Eco-Friendly Recycled Glass Countertop

With economic conditions slowly improving this year, many homeowners are taking advantage of low interest rates to fund remodeling projects in their homes.  In neighborhoods where there is access to good schools, a short commute to work and convenient shopping and entertainment, remodeling projects are now common.  The most popular upgrades are always kitchen and bath remodels, since they are almost guaranteed to add value to your home. 

Now, what options do we have for making your kitchen or bath exactly what you want with minimal impact to the environment?  Here are some ideas:

• Eco-friendly countertops will be an important part of your plans. Consider recycled tile countertops, bamboo counters, or recycled granite.
• Use renewable sources for your flooring, such as bamboo or cork, for a natural wood look.
• Look for appliances with the Energy Star label, and use convection ovens which use less energy to get hot.
• Replace incandescent lighting with fluorescent bulbs.
• Install a recycling station, so it is easier to gather and recycle all the aluminum cans, plastic containers, and glass bottles and jars that we use in the kitchen in a typical week.

Do just these five things and you will have an environmentally friendly, healthy kitchen or bath that is beautiful, stylish, and will help you fall in love with your home again!

Whether you’re looking to refresh a tired looking room, create a new home interior that is uniquely ‘yours’, or something in between, contact Decor&You of Denver to help you  select a look that is both healthy and beautiful.  We are here to help educate you in green living as you transform your home to become the high style, functional and energy efficient space you’ll love.  Décor&You of Denver is a Hunter Douglas Certified Dealer.  Contact Carmen Proctor at 303-730-4122 or cproctor@decorandyou.com, for your COMPLIMENTARY consultation!  You will “Love the Space You’re In.”

Bamboo Bedding

Chances are that the sheets on your bed are made from cotton. You may have flannel or fleece sheets in the winter, or even silk if you are a romantic type, but have you ever heard of bamboo sheets?  Bedding is the latest home accessory where bamboo has been used and has been gaining popularity over the last two years. 

Most non-organic bedding is made of 50 percent non-organic cotton and 50 percent polyester. Polyester is made from a petrochemical blend. Think cotton is totally safe? Think again, farmers often spray cotton crops with large amounts of pesticides.

A healthier and more beautiful choice for bedding is 100% bamboo pile.  Bedding made of 100% bamboo fibers and materials feel very soft to the touch, and are, therefore, much more comfortable for your family to sleep on.

Let’s take a look at some of the benefits:

• Bamboo fibers are very soft, so bamboo sheets have a nice silky feel, but they are not slippery like silk or satin.
• Bamboo pile bedding sheets and towels have higher antibacterial properties, so they block the growth of bacteria, and they are hypoallergenic.
• They absorb three times as much as traditional cotton, and wick away moisture, so they are a great choice for people with night sweats, plus they require less time in the dryer.
• Bamboo is naturally cooler to touch in hot weather and will keep a person cooler than regular fabrics.

Bamboo Towels

And the best part?  Bamboo fiber linens are 100% biodegradable and do not cause pollution to the environment, and bamboo is a rapidly renewable sustainable resource that does not require deforestation for its use.

Once you understand the benefits of bamboo sheets, you just might have to buy a set! 

Whether you’re looking to refresh a tired looking room, create a new home interior that is uniquely ‘yours’, or something in between, contact Decor&You of Denver to help you  select a look that is both healthy and beautiful.  We are here to help educate you in green living as you transform your home to become the high style, functional and energy efficient space you’ll love.  Décor&You of Denver is a Hunter Douglas Certified Dealer.  Contact Carmen Proctor at 303-730-4122 or cproctor@decorandyou.com, for your COMPLIMENTARY consultation!  You will “Love the Space You’re In.”

Whether you’re looking to refresh a tired looking room, create a new home interior that is uniquely ‘yours’, or something in between, contact Decor&You of Denver (http://cproctor.decorandyou.com) to help you select a look that is both healthy and beautiful. We are here to help educate you in green living as you transform your home to become the high style, functional and energy efficient space you’ll love. Décor&You of Denver is a Hunter Douglas Certified Dealer.

Contact Carmen Proctor at 303-730-4122 or cproctor@decorandyou.com, for your COMPLIMENTARY consultation! You will “Love the Space You’re In.”

