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Why flooring from torn down barns is all the rage

Superior dimensional stability and a rich patina are just a few reasons more people are seeking reclaimed flooring. This video offers a first-hand look at why this is a great flooring choice, and one of the most sound building practices on the planet.

More Than the Floor

April 29th, 2013
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Meet IceStone, one of five people- and planet-friendly counter tops coming to our Milford, OH showroom

IceStone, made of recycled glass and cement, is a pioneer in recycled counter tops.

It offers colors that are unique among the brands that will be available in June at Carpetland Carpet One’s Natural Interiors Design Center at 920 Lila Ave., Milford, OH.

IceStone requires periodic sealing for normal maintenance. Watch this space for upcoming information on the other brands we soon will be offering.

 

 

Quick Painting Tips

April 3rd, 2013
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Choosing the correct color, sheen and more

Should you use flat, eggshell or semi-gloss? Do you paint the walls or baseboards first?

Mythic — the maker of zero-VOC paints — answers these questions and more, just in time for your spring painting project.

When Water-based Works

February 21st, 2013
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Natural Interiors® hardwood floor finishing program puts water- and oil-based stains through testing

Lorna and Roy at Schumacher & Co. Custom Hardwood Floors are reviewing our first round of testing the newest water-based hardwood floor stains on the market. The testing platform also is being used to train the company’s finishers.

Why go to all of this trouble? Because while they are better for indoor-air quality, water-based stains cannot be applied the same way as traditional oil-based stains. And using the proper technique takes practice.

This video shows the pitfalls of improper technique, in addition to some of the preferred aesthetic differences water-based stains offer.©

 

Think Spring

February 6th, 2013
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How will your garden grow this year?

Looking ahead to warmer days is one way to beat the winter blahs. Have you thought about adding composting to your planet-friendly activities this year? If so, here is a primer on how to get started, from Tricia at Grow Organic.

Lovin’ this Leather

January 9th, 2013
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Coming soon to the Natural Interiors Design Center

Its way stylish appearance is just part of it. EcoDomo leather wall and floor tiles have long been recognized as the environmental leader. From recycled content to no toxic ingredients, this is a high-end product with extreme durability and unique fashion sense. Look for it soon in our Cincinnati, Milford and Beavercreek locations. Questions? Email contact@naturalinteriors.com.

Nothing Fringe About It

December 21st, 2012
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DIY Network routinely uses recycled glass and other counter tops that are people- and planet-friendly

There are now dozens of popular “green” counter top brands, which are readily available and have blended into the mainstream selection. This video features Ice Stone, a U.S. pioneer of recycled glass counter tops.

Ice Stone offers dazzling colors and a unique look. These tops do requiring sealing and periodic maintenance.

Going With Glass

November 9th, 2012
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Today’s recycled glass tile options are endless

With so many choices now available, there is no reason why you can’t have a perfect design that also is environmentally responsible. Watch this video from the DIY Network as a warm-up for next week’s Natural Interiors Designer’s Forum, which will feature a bathroom backsplash using glass mosiacs from Buddy’s Flooring America.

 

 

 

 

All About Hardwood Floors, II

October 23rd, 2012
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Part  Two: What’s the best way to clean hardwood flooring and what does moisture do?

Ben Lanich, manager of Carpetland Carpet One Floor & Home in Cincinnati, OH, puts some common hardwood flooring questions to hardwood expert Dan Fergusen. Carpetland also offers low-VOC and natural hardwood finishes, both prefinished and site-finished. Lanich’s store is located at 10101 Springfield Pike, Cincinnati, (513) 772-3456.

 

All About Hardwood Floors

October 5th, 2012
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Part One: Site-finished vs. prefinished, and solid vs. engineered

Ben Lanich, manager of Carpetland Carpet One Floor & Home in Cincinnati, OH, puts some common hardwood flooring questions to hardwood expert Dan Fergusen. Carpetland also offers low-VOC and natural hardwood finishes, both prefinished and site-finished. Lanich’s store is located at 10101 Springfield Pike, Cincinnati, (513) 772-3456.

