the many fabrics of our lives…..

October 19, 2009 at 9:06 pm · Filed under eco-friendly fabrics ·Tagged , , ,

As the weather has gotten colder these last couple of weeks, I have begun the layering ritual. Undergarments, camisole, shirt, sweater, vest… some days even a jacket. Each garment is usually made from a different type of fabric. Each having their own inherent texture and appeal. As an interior designer, I am in contact with fabric everyday on my job. Whether I am specifying fabric for upholstered pieces, draperies, pillows, or custom bedding; I get to select from a wealth of fabrics that are available. For me, anticipating going to the fabric showroom to make selections for a client is like a kid waiting for their parent to drive them to the candy store. Once I am there, I am in my own special world. One of my favorite fabric houses is Zimman’s located in downtown Lynn, MA. (www.zimmans.com) One must have an idea of what one is seeking prior to entering this institution. It can be a bit overwhelming even to a trained expert! The fabrics, trims and embellishments are on the first floor and the lower level; the second and third floors are home to amazing furnishings and light fixtures.

Since I began offering my clients “green alternatives” in the realm of interior design products, my quest to find eco-friendly and organic fabrics that have more visual interest than a burlap bag has been a steady source of internet searching. Fortunately, access to these fabrics is becoming less of a search effort and more of clicking on a book marked site for a clients’ request. Here is some of what I have learned about the availability of eco-friendly fabrics.

What makes a fabric eco-friendly?

  • It may be a natural fiber like cotton, hemp or bamboo. They must have been grown without the use of pesticides in the soil for at least three years.
  • If the fabric is dyed, it must be with a low-impact dye.
  • Eco-friendly certification (EU-Eco label certification)
  • Production adheres to fair trade practices.
  • Recycled plastic is also considered to be a green fabric.

Are there enough benefits to using eco-friendly fabrics?

Organic Cotton
Benefits: Renewable, biodegradable, non-toxic, comfortable
Potential Drawbacks: often more expensive than regular cotton

Hemp
Benefits: Renewable, fast-growing, pesticide free
Potential Drawbacks: Must be imported into the United States

Bamboo
Benefits: Fast-growing, minimal pesticide usage
Potential Drawbacks: Can be expensive, imported, requires chemical bleaching

Organic Wool
Benefits: Biodegradable, renewable, warm when wet
Potential Drawbacks: Can be expensive and hard to find

Recycled Polyester
Benefits: Lowers demand for oil, less waste, warm when wet
Potential Drawbacks: Sometimes expensive; inefficient methods for obtaining quality fibers

TENCEL®/ Lyocell
Benefits: Biodegradable, comfortable, rich color, stronger than cotton
Potential Drawbacks: Chemical processing required

Soy Fiber
Benefits: Renewable, biodegradable, soft, durable
Potential Drawbacks: Usually more expensive, chemical processing required

Jute
Benefits: Biodegradable, recyclable, fast growing, versatile
Potential Drawbacks: Rough and coarse ­ good for rugs and bags, but not clothing

Modal
Benefits: Biodegradable, rich color, very soft and absorbent
Potential Drawbacks: Requires chemical processing

(The above information provided by The Sierra Trading Post)

Here are some web-sites that I would recommend for eco-friendly fabrics:

ATLASAnemoneNEWSeaweed

www.oliveiratextiles.com/collection.html?id=4

eco-friendly fabric Harmony Art

www.harmonyart.com

eco-friendly fabric Kravet

www.kravetgreen.com

And, of course, I can not neglect to mention organic/eco-friendly fabrics without referring to www.etsy.com. I found at least 10 vendors that have beautiful and affordable lines to offer. If you find yourself unsure where to look for eco-friendly fabrics, please feel free to email (design@lmkinteriorsltd.com ) or call me (978-335-1140) I would be happy to assist you.

