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Green Gaffes

REPLACEMENT WINDOWS

Last year I replaced all the windows in my house with that expensive double-pane energy efficient kind, and today, I got a call from the contractor who installed them. He was complaining that the work had been completed a whole year ago and I still hadn't paid for them.

Hellloooo,...........So, I told him just what his fast talking sales guy had told me last year, that in ONE YEAR these windows would pay for themselves! Helllooooo? It's been a year! I told him. There was only silence at the other end of the line, so I finally just hung up. He never called back. I bet he felt like an idiot.

Money Saving Water Conservation Tips

It is estimated that by the year 2016 as many as 36 states will be experiencing serious water issues. Of course, Arizona is a hot spot for efforts to reduce water usage. As with most areas, our water supply is fixed - there aren't any new sources available. So, we must learn to be more efficient with the water we do have. Only by conserving this limited resource will we be able to sustain population growth which has been a driving force behind our economy for quite some time. The focus for water conservation is sustainable water management - making the best use of what we have to serve the needs of the people who are already here, as well as new population growth for the future. The key to this effort is education and awareness.

In your home, the single biggest water use comes from flushing toilets. This is followed closely by your clothes washer, then shower and faucet use. A surprisingly large amount of water is wasted in leaks- over 13% of average residential use!

There are a number of easy, inexpensive ways to positively impact your personal water use:

Water your lawn less often
Take shorter showers
Turn off the water while brushing your teeth
Run only full loads in the clothes and dishwasher
Install faucet aerators
Repair leaks
Replace older toilets with new 1.28 gpf HET or dual-flush toilets.

You may remember when the EPA mandated that all toilets be no more than 1.6 gpf and that shower heads be 2.5 gpm maximum in 1992- and how poorly they functioned. This left a bad impression in many people's minds about water conserving fixtures. The good news is that technology has vastly improved since then. I can attest to this from personal experience- having just replaced an even older toilet (probably from the 1980's and using 3.5 gpf or more) to the new HET 1.28 gpf model in my own home- the new one works great!

The newer WaterSense shower heads only use 2.0 gpm, and also work really well- the difference is not even noticeable. Another annoying issue that you've likely experienced is the gallons and gallons of water wasted waiting for the hot water to reach the shower. By installing a hot water recirculation system, you get the convenience and luxury of instant hot water AND save an average of 5 gallons every time you shower! If you are building a new home, the cost to install the system is around $200 or less, plus labor. They also have retrofit systems available, which typically run less than $1000installed.


Sensor faucets (the kind you often find in public restrooms, where you don't have an on/off lever) are now available for residential use in both kitchens like the Delta Touch shown here, and baths. These fixtures save water by shutting off automatically... and they are also more hygienic because dirty, germy hands never touch the fixture.

Many local water utilities are making changing to more efficient fixtures very affordable by offering cash or credit rebates on your water bill. In Scottsdale, for instance, a new high-efficiency toilet earns a credit of $75-$100, and new low flow shower heads also earn credit for each one installed. Check with your local utility to find out the options where you live. In any case, your water bill will be lower because you will use far less water if you implement these strategies!

Hand-cast Glass Mosaics - Responsibly Manufactured

A private residence great room created by Sesshu Design Associates uses the Tessera tile in Black in combination with other custom mosaics on the face of the bar to create instant impact and 'WOW' in the primary living space.


A favorite material I use as decorative borders inside showers, at vanities and in kitchen backsplashes is glass mosaic tile. Glass is so versatile, ranging from sleek contemporary to earthy and organic - especially when mixed with other natural stones. One line I use often and appreciate for its sustainable and recycled manufacturing process, as well as their community values, is Oceanside Glasstile in Carlsbad, California.

All Oceanside Glasstile is made primarily from silica sand, an abundant natural resource. Many colors (depending on the "recipe") also contain recycled content that may include pre-consumer, post-industrial, and/or post-consumer recycled bottle glass from curbside recycling programs. Pre-consumer materials are generated during the manufacturing process and typically consist of scrap and trimmings that were never used in the consumer market.

Because of its handcrafted nature and broad range of colors in both translucent and iridescent finishes, Oceanside Glasstile is an exceptionally beautiful building material—an ideal choice for creating unique, comforting living spaces that are conducive to health and productivity, all of which is part of green building.

