Natural Style E-Book

Janet Sobesky

• Herausgeber: Creative Homeowner
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021

Seitenzahl: 203

Beschreibung

This eco-elegant guide to home décor is packed with attractive decorating ideas inspired by the colors, forms, and themes of nature. Focused on the environmental impact of design choices, it offers home design with a point of view and a conscience. Author Janet Sobesky shows how to bring a breath of freshness into home decorating by incorporating natural elements into everyday living. Using organic and eco-conscious materials for earth-friendly designs, Janet presents a host of practical suggestions for achieving a comfortable, informal, easy-care, and sustainable lifestyle. With advice for every room in the house, Natural Style includes the latest information on organic fabrics, natural flooring materials, low VOC paints, energy-efficient lighting options, and more.

Leseprobe

Copyright © 2008, 2019 Creative Homeowner

This book may not be reproduced, either in part or in its entirety, in any form, by any means, without written permission from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts for purposes of radio, television, or published review. All rights, including the right of translation, are reserved. Note: Be sure to familiarize yourself with manufacturer’s instructions for tools, equipment, and materials before beginning a project. Although all possible measures have been taken to ensure the accuracy of the material presented, neither the author nor the publisher is liable in case of misinterpretation of directions, misapplication, or typographical error.

Creative Homeowner® is a registered trademark of New Design Originals Corporation.

Natural StyleVice President-Content: Christopher ReggioEditor: Colleen DorseyCopy Editor: Jeremy HauckTechnical Editor: Karen LanierDesigner: Wendy ReynoldsIndexer: Elizabeth Walker

Print ISBN 978-1-58011-829-3eISBN 978-1-60765-658-6

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Sobesky, Janet, author.

Title: Natural style / Janet Sobesky.

Description: Mount Joy : Creative Homeowner, 2019. | Includes index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2018033076 (print) | LCCN 2018034500 (ebook) | ISBN 9781607656586 | ISBN 9781580118293

Subjects: LCSH: Interior decoration--Environmental aspects. | Green products.

Classification: LCC NK2113 (ebook) | LCC NK2113 .S63 2019 (print) | DDC 747--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018033076

We are always looking for talented authors. To submit an idea, please send a brief inquiry to [email protected].

Creative Homeowner®, www.creativehomeowner.com, is an imprint of New Design Originals Corporation and distributed exclusively in North America by Fox Chapel Publishing Company, Inc., 800-457-9112, 903 Square Street, Mount Joy, PA 17552, and in the United Kingdom by Grantham Book Service, Trent Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 7XQ.

Dedication

To my husband, Brent, for his unwavering enthusiasm and belief in me, and for my mother, who taught me to appreciate the beauty in simple things.

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Martha Olandese for her superb research and writing assistance. Thanks also to David Bergman, architect and sustainable design expert, for sharing his wisdom with me.

Thanks to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, the National Association of Remodeling Industries, and the color experts at Benjamin Moore, Glidden, and Pantone for guidance and information.

Thanks to Lisa Kahn and Kathie Robitz for their editing expertise.

Note

Although this book is written primarily for a U.S. audience, it contains useful information for readers in any country. Information and websites about laws, guidelines, and products specific to the U.S. may not apply to all readers, but can provide a good starting point for further local research.

Contents

Introduction

1 What Is Natural Style?

The Global Environment

Waste

What’s Inside Your Home?

Renewable Resources

2 Decorating Naturally

Textiles

Where You Sleep

Floor Coverings

Natural Furniture

What’s Old Is New

Bring Nature into Your Home

Found Art

Wall Art

Containers

3 The Colors of Nature

Color Relationships

Nature’s Palette

Defining Space with Color

Texture

4 On the Surface

Flooring

Countertops

Wall Treatments

5 Kitchens and Bathrooms

Working with a Designer

Natural Kitchens

Creating Functional Space

Reuse, Renew, and Recycle

Kitchen Appliances

Kitchen Ventilation

Sinks and Faucets

Kitchen Lighting

Bathroom

Bathrooms: Light and Air

Storage for the Bathroom

6 Open to Nature

Windows

Other Links to the Outdoors

Garden Rooms and Conservatories

Porches, Decks, and Patios

Outdoor Lighting

Landscaping

Resource Guide

Glossary

Photo and Designer Credits

Introduction

A HOME SHOULD BE A SAFE HAVEN—a place where you and your loved ones not only live, but also thrive. Decorating naturally lets you accomplish that. Natural style is more than interior design; it’s a commitment to comfort, simplicity, and materials that are good for your family and the earth. On these pages, you’ll learn how to create a beautiful, eco-friendly home. You’ll also find information and inspiration that will help you choose natural products to suit your needs, taste, and budget.

