Camp Joy puts hopes, dreams and sustainable design into action

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. Continue reading…

Cork, sustainable hardwood, oil and low-VOC finishes top list in homeowner’s meticulous selections

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. Continue reading…

The story of rugs from Mekizodesigns

“Most of the blogs I find become more of an information regurgitation, and I am guilty of that myself,” Melanie Munden, founder of Mekizodesigns, tells me from the start.

“We are selling flooring, after all,” she says. “But for me, I am interested in the story of how something began. What inspired me, and who or what is the latest trend in color for fashion trends and textiles for the home.”

It only took about 30 seconds for me to figure out that Melanie is an artist, and that this touches everything she does. Her new silk and wool rugs have standalone appeal. But I now want to know the story of how this began. Continue reading…

Linoleum appeal has moved beyond health benefits to include one-of-a-kind designs

Vinyl lovers take note: Green-minded Portland residents remodeling kitchens and bathrooms are resoundingly choosing Marmoleum floors.

Unlike vinyl, this is all-natural linoleum made primarily from linseed oil. While it traditionally has been sought by the chemically sensitive or those concerned about indoor-air quality, it is now also being sought for its fashion statement, says Sam Snow, owner of EcoFloors in Portland, OR.

“It’s an excellent choice for high-use areas because of its durability, lower maintenance and its style options are almost endless,” he says. “In addition, it’s 100-percent natural, antistatic, antibacterial and comfortable underfoot.” Continue reading…

Anderson Township, OH, family completes new home with natural oil hardwood finish and cork

When the original plan for putting strand bamboo flooring in the new home they were building in Anderson Township, OH, went awry, Jennifer and Carlton Monroe reviewed their priorities.

“I wanted something natural,” Jennifer recalls. “But it also occurred to me that on the first floor, I wanted something that was spot-repairable.”

This was the beginning of a selection process that ended with the Monroes putting hardwood – finished on site with a natural, hard-wax oil — on the first floor, and cork flooring upstairs in the bedrooms and hallway. Continue reading…

Natural Interiors® Designers’ Forum sees increase in “green” cabinet suppliers

In the beginning, there was one visible “green” cabinet company.  In 1998, we called them, in Portland, OR, if we wanted wood kitchen cabinets that emitted fewer chemicals in our homes.

But many of us had to settle for traditional cabinets. Shipping costs to the Midwest or east drove the cost of these cabinets beyond our reach.

Today, a handful of companies are trying to fill the void, and Midwestern kitchen designers who are trending natural have more choices, says Jessica Allison, owner of Essence Design Studios in West Chester, OH. Continue reading…

Natural Interiors® Designers’ Forum spotlights new look for old furniture from Sterling Interiors 

By now, everyone has seen artwork and other creations made from trash, or worn out objects that were about to become trash. But when was the last time you saw one and seriously considered it useful? 

Can’t remember? Then it’s time to take a closer look at a growing interior design trend called “upcycling.” It’s not quite the same thing as “restoring,” or “refinishing” as upcycling usually gives a worn out piece of furniture a different look than it had before, along with a whole new, useful life. 

While this helps the planet by reducing waste, concern for the planet is not the top force driving demand for upcycled products. Continue reading…

Toledo customer wanted a planet-friendly product that also offered healthier indoor air

Ordering and installing Nature’s Carpet “felt great for a number of reasons,” says Julee, who now has “Clearwater,” part of the “Dark Green” line, in her home in Holland, OH. She found the carpet at Carpets by Otto, which has several locations in the Toledo area.

The “Dark Green” line from Nature’s Carpet is made from New Zealand Wool, with no synthetic materials or chemical additives. Julee wanted a product that was good for the planet and would not emit chemicals in her home.

“After having lots of negative symptoms with new carpeting, I was wonderfully surprised at the lack of odor with Nature’s Carpet, which means, of course, there were no chemicals to off-gas,” she says. “I purchased the wool felt padding as well. For the first time in my life, there literally was no odor from the carpet. With my chemical sensitivities, I had zero problems with the carpet. It was a true God send.” Continue reading…

USFloors Bamboo flooring installation by Carpetland Carpet One meets all of the owner’s expectations

The new meeting-room floor installed more than a year ago at the Evergreen Holistic Learning Center had to promote health and stimulate positive, meaningful conversation.

Brazilian Cherry simply would not do, Joan Barlage, Evergreen co-director, recalls thinking when she was looking at samples.

“I would never take something out of a rainforest,” she says.

Continue reading…

Kirei is a conversation piece and another planet-friendly solution for walls when low-VOC paint just isn’t enough

Kirei Coco Tiles

“Wow, Susie, what’s that on your wall?” Tricia seems to be in awe upon venturing into the changing room at the pool party.

Continue reading…