*Image from All About You.
Growing up, my mom was continually redecorating our surroundings. Although we moved rather frequently, once we were situated somewhere, it wouldn’t be long before my older brother and I would come home from school only to hear mom’s inevitable “What if we moved the couch to the other wall and put the love seat over here?” I picked up the rearranging fever from her, continually tweaking and curating my bedroom as I grew. My redecorating M.O. always followed the same course: I’d take any and all decorative items and put them on my bed; after careful scrutiny, I’d redistribute them in new locations, deciding along the way that some just didn’t make the cut with my current aesthetic preferences. Even now, as an adult, I can’t tell you how many times in my dreams I revisit the bedroom I kept from ages 10-14, switching out the Holly Hobby bedspread for something with a deep, rich, geometric pattern and replacing the “New Kids On the Block” posters with a gorgeous mirror or whimsical wire sculpture.
When the seasons change, I get the redecorating itch, big time. If you get it too, a great place to begin is in the bedroom. Today’s “Small Measures” then focuses on ways to stylishly green-up and remodel the place in which we all spend about a 1/3rd of our lives. If you want a new look, but can’t shell out the cash to build the walk-in of your dreams (or you’re a renter and that’s just totally not even an option), consider these chic environmentally-friendly means of tricking out your current digs in a more favorable (green) light.
*Image from Re-Nest.
1) VOC-free paints- Whether it’s an entire room you wish to renew or simply one wall, a fresh coat of paint can transform a weary room in hours. Paints free of Volatile Organic Compounds (organic compounds with gases that can prove harmful to the environment and humans over time) are quite easy to come by these days, and at great prices. When we were setting up Nugget’s nursery last month, we scored a gallon of mossy green “Globe Artichoke” by Olympic Paints at our local big box retailer. It’s amazing, having painted more rooms than I care to remember, how conspicuously absent of smell V.O.C.-free paints are. Re-Nest has a fantastic round-up of V.O.C.-free and non-toxic paints here.
*Image from Go Natural Baby.
2) Eco Linens-Fresh sheets, comforters, quilts, and duvet covers can instantly transform the look and feel of your bedroom. A number of suppliers carry luxurious, silky smooth organic cotton and all-natural offerings. I’m a big fan of bamboo linens. Bamboo contains a high degree of inherent antibacterial and antifungal properties. As such, they’re able to repel insects (including fleas and bedbugs), germs, and even bacteria (research conducted in China showed bamboo sheet’s ability to repel the Staphylococcus aureous bacteria, responsible for most staph infections, even after a 24-hour exposure period!).
3) Natural Materials Mattress-While one of the more expensive means of redecorating and greening your bedroom, an all-natural mattress might be your best long-term investment, at least as far as your health is concerned. Conventional mattresses are chock full of synthetic materials, including dyes, formaldehyde, fire retardants, and chemicals used in resisting stain and water damage. These chemicals all give off gases that have both known and unknown long-term effects on human health. Mattresses made of wool, organic cotton, and latex are all available and are known for both their comfort and durability. We’re picking up organic mattresses both for our wee one’s Moses basket rocker (where he’ll spend the first few months of his life beside our bed) as well as for his crib, as the developing respiratory and neurological systems of babies are especially vulnerable to the effects of off-gasing chemicals.
CLICK HERE for the rest of Ashley’s post after the jump!
*Image from The Go Green Blog.
4) CFL Light Bulbs-An easy green change that anyone can make, CFL light bulbs are a quick way to cut down on energy costs on your bedroom. While they might not necessarily change the look of the room itself, the money saved by their use will give you a little extra wiggle room when making other redecorating purchases.
*Image from World Market.
5) Natural Fiber Rugs-A rug is a quick and easy way to imbue your bedroom with texture and warmth. Serving as a means of both padding sound (essential if you live a floor above other occupants) and softening the room, rugs made of natural fibers are beautiful, long-lasting, and free of the dyes, chemicals, and non-renewable resources used in a great deal of rug-making. In my own bedroom, we have a slated bamboo mat on the floor beside our bed. For Nugget’s room, I’m finding myself strongly drawn to these all-natural maize rugs.
*Image from Himalaya.
6) Naturally Scented Candles & Incense-Something as seemingly insignificant as a mere candle can actually transform the entire mood of a space. I’m constantly burning both candles and incense in my home, in scents parallel with the seasons (I’ve actually got sticks of Cinnamon & Orange incense burning in the dining room and laundry/cat room as I type this!). For my room, I especially like Pacifica candles offerings, in their Tibetan Mountain Temple and Mediterranean Fig scents for giving the space a little something extra.
