A Healthy Home

Eco Custom Homes : 1890 House in Decatur, GA  

Achoo, cough, ahem,…..As you clear your throat and blow your nose, try to understand that your symptoms could be very well caused by possible hidden dangers that lurk throughout your home.  Toxicants found within a home are by far more hazardous than those found outdoors. People spend much more time indoors within confined spaces where high levels of toxicants can be found.


Synthetic materials and household cleaning products can contribute to the release of toxic fumes and poor air quality in a home.  Most people are not aware of this fact and are unable to recognize the link to asthma, other respiratory issues,  fatigue, headaches, allergies, etc. to one’s home.

Below are a few facts and tips to help create a healthy home and provide insight on living a more natural, nontoxic lifestyle. 

Flooring

Most carpets found in homes are made of synthetic materials thus contain toxicants such as petrochemicals and VOCs, volatile organic compounds. Petrochemicals are derivatives of petroleum and VOCs are toxic carbon based compounds.  Carpets can be known to off gas these toxicants in a home up to five years. Carpet also absorbs dust and dirt becoming the perfect environment for mold and fungus. Vinyl and certain types of linoleum flooring can also be considered to be toxic; they are also known to off gas volumes of VOCs.

Healthy flooring choice for a home to consider are stones, porcelain, ceramics, sustainably harvested wood flooring (finished in environmentally friendly stains and finishes) such as maple, fir, oak, or cherry, and also carpets made from organic materials; such as wool, hemp, and sisal.   Always consider the purpose of a space in which flooring will be used rather than aesthetic appeal, in other words health over beauty. For instance, basement applications tend to experience dampness, carpet installation could foster mold growth if moisture is a known issue in the basement.

If you are unable to change your flooring to a healthy choice, try shampooing your carpet with a Nontoxic Carpet Shampoo or covering vinyl and linoleum with a Natural Fiber Rug to reduce contact with floor.

Apartment Therapy: Reclaimed Wood Flooring – Flooring made from recycled wood found in landfills, old buildings, barns, etc.  

Fabric

Many fabrics for the home are man-made in fiber and process, and during process are likely chemically treated for stain resistance and fire retardants. To accomplish those "desired" results, formaldehyde and petrochemical products are typically used in process. Formaldehyde is a carbon compound that is known to be a human carcinogen, cancerous; creating deficiency in healthy home environments.

Organically grown cotton, linen, silk, and hemp are known fabrics that are produced with low impact dyes and no fire retardants or stain resistant treatments; great fabrics for a healthy home.

Amenity Home: 100% organically grown and organically pressed cotton duvet 

Paint

Conventional paints, especially synthetic oil based paints, are a major contributor to air quality in the home. They tend to be extremely high in VOCs. These known traditional paints off gas creating pollutants; they also contain fungicides as well as mold inhibitors.

When buying paint choose paint with low VOC’s, or even better ZERO VOCs.  Try to consider using paints made from tree / plant oils, herbal extracts, and or mineral / vegetable pigments.

Benjamin Moore: Zero-VOC Interior Paint 

Cleaning Products

Check this out …. Common chemical based cleaning products attribute to symptoms ranging from respiratory problems to skin discoloration and associations to cancer! Always read the ingredients on the back of cleaning products. Don’t be surprised to find health warnings on the back as well!

Nontoxic cleaning products can be found in local health food stores, online, or already in your pantry! Healthy choices for cleaning products are Borax, lemon juice, steel wool, and vinegar.

Melaleuca Cleaning Products are made up of naturally derived  ingredients with no chlorine bleach , ammonia, or  formaldehyde. 

Explore further topics for A Healthy Home and consider other changes that can be implemented in your home. Please feel free to comment and share your findings below. 

By Valene Greene

Veluxe Interiors

www.veluxeinteriors.com

Sources:

The Healthy Home Workbook by Kimberly Rider

Karen Raymer (Eco-Design Consultant) from SutainATL, Eco Custom Homes and Waldenour 

 

The Psychology of Color

Have you seen the Clear Eye commercials? Ben Stein, actor, plays a character whose delivery is the most lethargic and monotone; very much resembling of rooms absent of color conveying dreadful presences. ABSOLUTELY BORING! Spice up your space with splashes of color, don’t be afraid to experiment. However, be aware that colors have psychological effects. Color should be chosen based on one’s personal taste as well as the purpose of a space.