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back to school… again

September 14, 2009 at 5:09 pm · Filed under Reclaimed, Repurposed, Reuse ·Tagged , ,

It all started with my Dad. He decided it was time to retire the sofas that have been around since I was a child and purchase some new, more comfortable sofas for his den. The first call I made for him was to a store I knew of in Cambridge called RESIDE (www.resideinc.com) to see if they might be interested in purchasing them. They specialize in classic mid 20th century modern furnishings. They buy, sell and consign furniture. Unfortunately, after sending them digital photos of the sofas, they felt they could not sell them for us. The next step was to ask family and friends if they were in need of some sofas. There were no takers, except for my son, August. Last spring he found himself along with three friends looking for an off-campus apartment for this coming school year at Rochester Institute of Technology after losing out to on-campus apartments through the lottery. Two, free, six foot sofas would be an ideal addition to an apartment. Especially, when it needed to be fully furnished! They were disassembled on the first of September and moved to upstate New York via U-Haul Labor Day weekend. August's Apartment

As we moved August into his apartment, I looked around and realized how many items had come from the four roommates’ homes. Whether it be furniture, cooking utensils, clothing, or modes of transportation, they were all playing a part in reclaiming, recycling and repurposing much of the things in their new space. Even their apartment used to be something else before it was transformed a few years ago into an apartment complex. It was a carpet showroom! Upon moving August into his apartment, my husband Jim noted how he used to drive to school on this back road and remembered going by the showroom. Jim and I attended and met at Rochester Institute of Technology, 27 years ago.

After we dropped August off, we headed down to Dunkirk, NY to visit with Jim’s Dad. We recently moved him into an assisted living facility and we are in the process of selling his home. While there, we looked around for anymore finds that might work in August’s apartment. In the basement we discovered six bar stools. Jackpot! The guys had a high counter separating their living area from the kitchen, begging for some stools. We snagged four.

august's apartment

august's apartment

In August’s junior year of high school, he purchased his first car. We mentioned to a friend that he was beginning to look and she told us a friend of hers was considering selling her car. It was an Acura 1995: good price & good condition. Having a car has been great, but for less cumbersome access to campus and for general riding around, he and his roommates thought having bikes for this year would be good. August began and ended his search using Craig’s List (www.Craigslist.org). When he mentioned that one of the bikes he had found was labelled “vintage”, I told him to keep looking. Instead, he headed up to Gloucester and purchased a classic French 1970’s Motobecane. Again, good price & good condition. A quick tune up at the local bike shop and a new cable and he was on his way.

Some other items taking up residence in August’s apartment include:

  •  two clothing dressers that I had purchased years ago at a yard sale. (He repainted them with metallic paint for the tops and left over paint from his bedroom for the base)
  • his bed frame from home (Jim went in and set up one of our daughter’s bed frames the day we came home from Rochester because it felt odd not having one in the room)
  • His roommate’s old television cabinet, television and end tables
  • Another roommate’s old kitchen table and chairs, floor lamp and cooking pans, dishes, glassware and utensils

august's apartment august's apartment August's Apartment

 

August and his roommates have discovered several thrift and discount shops around Rochester. I am sure that if they require additional items, they will make their way to the local Salvation Army & Goodwill stores which are located fairly close by. (www.salvationarmyusa.org & www.goodwill.org )

As for my Dad, his new sofas should be delivered within the coming weeks.august's apartment

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Julie & Julia and Lisa’s Kitchen

August 16, 2009 at 10:15 pm · Filed under kitchen redesign ·Tagged , , , , , ,

Julie and JuliaThis past weekend I saw the movie Julie & Julia with my two sisters. We all met in Boston to celebrate our combined birthdays. Dinner and a movie in the city. Perhaps a little late night dancing if we were up to it afterwards. We have traditionally gone out to the Burlington area, since that is a midpoint for all of us to meet, and eat dinner first and then rush to get to the movie. This time, not only would we change locations, but we would also change the order of our evening. We decided to see the movie prior to eating dinner so that we would have even more to talk about as we dined!

Leslie, Elizabeth & Lisa

Leslie, Elizabeth & Lisa

So, there we are, in the second to last row of a packed theater watching our childhood icon on the big screen; Julia Child portrayed by an actress we have also grown to admire, Meryl Streep. To be honest, I had not heard of Julie Powell, the Julie of the movie. Nor, did I know that a book based on their combined lives had been published and that was what the movie had evolved from. I just knew that the moment I had seen the previews for the movie, it was something the three of us had to go see together. You see, we had grown up watching Julia Child on PBS for years. My mother owned several of her cookbooks. She had even taken them all to have THE Julia Child autograph them at some book signing so that each of her daughters had a signed copy. I possess The French Chef Cookbook, Leslie owns Mastering The Art of French Cooking, Volume 2 and Elizabeth has Julia Child & Company. Not only had we watched Julia cook and entertain our family, we also were the guinea pigs to my mother’s efforts to re-create Julia’s recipes. Which, if I recall somewhat accurately, turned out to be quite delicious.