7) Houseplants-Finally, don’t underestimate the power of a few houseplants to instantly perk up your space, not to mention green and “clean” it up. Last September, I wrote about the ability of certain houseplants to literally grow fresh air around you. Based on research conducted by NASA scientists, a number of common plants can leach potentially damaging compounds out of the atmosphere. Not only do they freshen the air, houseplants truly enliven a space. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked at photos of homes in the pages of magazines and said to myself “What that room needs is a plant!” Houseplants connect us to the living, breathing, thriving ecosystem we’re all inextricably linked to and do so at both little outlying expense and generous long-term reward.
What about you? When the urge to transform your space hits, what do you turn to? I’d love to know. In the meantime, remember-it really is easy being green. Sweet Dreams!
38 Comments
Are there any brands of bamboo sheets you particularly recommend?
Target’s bamboo sheets are definitely affordable and really comfy.
Great post! I love those bedside tables, any idea where they are from?
alix-brookstone has some great offerings: http://www.brookstone.com/Bamboo-Quilted-Shams-Two.html?bkeid=compare%7Cmercent%7Cgooglebase%7Csearch&mr:trackingCode=F438F426-EE8C-DE11-9EF7-0019B9C2BEFD&mr:referralID=NA.
and, as cheryl mentioned, you can find affordable cotton/bamboo blends at target (with either rayon or viscose made from bamboo).
this website is also a great compendium of bamboo sheet options: http://www.buybamboosheets.com/
Looks like I’m going shopping!
Bamboo sheets are not considered natural. They’re basically Rayon.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/08/bamboo-ftc.php
interesting about bamboo sheets! I guess organic cotton is the way to go.
A friend bought her new baby one of these eco-friendly, relatively inexpensive and safe mattresses: http://nooksleep.com/shop
I was told at the paint store that VOC-free paints are not VOC-free once you put the tint in. The darker the colour the more VOCs. Buyer Beware.
natalie
i’ve never heard that- and i’ve, embarrassingly, been to more than a few paint-based press meetings before. i’ll look into this- as far as i know as long as the tint is also from a low VOC line/brand it shouldn’t effect the finished VOC level.
grace
Great information here, both in the blog and in the comments. Thanks!
Beautiful post/photo. “I want to go to there” as Tina Fey’s character said in 30Rock. Your CFL recommendation is spot on. Our company makes CFL bulbs that also have a built-in ionizer that cleans the air of smoke, pet dander, dust mites, mold spores & other allergens. If you are curious! http://www.purelyproducts.com/healthy-cfl/ Thanks again, inspired my day!
Jason,
So sad, I LOVE my bamboo sheets! Doing more research now….
Natalie – I was told the same thing about VOCs at Home Depot last time I was paint shopping.
Beautiful room. Any idea where to find the wooden foot stools at the end of the bed?
My friend runs a painting business and said the same thing about tinting and VOCs, but he did say it’s no more than you would breathe in walking down a street on an afternoon, so not nearly the amount you would get with a higher VOC base paint.
The issue of bamboo linens is somewhat complex. Growing bamboo is always vastly more environmentally friendly than cotton, even organic cotton, for multiple reasons. Most importantly because the root structure can stay in place so it never has to be plowed, as well as much higher yields. Like bamboo, cotton is a perennial, but it is not usually given a chance to develop a deep root system and it is plowed, which is devastating for soil vitality and erosion.
When bamboo is mechanically processed it is generally referred to as bamboo linen, as mentioned by Ashley above. Bamboo linen is an exceptionally environmentally friendly choice.
The real problem comes from the chemicals used to process the other type of bamboo cloth, which is often referred to as bamboo rayon. It is usually made with chemical processes that have environmental concerns, although that is starting to change. Unfortunately, most bamboo cloth is made with the chemical, rather than mechanical process because it is cheaper. In the last couple of years, more companies are instituting environmentally friendly chemical processes for bamboo, such as the closed-loop system used in creating tencel fabric from wood.
Since bamboo may be the most renewable resource on earth, growing up to a yard a day and maintaining a vast root structure that never needs to be plowed, and it requires no land displacement (cutting down of forests) it is an amazing resource. Hopefully the problems with chemical processing will be a thing of the past soon.
sue, i was wondering the same thing about the stools.
