Yesterday we had a downpour, the likes of which I haven’t seen since I lived in Mexico City 15 years ago. It was a downpour that brought 80mm of rain in under an hour, which caused problems and chaos galore throughout the city. Toilets, drainpipes and sewers overflowed, manhole covers blew off giving way to lovely geysers of brown sludgey water. And of course, it happened during rush hour!

I came home to find a flooded basement — we were lucky because we were spared sewer backup and our basement is only used for storage and laundry. Our friends came home to 6 inches of water in their finished, and now flooded basement. Fortunately, having experienced a similar flood seven years ago, they were prepared and went to work right away, unplugging electronics, moving furniture, pulling up the wall to wall carpeting and getting rid of the water, and cutting the first six inches of drywall away.

To their surprise and mine, a few of our neighbours said that they were okay and only had an inch of water sitting in their basement. They would wait for the insurance people to get there before taking action. Let’s be clear about a flooded basement — even an inch of water can do a lot of damage, especially if things are left sitting in it for a long period of time. The faster you attack the problem, the more likely you’ll be able to save items and the less damage the water will cause. The problem with sitting and dirty water is the potential for mold growth. Mold growth not only ruins walls, furniture, carpets, flooring, etc., it can lead to poor indoor air quality and cause respiratory problems including asthma and can lead to severe illness. Preventing mold growth is key to keeping your basement’s air clean and healthy. So in addition to calling your insurance company, Here are a few tips to deal with your flooded basement and minimize the water damage.

1. Disconnect the power, unplug any electronics, and remove it and all furniture and movable items immediately. The faster you get items out of water’s way, the more likely you’ll be able to save them. Definitely move all electrical items first, and it you can, turn off your power leading into the affected area, especially if water rises above electrical outlets. Pull up any carpets and underpadding, including wall to wall. You may be able to save the carpet, if you get it cleaned, however, it may shrink and be good as an area rug afterwards. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to save the underpadding, which acts like a sponge and absorbs a lot of water. Once the rain stops
2. Get rid of the water. There are several ways to get rid of the water, in our case we used old towels, a bucket and mop. If I’d had a wet/dry Shopvac I would have used that, being very careful to plug it into outlets away from any water source. Water and electricity don’t mix! Other people were renting sump pumps from Home Depot. Getting rid of all the water is the most important thing you can do to prevent mold growth. If the water is coming out of your drains, dump buckets of water on your lawn so the ground can soak it up. Don’t throw it down the sewer, it will just recirculate into yours or your neighbour’s house.
3. Dry out the affected area. Once you’ve mopped up all the water, use fans, a dehumidifier to help dry out the area. If it’s stopped raining open doors and windows to allow for air circulation and faster drying. You want to dry the area out as soon as possible. If you have a finished basement and the drywall was affected, you’ll probably have to cut away the areas that were touched by water. If you have baseboard trim, take it up first, and if it’s made from pressboard it will likely not be salvageable. If it was wood, you might be able to save it.
4. Disinfect. After the area has dried out, including wood beams, insulation, drywall, etc., use a good disinfectant to get rid of any bacteria that might have come up through sewers, toilets, etc. My preference is Gloves Off Disinfectant, a non-toxic but powerful disinfectant, but there are several great eco-friendly options available at hardware stores. Disinfect all areas affected by the flood waters including walls and wood and non-upholstered furniture that was sitting in flood water.
5. Prevent mold growth. After you’ve disinfected and let the basement thoroughly dry out, apply Concrobium throughout the affected area, according to directions. I can’t say enough good things about this product; it is non-toxic, made with distilled water and inorganic salts. You can use it on furniture, walls, floors, basically anything that is susceptible to mold growth. Once a thin layer of Concrobium is applied, let it dry overnight. As Concrobium dries, it forms a thin layer over any mold that may be growing and actually crushes the roots of the spores. Wherever it’s sprayed will prevent any mold from growing, providing continued resistance. If you’re spraying an entire room, you might want to consider renting a mister from a hardware store such as Home Depot. It’s easy to use and very fast. Note: I have absolutely no affiliation with Concrobium, I just really think it’s a fantastic product. It’s safe, non-toxic, and more effective than bleach on mold.