CHAPTER 1

What Is Natural Style?

Reflecting nature’s beauty in your home

Your home is both your retreat and your door to the world. It is where you raise your children, continue family traditions, and spend time with friends and relatives. Your home is part of a larger community. It reflects who you are and what you find meaningful. Your personal style is what makes your home a peaceful, healthy, relaxing environment.

BECAUSE THE HEALTH AND HAPPINESS of the people who share your home are so precious to you, natural style is a logical choice. It’s a look that’s simple and soothing. It’s not over the top or subject to the whims of the latest style gurus or trendsetters. The essence of natural style is achieving more with less, removing clutter and excessive ornamentation, and highlighting quality materials and objects that have personal significance.

When you choose natural style, your rooms aren’t showy stage sets, but comfortable backdrops for everyday life. The use of natural materials, such as cotton, linen, wood, and stone, comes from a desire to fill your home with the beauty of the outdoors. But natural style is about more than shunning flashiness and synthetic fabrics; it’s also a commitment to selecting products that are healthy for your family, as well as for the earth.

The unexpected juxtaposition of colors and materials in this natural-style dining area is both eye-catching and serenely comfortable.

The Global Environment

Your connection to nature is reflected in your actions, which include how you treat the environment and how the environment is reflected in your home. The amount of energy you use, the products you buy, and the way you dispose of them all make an impact on the air, water, and land. So, too, do the construction materials used to build our homes, the chemicals emitted by the finishes on our walls and cabinetry, and the pollution created when certain household goods are manufactured. Focusing our attention on these critical issues makes us aware of the need for ecologically safe and responsible choices inside our own homes.

Climate Change

The earth’s average surface temperature is on the rise. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are emitted into the air when fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas are burned to generate electricity, heat homes, power factories, and run cars. Global warming is the impact that greenhouse gases have on the atmosphere, causing changes in climate worldwide. Locally, impacts range from droughts to flooding, more severe storms, rising sea levels, and less snow and ice, resulting in changes in animal migration patterns and plant life cycles.

A combination of materials, textures, and shapes tempts the senses. Further interest is added by combining matte finishes with highly reflective materials and the natural with the man-made.

Memoirs from vacations and family outings can be integrated into a natural-style décor, reminding all of shared memories.

While this may seem like an insurmountable issue, everyone can make an impact by choosing natural products, materials, and finishes and by maintaining a home in an eco-friendly manner.

Use of Less Energy

Much of the greenhouse gases emitted into the environment come from cars and energy usage. You can get an idea of your carbon footprint by using the EPA’s online calculator (www3.epa.gov/carbon-footprint-calculator) to assess your home energy, waste, and transportation. Your local extension offices or utility provider may have programs and incentives for conducting an energy audit to find out where improvements can be made in the home. You can download a free energy guide as well (www.energy.gov). Simple fixes include teaching children not to leave a trail of lights on behind them, using dimmers and timers on lights, sealing cracks around electrical outlets and plumbing fixtures, and using power strips to turn off electronics at night. In 2012, new lighting standards went into effect so that more energy efficient light bulbs are commonly available for household use. Other proactive strategies include placing windows or skylights to maximize natural light and heat from the sun; properly insulating the attic, crawl spaces, water heater, and pipes; and seeking help from a professional certified by the Building Performance Institute (BPI, www.bpihomeowner.org).

A candlelit chandelier conserves electricity and provides a cozy and romantic touch to meals.

When purchasing new or used appliances, look for the Energy Star label. This designation means that they use less energy, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Keep your heating and cooling systems in tip-top condition by servicing them regularly. Install a whole-house fan to cool your house overnight in lieu of the air conditioner. If you are not using the television, radio, or another appliance, turn it off. A microwave oven uses less energy than the stove to heat small meals. Consider an on-demand water heater instead of the standard tank model, which wastes energy heating water when it’s not being used. Dry your laundry outdoors instead of using a clothes dryer.

