editor at www.naturalinteriors.com.

 The oil hardwood flooring finish we are testing in this blog works differently than those we’ve already shown you.

It does not soak into the wood like the others. Instead, it forms a molecular bond with the first microns of the wood surface. It is spot-repairable like the others, but that works differently, too. Only the scratch or abraded area will bond with the oil when it is spread over the damaged area.

“After 10 minutes, you just wipe away the excess, and you are done,” says Roy Young, quality control manager at Schumacher & Co. Custom Hardwood Floors in Milford, OH. In just a few weeks, the company will be launching its Natural Interiors® Floor Finishing Program.

Why could this be seen as an advantage over oils that soak into the wood?

Clear oil (top) compared to one of more than 30 colors

“It eliminates variable saturation,” Young says.

Okay, but it also means the finished surface won’t take a second coat. So what do you do when you want it to look new again?

“Areas that get worn will take the coat and bond with the oil, so, overtime, you just recoat them,” he says.

This is a plant-based oil that contains low amounts of modified or purified solvents,  but it is zero-VOC (Volatile Organic Compound). Another big plus: It comes in more than 30 colors, which eliminates the need to stain or dye the floor, assuming you like one of the colors.

“Obviously, we’ll offer other colors – with dyes or stains – and other oils,” Young notes.

But this oil saves a lot of steps. It doesn’t need sealing, it doesn’t need staining and it will not have to be sanded for normal maintenance ever again.

Add it to the lineup.©

   Also see Oil on Wood, Part I and Oil on Wood, Part II and look for a complete description of Schumacher & Co.’s Natural Interiors® Floor Finishing Program soon.

– Nancy Kibbee is editor at www.naturalinteriors.com.

A quick reminder: Many of you have sent in answers, but not to all of the questions. You can still catch up.

The more you answer, the better your chances of winning a $600 organic comforter from Vivetique Sleep Systems or a room’s worth of Earthpaint. So don’t delay.

Here is Question No. 4: Of the following the “green” certifications available to test paint, which prohibit any level of an ingredient this is a known carcinogen, mutagen, reproductive toxin, hazardous air pollutant (HAP) or ozone-depleting compound?

a.)    GREENGUARD

b.)    SCS Indoor Advantage Gold

c.)    Green Seal

d.)    Green Wise

e.)    Both c and d

Need a hint? Click here or get help from the Facebook pages of our hint-droppers – Greener Stock and Brothers Floor Covering.

You can get full contest and prize details here. Remember to email your answer to contact@naturalinteriors.com.

We talk about product quality. We talk about price, which in today’s economy means we bypass some higher-quality products. But except in the instance of installing Marmoleum from Forbo, we have not talked much about installer training.

States like Oregon that have mandatory contractor licensing, which means continuing education credits that include some training in flooring installation, might tout their efforts to protect consumers. Some manufacturers, like Forbo, also require that their sheet products be installed by a contractor the company has certified in order for the product warranty to be valid.

But flooring distributors – that stock and supply products to flooring dealers – and the dealers themselves are not doing a reputable job unless they routinely provide training for flooring installers, says Victoria Haugen, marketing manager for Wanke Cascade, a Forbo distributor, headquartered in Portland, OR.

“The retailers who buy our products gain a great deal of installation expertise through training programs we offer, both because of Oregon’s requirements, but also as a joint effort with our vendors, including Forbo,” Haugen says. “Forbo sheet products, for example, can be challenging to install because of the heat-welded seams and other fine points. Completing Forbo’s training course results in certification from the manufacturer, and being added to the prestigious list of key installers.”

Flexitec installation training was held May 3 at Wanke Cascade in Portland

Last week, Wanke Cascade held a training session for another product it distributes – Flexitec. Although this is a vinyl product, and the fact that it is recyclable is its only claim to being “green,” EcoFloors of Portland sent an installer to the training.