 

Archive

A Word from FSC

September 28th, 2012

Selecting this label sends a message Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification not only means sustainable harvesting of wood, but also protects wildlife, native peoples and groundwater. But sales ultimately will determine FSC’s success. In this video, produced by Pottery Barn, Corey Brinkema, FSC-US President, urges consumers to recognize the FSC label.

Linoleum Today

September 2nd, 2012

Made from all natural ingredients, this vinyl alternative now offers everything from traditional to trendy colors and patterns Whether you ultimately choose Forbo Marmoleum, Armstrong Marmorette or another brand, this video gives you a good look at the ingredients used to make linoleum. While this video is from Forbo, all manufacturers use linseed oil, pine [...]

Design Center Tour

August 15th, 2012

 Natural flooring leaders add Natural Interiors® Four of southwest Ohio’s top flooring retailers now are Natural Interiors® Design Centers. Starting today, product certifications and traits that show whether a product is Better for People or Better for the Planet will be readily available to customers at Carpetland Carpet One Floor & Home in Milford, Schumacher [...]

Natural Housewives just ask Touring an allergy-friendly home by Dancraft Construction at the recent Eco-Rehabarama home show in Huber Heights, OH, the Natural Housewife demonstrates that all you have to do is ask — then look for product certifications. In answer to her first question, we are getting this video explanation of how the home’s [...]

 Contest winners to receive organic comforters from Vivetique or a room of Earthpaint The theme of this year’s Natural Housewife Contest takes hold during a vacation on the Gulf of Mexico, where The Natural Housewife tells us it’s time to take actions that are better for people or better for the planet. Part of doing [...]

The Tiny House

April 9th, 2012

Gives us food for thought as to natural living in an economic downturn Okay, this teaser video is an exaggeration of what we meant when we said a trend toward smaller, energy-efficient homes has taken hold. But Christopher Smith’s mission to build his tiny home in Colorado with his own hands gives us reason to [...]

A Carpet Evolution

March 27th, 2012

It starts when you find the collector This video talks about what happens to your old carpet after it is taken by a collector to a recycler. There are now more than 100 carpet collection companies that prepare your old carpet and padding to be sent off to a recycler. Many flooring companies that replace [...]

The Natural Bed

March 10th, 2012

Some manufacturers are high-tech and chemical-free at the same time Q: Are wool duvets, pillows and mattresses treated with mothproofing chemicals like wool carpeting is? A: Not if they are made by a company that specializes in natural and organic materials. This video features Vivetique – a US leader in chemical-free wool, cotton and natural [...]

Now You See It

February 24th, 2012

But a natural oil hardwood finish means that pretty soon you won’t There is something we like about natural hardwood floor finishes even more than the fact that they are low odor and low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound), says Roy Young, quality control manager for Schumacher & Co Custom Hardwood Floors in Cincinnati, OH. “It’s [...]

The Many Faces of Cork

February 15th, 2012

A style for every room As Designer Candace Olson shows us in this video, today’s cork floors don’t look like bulletin boards. Rather, the looks range from that of hardwood planks to mosiac tiles. And cork is suitable in almost any room environment.

 Sherwin Williams and Harmony Ending our series that responds to builders who say low VOC paints don’t perform as well as traditional products, is this video from Sherwin Williams. Harmony, Sherwin Williams’ zero VOC paint, has GREENGUARD Children & Schools indoor air quality certification, which no doubt has some stringent requirements. But this video’s discussion [...]

AFM Safecoat Builders who say water-based paints with lower toxicity don’t perform well are perpetuating “a myth,” says Jay Watts, marketing director for AFM Safecoat. AFM is the fifth manufacturer to join our video rebuttal series. See this video to hear his arguments, click here to see Parts I-IV, and here for more information on [...]

 A Solution Made From “Dirt and Water?” Like other participants in our rebuttal series, Earthpaint disagrees with builders who say low VOC paints don’t perform well.  While this video won’t give you an Earthpaint demonstration, it will give you something that is equally important. Increasingly, science is telling us that there are limits to the [...]