There may also be some passive energy-saving techniques you can use in your home design and landscape. For example, awnings and deciduous trees on the southern exposure provide shade in the summer; when leaves fall and awnings are rolled back, they welcome the sun’s heat into your home in the winter. Tile flooring absorbs warmth when exposed to the sun through energy-efficient skylights or south-facing windows. Use cross ventilation, screen doors, and ceiling fans to increase airflow and help keep your home cool in warmer months.

LIVE WISE, LIVE WELL

Recycling Savvy

Are you tired of watching that old car battery, outdated telephone, and nonworking TV gather dust in your garage? At least half of U.S. states require you to recycle electronics, and many have banned them from landfills. Many cities and counties offer e-waste drop-off events around Earth Day each year (April 22). There are ways to recycle nearly everything these days; the trick is discovering how and where. A great place to begin is the website Earth911 (www.earth911.com), which offers comprehensive local recycling information by zip code.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Respond

Simply giving a second life to what you already own can help to reduce greenhouse gases. Go beyond recycling. You can make the choice to reduce, reuse, recycle, and respond. That includes reducing the amount of trash we discard, reusing containers and other products, recycling household materials and compost, and responding to the problem of solid waste disposal with changes in our preferences and buying habits. Don’t throw out items unnecessarily—consider repairing or repurposing what you have. If you need to dispose of things, donate them to charity. Compost yard waste, grass clippings, food scraps, and coffee grounds.

“Passed down from my relatives” doesn’t have to be a bad thing. This well-worn mantel, table, and chair lend tremendous character and style and don’t add to any landfills.

When shopping, check places such as Goodwill, the Salvation Army, garage sales, Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore, and even Grandma’s house for previously owned products. You’ll save money and might end up with high-quality household items. When purchasing new products, look for green choices such as solid wood furniture, rechargeable batteries, and eco-friendly cleaners. A home with less clutter is likely to be less harmful to the environment.

Deforestation

In addition to their beauty and the many products they provide, trees trap carbon and other particles produced by pollution. Unfortunately, billions of acres of forests around the world have been destroyed to meet the ever-increasing demand for exotic woods, farmland, and industrial growth. An average of 80,000 acres of tropical rainforest is destroyed on a daily basis, along with the diverse plants and animals that live there. This deforestation decreases overall air quality because it releases billions of tons of carbon into the air and kills the largest air purifiers on the planet: trees. You can help by carefully considering the origin of the wood products you buy. Is it from a renewable resource? Does it support indigenous peoples? Naturally, it also makes sense to use recycled wood whenever possible.

This distinctive outdoor room is built with local, biodegradable, and renewable materials.

Eco-friendly kitchens have recycling bins for paper, glass, metal, plastic, and compostable foods.

Waste

While almost every community has some type of recycling program in place, sometimes it’s hard to tell what can go in the recycling bin and what is trash meant for the landfill. For a list of recyclables, contact your local recycling office.

Solid Waste

Millions of tons of waste materials are produced during the manufacturing and use of consumer products. Much of this consists of plastics and discarded packaging. In 2015, approximately 262 million tons of trash was thrown out of American homes. That’s nearly 4.5 pounds of garbage per person per day. About a quarter of all the waste was recycled, and more than half of it was trucked to landfills. Much of this waste isn’t biodegradable and some of it produces toxic residue that pollutes the soil and water. If possible, choose products with minimal packaging, as well as long-lasting items that wear well and look better with age. Purchase products made with reclaimed materials or recycled plastics, or simply reduce the amount of products you buy.

Household Hazardous Waste

The average home can accumulate as much as 100 pounds (45 kilograms) of hazardous waste in the basement, the garage, and storage closets. The list of hazardous substances includes common items such as toilet, drain, and oven cleaners, batteries, wood preservatives, oil-based paints, and flea repellants and shampoos for pets. Check to see if there is a safe disposal program for these items in your community or at a local business. (Some garages or automotive supply companies accept used oil or car batteries.) And did you know that some old electronic devices such as MP3 players and cell phones contain lead, chromium, and mercury? Try “e-cycling” these devices. The Electronic Industries Alliance E-Cycling website (www.eiae.org) compiles a list of nationwide e-cyclers by zip code.

What’s Inside Your Home?

Your home is more than a roof over your family’s head. It should provide a safe and healthy sanctuary from excessive noise, dirt, and harmful fumes.