“Of course, a natural product like Marmoleum or linoleum is our preference,” says EcoFloors owner Sam Snow. “But, Flexitec is less expensive, comes in 13-foot, 2-inch widths that minimize seams, it is  recyclable, contains recycled content, and it’s made in the USA! I like that.”

Reputable retailers assure proper installation

The requirements of Oregon’s Construction Contractors Board (CCB) License may be a step in the right direction, but Snow says that a retailer who intends to provide superior service would not be content to just meet the continuing education requirements the license carries.

“We fly our guys to classes all over the country to become trained or certified in a specific product,” Snow says. “We have installers who have Forbo, National Wood Flooring Association and Nation Fiber Installation Certification. We just had a three-day Natural Fiber Installation Certification clinic, held at our facility, where installers learned about installing wool and natural fibers, including things like hand-sewing.”

Installers for Brothers Floor Covering in Indianapolis, IN, stay current on product installation training through local contractor days, in which manufacturers hold trainings at the local distributor’s facility, and through memberships to groups like Flooring Plus, which is offered by one of the distributors Brothers buys products from.

“Also, when time and budget allow, there are training classes through NWFA for wood floor work,” says Brothers owner Greg Hill.  “But I still think the best training  is experience, and as a homeowner that is what I would ask about and what I would look for.”

When a product requires unique installation methods, manufacturer certifications and training are important, and it is the retailer’s responsibility to ensure that his installers have this instruction, says Ken Weisbacher, president of KW Flooring in Cincinnati, OH.

“We make sure our installers are properly trained before they go on a job,” Weisbacher says.  “That is really our responsibility not the consumer’s.  It is a reason consumers should buy from reputable dealers.” ©

– Nancy Kibbee is editor at www.naturalinteriors.com

Cork flooring upstairs. Hardwood with an oil finish downstairs.

Stained Red Oak, from Indiana forests considered sustainable by Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association, reaches from the spacious foyer and into the dining room. It changes to a basket weave pattern in the family room.

Lorinn Williams of Indian Hill, OH, began planning this home two years ago. Her 12-year-old daughter encouraged her to select as many “green” products as she could.

“I particularly love every single process in making each selection,” Williams says.

Several stained samples of the floor had to be reviewed before Williams chose the color that was just right.

The oil floor finish used throughout the first floor is considered low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) at 50 grams per liter. Low and zero-VOC paints from Sherwin Williams and Porter were used throughout the home, Williams says.

Schumacher & Co. Custom Hardwood Floors, which supplied and installed flooring throughout the home, has seen a rise in requests for oil floor finish by customers who want a more natural look that can be spot-repaired, says Steve Contois, the company’s CEO.

“I would definitely say it’s increasing in popularity,” he says.

Williams chose upscale natural flooring — Italian marble — for the master bath on the first floor.

On the second floor, she chose a floating cork floor that is warm underfoot and has great noise-deadening properties.

Cork, particularly on the second floor, also is an increasingly popular choice for Schumacher customers, Contois says. Williams chose one that is made to look like hardwood plank flooring.

Throughout the selection process, there was an aesthetic Williams envisioned that had to be done just right, she says.

“They listened to how I wanted to do it,” she says.©

For more information on these and other flooring products, contact Schumacher & Co. Custom Hardwood Floors at 513-831-5000 or www.schumacherco.com.

-- Nancy Kibbee is editor at www.naturalinteriors.com.

Keep racking up your points, or jump into The Natural Housewife contest now for a chance to win a $600 organic comforter or a room’s worth of Earthpaint.

Get full contest and prize details here, and help from the Facebook pages of our hint-droppers – Greener Stock and Brothers Floor Covering.

