Dreaming of a Barefoot Summer...

Photo courtesy of Cottage Home Maine

After a health-related hiatus, I am back online.  Starting to tackle the interiors of THE CONCORD GREEN HEALTHY HOME.

Here's a simple first step to a healthy home -- use walk-off mats at each entrance (inside and out) and take off your shoes.  The Japanese had it right.  There is something about quietly padding around in socks or barefeet that relax you and say "I am home, in my sanctuary of serenity (even if your kids ARE running around and yelling at higher decibels)."  Plus, you won't be dragging in the dirt, pollen and pesticide residues that make it tougher to keep your home clean and healthy.

Here are a couple of beauties worth consideration:

Tufted wool rug Vine Blue/Green from Dash & Albert Rug Company

Indoor/Outdoor in Marina Stripe from Cottage Home Maine

A Safer Sleep - Choosing a Healthy Mattress

 Photo:  Shepherd's Dream Organic Wool Mattresses

Since we spend a third of our life sleeping, the mattress on which you sleep should be free of off-gassing toxic chemicals and allergy triggers.  That is not as easy to achieve as one might think, as product goals are often in conflict with one another.

Let me explain:

Organic Cotton 
Benefit:  Grown without pesticides, organic cotton is a far better environmental choice than traditionally grown cotton, which may be the single most polluted crop on the planet.
Issue:  Many sensitive individuals find that they cannot tolerate organic cotton, as it is not stripped of its natural oils and aromas in the traditional bleaching process

Natural Latex
Benefit:  Unlike its petroleum-based synthetic counterpart, natural latex provides resistance to dust mites, a common cause of allergy symptoms.
Issue:  Latex is a major allergy trigger for some people.

Wool
Benefit:  A natural flame retardant that naturally enables consumers to fulfill U.S. law that requires flame retardant in all mattresses -- which sadly means that most of the mattresses in this country are filled with toxic chemicals on which we sleep for 1/3rd of our lives -- a perfect example of how a well-intended goal (preventing death by fire) has done more harm than good in its execution (exposing adults and the more fragile developing bodies of babies and kids to significant toxicity levels).
Issue:  Wool is also an allergen that can cause many people trouble.

The good news is that, if you are like me and have issues on all of the counts above, there is still an option.... an all-cotton bed.  It requires a doctor's note that protects the manufacturer if they sell you a mattress without any flame retardant in it.

A great resource for beds that fit your environmental and personal goals can be found on "The Queen of Green" Debra Lynn Dadd's Green Living website.

After much review, I decided to try a 100% Cotton Chemical Free Mattress from White Lotus Home, with a note from the allergist.  It met my personal health criteria, and was more affordable than many other alternatives, even after I splurged on the full 8" thickness instead of the standard 6".  I expect that these beds will provide a very firm sleep, which is a personal preference.  I will let you know how it works out.

Eco-friendly Speed Curing for Concrete Countertops

 Concrete island counter installed and waiting for it's speed cure treatment...

Once made, concrete countertops can take up to 4 additional weeks to cure -- your countertop could be off-gassing in your home for some time after it arrives.  Josh at J. Aaron Cast Stone countertops shared a simple tip with me that cuts that curing time by 80%.  Simply wipe the entire surface with a mix of 1:1 vinegar and water.  Is there anything that vinegar can't do?  :)  CLARIFICATION - Check with your manufacturer, as other countertops from different suppliers may be destroyed by this method.  Thank you, Josh for the clarification!!

Integral drain board in custom concrete countertop.  Photo:  J. Aaron Cast Stone.

Avocados, Walking the Talk, and Living With What We Need

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Avocados.  Yum.  Creamy ripe avocados.  I can just taste the delicious guacamole I could whip up with dinner tonight.  But what do avocados have to do with healthy, sustainable home construction?  I'll get to that in a minute.

Walking The Talk
It is a lucky feeling indeed to believe that the construction of your home is in able hands. To further say that your construction site supervisor is a deeply caring and meticulous steward of your healthy + green home is truly a privilege.  THE CONCORD GREEN HOME has benefited from the knowledge, experience and wisdom of just such a person.  Not only is Patrick Hughes a skilled craftsman, he embodies what is good in the movement to be more responsible humans on this delicate planet.  Thank goodness Aedi Construction found Patrick just as they were awarded our project.

Patrick Hughes, construction site supervisor for THE CONCORD GREEN HOME, environmentalist, author and poet, skilled craftsman, musician, and more - a modern day Renaissance Man.

Patrick took the bold and empowering step of transforming his career to match his values.  After overseeing the construction of large estates and municipal buildings, Patrick now works primarily on projects that embody the sustainable principles in which he so fervently believes.

A sample of his writings will give you a better glimpse of the man.

Living With What We Need
Here is an excerpt from a sermon Patrick gave at a local church on sustainability.  Would have loved to be in the pews that day.

"...if we didn’t desire those commodities that are outside our reach, then maybe we could find a way to live without them. What becomes the central theme of our evolution is ... we have only been a short while on this earth, and it was a paradise before we ate at the tree of knowledge, left the garden and in our quest to get back to that paradise, started trying to improve the world we were given to live in. But the path chosen was the one where we always took more than we needed so that the delicate balance needed to sustain life on earth is always straining to keep up."