Indoor Air Quality

In an effort to reduce heating and cooling costs, many “airtight” homes have been constructed over the past 50 years. Unfortunately, this resulted in a buildup of indoor contaminants like mold and carbon monoxide. In fact, studies have shown that the air inside our homes can be more polluted than the outdoor air in some big cities. Infants, the elderly, and people with chronic respiratory, cardiovascular, and immune diseases can be especially vulnerable to these pollutants.

The rate at which outdoor air replaces indoor air is described as the air-exchange rate. When there is little infiltration of outdoor air through natural or mechanical ventilation, the air-exchange rate is low and pollutant levels can increase. Factors that contribute to bad indoor air include tobacco smoke; construction materials; paints, stains, and finishes on walls, floors, cabinets, and furniture; and activities such as cooking, heating, cooling, and cleaning. An upswing of respiratory illnesses and allergic reactions may also show up soon after exposure to some indoor air pollutants. Long-term exposure could lead to severely debilitating problems such as asthma, heart disease, and cancer. The EPA says the most effective ways to improve your indoor air quality are to remove the sources of pollutants and to ventilate with clean outdoor air. Improving air movement within your home can be as simple as opening windows and doors and installing ceiling fans.

Furniture with hard or open surfaces is easier to keep free of dust than upholstered pieces.

Combustion Gases

Combustion is a major source of indoor air pollutants. Particles or gases that result from appliances that burn fuels include gas ranges and ovens, space heaters, gas water heaters, wood- or coal-burning stoves, and fireplaces. These appliances create combustion pollutants from burning natural or LP gas, fuel oil, kerosene, wood, or coal. Some of the pollutants that result are carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, unburned hydrocarbons, and aldehydes.

Exposure to combustion pollution can create symptoms that can be immediate or long term. These range from headaches and breathing difficulties to extreme cases of carbon monoxide poisoning that can be fatal. To prevent or reduce exposure to combustion pollution, you can:

■ Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home.

■ Use vented appliances whenever possible.

■ Have your appliances installed by a professional.

■ Test your furnace to make sure it’s running properly.

■ Ensure a good supply of fresh outdoor air.

■ Check the venting system to be sure it is intact and is not blocked.

■ Have your system inspected by a professional on a regular basis.

■ Never use your stove or dryer to heat your home.

Animal dander triggers allergic reactions in many people. Clean furniture and floors regularly with your vacuum’s brush attachment.

Radon

Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers, according to EPA estimates. Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water, and gets into the air you breathe. Radon can be found all over the United States. It can get into any type of building—homes, offices, and schools—and result in a high indoor radon level. But you and your family are most likely to get your greatest exposure at home, where you spend most of your time. Contact your local radon program representative for testing (www.epa.gov/radon/find-information-about-local-radon-zones-and-state-contact-information).

Outgassing

New carpeting can also have an adverse effect on indoor air. The solvents and glues used to install carpets and their underlayment, or padding, can contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that enter the air. This is known as “outgassing.” When purchasing carpet, ask for information about the product’s emissions and look for the Carpet and Rug Institute’s Green Label Plus (www.carpet-rug.org). If possible, roll out and air the carpet in a well-ventilated area before installation. Ask for low-emitting adhesives and natural backings, and keep air flowing in the room before and after installation. You may even consider having the carpet installed when you are not home or are outdoors. Carpets and rugs can also trap VOCs from other materials such as paint and release them slowly over time. A healthier option is to forego wall-to-wall carpeting and use area rugs made of 100-percent organic wool, cotton, or other natural fibers. When disposing of an old carpet, check online to find a recycling service in your area.

Encourage clean air inside your home by selecting fabrics, carpets, and furnishings that don’t outgas VOCs.

Countertops and wall surfaces made of ceramic tile, solid-surfacing material, or plastic laminate hold up well against moisture.

Formaldehyde is another nasty chemical that can compromise indoor air. It may be released from particleboard cabinets, furniture, and foam insulation that contains urea-formaldehyde. New regulations under the EPA’s Toxic Substances Control Act went into effect in 2018, setting limits on formaldehyde use in wood composite products. Check with the manufacturer prior to purchasing and ask about their compliance with the TSCA Title IV. When using wood products indoors, select exterior-grade wood products made with phenol-formaldehyde resin, rather than urea-formaldehyde adhesives, for floors, cabinetry, and wall finishes. If possible, choose natural materials such as solid wood, bamboo, metal, or glass.