I’m painting a bedroom in our house this weekend, so this post is timed perfectly. I would love to know if anyone has had particularly good or bad experiences with any of the no/low VOC paints.
I love the idea of house plants at home. But ever time I try my cats eat me plants to tiny little brown nubs (that they then cough up on my carpet). No ledge is too high and no obstructions will stand in their way. I’ve tried common ferns, basil, rosemary, palm ‘angel plants’ and papyrus (they LOVE papyrus). Do you know of any plants that cats don’t like to chow down on?
Megh & Sue-Not sure about sources for either the bedside tables or the foot stools. Neither were detailed in the link for the photo, although the article provides a number of links to other eco items featured in the piece. Sorry, ladies! I love those foot stools, too!
Natalie, Emilykristin, and Sue-Like Grace, I’d never heard any mention of VOC-free paints and alterations in the volatility once tints were introduced. That said, as Emilykristin pointed out per her friend, such paints offer considerably less exposure to VOC’s than one would typically encounter in common household paints. Those looking for entirely VOC-free paints could instead opt for clay or milk-based offerings (the link above on Re-Nest would prove helpful for sourcing such options).
Beth-I really enjoyed the Olympic Paint we painted the nursery with. There was absolutely no smell whatsoever when my sisters were painting it, nor any lingering odor afterwards. Plus, we painted it well in advance of the baby’s birth so that, should there be anything sneaky in there, it would have long off-gassed by the time he was around and using the nursery.
Glenn-Thank you for your comments. regarding bamboo processing. You much more eloquently, and thoroughly, elaborated on the benefits of bamboo linen than space would really allow in my post.
Jennifer-Some cats are just equal-opportunity plant eaters. I have one in my house. She eats anything on her level. So, I’d suggest either putting your houseplants in hanging baskets, or erecting shelves for them far from the reaches of Whiskers et co.. Additionally, you might want to plant some catnip or catmint in a container just for kitty. Every time the cat munches on it, praise her lavishly. She’ll come to recognize that plant as one that’s acceptable for grazing on.
I’m curious about the wall treatment. Does anybody know if that is a veneer or a wall paper? I love the grey tone of the wood.
Wow.. something I already own is on design sponge. I feel so aesthetically validated!
I bought the fiber rug from cost plus ($18 with a coupon from the interwebz!) because I have hardwood floors (so no vacuum) and a cat. I figured if I got a regular rug I would constantly have to deal with the hair.. However, my plan backfired a bit because he absolutely LOVES it and scratches himself on it all day. Oh well!
These are all great ideas. Thanks! Did you know that CFL light bulbs are filled with mercury though?! Makes disposing of them an issue and also a consideration when calling them environmentally friendly – think broken ones! Not such a nice thought. Not meant as a criticism, just thought I’d mention it!
Mary-I am aware of the mercury in CFL. Fortunately, it’s easy to dispose of them in a safe manner. Unbroken, expired bulbs can be taken into any Home Depot store in the U.S. for recycling: http://www6.homedepot.com/ecooptions/pdf/CFL-RecyclingProgramRevised.pdf. Additionally, a quick call to one’s municipal waste program will detail information on disposing of the bulbs in your area (should you lack a Home Depot).
In the event that a bulb should break, a very small amount of mercury vapor and powder is released. While it’s not enough to merit calling in a Hazmat service, clean-up should be handled carefully. You can read more about doing so here: http://www.energystar.gov/ia/products/lighting/cfls/downloads/CFL_Cleanup_and_Disposal.pdf
When I purchased my house last year I repainted the entire inside with Mythic paint. I would highly recommend using no/low VOC paint since not have to deal with that “new paint” smell was amazing.
A thought: buying more ‘stuff’ is pretty much the least green thing you can do. So try and exhaust all the creative alternatives first please!
What a gorgeous bedroom, I can’t imagine ever getting out of the wrong side of that bed!
I wanted to thank Glenn for doing all the typing I so I didn’t have to. I find bamboo touted so often, but the distinction is rarely made between the two ways to process fibers. Bamboo linen is very similar, and I find softer, than flax linen (yes, this is where the term linens comes from), which many high end sheets are made from, and worth the investment as they are very strong and get softer with each wash as flax linen ones do. There are regulations that are being put into place so that soon it will be easier for companies to tell you that their processing practices are enviro friendly for the rayon like fabrics. These are not just bad for the environment, but they pollute the drinking water in the areas that the plants are processed and also use nasty chemicals that are then passed on to your body. Ask the store you are purchasing from and encourage them to find suppliers that don’t simply label natural fabrics as eco, but look at how things are processed as well.