Homeowners who invest in a geothermal heating and cooling system realize savings not only at the time of installation, but well into the future. The system reduces energy consumption, lowers utility bills and increases home resale values.

 A geothermal home comfort system taps into the abundant source of free solar heat energy stored in the earth and uses a series of pipes (an earth loop) buried in the ground to move that heat into a home during the winter and remove it during the summer. This same heat energy can be used for a radiant floor system or domestic hot water heating.

 Once installed, the system significantly reduces energy consumption, saving homeowners as much as 70 percent on their heating and cooling bills throughout the year. And because geothermal systems use the free renewable supply of energy found in homeowners’ backyards, the use of geothermal reduces dependency on foreign oil while encouraging energy production here and helping to create jobs in renewable industries.

 Lower utility bills increase the list of benefits that a geothermal system offers the homeowner. In fact, a geothermal system delivers an astounding four units of energy for every one unit of electrical energy used. That translates to a 400 percent efficiency rating for heating, cooling and hot water costs. Additionally, once installed, a geothermal system requires less maintenance than a conventional heating and cooling system.

 In addition to consistent temperatures, a geothermal system ensures good indoor air quality (IAQ). That’s because the system does not require combustion and therefore produces none of the products associated with combustion, including carbon monoxide, which can negatively impact the air you breathe. Nor does it require a system to vent carbon monoxide and other dangerous exhaust gases. So, the investment in geothermal has immediate and long-term benefits for the environment as well as the homeowner.

 And unlike many conventional air conditioners or heat pumps, a geothermal heating and cooling system is quiet, requiring no noisy and unsightly outdoor units to disturb your outside environment or your neighbors. Instead, all equipment is located inside, conveniently sized and constructed for quiet, efficient operation.

 In many cases, these benefits translate to higher resale values for homes that use a geothermal heating and cooling system, a benefit that becomes even more important in the current housing market. And according to the experts at WaterFurnace, homeowners who invest in geothermal systems and plan to stay in their homes can anticipate an average system life span of more than 24 years – compared to 15 years for a traditional system — less maintenance and lower lifecycle costs.

 WaterFurnace International, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of geothermal and water source heat pumps. Products from WaterFurnace include energy-efficient and environmentally friendly geothermal comfort systems, indoor air quality products and pool heaters. WaterFurnace (TSX:WFI) was founded in 1983, and the company is headquartered in Fort Wayne, Ind. For the latest news and updates from WaterFurnace, connect with them on your favorite social media sites – follow them onTwitter (@WaterFurnace), like on Facebook or view the WaterFurnace YouTube Channel.

 It’s a beautiful day outside, sunny, 25C and no humidity. It is my favourite kind of day (let’s ignore the fact that I’m inside working on my computer instead of out there enjoying it). In a few weeks my least favourite weather will begin: hot, smoggy, humid and sticky. Blech.

Last year we moved from our new townhouse in Toronto, to an old duplex in Montreal. We lost all modern day conveniences that I had taken for granted: programmable thermostat, energy efficient appliances, and most importantly of all, central air conditioning. I don’t sound like much of an environmentalist when I wax nostalgic over central air conditioning, do I? We were pretty strict with its use, however. We participated in Ontario’s peaksaver program, kept the thermostat at 26C during the day, ran the central fan continuously, drew the curtains on the south side of the house to block direct heat and installed ceiling fans in all the bedrooms. In July, when the temperature rose above 36C plus humidity outside, we were thankful that we had central A/C. All in all, even with central airconditioning, our hydro bill from July 5 through August 8, 2011 indicated that we’d consumed 1,084 kWh during that time frame.

Oh what I wouldn’t give for electricity consumption like that! In our “new” place, which we are renting, the only energy and water efficient appliances in the place are our washer and dryer, which we brought with us. We have a 20 year old fridge, stove and dishwasher, the latter of which will leave you deaf if you’re in the kitchen while it’s on! Electric baseboard heating is used on the upper floor, and generally speaking, we consume between 1800 and 3000 kWhs per month, depending on how cold it is outside. If you want to know if energy efficient appliances are worth the investment, trust me, they are! Our hydro bill is now a significant expense.

But once we add our three window air conditioners, our hydro bill will shoot right back up to winter levels when baseboard heating is on. Until now, there wasn’t really a way to control your window air conditioners — they were either on or off, so it’s likely that you leave them on all day so that your house is cool when you get home at night. Now however, there is a new gadget that turns your window air conditioners into a central air system.

