Design Connection, Inc. Interior Design

Turn on the news lately and chances are you’ll see someone talking about the oil spill in the gulf and the effect it will have on our environment and the way we live. Most of you probably haven’t thought about the impact it will have on design, but everything from concept and fabrication to shipping and installation probably factors in oil in some way, shape or form. We don’t know exactly what the results from the spill will be but one thing is for sure, it has made us even more aware of the importance of considering eco-friendly and renewable resources when making design choices. Recently we have featured blog posts on some of the more mainstream “eco” topics such as earth friendly design, bamboo flooring and cork flooring. This week I wanted to take a minute and tell you about other rapidly renewable resources that you can incorporate into your home decor from floors to walls, these are choices you can really feel good about.

Cork mosaic sideboard from Iannone Design

Surprise! It’s cork furniture
Cork isn’t just for wine bottles and flooring anymore. Check out this really cool sideboard from Iannone Design- you don’t have to look far anymore for interesting and stylish pieces made from renewable resources!

Wool carpet from Straw, Sticks and Bricks

The natural choice in carpet
Most carpet used in homes is made from nylon which is derived from oil. Choosing natural fibers like wool not only helps us migrate away from oil dependence, but it also can be better for your health as wool carpets don’t give of any toxic fumes or gases.

Vases from Natural Territory

High style with Hyacinth!
Made from one of the fastest growing plants, these fabulous vases are constructed from the dried stems of the water hyacinth plant. So stylish and you can buy as many as you want, the plants grow so fast they will definitely make more.

Linoleum flooring at the UNC Health Sciences Library

Don’t forget Linoleum!
Often overlooked, linoleum can be  made from linseed oil, pine rosin, ground cork or limestone dust, wood flour, and mineral fillers. Highly durable, in tons of colors and finishes AND you can rest easy knowing that compared to vinyl flooring, it produces less off-gassing.

Buffet table from Sublime Home

Custom Furniture with a conscience

You’d be surprised at the kind of furniture you can find from local artisans with a conscience, like this gorgeous buffet table made of bamboo, palm wood and oak complete with a low VOC finish.

These are just a few ideas for you to look into but don’t forget other renewable resources being used in homes from recycled sunflower seeds, wheatboard, grass and straw, and cotton. I expect them to become more mainstream as we become more aware of how our choices affect not only our planet but our health. As always, if you are looking for a little inspiration on how you can incorporate renewable, sustainable or eco-friendly resources into your home decor, the Design Connection Team is here to help. You can connect with us online on Facebook, Twitter, here on our blog or contact us anytime at the office at 913-851-8776. We would love to hear from you on how you have incorporated any earth friendly materials into your everyday life, so come by and say virtually or in person!

Click on the photos to visit the websites of these fine folks: Iannone Design, Straw Sticks and Bricks, Natural Territory, Sublime Home

Renewable resources are a hot topic in design these days which is why we are dedicating a series of articles to exploring options in green design.  Our first installation is on flooring.  One of the most dramatic ways to affect a room’s design is with flooring. In recent years flooring options have changed from the standards of wood, carpet and tile to include a variety of materials including cork. Now, most people think of cork as something they see on their bulletin board or perhaps with their favorite bottle of wine but the truth is that it’s a wonderful and versatile choice in flooring as well.

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Did you see the article about cork flooring in the Sunday House and Home section of the Kansas City Star? My opinion on cork is that it is a wonderful green alternative material. But… it must be used in the right room with the right conditions. Cork is perfect for a fun playroom because it is soft and durable. However, if you have a traditional kitchen, the casual look of cork would probably not work. It works best with transitional or modern designs. I suggest consulting an interior designer before you make major home improvement decisions. You might be focusing on the qualities of the material, while we can see how it will impact the look of your home. www.designconnectioninc.com

Design Tip: Cork is a flexible material and can be cut into a variety of sizes. We can create interesting borders or patterns just like we would with tile or wood.