Patrick's point, made so eloquently by his recasting of the nine levels of hell in Dante's Inferno as a rating system of our own "greenness" in relation to our consumption of avocados, is that we can learn to live with what is abundantly available to us, rather than pressing for more.  As the old cliche goes, Less IS More.  If you don't live where avocados grow naturally, eat something else that is locally grown and just as delicious... or grow your own. :)

Photo:  Garden Web "Avocado Tree"

For Patrick's complete sermon, click here.  Enjoy, live well and do it with a sense of purpose.

Choosing a Tub for an Energy-Efficient Home

 

THE CONCORD GREEN HEALTHY HOME now has a lovely boat-style tub standing in the Master Bath.  It's framed by painted wainscot planking on the walls, and sandy large-format tiles on the floor, laid in an offset running bond pattern.  Tub filler by Porcher. 

The choices in tubs these days can be overwhelming.  Here are the criteria I used in selecting one for this eco-friendly home.

Material - If possible, I recommend purchasing a tub made from cast iron, a timeless material that has been prized over the years for its many benefits.  Better than enameled steel -- which conducts heat right out of your bath water -- cast iron will keep your bath toasty warm.  Plus, it will feel solid as you step in. Acrylic and fiberglass were avoided, which are both plastic, and prone to damage.   Cast iron is heavy, so be sure that your floor is sturdy enough to support the tub, the water and you.  It is also expensive -- look for vintage tubs (the best), or discontinued models to save money.

Shape - This tub's skinny shape provides the user with a deep soak experience while using a lot less water.  Plus, the boat style is a classic that suits the farmhouse architecture of the home.

Extra features - None.  Whirlpool jets and air jets were avoided, as they are high maintenance and become traps for mold.  Plus, those features add to your energy consumption load with every soak you take. 

Finding a Construction Loan for a Panelized Home

Photo: HomeBuildingRemodeling.com

Securing a construction loan can be tough. It can be MUCH tougher when you are trying to buck tradition and build in a non-conventional way, such as building a panelized or prefabricated home. Most banks are simply not set up to fund construction before each component is fully assembled onsite. Typically, payments are made after each phase of work is installed.


Luckily for this project, one bank came through and made THE CONCORD GREEN HEALTHY HOME possible. Middlesex Savings Bank, a local mutual savings bank here in Massachusetts, had the vision to support panelized construction, and, as importantly, the flexibility to help fund pre-construction that was happening in Vermont before it even arrived on site in Massachusetts.

If you are considering panelized or pre-fab construction, contact your bank as soon as possible to learn whether they can help you with this particular building strategy. If not, ask your builder -- they have likely navigated these waters before. As with any other aspect of building green, going local can be the best option.

Thank you to Paul Adams and and the rest of the Middlesex Savings team for their invaluable support.

10 Feet of Concrete

The massive J. Aaron concrete island arrived this morning. It took 7 strong men to install it in THE CONCORD GREEN HEALTHY HOME kitchen.

At 10' x 3.5' x 2" thick, this slab weighs over 800 lbs.


The concrete counter is paired with a classic Shaws Original farmhouse sink salvaged from a recent kitchen renovation...


... and a Perrin & Rowe satin nickel faucet.

The Floors are In!

View from the Office to the rear of the house... nice and bright on a cloudy winter day.

The antique heart pine that was reclaimed from old New England buildings by Long Leaf Lumber is now finally installed on the first floor of THE CONCORD GREEN HEALTHY HOME. Oak hardwood, to be painted a creamy white, was installed on the bedroom level.

Once finished, the amber tones of the pine flooring will warm up all of the creamy white spaces throughout the first floor.


The large 10' concrete countertop for the kitchen island arrives the day after tomorrow.


A nice close up of the gorgeous vertical grain that you can only get by quarter sawing the reclaimed pine.

Winding our way up to the second floor...

This flooring will be painted a creamy white for an airy cottage feel on the second floor. The tub enjoys a temporary view of the park from the Master Bedroom balcony as it waits with the antique vanity and dual flush toilet for installation day.

Dreaming of a long soak in a warm cast iron tub.

The Master Bath tile is a lovely mix of subway on the walls, classic hex on the shower floor, remnant marble shower bench and large format sandy porcelain on the main floor.

Barn style sconces flank the future vanity mirror.

Laundry nook with freshly painted salvaged cabinets

Nautical sconces light the open staircase, which is a key component in this home's passive cooling strategy.

Soon-to-be-painted floors and stairs lead up to the loft.

A warm thank you to Matt, Patrick and the entire Aedi Construction team for their continued commitment to quality and attention to detail on every aspect of this project.

Lisa

Inspiration and Tips for Eco-Friendly, Healthy Laundry Rooms

Hampton Design

Tip #1. Make it happy. Laundry won't seem like such a chore if you make this utility space stylish and bright.

This cheery laundry corner utilizes salvaged materials to amp up the charm. Design by Jane Coslick, as featured in Coastal Living.

