space
Decorative harmony. Decorate interiors to achieve unity and harmony in open floor plans with tips from window fashions leader Hunter Douglas:
Colors. Take inspiration from your garden when selecting colors for decor, as nature provides infinite lessons for color harmony.
Furnishings. Combine pieces in a room that are different shapes and sizes for visual interest.
Window dressing. Coordinate window fashions, even on horizontal and vertical windows.
Decorative accessories. Books provide a room with color and interest. Place decorative books throughout the room including on and under coffee tables, on shelves and even stacked to create a low table.
energy
Greening your pet. Humans aren’t the only ones who can harm the earth. Our furry companions can, too. The green-living guide offers these simple measures to reduce a carbon pawprint:
Spay today. Pet overpopulation is cruel to animals and bad for the Earth. Abandoned pets suffer hunger and disease, foul waterways with their feces and chase away and kill wildlife.
Change the chow. Conventional pet foods contain additives such as pesticides, herbicides and hormones. Buy organic foods instead.
Go natural. Forgo accessories made of vinyl. Instead, pick products such as treats, beds, kitty litter and chews made with organic materials.
No pile left behind. Avoid conventional plastic bags and pick up poop in biodegradable bags, including some that might even be safe to flush. (Can’t find the bags in stores? Try .)
fresh air
No exhaust, at lower cost. If you put off switching to an electric lawnmower last year, now’s the time to be alert for sales and deals. Neuton, the maker of the cute green electric mowers, is running sales and specials through March 31, including reconditioned models and free shipping on some items ( ). For other info and events, keep an eye on this website, run by the Regional Air Quality Council: . (click the link for upcoming events). You may be able to reap a discount on an electric mower if you turn in your gas-fueled model.