Here is Question No. 3: The advantages of using PureGrow™ Wool in mattresses and bedding products include:

a.)     PureGrow™Wool is naturally mold and mildew resistant and flame-retardant, eliminating any need for chemical treatments.

b.)     It works actively with the body to cool when it is hot and warm when it is cold. Because it naturally wicks away then releases moisture, it helps maintain a low-humidity environment that promotes a healthful, lower heart rate during sleep. Unlike down, which will clump when subjected to moisture, wool repels dust mites.

c.)     PureGrow Wool comes for sheep raised on pesticide-free land and is not treated with chemicals that can cause allergic reactions.

e.)    Wool is an extremely resilient fiber, which keeps its natural shape over time, despite the environment it is kept in.

f.)     All of the above.

Email your name and answer to contact@naturalinteriors.com. ©

Okay. I’ll admit it. I never really thought too much about where my trash ended up until I moved to Cincinnati and drove past the local landfill.  It is massive and is said to be the highest point in the county!  As an adult, I always tried to recycle, but now I was really motivated to keep MY trash from going to THAT landfill.

Did you know that the rotting food in our landfills creates methane gas?  Most landfills use this for energy, but I decided that I could put that food waste to better use.  Obviously, we should all try to eat the food that we buy, but it is sometimes impossible, and composting can ease a guilty conscience by making something out of the wasted food.

My first composter was a tumbler.  It worked pretty well, but it took a while to understand the proportions of food waste to nitrogen-rich matter like leaves.

This style also has some limitations.  I cannot throw animal by-products in this composter.  Also, once it is full, I don’t have a place to put the food waste until the compost is ready to be removed.  These types of composters can easily be found at many online retailers and are perfect for yards with limited space for composting.

While vacationing a few years ago on a nature preserve in South Carolina, I discovered a food digester.  This product solves several issues, it will digest all food waste, even animal by-products, and I can continually add waste to it.  It works simply by allowing microorganisms access to the food through the perforated basket that is buried in the ground.  The food is turned into compost tea that seeps out into the surrounding ground providing nutrients directly to the soil.  The system only needs to be cleaned out every few years. There are several systems on the market, but doing a quick web keyword search of “food digester composter” shows ways to make your own.

Food digester composter

My latest adventure in composting is a worm bin — that’s right, worms!  A landscape colleague sent out an email earlier this year advertising free worms, so I took him up on it.  I have a small bin, so the capacity for composting is limited, but it has been a fun learning experience with our children.

Worm bin

The worms love things that have already been somewhat processed, so the waste from my juicer is perfect.  Coffee and tea grounds are also good for the worm bin. The result of the worms’ hard work is the castings (worm poop), which gardeners call black gold.  Castings can be used as fertilizer for all your plants.

So after all these experiments, I’ve learned to do what we all should be doing, and I am keeping as much trash as possible out of that unsightly landfill.  After composting and recycling, my family of four creates only one to two bags of trash per week — compared to about one per day before.©

– Heather Curless depicts The Natural Housewife, is Our LEED AP, and owner of Greener Stock.

Q. The description of comforters you are awarding as prizes in The Natural Housewife Contest says they are made from organic cotton, PureGrow™ Wool or both, depending on what the winners want. What is PureGrow™ Wool and what are the advantages of using it in a comforter?

A. The PureGrow™ Wool Program was started years ago in Sonoma County, CA. It is a joint effort of The Natural Bedroom by Vivetique, the University of California Agriculture Extension and the Sonoma County Wool Growers.

The program assures that there are no pesticides, chemicals or pollutants in the environment where sheep are raised and graze. Pastures used in the program have to be free of pesticide and chemical treatments for at least two years before they are used.  Any feeds the sheep are given have to be organically based. The sheep also are not given any hormones or synthetic substances.

Distinguishing PureGrow™ Wool further is that fact that the wool, once shorn, is cleaned and sanitized without using the harsh chemicals of the traditional carbonization process used to clean wool. Many people who believe they are allergic to wool actually have an allergic reaction to these chemicals.