Glass tile is a very strong building material that is impervious to water and resistant to problems from freeze/thaw cycles. This durability further adds to its sustainability.

Oceanside Glasstile allows custom blends in both the Tessera and Geologie lines, using any combination of their vast selection of stock colors and sizes. The possibilities are limitless meaning your home can truly be unique! All Oceanside Glasstile materials are designed to work together in colors that are consistent across all product lines. You can easily combine liners, decos, and trim from one line with mosaics or field tile from another. The entire Oceanside Glasstile product family integrates to allow unlimited possibilities. Each line embraces the glass medium in a different way. The cost to create your own unique blend is quite reasonable, and delivery times are excellent - typically less than 3 weeks from order to delivery.

Respect for the environment and respect for their employees are principles essential to Oceanside's company philosophy. They provide on-going education, community outreach and other programs for their employees.

Oceanside Glasstile is available through your builder or designer at over 400 locations across the country.

Update: An installation at one of our projects here in Scottsdale, this bar face utilizes a combination of Oceanside Glass Tessera tiles and a custom mosaic from another source.

Sleek, cool styling from recycled seatbelts

I saw this over at Inhabitat.com, and loved it! I have long admired the handbags made from recycled seat belts, and definitely think this is a fantastic use in the furnishings industry. The webbed material is super strong, and comes in many colors. The possibilities allowed by weaving two or more colors together could be quite attractive.

Designed by Peter Danko, these pieces are stylish and sleek contemporary seating that could be used in many settings.

Zen Powder Room is also Eco-friendly

We recently completed this powder room in one of our projects- a remodel in Scottsdale of an early 90's semi-custom home. The owner wanted aspects of a Zen aesthetic, with the quiet, soothing sounds of water running to be incorporated into the home somewhere. The powder room was a logical choice for both. We worked with Concrete Interior Design here in Scottsdale to create this unique vanity and water-feature combination.
The entire vanity is designed and constructed of colored concrete, which is made from recycled and eco-friendly materials. Incorporated into the upper shelf is a hidden motion-sensitive eye that operates the "faucet" - a row of individual water streams trickling down into a pebble filled basin. The effect is a unique blend of fountain and function. The design of the faucet feature conserves water with its low-pressure streams and automatic shut-off. Behind the flowing water, a mosaic blend of glass and man-made tiles provides a bit of color and sparkle.
The pebble-like texture of the glass sconces harmonizes with the Zen theme, and repeats the texture of the actual stones in the sink basin. Soft, glowing faux finished walls are the perfect backdrop for pops of bright red accents and tie into the rest of the home.

Certified Eco-friendly Outdoor Fabrics

Here in Arizona our outdoor living season is just getting under way when most people are thinking about bundling up for winter. Which means that the latest introduction into the sun-resistant fabric selection from Mokum is very welcome right about now. Mokum’s latest outdoor collection, Australian Botanicals Outdoor, is made from 100% Post Consumer Recycled textiles. The fabrics are inherently and permanently stain resistant, antimicrobial, anti-fungal, bleach cleanable and machine washable. The collection is also extremely durable, adding to its environmental desirability...

The fabrics are 100% solution dyed olefin with a soil resistant finish and all yarns used in the Australian Botanicals Outdoor collection are:

•Made from post industrial waste
•Produced using environmental friendly manufacturing processes
•Fully recyclable
•Certified Cradle-To-Cradle™


These are not just your everyday, ho-hum, designs, either. Vibrant colors and bold patterns enliven any backyard or patio living space. Available through your interior designer.

Bosch- eco-friendly to their roots

At a recent seminar held by the Bosch Gallery here in Scottsdale, I learned a bit more about this amazing company, the history behind their commitment to the environment and social responsibility. I was amazed to know how long they have been a leader in innovative technology and leading edge ideas.

In 1886, Robert Bosch founded the "Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering " in Stuttgart. This was the birth of today's globally active Robert Bosch GmbH.
From the very beginning, the company's history has been characterized by innovative drive and social commitment. They even have their own recycling centers when your appliance is no longer functional.

Best known for their dishwashers, and laundry appliances, they continue leading the way with the most energy- and water-efficient models available on the market today. In fact, they have been honored as the 2009 Energy-Star Partner of the Year for Appliances. Bosch dishwashers are the ultimate green machines- they are the quietest on the market, while exceeding federal energy standards by 48%.

