Category "Interior Design"

Stylish Ways to Go Green During Your Building or Remodeling Project

June 16, 2017

Are you planning a home building or remodeling project? If you’re like many homeowners today, you might be looking for ways to not only build well, and with style, but also build responsibly. Awareness of the shortages that many natural materials and resources are facing has made “going green” appealing on multiple levels.

This growing, positive trend has opened the doors to numerous alternatives that maximize your home’s style while minimizing its impact on the environment. And, in many cases, these options will also minimize the impact on your wallet. Who doesn’t love that?

Let’s take a look at a few popular alternative building materials.

Alternative Flooring Materials for Your Home

Hardwood is a limited resource. And, while some manufacturers are dedicated to ethically sourcing materials, not everyone is.

What are your options?

Renewable Resources That Are Perfect for Your Remodeled Kitchen

  • Butcher-block counters are an attractive, sensible option. The materials used range from reclaimed/recycled lumber to lesser-known types of trees that are harvested in a sustainable way
  • Bamboo countertops
  • Stainless steel countertops
  • Concrete counters
  • Recycled glass countertops
  • Bamboo cabinets
  • Wheatboard cabinets, made from compressed plant fibers
  • Check to see if your kitchen’s wood is FSC-certified, guaranteeing that it’s being sourced responsibly
  • Eucalyptus (grows at 4x the speed of traditional hardwood options!)
  • Recycled metal tile for your backsplash
  • LED lights are a bright idea, offering decreased costs, efficient energy usage, and practical power

Talk To an Experienced Home Builder

The key to successfully building in a green way is to work with an experienced professional who shares your values. Ask what they suggest, what they have seen work in the past, and how you could think outside the box during your project. The results will be stunning, and one of a kind, adding a unique flavor to the colors and textures within your home.

Keith Gerety
green building

Decorating in Color: 5 Practical Tips for Redecorating Your Home

May 11, 2017

Redecorating a space can be overwhelming. The endless options and preferences of design can discourage a homeowner and stop creativity in its tracks. However, the bottom line is there is no hard and fast rule.

In this guest contribution, Denise Davies, Founder and CEO of D2 Interieurs offers practical advice along with some great examples of how a blend of calming neutrals and energizing color creates an easy harmony at home.

1. Buy Quality

Think quality over upfront price. The pieces you’ll use most wear will see the most wear, so they should be highly quality to ensure that you never have to hunt for a replacement. Invest in a well-crafted living room set that will hold up to the punishment inflicted by children, pets, and daily life.

2. Lighting

With so many varieties of lighting available, you can easily incorporate sculptural fixtures while maintaining their primary function – illumination. An impactful light fixture is also a great way to make a statement in an otherwise sedate room. Additionally, try for at least three sources of light in each room: ambient, task, and accent.

3. Mix/Match

The artwork in your home doesn’t necessarily have to match your interior aesthetic. If you live in a Colonial with traditional furniture, nothing looks cooler than an abstract hanging above the fireplace. When you find a piece of art you love, don’t hold off on purchasing just because you don’t think it will go.

4. Buy What You Love

When shopping for furniture, don’t feel limited only to pieces that match the type of home you live in. Don’t be afraid to busy something that might not “match”. You’ll always find a place for special pieces you instantly fall in love with. It’s your space, so decorate it the way you want to.

5. Color

Incorporate color in your design, thoughtfully. For a fun kids’ room, use white walls and a punchy accent wall or ceiling, so as not to overwhelm the room. For common living spaces, use a neutral-toned palette with pops of color, which allows you the flexibility to easily change your aesthetic on a whim.

Contact D2 Interieurs

D2 Interieurs
Denise Davies
(646) 326-7048
denise@d2interieurs.com

Keith Gerety