Mythic Paint Mythic Paint, which has Green Seal certification, disagrees with builders who say low-and zero-VOC, water-based paints do not perform as well as traditional paint and oil-based products. See Mythic’s video, and look for The Problem With Paint, Part IV later this week in which we will compare Green Seal, GREENGUARD and SCS indoor [...]

PPG Pure Performance  Even in 2012, many builders still refuse to use low- or zero-VOC, water-based paints, saying they do not perform as well as traditional paint products. PPG is among many paints that now have GREENGUARD Children & Schools Indoor Air Quality Certification, and the builder in this video uses it a lot. See what [...]

                                                     Even in 2012, many builders still refuse to use low-VOC, water-based paints, saying they do not perform as well as traditional paint products. Paint manufacturers we’ve featured say that’s not so, and they’ve given us video evidence. Benjamin Moore is first up with this video demonstration, using the company’s Aura paint.

What is American Clay?

December 6th, 2011

  American Clay wall plaster products emit no chemicals, inhibit mold growth and help regulate humidity. Watch this video from DIY Network, then read more in  A World of Walls

What Is Nature’s Carpet?

November 8th, 2011

See this video for a simple explanation of the difference between chemical free Nature’s Carpet and traditional, synthetic carpet

CleanFresh and Dry

September 30th, 2011

                                              Proper steam cleaning means no water gets through the carpet – even Nature’s Carpet® that has no plastic backings

                                                                       Paintrifuge system cleans roller covers fast so they are ready to reuse

                                                                 The “Van Curen” features Marmoleum Click in laundry and basement bathrooms, but this product is great in a lot more places. For more photos and information, click here.

The Pinnacle Custom Building Group’s “Ardwyn” includes our featured products — Eco by Cosentino recycled glass countertops and Velux Sun Tunnel lighting. The Natural Interiors® Editor liked the powder room so much that she is recreating the design and Eco top in her master bathroom. Before and after photos coming soon.

                                                       Educational “Exhibit House” leaves walls open to show visitors insulation made of recycled blue jeans. Not only is this product from Bonded Logic better for indoor-air-quality, but it helps you hear better, too, Builder Gary Osterfeld says.

It wouldn’t be a show without cork and bamboo flooring. Check out the “Ecopolitan” at Greater Cincinnati’s first annual “green” home show.

                                                   Sara Eickhoff of Cincinnati, OH, claims the first-place prize and shares a few more tips for natural and healthy order

Whether you’re Natural, Desperate or somewhere in between, enter The Natural Housewife Contest for your chance to win $500 in chemical-free, wool Nature’s Carpet.

The Natural Housewife shares tips for choosing products that do not pollute your indoor air. Join the conversation for a chance to win $500 in Nature’s Carpet.

“Green”  Manufacturers at Surfaces, the oldest mainstream flooring tradeshow, say they showed up Jan. 25 for the annual event – as they have for many years – because sustainable, natural floors are the hottest thing going.

The Natural Housewife says the home should be a non-toxic zone. Add your tips to the conversation for a chance to win $500 in Nature’s Carpet and other prizes.

Part Two: When Labels Talk

December 21st, 2010

Thanks for the party, Forest Steward says. But there’s much work ahead this New Year if consumers are to understand the difference between Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and other wood certifications

The Sun wants to do more to make solar energy systems work better. But our experts explain that he just needs to be himself — even on cloudy days.

UnNatural Exposure: This Is Jane

September 1st, 2010

‘Jane’ is allergic to chemicals, but she isn’t crazy. And any retailer who is capable of explaining natural products knows that, says Richard Munden, Nature’s Carpet Sales VP, from Vancouver, BC

Natural Interiors’ exclusive adviser on all Natural matters comments on the Gulf oil spill

It’s not perfect, but LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gives you guidelines that help you make sound decisions about “green” products and planet-friendly actions.

Green Carpet Confusion

July 28th, 2010

CRI Green Label Plus can help you choose a “green” carpet — if you understand what this label means

When Labels Talk

July 19th, 2010

Meet GREENGUARD, FloorScore and FSC, who are happy to explain how they help you select “green” flooring Note: New episodes are posted each Wednesday

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