Green Bathroom
Design
From:
Amy
With new green building materials and increased environmental
awareness, it's easier than ever to create a chic, eco-friendly
bathroom. Environmentalist interior designer Patricia Gaylor, whose work and
eco-conscious design philosophy has been featured in Renovation
Style Magazine and on Good Morning America, shows us
how it's done with her remodel of a New Jersey Craftsman-style
home. Through the use of sustainable materials and energy and water
perservation, she proves that an earth-conscious transformation is
not only as affordable as a standard overhaul, but also a
guaranteed way to reduce your carbon footprint, save money in the
long run, and showcase stunning yet thoughtful style.--Amy
Copperman
BEFORE
Before green design the bathroom had
peeling wall paper, harsh lighting, and uninspiring, non-recycled
surfaces.
AFTER
Recycled materials, a fresh coat of non-toxic paint, and beautiful,
more efficient lighting to create a brand-new look.
REMODEL DETAILS
Just what makes this bathroom green? Consider the materials
used:
Gaylor replaced the cabinetry with wood used from
the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) certified forests, which
ensures that the material hails from a protected source and has not
contributed to clear-cutting of forests. This particular cabinets
are from Terra
Cabinets, a Union, NJ based company that makes
eco-friendly products.
Her plywood selection contains no formaldehyde, a suspected
carcinogen that can decrease the air quality of your home.
When re-painting, finishing wood, or using glue, Gaylor recommends
selecting products that have low amounts of harsh drying chemicals,
called volatile organic compounds (VOC). The paint in this
particular bathroom is from Benjamin Moore's Aura Paint Collection,
which contains no VOCs.
To save water, Gaylor installed a low-flow shower
head and a dual flush toilet. She promises, "You can save thousands
of gallons of water a year by using a toilet that has both a
regular 1.6 gallon flush and a 0.9 gallon feature for liquid
flushes. Dual flush toilets are available nationwide." The toilet
featured here is an Aquia toilet, listed at the bargain price of
$400.
Using flourescent CFL bulbs for the lighting is
also a money and energy-saver, as the bulbs last three-times longer
than regular bulbs. The lightfixtures are from Rejuvenation
Lighting in Portland, Oregon.
This countertop (showcased below) is made from recycled glass and
concrete from Icestone, a Brooklyn, NY-based
company. The glass tile border, also included in the shower, is
also made from recycled materials.
Who knew faux slate could look so good? This porcelain variety is
made from 40% pre-consumer recycled material. Both the floor tile
and the white subway tile come from Dal
Tile, a nationwide company.
