Long-time readers of this blog know that eco decorating and chosing safe and sustainabile home materials is pretty important to us. We don’t harp on it constantly, but it is definitely at the front of our minds when making choices for our own homes (and I hope it is for you, too!). We’ve talked about safe shower curtains, bamboo floors, local and organic flowers, and more.
Long-time readers also know that now and again I like to share mini-tours of my parents’ home, which takes eco decorating to a WHOLE NEW LEVEL with organic, safe, sustainable, and reclaimed materials. (Check out their living room and dining room for all the details I’ve shared so far.) Today, I am back with a quick look at another of their rooms: a bright family den!
I love this room because it is so different than what I would do in my own space at this point in my life (although I’ve admitted previously that purple and more purple was once my decorating style of choice) but the room also really works for me. It grounds the lavendar color with brown and some rustic/masculine wood pieces to form a nice balance that is really cozy and not too serious. This is the space where my Dad is able to step away to work in quiet, and my Mom can retreat to watch proper television while the rest of us take over the living room for raucus support of the Patriots.
But you’re probably not reading this as a lifestyle piece (and are probably feeling a little incensed by the fact that we’re Pats fans #freebrady) so let’s get right into the eco features I promised!
The carpeting in this room is from FLOR, and is made of recycled/reclaimed materials and in a sustainable facility (and is also low emissions). It is quite soft and cozy!
It is also installed as carpet tiles and only held down at the corners, so can be easily pulled up and washed in the sink if there is a need. Great for kids and pets!
The beautiful wood door and hardware is from Nor’east Architectural Antiques, a great source of reclaimed house parts in New Hampshire. I love how it adds a ton of character to the room, while letting in light from the greenhouse.
The couch is by Lee Industries, a company with more eco features than I can viably describe here, and upholstered in 100% organic cotton with low-impact dyes.
The desk is locally produced in New England, and even the picture frames were selected thoughtfully, made from salvaged wood by a small company. (The portrait is actually by the same artist who did the paintings in my entry-area and living room – we bought these together while on a family vacation in the berkshires!)
Beyond the eco features, I love this room because of the family history. It is packed with my Dad’s books, and features statues carved by my Great Grandmother, Anna. Still on display is also a project I made in Junior High: a wierd bridge pen holder made of balsa wood, which I no doubt learned a lot making, all of which I have since forgotten.
Thanks for checking out this quick tour! Let me know what you think and whether you’ve got any eco features like these (or others) in your home! What sources should we know about when looking for safe and sustainable decorating options?
I used FLOR tiles on my sunporch and love the look as well as the soft feeling of carpet without the hazards. If and when you decide on a change, FLOR will take the tiles back & recycle them for you, too. They have modern and traditional patterns galore. This is the one I chose and love. http://www.flor.com/leaf-behind1111.html/
Good to know about the takeback policy! They have so many good options.
The first thing I noticed was the split system. Being able to control the temperature in separate rooms is very eco-friendly!
It looks so comfortable, even though I hate carpet with a passion. An allergic passion. I wouldn’t want that fabric on my couch, but it’s a good thing your mother lives a long way from Kentucky–I want to steal it and make a dress out of it.
YES, good point! They don’t have AC in the downstairs (just upstairs for the bedrooms, and then this room) so they are not trapped in the heat but it is also less expensive to keep cool.
Thanks Naomi. Mom here. For brevity she did not mention that the great window shades are from Earth Shades another company I love and the lighting fixtures are from a local recycled steel company in Vermont whose name I can look up if anyone asks. Also, DAD picked the lavender wall color! because I said we already had too much blue. I think that the reclaimed door does remain my favorite feature. Its gorgeous, thick oak!
Yes, Earth Shades is great! And totally agree that the door is my favorite, too. So much charater just from adding that one piece!
Weird and way fun to read the room tour sitting in the room being displayed! Also nice to see it so neat! –Dad
That is how I feel most of the time in my own house! (That is is nice to see it so neat, I mean…)
I was referring back to your eco tours of your parents place because I couldn’t remember the source for window coverings (Earth Shades) and I read the mention of a greenhouse. Could we have a tour of the greenhouse next?! BTW, your eco minded posts are some of my favorites 🙂
Thank you Ananda! I will totally do more of these soon! I will try to do the greenhouse soon… but I know my Mom would like to work on it some more before showing it!