ThinkEco, a startup based in New York City, has developed a smart thermostat that works in conjunction with your window air conditioner so that you can control when your window unit comes on, and the temperature you want to set it for. That means you could either set it at a higher temperature (or turn it completely off), when you’re out of the house, and have it come on half an hour before you come home. It’s a programmable thermostat for your window a/c unit! The SmartAC thermostat works in conjunction with another product called The Modlet.

Earlier this year, ThinkEco launched the Modlet, which stands for “modern outlet.” The neat thing about this outlet is that when you plug in your appliances, it will connect wirelessly with your computer though a USB key and you can control your appliance through your computer or smart phone. It’s great for home or professional offices, gaming systems, stereo systems, and cable boxes — all of which draw power even when they’re off. If you leave the office and have forgotten to turn your systems off, you can do it from your phone. You can buy a single Modlet (including the USB key), for US$50 plus shipping (and they ship to Canada).They also have an office starter kit for US$345 plus shipping which includes 5 modlets and one USB key. One USB key can work with up to 100 Modlets.

 How the Modlet and SmartAC Thermostat work: You need to use the Modlet and SmartAC Thermostat together. Plug the window air conditioner into the Modlet, use the SmartAC Thermostat to set temperatures, set a schedule for your unit on your computer, then control temperature either from the remote control or your smart phone or a remote computer.

In fact, New York City thinks it’s such a great idea that they’re working with ThinkEco for their “Cool NYC” program. If you happen to live in NYC you can see if you’re eligible for a kit — if you qualify, the city will send you a modlet and smartAC thermostat for free! Plus, on top of that, at the end of the summer, they’ll send you a $25 thank you gift.

I had a few questions about how the SmartAC Thermostat works, so the good folks at ThinkEco took the time to give me detailed answers, which I’ve included below.

Cathy: Does the computer with the USB key in use, have to be on in order for the appliance to be controlled? For instance, let’s say you wanted to monitor the appliance from your phone or office, would the computer the appliance is communicating with have to be on in order to get data on the appliance?

Answer: No, it doesn’t. The modlet plugs right into your existing outlet and communicates wirelessly through ZigBee technology with your home computer so you can remotely track (via web application or smart phone app) how much energy your devices consume and also set schedules for turning your devices off and on. 

There are two ways to control your devices with the modlet. The first is through setting schedules through the mymodlet web application. Schedules allow you to program when you want your appliances to be on or off. You can choose from one of our ready-made scheduling templates or create a custom schedule that reflects your lifestyle. Once you program a schedule into a modlet, the modlet will continue to implement that schedule regardless of whether it is in communication with your computer/USB receiver. The second way to control your devices is by instantly turning them on or off through the mobile app or web application. For this feature to work, the modlet needs to be in communication with your USB receiver and your home computer would need to be on or in sleep mode. 

We will have a new stand-alone gateway on the market later that will serve as an alternative to the USB gateway and is not dependent on your home computer to be on.

Cathy: Does the USB key need to be plugged in to the computer all the time? The reason I ask, is because it seems to me that the modlet is a good device if you have a desktop computer but not so good if all you have is a laptop. At our house my laptop is the main family computer and having one of my two usb ports taken up by one usb key all the time would be a little inconvenient. Also, if I had to go somewhere and take my computer with me, does the computer with the USB key still have a way of communicating with the modlet?

Answer: No. The USB does not have to be plugged into the computer all the time. The modlet has an internal memory and can store up to 10 days worth of energy usage data. As long as you plug your USB in your computer at least once a week for a few hours, all your data will sync up with your computer. The amount of time for the sync depends on how large your modlet network is.

Cathy: How does the SmartAC Thermostat remote control work? Do you use it to set the temperature and turn the a/c on and off when you’re in the room with it? If so, do you have to input all the settings via your computer?

