photo from HabeRae Investments

photo HabeRae Investments

photo designboom.com

I love the character of these little treasures. Plus all these great reasons courtesy of Mother Earth News

1. Less initial cost. Tiny houses have traditional features such as kitchen, plumbing, roof and flooring that can make the price per square foot more expensive, but because overall size is so much smaller, the overall price is only a fraction of traditional homes.

2. Less energy consumption. Tiny houses require much less energy to heat and cool simply because they have much less interior air space. Refrigerators and hot water heaters, two big energy consumers, are typically smaller in a tiny house.

3. Less water consumption and trash. If you have a small shower and small hot water heater, chances are your showers will be a lot shorter. If you have a small trash can, chances are you will generate less trash.

4. Less cost for repairs. The cost to replace a 2,000-square-foot roof will be a lot more than the cost of a 300-square-foot roof.

5. Less land to purchase and maintain. If you elect to buy a very small plot of land for your tiny house, you’ll spend less time cutting grass. If you buy a regular size lot, you’ll have more room your garden.

6. Less food. A small pantry means you’ll have a small amount of food in your house.

7. Less taxes. The savings can go toward investments, retirement, college for your children, vacations, or donations to tinyhouselistings.com.

8. Less insurance. Tiny houses cost much less to insure because they are less valuable. Many insurance companies consider tiny houses on wheels to be an RV.

9. Less interest paid. It’s no secret that over the course of a 30-year loan, you will pay more for interest than you will the house itself. Most tiny house owners elect to pay cash for their tiny house, or to pay it off quickly.

10. More disposable income. By owning and living in a tiny house, you are slashing your living expenses at every level.

11. More freedom. (OK, 11 reasons.) By living in a tiny house, you free up money by cutting expenses in a big way. You use fewer natural resources. You spend less time cleaning and maintaining your home. You trade square feet for freedom.

Best, Shannon

A little inspiration for your Monday. These great pieces of art are from Shore Elements and will soon be found at Sea Green Designs. I was first contacted by them in June and finally had a chance to see them in Atlanta. Of course they fit right into our coastal look. This week I chose a few pieces for the shop (with the help of my 10 year old who happened to be with me at the time). Can’t wait until they arrive. Which one is your favorite?

Happy Monday, Shannon

On my recent trip to Atlanta’s Americas Mart. I was thrilled to see my favorite sea green/ turquoise color was plentiful throughout the home furnishings and accessories market.

The glass bottles were part of Vietri’s display. The rusty sea green chandelier  and turquoise stools were at Design Legacy by Kelly O’Neal. The turquoise glass table lamp was at Zentique. Last but not least, the money banks are by Kalalou. Too, cute.

Let me know which piece is your favorite.

LOL,Shannon

Even this seahorse gets a pair of angel wings! What do you think of this trend? Will you be adding a few angel wings to your decor?

Happy Monday!

Shannon

A big thanks for Kelli Delaney for profiling us in her design diary! Kelli has an incredible blog about the Hamptons. I hope you’ll enjoy her profile of us and check out the rest of her site. It’s chock o’block full of great of everything happening in the hamptons.

Happy Sunday,
Shannon

Re-use that piece of furniture. Here we took a vintage settee, gilded it and added a fabulous Nina Campbell velvet that the client found. She had a very specific look in mind. What do you think of the difference?

Get certified. If you need new furnishings, look for certifications like the FSC, Forest Stewardship Council, (click here for more about the organization) which certifies that the lumber used to produce your furniture is taken from a forest where there is a sustainable plan in place for the replacement of that lumber. No clear-cutting the forest here.

The piece shown here is one of our Signature Collection made in Pennsylvania of solid FSC certified oak. You can search for certified retailers and interior designers on the Sustainable Furnishings Council website, too. Click  here to check out their site. We finished this piece with low VOC paint and sealer, as well. Which means there are no harmful odors released into your home. Some of our favorite vendors are certified like Vanguard Furniture, Lee Industries, Europe 2 You, and Lorts.

Shop Local- Not only do you help your local economy, but you also reduce fossil fuel consumption when you buy items produced locally. While your neighborhood may not have make everything you need, buying good made in America also is a more earth-friendly option compared to those shipped from overseas.

Reclaim it- you can also look for furnishings and accessories made of reclaimed materials. The candelabra below, by Roost, is made of driftwood and the collage of kitchen accessories by Europe2 You is composed of vintage vessels and new vessels made of recycled broken vintage glass.

Whether you make resolutions for the New Year or not, I hope this post will give you some good ideas about how easy it easy to incorporate earth-friendly furnishings into your home.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!

Shannon

They were real troopers on the flight to visit my husband’s family in Perth, Australia. Here they are asleep during our 7 hour delay in Dubai.

On that same trip they were great sports when I did a little design shopping on Beaufort Street in Perth. I feel so lucky we had the chance to make this trip this year.

I am also grateful for how busy Sea Green Designs has been this year. My business is a labor of love, and I am glad so many people like what I do. Below is a collage of a few vignettes in the shop through the year.

And just a few of the floor plans from many of the design projects I was so fortunate to work on.

I’m also very lucky I get to put my hands to work in some great spaces with decorative paint finishes. These are just a few where I actually got some before and after shots.

I could go on and on about about how lucky I’ve been to be involved in so many great projects this year, but I just want to thank you all for the love and support. Especially to my wonderful family who help make my dreams come true everyday.

I hope 2012 will be a Wonderful New Year for you all.

LOL,

Shannon

The holidays are always such a busy time for everyone. We’re often visiting friends and family and need that last minute gift to bring the host. The pieces above are just a few favorites inspired by the coast. The Mer du Sud fish dishes are one of our finds that are prices between $16 and $20. A set of four or just one dish filled with goodies makes a great gift. The sand dollar napkin rings and salt dish are made on Long Island of silver and copper and are cast from real shells, a very unique gift indeed. Prices range from $55 to $58. Lastly, a bottle of wine is always a great gift, but the shell bottle stopper makes it special.

If you are hosting a holiday get together, which gift would you like to receive?

Happy Holidays,

Shannon

Hello,

I hope you’ll be able to stop by Sea Green Designs Saturday, December 17th. We’re having our 4th Annual Holiday Open House. Let me know if you can make it by clicking here. We’ll have seasonal refreshments to add to the holiday cheer throughout the day. We’re staying open late for ” Candle Light” Shopping. You can also enjoy 35% off all stock (excluding Yonart Collections).

You’ll find great gifts and items to spruce up your home for the holidays. In addition to our earth-friendly items, we’re giving a little more back with a donation of 10% of our profits in December going to the Group for the East End. Years ago when I first started my business, I was able to do a little volunteer work for them. Many years in business and two children later, I wish I could donate my time, too. This organization helps to protect, restore, and to educate people on the east end of Long Island. They help maintain the beauty of the environment that inspires me daily.

There’s a lot happening in Southampton on December 17th. So, hopefully you’ll be in town for many of the activities the Southampton Chamber as planned as part of “It’s a Wonderful Village”.

Happy Holidays!

Shannon

Today, I took my two “rag-a-muffins” on the “Pumpkin Trail” (as it’s called). Here are a few fun pics of what we saw.

A pop of color outside Mackenzie Childs

The cheerleader and the wizard outside the Parrish Art Museum

Little Lucy's Pet parade had some of the cutest costumes of the day!

What do you think? Glitz and Glammer? I just think it’s old-fashioned fun. And we loved it.

Happy Halloween,

Shannon

PS- next year hopefully it won’t be so cold and you’ll get to see the costumes…