Eco-Chic Peek

For countless home design pros, going green has long been a black and white issue. However, many of us still face shades of gray in our quests to green our home décor. The market is glutted with eco-friendly items, which typically equal more green at checkout. We know it’s good — and stylish — to consider the environment when updating our homes, but how do we do our part to save the earth without destroying our bank accounts?
    When Mary Elizabeth Hulsey built her fab pad in Nashville’s 12South District, she made smart decisions on furnishings, finishes and overall design. Though building new, she went with reused and renewable options when possible, capturing the latest looks with lasting materials. She also applied a “reclaim-refinish-recycle” approach to create living spaces that are naturally beautiful and beautifully natural.    
    Throughout the home, Mary Elizabeth brought furniture that was “past” into the present. A grand example is the lavishly long table bridging the living/dining area and kitchen (see photo). Likely a relic of an industrial setting, this striking piece now enjoys a second (and surely more stylish) life, one not relegated to a landfill. Likewise, the vintage dining table and chairs sleekly partner with modern seating upholstered in fresh, natural fibers. The entire area is washed in natural light thanks to ample, well-placed windows.
    Surfaces are covered in earthy materials, selected not only for look but longevity — from never-needs-replacing wood floors and stone backsplashes to sturdy sisal bedroom flooring. Grasscloth wall covering in the den is constructed of bamboo and jute — abundant, renewable resources that absorb sound. Punctuated by contemporary accents and art, the space breathes with organic quality without feeling too “granola.”
    Well-mixed material combinations transform the practical into the spectacular, resulting in a pleasing home environment for Mary Elizabeth and the world beyond her walls.

Here are some tips to help you make conscientious décor decisions:

A New Coat — Responding to demand of savvy home-owners, many major brands offer low- or no-emitting paints. Benjamin Moore’s Eco Spec and soon-to-launch Natura paints (benjaminmoore.com), as well as Dutch Boy’s Refresh line (dutchboy.com), carry industry-recognized green certifications.
   
Home Economics & Local Motion — If you’re thinking globally, source locally. By choosing products manufactured or crafted near your zip code, you’ll minimize transportation costs and save energy. For example, Tennessee is home to several tile manufacturing plants such as StonePeak (stonepeakceramics.com) and Crossville (crossvilleinc.com). Start your tile selection process with those brands to potentially cut out unnecessary shipping.

Long-Term Commitments — Don’t sell short the importance of long-term performance. A product that stands the test of time and wear and tear may be at least as environmentally sound as organic items requiring frequent replacement. Laminate flooring’s a good example. It mimics real wood’s look yet may outperform it in high traffic areas. Plus, the glueless installation is less costly and labor-intensive. Makers such as Alloc (alloc.com) and Berry Floors (berryfloor.com) incorporate responsible manufacturing practices to give products lasting performance from the inside out.
    Finishes, furnishings, appliances and materials impact your inside air quality as well as the outdoor environment. To reduce indoor allergens, err on the side of hard surfaces and natural fibers, and keep clutter and decorative displays to a minimum.

Going Green? Be Well-read — Familiarize yourself with brands that have legitimately gone green by visiting the Green Guard (greenguard.org) or Green Seal (greenseal.org) websites. If you’re serious about building a cutting edge “green” house, visit the U.S. Green Building Council’s site for information on LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for residences (usgbc.org/LEED/homes).

Monthly Resource Guide

Green resources online:
U.S. Green Building Council, residential resources:  usgbc.org/LEED/homes
Green Guard:  greenguard.org
Green Seal:  greenseal.org

Product sites:
Laminate flooring manufacturers:  alloc.com, berryfloor.com
TN tile manufacturers:  crossvilleinc.com, stonepeakceramics.com
Paint manufacturers:  dutchboy.com, benjaminmoore.com

Hulsey house sources:
Living room furniture:  owner’s collection
Stone selections (viewable in kitchen):  missionstonetile.com
Dining area light fixture:  westelm.com
Sofa in den:  Ethan Allen with Henredon fabric, ethanallen.com
Pillows in den:  Nouveau Classics, nouveauclassics.com
Grasscloth wall covering:  Zoffany, zoffany.com
Art:  Jim Vienneau, vnodesign.com & owner’s own creation