Mold

Mold is a natural part of the environment, both outdoors and indoors. The damp conditions of many bathrooms and basements support mold growth. People with sensitivity to mold can develop allergies or respiratory irritation. You can help decrease mold levels in your home by keeping the humidity level between 40 and 60 percent. Signs that your home may not have enough airflow include stuffy-smelling air, dirty heating and cooling filters and vents, moldy storage areas, and moisture condensation on surfaces. Ventilate bathrooms, basements, kitchens, and any other area in your home that tends to be humid. Don’t allow piles of boxes or other clutter to prevent proper air circulation.

A green home is healthier and more cost-effective

Pesticides

Pesticides are intended to control outbreaks of pests in agricultural fields, subduing weeds, rodents, fungi, and bacteria. But their increased use has created a wide-ranging environmental impact. Of all the natural fibers, cotton is the most heavily pesticide-laden. Water runoff from the cotton fields can pollute nearby land with chemical residues. The workers in the fields are exposed to these toxic substances while picking and packaging the cotton. Organic cotton is raised without chemical pesticides or fertilizers and is becoming much more available than ever before. Look for fabric that is organically grown, especially in bed and bath linens that will be close to your family’s skin.

Using compost and organic fertilizer in flowerbeds, gardens, and lawns will help your plants thrive and reduce your exposure to toxic pesticides.

THINK GREEN

Because we spend so much time inside, indoor air pollution is a real concern. Many of these pollutants are colorless and odorless and thus go unnoticed. Awareness of the hazards can help us take positive action to improve our environment.

Pesticides sprayed on lawns and food can affect everyone. While all ages are susceptible, the EPA feels that children are more sensitive to pesticides due to their immature immune systems, higher consumption of certain foods such as apple juice and milk, and bodily contact with the floor, animals, and lawns. The first step to reducing pesticide exposure is prevention. In your home, make sure to:

■ Remove your shoes when you come inside. Not only will this help keep your home cleaner, it will reduce possible contamination of your floors and rugs with pesticides and chemicals from outdoors. This is especially important if you have small children who spend time on the floor.

■ Keep food (and trash) in closed containers in your home to prevent attracting insects.

■ Don’t leave pet food out overnight.

■ Make sure any possible site of entry for insects is sealed with screens, caulking, and weather stripping.

■ Wash or vacuum floors on a regular basis.

■ Keep your pets away from areas where pesticides have been applied; they are a vehicle to introduce the pesticides into your home. Before putting chemicals on your lawn, keep in mind that dogs and cats live in direct contact with the grass and lick their paws often. Likewise, avoid pesticide-laden flea collars and treatment products that come into contact with their skin and fur.

■ Wash your (and your children’s) hands frequently.

■ If toys are dropped on the ground, clean them before you give them back to children.

■ Buy clothes made from organic cotton, hemp, or other organic natural fibers.

When purchasing pesticides, the EPA suggests you read the label to find important health information before you buy. If possible, go organic when caring for your lawn and garden, and encourage your neighbors to cut down on their chemical use for the good of everyone.

Lead

Many homes built before 1978 contain lead-based paint. Lead dust can get stirred up when you scrape off old paint or replace a window. Chips of peeling paint on exterior walls mix with soil and pose a health threat, particularly to children. Kids can be exposed through normal childhood behavior, putting dirt in their mouths, and playing on the floor. If you live in an older home, you should have the paint tested for lead content. If found, it should be removed by a professional. See the EPA’s website for an up-to-date list of certified testers and renovators in your area.

The way you choose to decorate your home should be a balance between reflecting your personal style and choosing eco-friendly materials.

Lead may also be found in household plumbing and water lines, especially in homes built before 1986. It gets into the water by corrosion of the solder in the pipes and fittings in your plumbing, as well as brass- and chrome-plated faucets and fixtures. Since 2014, stricter manufacturing regulations have decreased the amount of lead allowed in pipes, fittings, and fixtures. Your local drinking water authority can provide you with information on your home’s service lines and connect you with a laboratory for testing your tap water for lead. If your home tests positive, some simple steps you can take to reduce the lead in your water are:

■ Use cold water for drinking and cooking.

■ Run the water before you use it, especially if it hasn’t been used for more than six hours.

■ Use a filter certified by NSF International to remove lead.

■ Serve your family meals that are low in fat and high in calcium, iron, and vitamin C to help prevent storage of lead in the body.

Water