RED

Red is often used as an accent color, adding excitement and drama to a space. Red is also known for conveying passion, love, and energy.

Traditional Home 

BLUE

Blue represents tranquility, calmness, and peace; a great color choice for bedrooms. 

HGTV

GREEN

Green is easy on the eye, simply due to the vast amounts of green seen in nature. It’s also soothing and alleviates depression, nervousness, and anxiety.

Traditional Home

PURPLE

Purple is associated with royalty, luxury, and sophistication. It is romantic and offers a sense of spirituality.

Hub Pages 

ORANGE

Orange is an energetic color. It is typically used as signage due to its attention grabbing characteristics. It promotes happiness as well as stimulates appetite.

HGTV

YELLOW

Yellow leaves a satisfying impression of cheerfulness.  The eye catching color is known to speed metabolism and stimulate the mind.

House & Home

The emotional response that color can evoke is exceptional. Hopefully this snip of information on color psychology will help with future color choices.

By Valene Greene

www.veluxeinteriors.com

Furniture Arrangements

Bedroom Sketch by Valene Greene 

Understanding a few basic concepts about furniture arrangements will have you right on your way to a more efficient living space.  Effective furniture arrangement ensures appropriate traffic flow and increased emphasis on focal points.

Traffic flow allows individuals to maneuver safety throughout a space. Stepping into a room only to be blocked by furniture is awkward, accident prone, and an insufficient means of egress!

Never block doorways and entryways. Furniture pieces should be sized relative to one another as well as the room in which they are placed. Always check the dimensions of hallways, stairs, and door widths to make certain furniture pieces will fit when moving them into their designated space.

Decide the intent of the room; will it be used for entertainment, a study, or T.V. viewing?  Build around the focal point of a room, whether it is an architectural feature or piece of furniture. For a cozy atmosphere arrange furniture close to one another. For a more spacious feel, place furniture farther apart from one another. Place the largest piece of furniture on the longest wall. Try not to group too many large pieces of furniture together; it can at times upset the balance and harmony.

AutoCAD Drawing created  by Valene Greene 

Furniture is arranged to fit the odd shaped floor plan. The entertainment center has been custom built to fit the angular shaped wall. Doorways are unblocked and furniture is spaced apart establishing a spacious mood. 

AutoCAD Drawing created by Valene Greene 

Above is a home office which resembles the work place; ample storage, book shelves, a desk /return, and comfortable seating. 

AutoCAD Drawing created by Valene Greene 

This large open space is divided into two spaces, a gathering room and dining room. Four plush arm chairs surround the fireplace, the focal point, creating an intimate setting. An area rug defines the dining room. Traffic flows smoothly through the open space.

AutoCAD Drawing created by Valene Greene 

The bed above is flanked with bed side tables on either side creating balance. The dresser at the opposite end fills the empty wall. Doorways are free of obstruction inviting safe movement throughout the room.  

Interior Design is not solely the enjoyment of choosing décor but also the practice of safety and effective traffic flow.

By Valene Greene 

www.veluxeinteriors.com 

Window Treatments

Swag & Valance 

Window treatments are in fact the icing on the cake, the jewelry to dress the gown, and the spice in the soup. Enjoy the fun details of dressing a window by aiding in its purpose and accentuating the decor.

Options for window coverings are vast and at times make the process overwhelming.  On that account, begin by first deciding the type of window treatment needed based on the intent, and then choose the style based on the décor. 

BLINDS & SHUTTERS: SKYLIGHT – An easy treatment for skylights are roller shades as shown in the photo above.  

BETTER HOME & GARDEN: ARCHED WINDOW – In this photo the arch is left exposed while the French doors are cloaked with flowing curtains. 

HGTV: BAY WINDOW - Ceiling to floor length curtains encompass the bay windows creating a secluded seating area suitable for reading or an afternoon nap.

Window Treatments are needed for a variety of reasons, for instance; privacy, noise absorption, sunlight control, heat loss prevention, connection to the outdoors, and resolving architectural issues.  

VOGUE: Vertically stacked windows are covered with floor to ceiling curtains, creating architectural emphasis.

SOUTHERN LIVING:  Café curtains are used to control glare on the computer while still allowing sunlight to flood the room. 

TRADITIONAL HOME:  A Shoji Screen is used as a form of window treatment and accent to the eclectic décor.