Bosch has been advancing and improving their clothes washer design over a 50-year history, when they first introduced the front-loading models in Europe. Today, the Nexxt® 800 Series washers are so efficient they are 102% above ENERGY STAR® requirements. Their ECOSENSOR reduces energy usage while caring for your clothes.

Bosch also offers refrigerators, hot water heaters, cooking appliances and small appliances- and that doesn't even start to cover the range of other equipment for home, garden, car, etc. When you consider their appliances are intelligent, more enjoyable and look stylish too, you can see why they are favored by many homeowners, as well as designers.

After learning about the company's commitment to global energy concerns, worker welfare, and even providing innovative solutions for third-world and developing countries, I am putting Bosch (and their sister companies, Thermador and Gaggenau) on the top of my list.

Recycled auto glass countertops

We recently re-modeled our studio, including the bathrooms, and one of the most unique products we used was this countertop made from 100% recycled auto glass, and manufactured locally by High Road Custom. The product, called Re-Glass, is available in many colors, hues and finishes. Ours is Turtle Multi-Hue in the Natural finish.

Re-Glass was born from the simple concept of sustainability and environmental responsibility. Each one-of-a-kind, hand-made glass product is made of 100% recycled glass, created with nearly zero waste product and containing zero VOC. To further it’s sustainability; each and every product is 100% recyclable.

While Re-Glass products are designed for a lifetime of use, the counter tops, surfaces, furnishings and even sculptural elements are 100% recyclable and can be reclaimed and used in new recycled glass products at anytime in the future making for a zero landfill product. This is known as ‘cradle-to-cradle’, salvaged and reused materials that can be used again and again staying out of the landfill permanently.

Hand-crafted Hardware with Sustainable Style

Hand-cast bronze door hardware by Rocky Mountain Hardware has been a long-time favorite in our studio for quality, dependable and beautiful door pulls, latches, hinges and decorative details. I am proud to use them on any of my projects, and the sustainability of their product is a big plus. They have a very organic, comforting feel which appeals to the senses- you just love to touch and handle these pulls.



Rocky Mountain Hardware uses the highest-quality (suitable for art), recycled material to create all of their bronze products. The factory and company headquarters are in Idaho, and they are a family owned and operated company proud to still be in their home state. Love for preserving the beauty of the natural environment in taken very seriously by the company -the corporate headquarters is even housed in a LEED Gold certified building!

Rocky Mountain Hardware is certified by Scientific Certification Systems® (SCS®) to contain a minimum of 90% recycled content, with at least 50% post-consumer recycled content and the balance (40%) pre-consumer recycled content thus qualifying for up to 2 LEED® points. SCS® is the leading third party provider of auditing and certification for green building products.

Featuring multiple metal and patina options, in rustic or refined styles, there is likely to be a door set that suits almost any home. They also make custom lighting, bathroom accessories and decorative tiles. Available only through your designer, architect or builder.

Beautiful Plaster Finishes in Natural Clay

We just finished a small remodel at our office, and used a terrific product in one of our conference rooms- American Clay Plaster. It is all natural, coming straight out of the earth, and has absolutely no nasty odor- even during application! It is hand troweled on and can be finished in a variety of techniques that range from very rustic to more polished and smooth, similar to Venetian Plaster. Painted Earth Finishes did the installation for us, and were fantastic to work with.
Manufactured in and using materials from the United States, American Clay uses natural clays, recycled and reclaimed aggregates, and vibrant natural pigments in each of three beautiful finishes: LOMA, PORCELINA, and MARITTIMO.

Earth Plasters are non-dusting, mold and fade resistant, repairable and moisture controlling. For projects in Scottsdale, they would also qualify for LEED MR 5.2 regional material credits. American Clay may contribute up to 7 LEED credits (8 if you include the recycling area as all of American Clay’s packaging is recyclable), and 5 in most areas.

American Clay is available in a wide range of standard colors, and custom colors are also an option, making it the perfect choice for any space.

How to Enjoy a White Sofa- Even if You Have Kids

Have you ever lusted after a pure white sofa, but had to deny yourself because it just wasn't practical? White looks so crisp and beautiful in the showroom or on the magazine page, but you KNOW it will be a grimy, icky nightmare after only days in your own home. Well, finally you can have that sophisticated look, and not worry about red wine or even mustard.

