energy
Eco-friendly tips. With so many people looking for quick, easy ways to help the planet, New York designer Jacqueline West came up with these ideas for creating a more eco-friendly home.
Bamboo is less harmful to the environment than other building materials because it grows so rapidly. Bamboo furniture is visually striking and less expensive than most other hardwood. It’s also durable, anti-microbial and water resistant.
Update an old couch with a new color and style by using organic cotton furniture covers. Try Sure Fit’s organic cotton Aspen slipcovers, available at Bed Bath & Beyond, JC Penney, and Linens & Things.
Cork flooring comes in dozens of colors, and is highly durable, insulating and comfortable. Many cork floors are made from leftovers used in the production of wine bottle corks. Cork is considered eco- friendly because it is taken from the bark of oak trees, without killing the tree.
Earth-friendly rugs made from wool, hemp, cotton or other natural fibers are a great green choice. Natural fiber rugs do not release chemical fumes into the home, unlike many synthetic carpets. When shopping, look for the Carpet and Rug Institute’s Indoor Air Quality label. Target, for instance, carries a variety of hemp seagrass and jute rugs.
money
Better them than you. In addition to features about avoiding stolen architectural salvage and preparing your house for winter, the September issue of This Old House magazine includes money- wasting home improvement mistakes that editors learned the hard way. Among their advice:
If it doesn’t fit in your vehicle, spring for delivery.
Read the fine print before you buy.
Pay a little more now to save money later.
Never assume your pro will “take care of it.”