Answer: The smartAC thermostat works much like a home thermostat for a central air-conditioner system. The thermostat communicates with your modlet to cycle your air-conditioner on and off based on your desired room temperature, and allows you to control the units remotely from your smart phone or computer. In addition, you can set a set a schedule through our web application for when you want your air conditioner to be on or off.  With the modlet apps for the iPhone and Android phones (just go to the app store and search for “ThinkEco”) you will be able to see your energy consumption and turn your air conditioner off and on remotely.
Cathy:  Can you use one remote control for more multiple window A/C units? (I recognize that each unit would need its own Modlet).

Answer: No. Each modlet and smartAC thermostat works as a pair so users need a thermostat for each modlet/air conditioner. The smartAC thermostat measures the current room temperature and works with the modlet to turn your air conditioner off or on in order to maintain your desired temperature. By having a separate thermostat for each air conditioner, each room has separate control so everyone can have their air conditioner set to their preferred temperature.

Cathy:  How much will the SmartAC Thermostat sell for?

Answer: MSRP $150 [US]

There is a new furnace on the market that has very intriguing possibilities. When I was at the GreenLiving Show last month, I toured the mock-up R-house which had been on display at the National Home Show earlier in the year. The technology that caught my attention was the HeatWave furnace by Dyna Current. According to the rep. I spoke with, this furnace will produce heat at about half the cost of wood, propane, oil or traditional electric heat. In other words, it’s about the cost of natural gas, but if you live in an area where you don’t have that option, you are limited to the other heating methods.

The HeatWave furnace is a very flexible system; It comes in three sizes and two different models: one system is used with radiant hydronic heating, and one is used with forced air. Further, because there is no combustion involved at the source, the parts need very little maintenance. The system is flexible, it can be used with either DC or AC electricity. Using DC is recommended for furnaces because it is more energy efficient than AC. It can also be used to heat your hot water.  The forced air system comes with a fan with multiple speeds, which means in the summer you can crank it up, delaying the use of air conditioners. The rep also told me that the company is currently working on an air conditioning unit to work with the system.

Because the system works off direct current electricity, it could, in theory, be hooked up to an array of solar panels. However, the system needs 6 kW of electricity to run, so you’d need a pretty big array to power it.

Cost (Note prices are as of May, 2012, according to Dyna Current’s website):

Forced Air

DynaCurrent HeatWave FA1 $4,995 plus installation (heats 1000-1800 sq. ft.*)

DynaCurrent HeatWave FA2 $5,895 plus installation (heats 1800-2800 sq. ft.*)

DynaCurrent HeatWave FA3 $7,495 plus installation (heats 2800-4000 sq. ft.*)

Radiant

DynaCurrent HeatWave R1 $4,795 plus installation (heats 1000-1800 sq. ft.*)

DynaCurrent HeatWave R2 $5,895 plus installation (heats 1800-2800 sq. ft.*)

DynaCurrent HeatWave R3 $7,495 plus installation (heats 2800-4000 sq. ft*)

The furnace is CSA certified and is available in BC, Alberta, Ontario and Nova Scotia, however, they plan on rolling out to the rest of Canada later in the year.

For more information on this furnace, visit Dyna Current’s website, or watch this video on the product.

This is the time of year when our family cleans out closets. While my husband and I are pretty good at cleaning out closets on a regular basis, somehow, our 11 year old daughter manages to need her room culled about four times a year. I don’t know what happens in there but I think her stuff is breeding! I’m not a packrat, but I confess to having plenty of stuff sitting in boxes in the basement — not because I have a sentimental attachment to it, but rather because I hate stuff going to landfill and always try to find better opportunities for it.

In this current round of spring cleaning, I have bags of clothes the kids have grown out of, paperbacks that need new homes, toys and arts and crafts galore. Yes it’s tempting to set everything out on the curb ready for landfill, but with a little effort, most of the stuff can find good homes. In this case, clothes go to Goodwill, paperbacks go to a local church book sale, and the toys and arts and crafts (all in good shape), go to my daughter’s school aftercare program — all avoiding landfill. I set aside a few hours one day to do all the drop-offs.

But what do you do about other things? You might be tempted to throw out old or broken electronics or pour turpentine down the drain, but doing so will add to groundwater and soil contamination or contaminate local rivers and lakes. There are two programs to help you safely dispose of  your electronics or hazardous waste. Visit http://recycleyourelectronics.ca to find out which of your old electronics can be disposed of and where to go. Items such as spare computer parts, keyboards, monitors, unidentified mysterious cords, broken wireless speakers, old broken VCRs and DVD players are all accepted by this waste management program. For hazardous waste disposal visit  makethedrop.ca. CFL lightbulbs, batteries, aerosol cans, paint and used turpentine should be disposed of through a specialized waste collection system usually offered by municipalities. Disposing of these products responsibly is the most important thing you can do; They contain hazardous materials such as mercury and lead, plus all kinds of metals that can be recycled into new products.