The latest advances in technology are focusing on nanotechnology - the science of super tiny things- and now it is being applied to fabrics. NanoTex, the company responsible for bringing this to the consumer is using the technology to create spill and stain-releasing fabrics for home and apparel. One of my favorite home textile companies, Calvin Fabrics, is using NanoTex on their line of natural and neutral textures.

With NanoTex applied, liquids bead up and can be blotted easily away. The real beauty of the technology, however, lies in the fact that the feel (hand) of the fabric is not changed, nor is the color or appearance. Because the molecules that create the stain repellent are so tiny, they bind directly with the fibers of the fabric, rather than coating them. This also makes the stain releasing capability even more effective - stains can't even get to the fibers.

While still using a chemical to achieve the results, NanoTex is more eco-friendly because the nanotechnology allows a minuscule amount of chemical to give better results than other formulas which contain harmful VOC's.

Healthy Sleep with Organic Mattresses

Looking for a quality mattress that will let you sleep healthy, deeply and well? If you suffer from allergies, asthma or environmental illnesses, a natural mattress is exactly what you need. Several all-natural mattresses are now available, but one of my favorite is from Savvy Rest. Originally developed as the Savvy Baby Organic crib mattress, now all Savvy Rest mattresses are free of toxic chemicals, just as your sleep should be.

Several factors play into creating a healthy mattress, including the following:
Hypoallergenic
Most mattresses and pillows—even most organic ones—are welcoming habitats for allergens. Dust mites cause breathing problems, stress the immune system and can trigger asthma attacks. A chemical-free organic mattress should also be hypoallergenic, or you’ll just be trading one problem for another. Savvy Rest is made of natural latex rubber, in which dust mites can’t survive.

Pressure Relieving
Your mattress should support you in supreme comfort. Most conventional mattresses, particularly those made with innersprings or coils, produce painful pressure points that cause you to toss and turn.

Natural latex rubber, the core of a Savvy Rest, is pressure relieving and promotes the deepest stages of sleep. You can choose very firm, very soft, or any grade between (on each side).

Comfortable
A removable mattress casing made with certified organic wool fiber quilted to certified organic cotton fabric (not cotton fiber—see cotton fiber vs. cotton fabric for the crucial difference). The wool’s lanolin is naturally repellent to dust mites and microscopic scales covering each strand keep the internal ticking environment dry. So you’ll sleep warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer on a Savvy Rest.

Savvy Rest mattresses are available in Scottsdale at Natural Territory, or through your designer.

Flooring for Cavemen, Castles and a Govenor's Mansion- Now it Can Be Yours

Leather has been used for centuries to soften, cushion and warm rooms in the finest homes. In the past leather floor tiles used the dorsal (spine) part of the hide, which is thicker and more durable - but also the most expensive. EcoDomo Recycled Leather Tiles are a more cost effective, and eco-friendly option combined with exceptional beauty, character, and resilience. Like all leather tiles, they will develop a patina over time and reflect the uses and characters of the inhabitants of the space. However, they are the most resilient leather tiles on the market today. They have the look, feel, and characteristic fragrance of leather – while being made of a recycled material.

The EcoDomo Recycled Leather Tiles are made from natural products which are completely renewable, including leather (scraps collected from furniture, shoe and other leather factories), natural rubber, and acacia tree bark. The acacia tree bark is a natural binding agent used to ensure the consistency of the product. Acacia tree bark is harvested from trees which re-grow the bark over time, in a similar manner to cork. The harvesting does not damage the trees.


Recycled Leather Tiles and adhesives required to apply the tiles can contribute to LEED credits. Maintenance is very easy, and eco-friendly also. Eco-Domo recommends using beeswax or carnuba wax to maintain and restore the tiles after installation- both of which are natural and renewable. These recycled leather tiles are completely natural, and help to reduce materials sent to landfills.

Tiles are available in 8 colors and 4 textures - contact your designer to see actual samples. Their online virtual sampler is a good place to start, though.

Save Energy with Technology and Convenience

A new partner that I am working with to create integrated home theater, lighting and security systems for clients who want to enjoy ultimate convenience and cutting edge technology in their homes, Digital Home Lifestyles, is helping them to save money and energy as well. That may seem unlikely - after all adding more electronics to your home must add to the electricity required, right?