How, you might be wondering does this blog entry relate to the previous topics I have blogged about regarding interior design or even green interior design? I am not sure, but I am hoping that if I keep writing, something karmic will occur that will connect two of the creative outlets in my life. Interior design and food!

Julia Child's kitchen

Julia Child's kitchen

As I watched this movie, I did experience an insight that I will share. Towards the end of the movie, (I won’t give the ending away!) they show Julia in her Cambridge kitchen. I elbow my sister Leslie and whisper to her to take a look at Julia’s kitchen cabinets. They are not natural cherry, walnut nor maple, they are a painted finish. In addition, they are painted two different colors. The upper cabinets are a soft blue and the base cabinets are a green. Her counter tops are butcher block, with the kitchen table in the center of the room. And who could forget the pegboard with the outlines of the pans drawn by her husband! It was the cabinets that made me elbow my sister. The reason being: my kitchen cabinets are painted exactly the same colors! Maybe not exactly the same, but I had used C2 Jamestown Blue for my upper cabinets and C2 Terrapin Green for my base cabinets.

before image of kitchen

before image of my kitchen

Do you think that twenty years after watching week after week of this program and admiring Julia’s kitchen and cooking skills I had subconsciously put those cabinet colors into my mind waiting for the opportunity to cover my doors with them? When we had moved into our home in Hamilton, the kitchen cabinet doors were painted Benjamin Moore’s White Dove. I immediately slapped paint onto them. However, it wasn’t the colors that I have shared with you. I had first painted them Benjamin Moore’s Iced Mauve, a soft grayish purple. That lasted a few months before I changed it. What was I thinking? Purple was great in the bathroom, bedroom or even a hallway, but it just wasn’t working in the kitchen. Then I painted on two tones of warm taupe. The lighter color going on the walls as well as the upper cabinets and a deeper tone in the same family of color going on the base cabinets. This was better, but not good enough. It was an uninspiring atmosphere to be attempting to create wonderful recipes.

This was going to require some more thought and effort. I had to treat my home the same way I do for my clients. I needed to look at the whole picture and not just a quick fix to add some color to a plain cabinet front. My inspiration, at least this is what I had believed was where the color scheme had come from at the time: was my love for living near the ocean. Actually, any body of water. There was the color of the shore with the plants of the dunes, the wooden boardwalk, the sand, that point where the waves crash along the shore and create white frothy foam, the color of the ocean, the color of the seaweed in the ocean and the color of the changing sky. Blue, beige, white, and green would be the main colors, with small accents of orange, yellow and red (as seen in a setting sun) coming into play with fresh flowers and accessories. That was my palette. And, as I realized this weekend, it was for Julia as well.

after image of kitchen

after image of my kitchen

I kept the warm light taupe that I had already painted on the walls (that could represent the sand). It was a comforting background without being as boring as white walls. My husband then added some creative molding to the cabinet doors to give them a bit more definition and detail. We also added new brushed nickel hardware for the knobs, pulls and hinges. Then, some sanding, priming and the final paint color on the cabinet doors and frames. I was now almost able to enjoy being in this space to cook and entertain for family and friends.

 

I must confess, the worst problem in this kitchen wasn’t the cabinet or wall colors, it was the flooring. We had inherited a kitchen with that aged vinyl flooring in the large brick pattern. There were some bare areas where old cabinetry had been removed and we had exposed sub floors, along with the peeling up of edges near the doorways. I hated this floor. I pretended it didn’t exist. It didn’t look clean even after scrubbing it. It was so old and gross that I didn’t allow my gaze to go below the height of the chair seat. I tried not to notice that horrid brick color.

ceramic tile flooring

new kitchen flooring

As an interior designer, I have access to many showrooms and dealers for flooring. Since the first day we moved into our home, I had been searching for a kitchen floor that not only would be visually interesting but would also be within the budget we were working with. I loved Marmoleum and looked into using that. We just couldn’t afford it at the time. The rest of the house had beautiful original 100 year old hardwood floors. I didn’t want to duplicate that, I wanted something different. The inspiration came when we were having dinner at our good friends’ home and I went to check out their kids’ new bathroom flooring. They had purchased it at Lowe’s. It was stunning! It was a ceramic tile that measured 3” x 3” and was a funky blue pattern that reminded me of oil spots on pavement when the mist creates unique colors and patterns. I had found the ocean for my kitchen! The unusual small scale of the tile was an added bonus since we had some level changes that would not have worked if we had used a larger floor tile.

