A Case for Clay

Indoor air quality is often overlooked when people think of green building.  Since most people spend 90% of there day indoors, it is important to consider.  VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are chemicals with low boiling points that allow them to be released readily into the air at room temperature.  VOCs can cause many health problems including headaches, asthma, allergies, and even cancer with prolonged exposure.  Young children and infants are at greater risk than those with fully developed immune systems.  VOCs are in many interior products and finishes including paints, carpet, vinyls, and adhesives.  Think of the smell of wet paint or a new car.

Many paint companies have been working to reduce or omit the use of VOCs in their products.  Clay based products can be an alternative to conventional paints.  They are healthy and beautiful while bringing another natural product into your home giving you greater connection to the natural world.  Clay based finishes generally come in two different forms.  Bioshield offers clay paints in many beautiful colors.  These can be painted directly onto a matte surface such as existing paint or drywall.  American Clay is a natural plaster product.  (Sorry iPad users, the website uses Flash!)  It comes in four finishes from matte to a beautifully smooth finish called Porcelina.  They work with local companies and applicators who can mix a multitude of custom colors.

Paint is an easy way to change interiors and is often what homeowners change first.   Look for healthy alternatives for you and your family.  Clay being only one of the options currently on the market.

Outdoor Living

Increase you living space without a major remodel.  In Northern California, you can live at least 6 months outside without threat of rain.  Outdoor living can be as simple as a couple of lounge chairs.  Our favorite is a dining area for beautiful dinner parties and al fresco lunches with friends and family.

 

 

 

Color Trends - Blues

In 2012, we find inspiration in faded denim, lakes, rivers and sky.  Blues we love come in mid-tones to very dark.  Down Pipe by Farrow and Ball has been one of our favorite darks for the last year.  It is so versatile from monochromatic color stories to using it as a base for brights such as pink and orange.  Blues with a strong hint of green have been included though green in another color we are excited about in the coming years.

Design note: Use vivid colors like aqua in ways that can be easily changed.  Many colors like this come and go quickly as people tire of them easily.  Use as accents to avoid expensive changes and wasted materials.  Skip the window treatments and upholstery.

Yolo Colorhouse - Water .05

 

Sherwin Williams - Bracing Blue

 

 Bioshield - Sea Goddess 

 

Farrow & Ball - Down Pipe

Sherwin Williams - Honorable Blue

Farrow & Ball - Drawing Room Blue

 

 Farrow & Ball - Stone Blue

Natural Air Purifiers

As we continue to make our houses more air tight with greater insulation, it is important to have an electronic ventilation system to provide fresh air. For better health in these homes, houseplants can increase the oxygen and even purify the air of VOCs including benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. NASA completed a study of the best air-filtering houseplants.

 The list includes:

Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata "Bostoniensis")

English Ivy (Hedera helix)

Mother-in-law's Tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata)

Areca palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens)

Dwarf date palm (Phoenix roebelenii)

Golden pothos (Scindapsus aures or Epipremnum aureum)

Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)

Kimberly queen fern (Nephrolepis obliterata)

Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

Moth orchid (Phalaenopsis sp.)