The difference is being made in the amount of energy needed to illuminate the home - something every home requires. The amazing thing is that it works with all the standard lights and bulbs you already know and use. The savings comes from the lighting control system and how it works. In addition to providing ease of pre-set lighting scenes for specific activities and time of day, a lighting control system like the one used by Digital Home Lifestyles can be programmed to limit the level of light. As explained by Chad Hollander, design consultant of Digital Home Lifestyles, by setting all fixtures to only come on at 80% of maximum, you are also using only 80% of the electricity needed to power that fixture, but there is no visible difference to your eye in the amount of light. Limiting the maximum wattage output of bulbs also extends the life of the bulb, resulting in lower replacement costs.

United under a single control system, independent "subsystems" can also monitor and conserve energy throughout the house with a simple touch of a screen, or programmed to suit your lifestyle. From the touch of a button you can open or close window shades according to the sun, adjust thermostats and be alerted to doors or windows that have been left ajar. It can be operated remotely from any computer anywhere in the world. You can even answer the front door while you are in another part of the country via the monitors in your security system and the Internet, instructing UPS to leave the package you were expecting.

Several control system products including lighting systems, thermostats, and shade controls are designed to operate efficiently, replacing several products and drawing less power. Integration solutions offer significant energy savings by providing daylight harvesting and automating lights, drapes, thermostats and sprinklers/fountains based on daylight, time, motion, occupancy, temperature, humidity and other conditions. By integrating the disparate environmental systems, efficiencies are increased exponentially and may contribute toward LEED Certification. Many options are available to suit your needs.


To truly experience the benefits of a home control system, the interface has to be easy to understand and simple to use. Infinitely customizable, the sky is the limit with how your home can be adapted to your lifestyle. The system can turn music on or off, preheat the pool or spa just in time for your arrival and can be set for individual preferences for each member of your family. When you arrive home, and enter your code to change security alarm settings, it can automatically turn on your favorite music or television channel and the lights for your path from garage to bedroom.

Digital Home Lifestyles is my choice for installing home theaters and entertainment systems that are unparalleled in Arizona. Their technology partners are the top of the line and systems can be designed specifically for you and your home - whether you have a dedicated theater space or want to conceal it within a living room, family room or outdoor area. They professionally design a media system according to your desires, and can present you with a budget in minutes, making changes in real time until you are satisfied with both the technology features and price. Then they work with your designer and builder to install it seamlessly into your home. As a designer, I appreciate that speakers and controls can be easily matched to be nearly invisible and integrate into your decor, no matter what the color or style.

For more information about integrating your home and lifestyle, anywhere in the world, contact Sesshu Design Associates or Digital Home Lifestyles directly.

Truly ZERO-VOC paint - in any color

Benjamin Moore has released Natura, the first ever truly Zero-VOC paint that is virtually odorless, and has fewer VOCs than any other paint on the market. With zero VOCs in both the base and the colorants, you can match virtually any color without sacrificing the green benefits. They put their Green Promise seal on this product- assurance that it meets or exceeds the strictest industry standards with excellent performance.

One of my clients used this to paint their entire interior, with rave reviews. It goes on easily, dries fast, has excellent coverage and great durability. Best of all - with no odor, you can still live in your rooms while you're painting. You can breathe easy, knowing the air is free of the harmful and toxic compounds found in standard paints (which is what we know as "that new paint smell").

Benjamin Moore has gone beyond the EPA standards to evaluate not just VOCs, but all the elements that affect indoor air quality. Natura exceeds the LEED criteria for the environmental safety.

The Natura range includes a primer plus three sheens—flat, eggshell and semi-gloss—and, of course, the infinite selection of colors. Offered in quarts and gallons, Natura is $49.99 a gallon, MSRP.

For more information on Natura and its availability, visit www.benjaminmoore.com. The site includes a retailer locator to help find where the paint is sold nearest you, or ask your designer to specify Natura on your home.

**Update:
The April 2009 issue of Dwell compares 4 popular lines of eco-friendly interior paint - Benjamin Moore Natura, YOLO Colorhouse, AFM Safecoat, and Mythic. All rated farily well, but the Benjamin Moore was clearly the winner, both from an expert's view and the editor's. It ranked espeically high on color choice including darks and brights.

Why is Mesquite a Sustainable Choice?