This same friend had also used a wall paper product called anaglypta on her wainscot in her dining room. It is a highly embossed paintable paper product that reminds me of old fashioned tin ceilings. This became my backsplash for most of my kitchen area. I chose to use small glass mosaic tiles for the area under my kitchen window and above the sink.Corelle Rola pattern It offered a waterproof solution to an area that would require just a swipe of cloth to clean it. I painted the anaglypta a high gloss bright white and used a light iridescent green color for the glass tiles. I even found a dinner plate pattern by Corelle that worked beautifully with the redesign of the kitchen.

Did I find a way to connect interior design and food? Or, should I be asking myself if seeing this movie provided me with time for personal reflection? I have found that throughout my life I need a creative means to express myself. Fortunately, on account of my profession, I am able to do this on a daily basis. However, there are times when I need more than interior design to fulfill my creativeness. When this occurs, I turn to cooking. I can be just as happy working in the kitchen with herbs, meats, cheeses and vegetables making a bountiful feast as I am at my drafting table designing a kitchen for a client. It takes the same thought process for me to put a palette of finishes together to create a beautiful living room design as it does to read a recipe and know how delicious the blending of all of the ingredients will be in the final meal. (Of course, I have not studied at Le Cordon Bleu, but I think my cooking skills are fairly capable.) From Julia Child I gained the knowledge to forge ahead with my dreams and desires. Pursue what is true for me and not to limit myself. From Julie Powell I learned how to stand strong. There are bumps in the road; but I can choose to walk around them!  I also learned that blogging has its’ rewards. I get to share my thoughts with friends, colleagues and total strangers!

Bon appétit!

 www.pbs.org/juliachild/, www.c2paint.com, www.corelle.com

For any thoughts or questions, please feel free to contact me, Lisa Kawski at design@lmkinteriorsltd.com

 

 

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let’s talk about the weather…..

July 14, 2009 at 2:33 pm · Filed under Non-electric, ecofriendly humidifier ·Tagged , ,

This past month was an exceptional month for weather. I can not recall a wetter, grayer or more depressing month in my past. They say we had a total of 27 out of 30 days with no sunshine. That was enough to push whatever happy demeanor I was maintaining to the edge. What is one to do when anticipating warm, sunny weather in June only to feel the need to turn the heat back on and purchase a therapy light? It actually allowed me to solidify a partnership with Konig Swiss ®, a company from Switzerland that manufactures an eco-friendly, non-electric humidifier; and become one of their first American distributors.

Lisa with Konig Swiss humidifier 7-2009

 In my opinion, this unique design not only serves a functional need, but also provides a visually interesting addition to one’s environment. This product was developed by a Swiss native known as a designer, inventor, engineer and environmentally conscious entrepreneur. It first appeared at an international trade show in Europe in 1998. It has received several gold medals from Geneva for outstanding innovative design. Konig Swiss ® launched the sale of the humidifier in 2002 and has had sales in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Latvia and France. Within this last year (2008) they began distribution in the United States and Canada through their North America office. This isn’t your typical humidifier that you buy at Wal Mart. No large containers or reservoirs that need to be filled in your bathtub. No fake, ugly brown wood grain consoles. Once the humidifier is mounted to your wall, all you have to do is fill the plexiglass globe every two days (perhaps every third day, depending on the moisture level required in your home).

How does it work?

