Put the 'Eco' in Decorating

Put the ‘Eco’ in Decorating (ARA) – Just because you’re going green doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. There are many ways to easily incorporate eco-friendly ideas into your home decor without living the stereotypical "granola-and-Birkenstocks" lifestyle."Within the domains of daily living lie our opportunities and obligations to effect positive change in the world," says Crissy Trask, author of "It’s Easy Being Green." "Understanding the relationship between what we do and the larger environment is vital to developing and strengthening a sense of responsibility for the cause and effect of our actions." <div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/3c.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/3c.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div> By making energy-saving improvements and incorporating sustainable and organic materials, you’ll have lower bills, a healthier house and proof that you can live green without sacrificing style or comfort. Green and You Don’t Even Know It Chances are parts of your home and lifestyle are already green — you’re just unaware of it. A big component of going green is not just to reduce, but also to reuse and recycle. If you’ve decided to remodel an existing home instead of building a new, greener one, you’ve already taken a step in the green direction. Have any hand-me-downs or antiques in your home? Looking for vintage furnishings or reinventing outdated items is more eco-friendly than buying brand new. You’ll help to cut back on the resources used to produce new pieces, and also eliminate the additional waste that goes into packaging and shipping. Green Bathrooms An obvious way to go greener in your home is to cut back on water and energy consumption. And until now, eco-friendly alternatives have been less than trendy. Luckily, for environmentally conscious homeowners, you can now save water and have up-to-the-minute designs, all at the same time. The aerator offered in Moen Incorporated’s new Rothbury collection of bath faucets allows water to flow at an optimized 1.5 gallons per minute (gpm), versus traditional aerators that flow at 2.2 gpm. You’ll be treated with the sensational water experience you’re accustomed to, while reducing water usage by 30 percent. Plus, Rothbury faucets are one of the first to receive WaterSense certification from the Environmental Protection Agency, validating the fixtures are water-efficient. Another way to "green your bath" is to include elements that emulate nature. Biomimicry is an offshoot of the green movement that is now being used in home design — even in bath products. Moen’s new Inspire showerhead line incorporates the science of biomimicry perfectly. The showerhead spray face is inspired by a Fibonacci spiral, the branching or spiral shapes often found in natural objects like the whorls of seeds in a sunflower. The beautiful design enhances the product’s performance — providing full body coverage that envelops the user in invigorating water sprays no matter what the spray setting. Small Style Changes, Big Impact There are so many transformations you can use to increase the style and sustainability factor in your home. Replacing incandescent lights with compact fluorescents (CFL) uses three-quarters less electricity. And you don’t have to worry about flickering or harsh light from the new CFLs — they provide an excellent quality of light and also generate less heat. If you’re in the market for new home furnishings, look for companies that offer chemical-free pieces or ones made from renewable or reclaimed materials. There are a number of home accents designed or manufactured with the planet in mind that are savvy and stylish. Natural fiber rugs, beeswax or soy wax candles can add eco flair to your decor. Or for a unique, elegant and green decorating tip, adorn your home with mosaic bamboo tiles to warm up a wall or add interest to a floor. <div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/4b.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/4b.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div> By incorporating these simple, and stylish, green updates, you’ll be on your way to an eco-friendly and fabulously fashionable home. But don’t stop now; keep looking for more practices and products to continue your home’s sustainable transformation to make a world of difference. For more information on Moen’s Rothbury collection, Moen’s line of Inspire showerheads or to request a Moen sustainability brochure, visit <a href="http://www.moen.com/">www.moen.com</a> or call (800) BUY-MOEN (800-289-6636). Courtesy of ARAcontent

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