Mesquite is a sustainable wood because it is actually a bush, not a tree. Attempts to cut, shred, remove and even burn does not kill mesquite root systems and results in mesquite growing back stronger and thicker. Farmers and ranchers have tried to eradicate mesquite for hundreds of years resulting in them growing back stronger and expanding their area of growth as animals and cattle eat the seed pods and distribute the seeds. Based on current usage of mesquite and eradication efforts the supply in Texas alone can last for thousands of years without need to plant additional mesquite.

The beautiful reddish-brown wood is also extremely durable and the hardness is better than oak, maple or mahogany. It is more tolerant of moisture than many woods, which makes its use in areas like kitchens a possibility. One disadvantage is that large and longer board lengths are difficult to find and substantially raise the costs. However, shorter planks or end-grain blocks can be quite unique and attractive.
This mountain vacation home in Colorado features a mesquite countertop and cabinets in the bar.

Magnificent Flooring with a Story to Tell

One of my favorite eco-friendly products is reclaimed wood flooring, and a fantastic source here in Scottsdale is Vintage Hardwoods. They offer a wide variety of wood species sourced from the US and Australia. Reclaimed wood already has that beautiful patina of wear and a story to tell - something we often try to achieve through artificial aging processes, with sometimes less than fabulous results.



By using the wood from old barns, sheds and other structures which are going to be torn down, we save new trees from being cut down, avoid sending smoke and ash into the air (because often these buildings are burned rather than torn apart), and are able to experience some incredibly beautiful woods that may not even be around anymore.

Vintage Hardwoods resources, gathers and re-mills all their own wood. They specialize in longer planks which, while more difficult to remove from the old structures they were originally a part of, create a longer lasting and more beautiful floor. Often their wood comes from smaller structures, as well - those that many people don't want to hassle with disassembling and transporting.

Vintage Hardwoods uses water based stains and low VOC glues to finish and install the planks in your rooms. Each installation is provided a plaque that identifies the wood species and where it was sourced from, as well as the approximate date of its first use.

By its nature, reclaimed wood is always unique and available in limited quantities. Some of my favorites are shown below.



Reclaimed Australian Sheep Wood

We call it "sheep wood" because it is authentic floor planking removed from original sheep shearing facilities and wool sheds in Western Australia. The white gum species were used because their extreme hardness and durability were able to withstand the constant traffic of the sheep.
We locate this wood, import it and then restore it in our mill. We preserve it's original character while revealing a new beautiful complexion. The result is a luxurious floor reminiscent of the frontier days of the outback.
Woods from these eucalyptus families are beautiful and elegant. They are characterized by a smooth, creamy grain and original nail holes darkened by decomposed nails. The natural color is a light reddish brown with hints of chocolate.

Reclaimed Australian Spotted Gum

Historically, spotted gum was used in Australia for construction piles and shipbuilding. Its long fibers give it an excellent "power to weight" ratio and high resilience. The original timbers came from Australia's east coast in a section from the far south to Queensland. Spotted gum has varied grain patterns and colors ranging from light mocha to pale blond with peach undertones.


Reclaimed Vintage Oak

For hundreds of years oak has been used to build barns and warehouses. Oak is a popular choice for reclaimed flooring because of its very fine grain patterns, interesting knots, and nail holes with mineral stains left by decomposed nails. Other characteristics include saw marks, hairline cracks, and occasional worm holes. Reclaimed oak has beautiful nut-like tones ranging from a deep mocha to light cream.


Reclaimed Vintage Heart Pine

With its strength and durability, heart pine was used extensively in shipbuilding, as well as for houses, barns, factories and warehouses. The supply of this wood is limited because the old-growth yellow pine trees were all cut down by the early 1930s. This beautiful reclaimed flooring is characterized by its varied grain patterns and unique colors of light gold, shades of red, orange, brown, and dark honey. The dramatic coloration is created by an oxidation process; the planks change color as they are exposed to season after season of heat, cold, snow and rain. The planks expand and contract as they go through the seasons, becoming harder as the colors deepen. The sapwood begins to crystallize and deepen in color. Other characteristics of reclaimed heart pine include knots, nail holes, mineral stains and occasional saw marks.

Reclaimed Vintage Sycamore

The hearty sycamore tree has the largest leaf of any tree native to North America. It was used primarily for barns built in the mid 1800's. The sapwood of sycamore is white to light yellow, while the heartwood is light to medium brown. This beautiful wood has a fine, close texture with an interlocking grain. Reclaimed sycamore is characterized by its light, creamy color, dark knots, nail holes with mineral stains and occasional saw marks.