Hard window treatments consist of blinds, shutters, and shades. Soft window treatments are draperies, curtains and layered treatments such as swags & cascades or valences & draperies. Traditional window treatments emphasis on pleating and embellishments where contemporary window treatments show case fabric choices while maintaining simplicity.

ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST: Thick floor to ceiling velvet draperies (Traditional)

ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST:  Stripe pattern Roman Shades (Contemporary)

HOME INTERIOR DESIGN: Swag 

HOME&HOUSE: Cornice

Window treatments are worth the extra attention needed.  Not only do they make a space attractive, they also execute their intended purpose.

By Valene Greene 

www.veluxeinteriors.com 

Nurseries & Kids Rooms

A new addition to your family will arrive in just a few months and you’re now scrambling to get a nursery together; but where in the world do you begin? Begin by determining what furniture pieces will be needed for a nursery suitable for both parents and baby. Basic Furniture necessities for a nursery include a crib, changing table, seating, dresser, and storage units.

Consider thinking ahead and choosing furniture and themes that will transition easily out of babyhood. Fortunately, nursery furniture is designed to convert for growing babies.  For instance, most cribs convert into toddler beds and some changing tables convert into dressers.

Oeuf Conversion Crib 

CSN Baby Changing Table 

Add charm and personality to the space with thrift antiques, vintage fabrics, homemade art work, & creative storage ideas. Tie the design together with secondary necessities: lamps, bedding, window treatments, paint and rugs.

Nursery 

Design Board by Valene Greene

This conceptual nursery is a great unisex design where you’re not inclined to think pink or blue.  When the baby arrives and time goes on, pink and blue can be added as you wish.

Girls Room

Design Board by Valene Greene

Most little girls want to be princesses. What better way to make them feel like a princess than creating a princess themed room. Lilac, pinks, greens, light fabrics, and crystal chandeliers will most definitely do the trick.

As the child gets older give them a sense of pride and ownership by allowing them to participate in the evolving décor and layout of the space. Have fun and enjoy the bonding that will come out of the collaboration. 

Below are a few awesome examples I found of teen boy and girl rooms

Teen Boy’s Room -HGTV

This Hunting Themed boy’s room is a great pick for a nature loving adventurous teen. From the camouflage bedding to the animal trophy, vivid imagery of the outdoors is successfully executed.

Teen Girl’s Room -HGTV

This teen’s room has matured significantly from the typical pink and lilac for little girl’s rooms, but still holds true to youth by using bright splashes of color and bold flowing patterns.

By Valene Greene

www.veluxeinteriors.com

This Blog Entry is dedicated to my nieces and nephew! 

Lighting Tips and Trends

Shine Labs Lighting 

Paint color, check; fabric swatches, check; area rug, check; accessories, check; sectional sofa with matching coffee table, check;  all the appropriate items needed to create a highly sophisticated living room ....well not exactly. The most crucial and impactful item is missing from the check list, Lighting. Without proper and adequate lighting the decorated space will never hold up to its full potential. Lighting makes or breaks an interior design and contributes greatly to the aura of a space.

Light Layering

Add drama and visual interest to your room by utilizing a technic called light layering.  Light layering is incorporated into a space by using three basic layers of light: ambient, accent, and task lighting. Ambient lighting is the primary source of illumination in a space. Accent lighting is used to emphasize architectural and decorative elements; for example, art lights and wall washers. Task lighting is used for a specific purpose such as reading, craft, and cooking. 

 This bathroom sketch from Better Homes and Gardens displays correct execution of light layering. The Chandelier provides ambient lighting, accent lighting comes from the table lamp, and the vanity bar is used for task lighting. 

Another example of light layering provided by Better Homes and Gardens:  The recessed cans provide overhead ambient lighting; task lighting comes from the table lamps, and the art light above the bed creates accent lighting.

Natural Lighting

Elevate one’s mood by taking advantage of the sun’s radiance; knowing the sun’s position in relation to your home helps when deciding where to position furniture and which room to choose for a specific function.  Rooms with windows facing north don’t let much sunlight in however; windows facing south receive plenty of light during the day. East facing windows administer sufficient sunlight during the morning, sufficient sunlight can be found during the afternoon in rooms with windows facing west. Natural light also makes a room appear larger and lessens the demands on electrical use. 

Natural sunlight joyously bounces off both vertical and horizontal surfaces in this elegant bathroom. 