The process is called Hydro Pneumatic Capillary System (patented technology). The humidifier uses gravitation and the patented capillary system to power the device. The dryness of the environment’s air dictates the level of evaporation of the water and the speed of circulation into the air. The water pressure in the tank is regulated by a pressure fill valve that allows the water to flow through the tubing to the water flow modulator. The humidity actually flows out from the bottom of the humidifier and sinks into the room and then is carried up towards the ceiling and the surrounding space through movement in the area. One unit covers approximately 1200 square feet (depending on the humidity level of your environment).

hydro pneumatic capillary system

 The part that appealed to me immediately was the specially designed composite panels that you can order in seven different designs. There is one with sunflowers, a waterfall, a child’s themed playground, platinum gray, pearl white, a contemporary artsy theme, and a very bold colorful design. They offer a design that can fit in any decor, and will be coming out with more designs this coming year. The overall height is 41 1/2″ inches (to the top of the globe) x 15 3/4″ wide x 4 3/4″ deep. Total weight with water is 6.9 pounds.

composite panels

Eco benefits:

  • No electrical costs
  • Quiet – no electrical noise
  • Does not produce dust vapor
  • No mold
  • Carbon neutral
  • Easy to clean

Important Advantages:

  • No electrical costs
  • High evaporation capacity – enhanced by the special cut of the composite panel
  • No distribution of germs
  • No risk of tripping over unit or cords of unit
  • No risk of burned fingers as there is no hot evaporation
  • Easy to refill with wall mount accessibility
  • High quality design and manufacturing

As you can tell, I am very excited about this product and bringing it to the attention of my clients, friends and family. I think it offers an incredible alternative to the humidifiers that we have all purchased and brings a unique design and innovative technology that aligns with my philosophy on green design. If you are interested in learning more about this product you can visit www.konigswiss.com . You can also contact me at design@lmkinteriorsltd.com for pricing and shipping information. As I have been sharing this product over the last month, I find myself saying, “It’s Swiss made, it’s got to be good!” Now that the sun has finally come back to us, I look forward to using this product come the true fall season.

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Smelly walls, what’s that all about?

June 9, 2009 at 12:17 am · Filed under interior paint ·Tagged

 colors

The cause could possibly be from carcinogenic chemicals called VOCs that off-gas into our home’s air from the paint we are applying to our walls!       

VOCs, also known as Volatile Organic Compounds are a large group of carbon-based chemicals that evaporate at room temperature. VOCs are found in many products within our homes, but for the sake of this blog, I will be referring to paint. Just to give you an idea of some other products that contain VOCs: carpets, adhesives, vinyl flooring, composite wood products, upholstery fabrics and solvents, to name a few.

My knowledge of VOCs came about after becoming quite sick after living in three very different homes. Our first residence was a condominium in Lynn. It was a Victorian home that had been completely gutted and renovated. New carpets, paint, flooring, and composite wood cabinets had been added shortly before we had moved in. I was sick for the first six months of living in this home. Not having a knowledge about VOCs 20 years ago, I sought the help of my doctor for a diagnosis. After being bounced back and forth to various specialists, the doctors sited sinus issues. Six years later, we moved to Georgetown. This home was of new construction; new carpets, paint, kitchen and bathrooms contained vinyl flooring, composite cabinets, and plastic laminate counter tops. You guessed it, I became sick. Very sick. So much so that the doctors were now thinking it could even be neurological. I honestly don’t remember my course of treatment, but suffice it to say, it involved taking more medication than I would have liked. Five years later, we moved to our current home in Hamilton. One hundred year old Victorian with natural hardwood floors, original wood wall panelling on the entire second floor, painted plywood kitchen cabinets, 25 year old vinyl flooring in the kitchen, no carpeting, no new wall paint. We moved in and surprise: I didn’t get sick!  At the time, I didn’t quite know why I wasn’t sick, I was just grateful.

I had learned that I had chemical sensitivites to a variety of home interior finishes. All of the items I have listed above contributed to my illness, not just the paint. As I shared my story and the symptoms I suffered, I found other people who were experiencing similar issues of headaches, dizziness, irritations and nausea from exposure to VOCs within their homes. That was my aha moment. I had been looking for purpose within my interior design business and learning more about safe products to specify for my clients provided me with a new way of creating beautiful and healthy environments for them.

man painter

About five years ago, I became aware of the “Green Movement” in my industry of interior design/construction. Recycling, reuse, repurposed and sustainable products. I also began learning about VOCs. There weren’t many new products available touting no VOCs, but a client in Marblehead brought a paint manufacturer’s name to my attention for a project I was working on for her. It was an alternative to traditional latex wall paint. That was my introduction to Safecoat paints. www.afmsafecoat.com At that time, the colors were limited to mostly pastel tones. I learned that the darker and deeper colors can increase the VOC levels by adding colorants to the base paint. For most paints the darker the tint, the higher the VOC of the final blend. By adjusting the levels of VOCs allowed in base paint and including criteria for colorants, the new standard ensures that even a heavily tinted paint will still contain minimum VOCs.