This is a brilliant article, and well written, however, I always question how a person who is eco conscious can support big box chains and advocate consumerism, which is one of if not the most un-eco thing we can be doing. I just ransacked the local thrift store for fabric scraps and made myself a new duvet cover… which I understand that most people won’t have the time or energy for (although it was super fun and rewarding) but there are always alternatives. Get creative, and at the very least, find somebody local to purchase from :)
andrea,
i’m glad that you mentioned, “most people won’t have the time or energy for (although it was super fun and rewarding) but there are always alternatives”. this column is about providing people with alternatives, ideas, and small ways to green their lives on a home-by-home basis.
the majority of people reading are going to be buying things for their home, so we’re not seeking to overlook what you’re calling consumerism as a whole. it’s just not realistic- this is a blog about design, not solely green design. this column seeks to educate people to make wiser buying decisions or to avoid buying when possible. but i hope that you don’t seriously feel the need to question someone because they link to bamboo sheets at a box store. ashley has dedicated most of her life to teaching people how to buy as little (and as local) as possible and grow/make as much as possible with their own two hands. i really don’t mean to be harsh, it definitely bugs me when someone questions a writer that has a long track record of doing these things.
if you’re not familiar with ashley’s writing and commitment to green living, please check out her blog (and books on green living) here: http://small-measure.blogspot.com/
grace
That’s what I LOVE about design*sponge…..Thoughtful ideas, good knowledge of such ideas and an editor who stands behind it all!
Ashley…My Mom was the same way- and still moves furniture, changes a room around and is always reinventing and redesigning. Most of the time she’s using her existing furniture and accessories – recycling and repurposing long before we knew how green it was.
Great article! { Thank YOU.}
I found who did the wooden wall in the bedroom. They are reclaimed barn wood that has been white washed and weathered.
http://www.barnwoodnaturals.com/Home_Page.html
andrea-thank you for your comments. i appreciate, and welcome, feedback and critique of all of my “small measures” posts.
when considering a topic, i try to think of it as holistically as possible, considering the wide breadth of design sponge’s readership and its highly varying demographic. while i, on a day-to-day level, participate in local purchases and small, artisan support (not to mention total purchasing abstinence; the hubs and i rarely buy things period), i recognize that i can’t write solely about my area or region or what it offers (or exclusively about what i choose to do), which is why i try to blend offerings from both small producers and larger suppliers. i don’t shirk from purchasing from big box retailers, either. if “green” or “eco” options become available at such places, then i’d like to reward such efforts. the more such choices become mainstream and enter into the collective consciousness, the better we’ll all be in the long run. i’m looking to promote small changes people can make that exact profound shifts in thinking over time. i’ve witnessed it first-hand in my own family, as my example, and lack of judgement or preachiness or zealotry, has slowly gotten my mom to buy organic milk and my dad to begin recycling. if a larger retailer begins offering purchases that are readily available to the general public, i’m all for it. big box retailers aren’t my enemy; it’s the products available within them that are ripe for improvement and more responsible means of production and distribution.
and the issue surrounding bamboo fabrics is a tricky one. i deliberated even mentioning it as a bedroom textile option. thank you, and, again, thanks to glenn, for helping to clarify the issue.
Thanks Ashley
Interesting info.
I think it’s worth mentioning that Oliver Heath is the designer behind the eco-chic bedroom pictured here. He is a renowned eco-warrior designer in the UK and has made some incredible strides in the world of environmentally sustainable design. He also has an incredible book called URBAN ECO-CHIC that is definitely worth buying! He is soooooooooo TERRIFIC! As of yet, I haven’t found a designer of his caliber here in the U.S.
Where are the benches at the end of the bed from? I LOVE them!
Grace and Ashley, thanks so much for your responses… the point of supporting large retailers (and everyone) to carry eco goods is an excellent one. I didn’t mean at all to be insulting, I just think of the “lifestyle” that goes along with “green” in an ideal world. The big boxes are bad for economy, but you are right about them being on most people’s shopping lists. My take on it is that people need to start living differently, not just buying different products. I definitely appreciate where you are coming from and like I said, I thought it was an excellent article. It is surprising how often I come across people who really are just not prepared to think outside of the box or their routine. I just always advocate that there are options :)
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