non-toxic paint

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New Kelly-Moore zero-VOC paints to choose from

April 22, 2009 in Decor, Green Building by Jennifer | No comments

Low and no-VOC paints are rising in popularity. With consumers asking for more, additional paint companies are debuting new lines of eco-friendly paints. One such company is Kelly-Moore Paint Company, Inc. Kelly-Moore not only has two new lines of Zero-VOC paints available but they’re the first to offer a recycled paint choice.

About the paints:

Enviro Coat and Green Coat: Both of these lines are zero-VOC. Enviro Coat is a premium quality, low-odor, 100 percent acrylic interior paint so good for residential use. It can be tinted to a variety of custom colors and cleans up easy with good old water. It’s USDA-acceptable and contains an anti-microbial agent to control odors.

Green Coat is a professional quality paint. It provides a durable finish, is available in a wide range of custom-mixed colors, and is free of air-polluting solvents. Green Coat will be available in six stock colors starting soon (May 1).

eCoat: This is Kelly-Moore’s recycled paint choice. I’m not as familiar with recycled paint so this was interesting to read about. “ECoat is made with a minimum of 50 percent post-consumer waste paint. Easy to clean with water, eCoat comes in flat, eggshell and semi-gloss enamel and is ideal for residential and commercial use.” I really like the eCoat colors too – very earthy. See below…

According to Steve DeVoe, president of Kelly-Moore Paints. “The quality of our paints reduces the need for frequent repainting, which lowers the overall cost-per-foot-per-year for the consumer. This also helps the environment, as less paint waste is disposed of in landfills.” That’s actually a good point. The less product you actually need, the better for the planet.

Lastly, Kelly-Moore’s ‘green’ paints are made in one of the most environmentally friendly paint manufacturing facilities in the country – which is pretty cool.

Visit Kelly-Moore Paint Company, Inc to learn more.

12 Green Living Tips for the Whole House

January 2, 2009 in Green Your Home by Jennifer | No comments

Some green living tips are fairly room specific. Other green living tips, once enacted benefit your entire household. Some all-over green home tips include…

  1. Use plant-based, natural, organic, and biodegradable soaps, detergents, and cleaners. You can make your own products, or look for these aspects on green cleaner labels.
  2. Green clean the air in your home.
  3. Make it a goal to use cloth everything – cleaning cloths, napkins, and if you’re up for it, cloth diapers.
  4. Go one step further with the above tip and purchase only organic textiles.
  5. If all cloth is too big a step, purchase recycled, unbleached paper products.
  6. Use LED lighting where you can and install energy saving bulbs in other light fixtures.
  7. Reuse items in your home instead of tossing them.
  8. Buy sustainable furniture when you can.
  9. Scale down and buy and own less stuff; which might even free you up to live in a smaller house.
  10. When remodeling, remodel green.
  11. Paint your rooms with earth-friendly paints.
  12. Turn all the thermostats in the house down a few degrees.

What other green tips can you think of that benefit your entire house?

Re-purpose the Furniture You Own

September 30, 2008 in Decor, Furniture & Appliances by Jennifer | No comments

Today we’re talking about sustainable furniture. One great way to own sustainable decor, with very little cost, is to re-purpose the furniture you already own. A close second choice is to remake furniture you find at a thrift store, garage sale, or antique store.

Some ideas for the furniture you already have:

1. Add new hardware: A new shelf knob or handle can remake an entire piece. Try something natural, like the Viola Knob from the Carol Beach Pressed Flower Knobs Collection or the recycled glass Drawer Pulls from the Aurora Accents Drawer Pulls Collection (available in six colors; Amethyst, Apricot, AquaBlue, ClassicClear, Cobalt, and Emerald). Both are available at Nature’s Hardware.

2. Refinish with healthy paints and non-toxic varnish: Don’t forget to sand your piece down first.

3. Use stencils: You can go one step beyond painting and stencil cool designs on a shelf or wall mirror. In fact, if you’re really creative, I’d go freehand.