Note that there are several stores that participate in hazardous waste recycling programs, such as some Lowes, Home Depot, Home Hardware, Future Shop and Best Buy. They each recycle different items, so it’s best to check with your local store before making the trip.

If you don’t live in Ontario, check out this site which has links to programs in other provinces: http://www.ontarioelectronicstewardship.ca/program/other-provincial-programs

Before you go out to fill up your now empty shelves with more things, watch Annie Leonnard’s The Story of Stuff if you haven’t already seen it. It might make you think twice about what you buy http://www.storyofstuff.org/movies-all/story-of-stuff/.

Family room -- FSC cabinets in background.

There are a lot of decisions to make when you renovate.  From the design of the space to the finishing materials, you want a house that works for you and your family.  Working with an architect or a designer can help, but ultimately you have to decide what goes where.

I finally found an easy way to make those decisions.   Using sustainability as the deciding factor.   It’s not that I am “granola green”.   My love affair with green has come slowly and selfishly as I learn how important indoor air quality is.  Modern homes have become air tight for energy efficiency, but modern building practices and materials bring in a staggering number of chemicals that off-gas into our airtight homes.

Labor costs make it impractical for us to re-use much of what we tear out of an existing home, but in Canada we have the luxury of craigslist, kijiji, freecycle and Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore that help to reduce consumption and waste.   The old appliances in my house in Toronto found a new home at my daughter’s school, my basement laundry area has sliding doors reclaimed from ReStore (at only $20 each vs. $35 for new!), and I re-used the mirror from my upstairs master bath in the downstairs powder room.

PaperStone countertops.

The colours in my Toronto house are bright and beautiful…and they didn’t smell when they went up on the wall.  These days, it is simple to find non-toxic paints at your local Rona or paint store.  That ‘freshly painted smell’ is not something you want to drift into the (tightly sealed) air in your home.  Why buy toxic paint?  Yet go to your home improvement shop and the shelves are full of it.  Yes, cost is a factor.  But the $1-2 per gallon difference is worth it in my book.

The warm fuzzy feeling of carpeting under your feet is cozy and inviting.  But that eerie ‘new carpet smell’ can be eliminated if your carpeting and underlay are made of natural fibers like wool or cotton.  My builder recommended cork flooring for the basement and I love it.  It has the same sound absorbing qualities of carpeting, is soft and comfortable even in bare feet, and made of naturally re-growing cork.  Real wood floors (FSC certified of course) are gorgeous as well and you can ask for water-based sealants to keep them that way.

Formaldehyde has found its way into many of the building materials that are common in new builds and furniture.  MDF, plywood, particle board and drywall, sealants and glues all have it.  I heard a recent CBC radio report that there is even formaldehyde in consumer branded baby shampoo.   Some formaldehyde is naturally occurring, but a lot of is actually added to these products.  It reminds me of hormones in meat…I’m fine with hormones that are naturally occurring, but keep the added stuff away, please.  I eat less meat these days, but I buy the good stuff and as demand for the good stuff increases, prices will come down.   These days building materials can all be bought in versions without the added formaldehyde (it’s called “NAUF” – no added urea formaldehyde).   Just like the health benefits of non-GMO beef are worth the added price, for me, the health benefits of NAUF products rate high on my list.

Cabinets made from FSC wood, with no added urea formaldehyde interior MDF.

I didn’t know about these things before I moved to Canada last year.  I had renovated before using conventional building materials and furnishings.  It wasn’t always so easy, but these days there are ‘green’ products everywhere because most commercial construction buildings adhere to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards.  You may work in a LEED office building and not even know it – but the materials and energy efficiency in your office mean the air quality is better at work than in your house.  Thanks to the LEED standards, the construction industry has come up with new materials to meet the standards.  LEED isn’t perfect – but it has created demand for (and lowered prices of) sustainable and healthy building materials.  This means they are also becoming more available (and affordable) for consumers.  Many of us just don’t know we should ask for them.