Tip #2. Buy an Energy Star-rated washer. Front-load washers use significantly less energy and water than their top-load counterparts. Did you know that Energy Star doesn't even rate dryers? They are high energy consumption hogs that are best limited to only the most necessary uses.

The Electrolux Energy Star washer and dryer, with 18 minute cycle feature, will grace the THE CONCORD GREEN HEALTHY HOME laundry space. AJ Madison. The dryer's steam function will help eliminate trips to the chemical factory... er, I mean the dry cleaners. :)

Tip #3. Air-dry clothes whenever possible. It not only saves energy and money, but also helps them last longer.

Fresh summer breezes remind us that the classic, simple ways of doing things are often the greenest. Martha Stewart.


Who says that you can't line dry in winter, or on high-pollen days? This beadboard laundry rack lets you line dry in style. Ballard Designs.

Favorite Product Alert!  The Laundry Lift gives you 30' of drying line on pulleys that raise up out of the way when not in use, but give you high-drying capacity near the ceiling where the air is warmest.

Tip # 4. Get rid of toxic-laden fabric softeners and dryer sheets, whose cancer-causing fragrances are a real health hazard. Soften and refresh your laundry with natural laundry detergent - there are so many good ones now available.

Favorite Product Alert! I have tried many alternative laundry detergents and BioKleen is a winner. It is concentrated to reduce packaging and lighten your grocery load. Plus, it is safe for High Efficiency washers.

Favorite Product Alert! Static Eliminator dryer sheets are made from 100% hypoallergenic, re-usable, woven cloth. They work like magic and last for 500 loads! Safe for infants, allergy, asthma and eczema sufferers, as well as chemically sensitive individuals.

Tip # 5. Conserve Space. Like the increasingly popular Media Rooms, Laundry rooms are becoming huge showcase spaces in our modern homes, putting more pressure on Americans to build bigger instead of smarter. Resist, and eliminate extra square footage that drains your money and requires more energy to heat and cool. The laundry space in THE CONCORD GREEN HEALTHY HOME will be incorporated into the well-ventilated Master Bathroom, making that space work double duty, and eliminating the need for a separate sink.

Turn a wide hallway into a hidden laundry room. The frosted glass french door conceals stacked washer / dryer, and the built-in cabinetry houses pull out laundry hampers. Southern Living, photo: Laurey W. Glenn

See more Eco-Friendly Laundry Tips at The Daily Green's How To Make Your Laundry Room Green and EnergyStar.gov.

Our Pick for Non-Toxic Floor Paint

Ahh, the serene and airy beauty of painted white floors.

After much research, three brands of floor paint were tested for coverage, finish, durability and, most importantly, safe indoor air quality. And the winner is... ECOS Organic Floor Paint.

ECOS Organic Floor Paint had the best coverage of the three contenders (see other brand links at end of this post), a nice satin sheen (gloss is also available) and was the only 100% non-toxic floor paint that we could find. We liked it so much, we are spending an extra $900 to ship it from the UK... not the greenest thing to do, but it is worth it, knowing that the bedroom and loft levels of THE CONCORD GREEN HEALTHY HOME will have a completely non-toxic floor finish throughout. The good news for you is that ECOS opens up its US operations March 2010, so you will be able to get it locally very soon.

Even better, this company produces an entire line of paints that are innovative and uniquely helpful. I haven't even had the chance to test drive them yet, but I plan to -- ECOS offers anti-formaldehyde paint for radiators, EMR paint that reduces electromagnetic radiation transmission between walls, insulation paint, atmosphere purifying paint, feng shui paint, and even some wonderful super chalky, limewash or distemper options, so you can paint just like the old world masters.

Click here to check out the whole line of ECOS Organic Paint.


Our runners up were:

• Farrow & Ball Eco Floor Paint - a good alternative with zero VOC's by US Standards, minimal by UK standards. Eggshell finish is shinier than ECOS Satin, and while coverage was less than ECOS, I really liked the Stain Block Primer, which had virtually no smell while applying.
  

• Ivy Coatings Floor Plus - 100g/liter of VOCs with less coverage than either ECOS or Farrow & Ball.

Photo credits: 1. unknown, 2, 3, 4, ECOS Organic Paints

Front Entry Door - Cast your color vote!

Beautiful entry with classic, limited palette.
Smith & Hawken.

Front doors make a core design statement about your entire home. The entry is the architectural grace note that welcomes visitors and sets the stage for all that will follow.

Time to decide on the finish for THE CONCORD GREEN HEALTHY HOME's entry door. Painted? Wood? With the light gray metal roof and white clapboards, should we go...

Traditional deep charcoal / black?...



Or perhaps a beautiful wood finish? ...



What about a sassy green to punch up an otherwise classic palette? ...





Hmmm. What do you think?

Cast your votes or share links to your own photos in the Comments section below. :)

THE CONCORD GREEN HOME entry door awaits its fate.

Spring painting will have all of the trim sporting a crisp white. Can't wait to start landscaping too.

Photo Sources: 1. Smith & Hawken, 2, 3,4. unknown, 5. HistoricDoors.com, 6. Blueprint Magazine, 7. unknown, 8. Sunset Magazine, 9, 10. here