Asparagus Interiors Inc.

I was just sitting down with my latest Crate & Barrel magazine when I notice they are offering a new line of green furniture.

The Lockport Sofa collection is described as, “kiln-dried hardwood frame certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and the Forest Stewardship Council.” It’s cushions are created with, “bio-based materials that are environmentally renewable, and 100% cotton cushion fabric with a water-based protective finish.”

It’s nice to see residential trends in furniture going green.

According to an article posted in the Springfield Business Journal, Michael Buono, director of Drury University’s Hammons School of Architecture, discusses “a steady decline in original designs for single-family homes began after World War II.” Buono, “estimates that only about 5 percent of new homes have an architect involved in their designs.”

As I look around suburban Naperville and the surrounding towns. Unique single family residences are becoming few and far between.

I love to drive around downtown Naperville and the established suburbs of Geneva, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton and look at unique residential architecture of the past

In considering a move closer to town, I’m making it a personal challenge is to find affordable housing and make it a unique home for my family. Implementing ideas that are functional and dynamic that will support us as our the family grows and represent our personal style.

Consider working with a designer or architect to transform your home into a place you can be glad to call home.

Today, I signed up with greenbuildingblocks.com. It’s a resource for people looking to find qualified green design building professionals.

Check Us Out! If you’re looking for a designer in the Chicagoland area.

After speaking with my friend Jennifer Wilkinson, Kitchen Designer, with Old Mill Kitchen Design. I’ve decided I need to do more research on eco-friendly kitchen products and companies that use sustainable forestry methods to harvest wood.

Old Mill Kitchen Design, offers kitchen and bath design services and is a dealer of Wood-Mode cabinetry. Wood-Mode is a traditional, high-end cabinetry company that prides itself on hand crafted product design and attention to detail. The product is gorgeous and Jen informed me that Wood-Mode purchases wood from local forests close to their plant. Although I wasn’t able to find information on the use of a sustainable forestry method, proximity to a local resource will get you one step closer to a LEED point.

Another company that is using sustainable forestry in their kitchen product line is John Boos. We all love the butcher blocks that chefs and “nana’s” have been passing down for generations. Consider LYPTUS Butcher Block Kitchen Counter Tops for your work surface.

According to their website, “Lyptus appeals to those who desire the color red in their wood countertops. Supplied from sustainable forests, developed in South America by the Weyerhaeuser Company over the last 3 decades, this exotic wood is similar to maple in hardness and durability.”

Although not available yet in the portable butcher block. The countertop is beautiful and functional with a deep red color, performance of a chopping block and built with sustainable forested methods and materials.

Nothing says home to me more than brick exteriors and plaster walls.

I grew up in a house that was built head to toe with plaster. Sea shell patterned walls, Oak leaves stamped on the ceiling, and an integral pendant ring above the dining room table. I guess it helps that my dad traded concrete work for plaster, but I haven’t seen plaster work like it since. Moving to the suburbs and mass construction housing limits the options when it comes to architectural details.

At work we have specified Nass plaster. The Portland cement based product goes on super thin and adds texture and saturated color to the wall. Easily repairable, the plaster application can be applied with glazes and powers to add iridescence and a glossy coat. My preference is the natural matte finish.

Plaster companies that I’ve been reading about and worth looking into:
American Clay
Nass Fresco Finishes

Architectural Pottery – Vessels
Paired up with a plaster wall, matte finished pottery in my opinion is the next best thing. Stark, bisque with a toothy texture. I have been looking for this company after reading about it a couple of Dwell’s back. I really like the subtle shape of this bird feeder and other pots.

I’d also like to add to my newly started Eva Ziesel collection.

I recently ordered 2.5 yards of the Wegman designed Crypton Fabric offered through Kravet. I’m having a bench cushion made and needed fabric that was durable, stain resistant and can hold up to heavy-duty wear.

After the order, I read up about Crypton Green. Offered through Momentum Textiles. According to the Crypton website, “Momentum’s collection, is made from 100% recycled polyester, will be the first to market that utilizes Crypton’s optimized formulation.”

The CryptonGreen product received a Silver Cradle-to-Cradleâ„¢ certification.

Durable and made of recycled content are pluses in my book.

My friend Aimee, turned me on to a new blog today.

print & pattern, a blog that explores up and coming designers and design concepts in the areas of fabric, wallpaper, cards, gift wrap, stationery and ceramics.

Many of the design concepts are based off of simple graphics, with a Norwegian, Asian wood block feel. All my faves.
I’m still in love with the Maxwell grasscloth wall paper from Twenty2

I received a sample of Barkskin at the office the other day. Barkskin, by Caba Company, is an organic, hand-pounded wood material that is make into sheets and dyed. It comes , flat or woven. The colors are vivid and the texture of the material adds to it’s dimension.

I considered Barkskin as a wallcovering in a lawyer’s office. The sheets can be applied to look like 1/4 turned carpet tile creating a patchwork effect.

Note: Barkskin should be applied in areas of limited use and wear. It’s very delicate and very gorgeous.

I first started watching Living With Ed 2 episodes back. My husband recorded it on our Tivo and mentioned to me in a sarcastic note, “You might want to watch this, it’s about Ed Begley Junior, he lives green”. I’m hooked. I didn’t know Ed from his name, but recognized him when I saw him. Since I started watching this show and building up my site, I just think differently.

Thinking green is becoming a passion. Thanks Ed.