So how did ‘doing a green renovation’ make my reno easier?  It gave me a common denominator.  Something upon which I could base all of my decisions.  Rather than “this year’s colour” or “what’s in fashion”, I based my decisions on “what’s the healthiest and best option for my family”.  When deciding which architect and contractor to use – I went for ones that had truly green credentials.  Turns out they were also incredibly honest and conscientious people to work with.

Close up of PaperStone countertop

When choosing appliances, I only chose Energy Star rated appliances.  I thought all appliances were Energy Star, but they aren’t.    That helped narrow the choice, and then the rest was up to size and shape and cost.  When deciding which countertops to use, I experimented with one of the newer materials: Paperstone.  It’s made entirely of recycled paper.  Mine’s jet black and cut into a tear-drop shape to fit my breakfast nook perfectly.  It’s stunning and I don’t have to worry about whether or not it might be leaking radon like my old granite countertop did.

Stainless steel countertop in kitchen, cork tile backsplash

And yes, I do feel good about my reno.  The builder minimized the waste created rather than just ‘tearing it all out’ and responsibly managed what could be re-used or re-cycled.  My old cabinets went to ReStore instead of landfill.  The crew came to work on public trans or bikes and brought their coffee in re-useable containers.  Did I do a green reno to help the planet?  Nope.  I was entirely selfish about doing it for my family.  It turned out it that making every decision based on sustainability was actually easier (less is more) and I am happy I did my part for my kids’ future on this planet.

A green reno can be easier.

Bettina Hoar has become so passionate about sustainable design that she has partnered up with Amanda Levey to create Toronto-based studio called Sage, specializing in helping others integrate sustainable design, architecture and living into their homes and offices (www.sageideastudio.com).

Ecobee programmable thermostat

The Ecobee is a very cool device I discovered at The 2012 GreenLiving Show that can help any homeowner save money on heating and cooling their home. It’s a programmable thermostat that’s actually easy to use and program. Not only that, but because it has a wireless connection, you can control it from your computer or smart phone. What this means is that if you’re going to be away for a significant amount of time, you can work with your settings while you’re not there — no more cooling the house when you’re not there. Best of all, shutting down electric devices is usually the last thing on my to do list when preparing for a trip away — now you can do it once you’re on the road.

You can order this unit directly off the website, but Stuart Lombard, one of the founders and CEO of Ecobee, told me that it’s best if you order through your heating and cooling provider because they will install it for you too. Once it’s set up, you can control your furnace and central air conditioner either from the home console or any of your computers. There are two versions for homeowners, a simpler one with a colour touch screen that sells for around $180, and the newer model with a larger colour touch screen and more features such as controlling your central humidifier for $330.

One of the other benefits of the Ecobee is that it generates monthly reports so you can see how you’re doing regarding your consumption patterns and make adjustments to lower your energy use.

For more information about the Ecobee, visit their website.

For years, I gave myself “green marks” for buying tableware, décor and furniture at garage sales. But by shifting to online classified sites, I think I’ve taken a step to becoming even greener. Don’t get me wrong – buying second-hand stuff at yard sales is one the easiest, most economical ways to reduce your carbon footprint. I’m just not crazy about rising at 6 a.m. on a weekend to drive across town, only to return home without that special item I was searching for.

Kijiji Finds

I’ve tried several online selling sites, but have settled on Kijiji as a mainstay. It let me shop locally, and both “watch” an item of interest or be alerted when an item that matches my search term comes online. New categories, such as outdoor items, appliances and reno materials as distinct categories, makes searching faster and easier. Recently, I’ve had great success making home décor gems out of gently-used items easily found on Kijiji www.kijiji.ca. Take a look.

 

 

An old plate becomes a distinctive time piece

Individual plates can make interesting wall clocks.  Clock hands come in cute shapes, such as knives and forks, hammers and screwdrivers or fishing rods, so you can make a clock suited to an individual room or as a gift for a friend with a related hobby. Clocks hands and movements are available for less than $10 from Lee Valley www.leevalley.com , which also carries adhesive-backed numbers and dots.