4. Use covers: You can re-top a table with recycled glass tiles or cover that old couch with some new organic fabric.

To learn more read Reasonable Redecorating: Reuse, Refinish, and Repurpose.

Still to come: Places you can score sustainable furniture.

Sustainable Furniture Guidelines

September 30, 2008 in Decor, Furniture & Appliances by Jennifer | 2 comments

Incorporating green options into your home includes many aspects – building, energy systems, landscaping, interior decor, and even furniture. If you’re going to build or remodel green, why fill your home with toxic furniture?

Home decor is just as important as what’s on the outside of your house. Following are some tips that can make choosing sustainable furniture a little easier:

Look for the right wood: Make sure to buy furniture made from fast growing woods like bamboo or mango, or look for wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). FSC is a worldwide healthy wood standard.

Re-make what you already have: Maybe you don’t need new furniture. You could refinish your current furniture and make it bright and new. Fresh non-toxic finish or paint, plus some cool new hardware (like shelf knobs made from natural items) can cast a new light on old pieces.

Recycled and reclaimed pieces: Another option is to choose thrift store, antique shop, or garage sale furniture. You can re-purpose a piece, although sometimes it’s perfect as is. You can also look for shops that specialize in reclaimed and recycled woods or full pieces.

Go organic: When it comes to recovering an old couch, or even buying new chairs, look for fabrics that are organic or even vintage (re-used).

Look for healthy finishes: You can have healthy, sustainable wood furniture, but if it’s slathered in toxic sealing chemicals, it sort of cancels out the good. Make sure your furniture is finished in eco-friendly paints and varnishes.

Forget leather: The upside of leather is that it lasts and lasts. Long lasting is a smart eco-trait. However, the downside of leather is of course you have to skin an animal to get it. Also, leather production is costly and an energy drain – you have to have pastures for cows, factories for production, and forests are cleared for grazing. Leather is not a good eco choice.

Buy local when possible: It’s not always easy to buy everything local, but if you can, it’s better for the earth. Shipping is a large energy drain and doesn’t foster community.

Later we’ll look at some sustainable furniture options – and some ideas for re-purposing what you already own.

[Reclaimed Wood Table with Stainless Channel Tray shown above available at Acacia]

10 Tips for Greening Your Nursery

August 6, 2008 in Children & Babies, Decor, Furniture & Appliances, Green Cleaning, Organics, Save Energy by Jennifer | No comments

This week we’re going room by room, looking at how we can green up all the spaces of your home. It’s really important to keep your little one’s sleeping space free from chemicals, toxins, and other icky things. Babies, with their smaller bodies and immune systems are more sensitive to everything. Following are ten tips that can help you green your nursery.

organic baby nursery

  1. Get rid of smelly baby odors (think diaper pail) with natural methods.
  2. Install energy saving lights and light bulbs. You can also set up lighting on a timer or sensor – for example, a night light on a sensor can save a ton of energy.
  3. Use non toxic paints and finishes on the walls and furniture.
  4. look for refurbished or recycled furniture. If you refinish it yourself, remember to use healthy non lead, non-toxic laminate or paint. Avoid materials like plywood and particleboard, because it usually contains formaldehyde.
  5. Be sure to buy a  safer, greener, baby mattresses. These used to be spendy, but you can find great deals on green mattresses and it’s worth it. While you’re at it, make sure to invest in organic baby bedding as well.
  6. Look for flame-retardant and sustainable floor coverings and rugs.
  7. Invest in toys made from sustainable wood, non-toxic materials, and made with Fair Trade practices. These type of toys cost more, but it’s better to buy fewer toys that are safe than a bunch of plastic toys chock full of chemicals. You can even consider what you have around the house as toys. Babies still love to bang on pots, play with cups, and dance with you – try to have fun with fewer toys overall.
  8. Invest in greener diaper choices.
  9. Keep your baby clean with natural soap and care options.
  10. Stock up your baby’s closets with natural and organic clothing finds. For some ideas visit the following stores: