Great Green Ideas for your Home

Looking to go green? I'm not talking colour here but being more environmentally friendly in your home decor.  There are a lot of options and even right here in Ottawa (online too if you are not from the Ottawa area)

- Bamboo bowls to hold just about anything from bathroom products to give the space a spa look or in the kitchen to hold fruit for an easy snack.  Available at www.homesense.ca and www.terra20.com

- Serenity Stumps are perfect for a cool coffee table or end table www.pureserenityinteriors.com

- Mythic Paint is easy on the environment and non-toxic.  www.thehealthiesthome.com

- Morph recycled glass vases are so chic and the modern designs are so stylish.  www.terra20.com

- Furniture made from reclaimed wood.  Check out the Territorial Collection at the Emporium  or reclaimed wide plank flooring adds such character and warmth to any space www.logsend.com

- Farrow and Ball paints are made with natural pigments and look amazing in any room. 

- DuPont Zodiac Counter tops are so unique and truly special.  The Terra Collection is made with 25% post consumer recycled glass content. 

- Check out antique or other consignment stores and find a way to bring life into an older piece.  Use it in a new and interesting way or change it up to make it your own.

- Nature driven wallpaper is another great way to bring life into any room in any home.  www.amybutlerdesign.com

Great Green Ideas

April 22nd is right around the corner, for those of you that don't know April 22nd is also Earth Day. Going 'green' is not just a trend but a way of living and protecting the planet for future generations. When it comes to green living there are so many options for reduce, reuse and recycle and your home projects are no exception. Take a look at some of these ideas and consider them when it comes to your next home improvement project.

In the kitchen and laundry room:

- consider Energy star appliances. They use less energy and they will save you money!

In the bathroom and kitchen:

- consider locally made counter tops and cabinets

- consider cabinets made of recycled materials or sustainable materials

- consider counter tops made of recycled glass

Throughout the home:

- consider flooring made of recycled materials or sustainable materials

- consider using paint with low or no VOC's

- consider changing to energy efficient lighting

- consider adding green or environmentally friendly insulation (if you are building or renovating)

Instead of buying all new furniture try refinishing or re-upholstering or even re-purposing your pieces.

Green is not just a fresh colour but a way of life. Living green or taking steps to being more green will help the planet and our future generations!