 

Simply slowly and carefully drill a small hole in the centre of the plate. Place a piece of tape over the drill spot to keep it from cracking and add a few drops of water as you go along to keep the drill bit cool and lubricated (mineral oil works for that, too.) Okay, I admit it, I got the Man of the House (MOTH) to do this part!

 

Even a fabric remnant can create a one-of-a-kind vase

Used fabric can be put to good use. So don’t discount, then, that linen tablecloth just because it has a tear (although do factor that into what you’ll offer for it.) Imagine instead, as did I, making the still-good stuff into pillow shams, napkins, or tea and guest towels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A bit of paint and some good tape - try ScotchBlue - and you have a one-of-a-kind pillow to match your other decor pieces

 

My secret weapon for crafting and painting!

Plain pillow shams can be dressed up with fabric paint. I tried two methods. One was to simply tape straight lines with Scotch Blue tape www.scotchblue.com (my fave painter’s tape!) along a pillow and paint it out in cheery colours from Martha Stewart’s line of multi-surface satin acrylic paint (available at www.michaels.com). For another pillow, I made my own stencil by hanging a length of tape from a doorway and, using hole-punchers with two different sizes of holes, randomly punching a pattern. Fabric remnants can also turn an ho-hum glass vase into a stunning piece.

 

 

 

A little imagination - and a lick of paint - goes a long way. Good tape is critical for getting sharp lines so stick with a good name brand like ScotchBlue.

I couldn’t believe my luck when I found two cute little semi-circular occasional tables for $20. Perfect, I thought for my living room, especially after I painted them in an earthy Jute (Pittsburgh Paints), adding a thin strip of Charlotte’s Locks from Farrow and Ball. Now that they’re done, though, I’ve decided to cover them in exterior-grade varnish and use them on the back porch — a perfect perch for an after-work glass of wine with MOTH. What could be more stylish — and sustainable?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vicky Sanderson

Having tried and tested just about every new home product, décor item and countertop appliance to hit the market in the last 10 years, Vicky Sanderson is an expert on all things home related. She shares this expertise in Hot Home Products, a widely-read weekly column that appears every Saturday in The Toronto Star and CasaGuru http://www.casaguru.com/web/vicky-sanderson . Follow her @vickysanderson

 

I’ve written a lot about energy efficiency and how to achieve it in a logical way. Now Scotiabank, in conjunction with the Sustainable Housing Foundation, has launched an Energy Calculator that tells you which energy efficiency upgrades you can make that will give you the fastest and biggest payoff. I’ve already used it, and according to the calculator, the three best improvements I can make are switching out most of the rest of my lightbulbs from incandescents to LEDs or CFLs, installing a programmable thermostat, and upgrading our furnace.  Try it out for yourself and see what you think.

After you’ve checked out the energy calculator, check out the rest of the Ecoliving website. It’s full of great suggestions and ideas for lightening your environmental footprint.

Team 7 Lux Coffee Table and consoles

 James Flynn of Elevenfiftyfour, a contemporary furniture shop in Ottawa, sent me some information on a line of furniture he carries called Team7.

Team7 is based in Austria and makes beautiful, contemporary furniture. While it is a well-known brand in Europe, it definitely flies under the radar here in Canada, and that’s a shame because not only is it classic contemporary furniture, the company prides itself on their ever increasingly sustainable production.

The contemporary furniture is hand-crafted by local woodworkers, wood pieces are joined together by hand and are only polished with natural oils such as linseed and safflower, and buffed with natural waxes.

Riletto Bed

All wood used for the furniture comes from well-managed European forests and are grown without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers. Team7 mills the logs in its own factories, minimizing waste in the process while the leftover sawdust and wood chips are used to power the furnace to heat their plants. Each year they produce a sustainability report to evaluate how they are doing compared to the previous year. They also set goals to determine what area of resource use they need to focus on to further reduce their impact on the planet.

Team 7 Atelier Desk

James also mentioned that he is working with Blu Homes, a modern pre-fab, totally green home builder, to outfit the model homes being constructed in Calgary, followed by Toronto, then Vancouver.

While there are other distributors of Team7 furniture in Canada, to the best of James’ knowledge, Elevenfiftyfour is the only Canadian showroom.

You can visit elevenfiftyfour at 1154 Bank Street, Ottawa, ON, or check out their website.