Skylights provide an ample amount of natural light in the space above

LED Lights

In the past few years, LED lights have become most popular in residential lighting; they are the way of the future. Hands down LED lights are the most environmentally friendly. Here is the reason why, they consume approximately one-fifth of the energy and have a life span 30 times that of an incandescent light bulb.

LED light bulb

Orbit LED Pendant Fixture 

Dimmers

Dimmers are highly recommended! They provide an easy way to alter the mood of a space with just a touch a button.  Dimmers allow increased bulb life and conserve energy. 

Lutron Dimmer

Lutron Dimmer Effect (Proper demonstration of light layering) 

Lighting Trends 

Create and Barrel Table Lamp: Metal and Metallic Lighting

are hot contemporary choices for Lighting Trends in 2011

Photo from HGTV: Fancy Chandelier full of character hangs gracefully

above dining room table, matching wall sconces hang on adjacent wall.

Basket lights hang over sleek Contemporary island while creating a dramatic sun burst pattern of illumination on the wood paneled ceiling. 

Consider implementing these tips and trends into your home. Transform your home by the adoption of light layering. Lower the cost of your energy bill and conserve natural resources by switching to LED light bulbs and the use of dimmers.  

By Valene Greene 

www.veluxeinteriors.com 

Caribbean Architecture

Hillsborough Plantation, Dominica 

Architecture in the Caribbean can be traced back to indigenous Caribbean Amerindians, the Arawak and Carib Indians. Unfortunately the Amerindians had no written communication leaving no description of their architecture.  However, Christopher Columbus documented descriptions of their dwellings.

Amerindians built tent like huts made from palm fronds with cone shaped roofs. Structural plans were circular and approximately 14 feet in diameter. Materials such as wild cane, rush, and bamboo were also used.  Although quite simple in structure, the huts with stood strong winds and even hurricanes.

Amerindian Hut 

Fast forward to European arrival and African diaspora to the Caribbean; Spanish, French, English, Dutch, Native Indian and African influences was widely present in Caribbean Architecture. Characteristics included steep gables roofs, low facades, wide verandas, and shuttered windows.

Below are photos of Historical Architecture found in Antigua, Dominica, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, and Curacao.

Antigua:

The Copper and Lumber Store 

The Copper and Lumber Store was built around 1783 by Lord Nelson as a storehouse for copper and lumber. Today the Georgian inspired building is now used as a hotel.

The Copper and Lumber Store

Hemingway’s Caribbean Café 

Hemingway’s is located in St John’s Antigua. It was once a well-known hotel were Ernest Hemingway, American author, frequently visited. Today the it is a popular bar and eatery. The building’s roof has been altered throughout the years but its original wooden structure and veranda holds true to its traditional form.

Hemingway's Caribbean Cafe 

Dominica:

Rose’s Cottage

Rose’s Cottage is a Creole style structure characterized by its wood siding, small front porch, and glass panels in front door.

Rose's Cottage 

Bonnet Roof

A Bonnet roof is a French architectural style that is specific to Dominica Architecture. It is a four pitched roof which hangs over the structure to create protection from the rain and the sun.  

Bonnet Roof

Jamaica:

Devon House

The Devon House was built in 1881 and was the home of George Stiebel, Jamaica’s first black millionaire. The Georgian influenced mansion is composed of brick and covered with wood. Verandas with balustrade decks wrap around the house on both floors. Today acclaimed restaurants and shops can be found at the Devon House.

Devon House 

Dominican Republic:

Tostado House

The Tostado House was built in the 16th century, home to Francisco Tostado, the first native university professor. The two-story house was built using stone, brick, and stucco. Today the Tostado House is the Museum of the Dominican Family where many documents on Dominican National Heritage can be found.

Tostado House

Curacao:

 
Central Historic Archives

The Central Historic Archives was built in the 19th century in Scharloo, Curacao. Architectural features include arcade arches, balustrades, and applied elaborate ornaments above columns.

Central Historic Archives 

As you can see the Caribbean is filled with beautiful historic architecture. I encourage you to visit these amazing islands, as I will one day. Please feel free to share your historic architectural findings.

Sources:
Searching for Sugar Mills: An Architectural Guide to Eastern Caribbean by Susan Gordon
Historical Architecture in the Caribbean Islands by Edward Crain

By Valene Greene
www.veluxeinteriors.com