Green fabrics come in all colors

Brentano Fabrics has added a new label to their line which features exclusive eco-friendly textiles in a variety of styles, and materials. Their commitment to a green awareness while still designing with beauty and performance in mind led to the creation of Brentano Green, which includes both woven textiles and faux leathers.

The Brentano Green labeled materials are qualified with the following criteria:
Raw Materials must have either biodegradable or recycled content
Process evaluation of the dying and weaving as well as other environmental aspects in manufacturing the textiles
Facility & Social Responsibility accounting for working conditions, public health and green programs

The eco-fabrics are made from bamboo, eco-intelligent polyester, eco-wool, 100% post consumer recycled polyester and biodegradable polyurethane. In 1993, Brentano was searching for an alternative to environmentally harmful leather and vinyl textiles. After learning about polyurethane, they made the decision not to produce either leather or vinyl products, instead developing beautiful and environmentally friendly faux leathers.



Bamboo is 100% biodegradable and a rapidly renewable resource. It has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Bamboo also has the ability to absorb carbon dioxide and produces a large amount of oxygen as it grows.

Brentano's Eco-intelligent Polyester is MBDC Cradle to Cradle Gold rated and part of a closed loop system designed to be upcycled (after use, it can be recovered and remanufactured safely and effectively). It is manufactured using 100% hydro-power.

Eco-wool is a naturally environmentally friendly fiber that requires less water and fewer pesticides than linen or cotton. The fibers have almost no toxic residues and it is compliant with EU Eco-label standards, Environmental Choice New Zealand certified and the mill is ranked Enviro-Mark Silver.

100% Post consumer Recycled Polyester if rated MBDC Cradle to Cradle Silver. Using post consumer polyester fibers preserves virgin oil, reducing use of this natural resource. The fabric is recyclable and the dyestuffs contain no harmful chemicals or heavy metals.


Faux Leather is made from biodegradable polyurethane, it is naturally soft and flexible and does not require plasticizers often used to soften vinyl or heavy metals used to tan leather.

Brentano Fabrics are available through your designer.

Celebrating 40 years with new Eco-Friendly Collections

Maya Romanoff, the artistic creator of the luxury wallcovering line by the same name utilizes both ancient and new production techniques. He has created some of the most innovative and exotic surfacing materials available -everything from glass bead and seashell encrusted papers to vinyls and inlaid wood veneers.

The design philosophy of the Maya Romanoff company, based in Chigaco, is simple: “It has to be beautiful”. While everything they design is governed by their collective definition of beautiful, Maya remains the ultimate decision maker, guiding color choices, and pattern repeats based on his feeling for what is most pleasing to the eye. The company also likes to support American jobs - more than 50% of Maya Romanoff’s wall coverings and surfacing materials are made in their Chicago studio by long-term employees. “Instead of exporting jobs to India and Asia, we export wallpaper,” says Laura.


Their products are consistently intriguing and increasingly eco-friendly. Existing collections include: the Mother of Pearl wallcovering made from a thin layer of Capiz sea shells; Bedazzled, a wallcovering featuring glass beads; and True Metals, flexible tiles of brass, copper or aluminum.

“What all these have in common is that they are flexible and made of natural materials. We strip away the unnecessary finishes so the material itself can be appreciated. The glass beads are right there on the surface; nothing covers our woods; and there’s only a thin layer of varnish on the seashells,” explains Laura Romanoff, daughter of the firm's founder.



In honor of their 40th Anniversary this year, they’ll be releasing the Meditations collection-an entirely green product made of Tibetan prayer papers and produced without electricity, and putting a more contemporary spin on the existing collections.


A very exciting new addition to the line is Sunburst, a wood veneer made of Paulownia, a fig tree that is flexible and fast renewing. Sunburst is part of the Ajiro collection, a product which recently received Interior Design Magazine’s Best of Year award. The veneer’s extraordinary hand-inlaid pattern and sustainable aspects make it an ideal product for today's eco-conscious luxury homes.

The Maya Romanoff company has never been a slave to design trends, but instead creates products with the timeless appeal of natural materials. With this focus, Maya Romanoff will certainly be celebrating many more anniversaries in the years ahead.

Maya Romanoff wallcoverings are available exclusively through the Trade - contact your designer for samples, pricing and ordering.