The advantages of using PureGrow™ Wool in bedding products include:

• – PureGrow™Wool is naturally mold and mildew resistant and flame-retardant, eliminating any need for chemical treatments.
• – It works actively with the body to cool when it is hot and warm when it is cold. Because it naturally wicks away then releases moisture, it helps maintain a low-humidity environment that promotes a healthful, lower heart rate during sleep. Unlike down, which will clump when subjected to moisture, wool repels dust mites.
• – PureGrow™Wool is an extremely resilient fiber, which keeps its natural shape over time, despite the environment it is kept in. This means lasting durability.

Vivetique and The Natural Bedroom arguably is the most experienced American bedding company in using PureGrow™ Wool and other natural and organic materials. You can visit them at www.vivetique.com and get more information on prizes and The Natural Housewife Contest here. ©

–Nancy Kibbee is Editor at www.naturalinteriors.com

Some of you have asked. No, you don’t have to be a housewife, and yes, if you are in the top three, you will choose the size and style of your Vivetique Sleep Systems comforter.  It also is possible to skip a question and still be in the running. There is still room for two more correct answers to last week’s question.

You can get full contest and prize details here, and help from the Facebook pages of our hint-droppers – Greener Stock and Brothers Floor Covering.

Here is this week’s question: If you want to ensure that the hard surface flooring you purchase has been tested, and chemical emissions from the product meet a measurable safety limit, which of the following certifications should you look for on the product?

a.)    Forest Stewardship Certification (FSC)

b.)    Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Certification

c.)     GREENGUARD or GREENGUARD Children & Schools Indoor Air Quality Certification

d.)    FloorScore Indoor Air Quality Certification

e.)    Both c and d

Remember, don’t post your answer where others can see. Email it, along with your name and email address, to contact@naturalinteriors.com.

Sixteen years ago, I let my infant sleep on a plastic mattress filled with foam rubber. I had read the baby books and collaborated with pregnant friends.

But nothing and no one pointed out that standard mattresses contain petrochemicals or that these chemicals off-gas for us to breathe and absorb. Even when the baby developed sleep apnea — and had to sleep wearing a halter monitor and alarm because of a family history of crib death — I did not question the standard crib mattress I had purchased from my local baby supply store.

Truthfully, if someone had told me to raise this question, I probably would have laughed and, privately, considered that person to be a little crazy. Everyone in the United States buys and sleeps on traditional mattresses every day.  If there were something wrong with that, we would all know, right?

Six years later, I began to question my thinking when I toured the Vivetique Sleep Systems factory in Arcadia, CA. Here, high-tech, luxury mattresses are made by hand with materials that include natural latex, organic cotton and Pure Grow Wool.™  The only synthetic materials in this place are inside the competitors’ mattresses that Vivetique occasionally cuts open to investigate.

Vivetique natural latex innerspring mattress

My tour was at a time when memory foam mattresses were coming into vogue.  Vivetique’s latex and latex with innerspring mattresses compete head-on in this higher-end, luxury bedding category. Upon returning home to Cincinnati, I went to a local store to check out memory foam.  About half a minute after I laid down on the memory foam floor sample, I felt panicked. I was dizzy and could not stand up.

The salesman matter-of- factly said I was probably having a temporary reaction to the chemicals emitted by the memory foam. Fortunately, it was temporary, and when I stood up I thanked him, left the store and never looked back.

Since 2003, my family – including the baby who just turned 16 – has slept on Vivetique natural latex mattresses.  The comfort they offer can’t be beat. But the allergy-friendly benefits are priceless. While I cannot say that using traditional products before caused any measurable harm, I can say it wasn’t natural or sensible.

And, like all mothers at one point or another do, I can look back and regret not knowing enough about natural products and indoor-air-quality sooner. But I think that most of today’s Natural Housewives are simply those who have learned from their mistakes. ©

– Nancy Kibbee is editor at www.naturalinteriors.com

Three winners in The Natural Housewife Contest 2012 will receive organic Vivetique comforters, and two will get a room’s worth of Earthpaint. The contest is underway, but you can still enter. Get the details here.