I feel it is my obligation to share my knowledge  based upon my own experiences with my clients. I typically will encourage them to use low or no VOC paints in their homes, especially if they have children or newborns. According to the EPA, our indoor air quality is three times more polluted than outdoor air. It is considered one of the top five hazards to human health. Based on that information, if you had the ability to reduce that health risk, wouldn’t you?

mythic paint

There are many manufacturers that can provide low-VOC and no-VOC paint options. Here are a few that I specify for my clients:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

For those interested in a beautiful finish that is more than just paint on your wall surfaces, I might suggest, American Clay, www.Americanclay.com. It is a plaster product that creates a wonderful textured wall surface and has no-VOC.

Paint enhances our environments. Specifying and purchasing safe products allows us to improve the air quality in our homes and offices. If you are interested in learning more about low-VOC and no-VOC products please feel free to contact me at: www.lmkinteriorsltd.com

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Recycled Objects: at flea markets, antique stores and yard sales

May 8, 2009 at 10:44 pm · Filed under Recycled Objects ·Tagged , , ,

rocking chair

It’s early morning on a sunny, warm Sunday in April, and I am pulling out of my driveway with cash in hand before the rest of my family have even opened their eyes. I have a purpose. I need a rocking chair for my porch. I have a destination. Todd Farm, a flea market, located in Rowley, MA. ( www.toddfarm.com ) It has been a New England fixture for 37 years. I have been going there for the past 15 years. I am looking forward to strolling up and down the aisles created in a field in search of my rocking chair. I also look forward to talking with the vendors about the histories of the objects they are selling and possibly claiming a “find”. To me, this is an enjoyable shopping experience.people at Todd Farm

Flea markets are not for everyone. Many would prefer a clean store with brand name items displayed in an orderly fashion with price tags showing the cost. Don’t get me wrong, I shop there too. But for those of us that enjoy the search for that “perfect object”, haggling over price, getting some dust on our shoes and even walking away from the item is worth a few hours spent outside at a flea market, yard sale or antique store. I have great stories from my visits to The Brimfield  Antique and Flea Market (www.Brimfield.com ), Salt Marsh Antiques (www.saltmarshantiques.com ) and a great store in Newburyport called Flukes, Finds and Friends located at 70 State Street. You can also shop online at eBay, Craig’s list or freecycle.com in the comfort of your own home!

For me, the pleasure of searching for the item is just as rewarding as actually finding and purchasing it. I am learning that with most things in my life, it is really the process work that provides me with that satisfying feeling in the end. As with most purchases, you should do your due diligence in researching the value of the object compared to the amount you are willing to pay for the condition it is in. I have bought many items that were “damaged”, but the value I saw in them from an emotional standpoint weighed in their favor. I also know that I have the resources available to have repairs made to an item. Whether those repairs are made by my husband, me or a professional, restoring an item to its beauty can be very satisfying. To me, there is something special about having something withstand many years of use and shared by many people. Maybe that is why I live in a 110 year old house and drive a 40 year old car!

P9190123

I am not sure if I purchased my rocking chair that day at Todd Farm. I do know that over the course of many years I have purchased at least 6 old rocking chairs that I have lovingly painted or my husband has restored. I have also found beautiful depression glass items that are worthy of being collectibles; however, to me they are functional objects of beauty that I love to use when we are entertaining. Along with furniture; clothing, artwork, pottery, and even toys are some of the many items I have found at flea markets, antique stores, yard sales and even along the roadside on trash pick up days. This is the perfect time of year to get out there and find your special recycled objects with the warm weather. Please feel free to contact me if you find that wonderful piece that you have been looking for, but it needs some refreshing. I have valuable resources for upholstering, restoration/repair and creating painted furnishings. www.lmkinteriorsltd.com

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