When you bring the outside in, you actually clean the air.  Some plants are more effective than others in removing specific toxins from your home, for example:

• Philodendron, spider plants and golden pothos are best for removing formaldehyde, which is off-gassed by particle board or pressed wood products used for inexpensive furniture, in carpets, and fire retardants.
• Flowering varieties such as gerbera daisy and chrysanthemum are most effective in removing benzene, which is found in paints, plastics and rubber.
• Trichoroethylene, found in paints, varnishes and adhesives, was best absorbed by peace lilies and chrysanthemums.
• Other varieties such as the bamboo palm, Chinese evergreen and English ivy are effective at absorbing a large variety of chemicals and toxins.

All of these chemicals have been connected to a variety of health conditions, including irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, allergies, headaches, and cancer.  To counteract this effect, these plants absorb the toxins and chemicals and put oxygen back into the room.

Most of these plants are easy to grow indoors, usually in bright indirect sunlight.   The Bamboo Palm, Spider Plant and Weeping Fig are all very hardy- meaning they are very forgiving- have medium to bright light requirements, need to be moderately moist and like mid-range indoor temperatures.  About 2 or 3 plants will contribute to good indoor air quality in the average living room.

So why not give indoor gardening a try?  This is a powerful weapon against indoor air pollution, and will contribute to a healthier world for ourselves and for future generations, while improving the look and comfort of your home.

Whether you’re looking to refresh a tired looking room, create a new home interior that is uniquely ‘yours’, or something in between, contact Decor&You of Denver to help you  select a look that is both healthy and beautiful.  We are here to help educate you in green living as you transform your home to become the high style, functional and energy efficient space you’ll love.  Décor&You of Denver is a Hunter Douglas Certified Dealer.  Contact Carmen Proctor at 303-730-4122 or cproctor@decorandyou.com, for your COMPLIMENTARY consultation!  You will “Love the Space You’re In.”

Energy Loss of Bare Window vs Covered Window

Improve the Energy Efficiency of your Home through your Décor…

Did you know that you can select window coverings not only for decoration but also for saving energy?  Even though windows make up only about 10% of the shell of your house, the average home loses over 50% of its heating and cooling energy through its windows.  Window coverings, in the form of shades, blinds, and draperies, will help improve the energy efficiency of your home in three important ways:

• Insulation:  How do you make your windows more like your walls?  Window treatments designed to improve the energy efficiency of your home have high R-values, which measures a product’s ability to resist heat flow. This will create a more comfortable room setting, and will lower your heating and cooling costs. Several manufacturers have designed two- or three-cell pleated or cellular shades with dead air spaces, which increase their insulating value.
• Solar Heat Control:  In the wintertime, you welcome the sun into your home through the windows to help heat your home. In the summer, however, you want to reduce the amount of solar heat that passes through your windows to keep your rooms comfortable and keep your cooling costs downs.  By covering your windows, you have the flexibility to decide when to raise your window covering to let the sun in, and when to close them to prevent the solar heat from passing through.
• Daylighting:  Daylighting refers to the use of your window treatments to control the natural light that comes into a room, instead of generating lighting from electricity.  Sheer blinds and shades are designed to diffuse light as it enters into the room, and can even help draw light deeper into the room.  A bonus feature is that they also provide excellent UV protection for your furniture and artwork. When you select shades, blinds, and shutters, you have more control over the amount of light that comes into the room.

Some energy efficient window treatments also qualify for a Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency of up to $1,500 through December 31, 2010.

In addition, you will want your window treatments to be GreenGuard Indoor Air Quality Certified to ensure that the products that you bring into your home don’t emit harmful substances that will affect your family’s health and the environment.

Green living is about making choices that contribute to a healthier world for ourselves and for future generations. Now you can make the right choice, helping you save money while improving the look and comfort of your home.

Whether you’re looking to refresh a tired looking room, create a new home interior that is uniquely ‘yours’, or something in between, contact Decor&You of Denver to help you  select a look that is both healthy and beautiful.  We are here to help educate you in green living as you transform your home to become the high style, functional and energy efficient space you’ll love.  Décor&You of Denver is a Hunter Douglas Certified Dealer.  Contact Carmen Proctor at 303-730-4122 or cproctor@decorandyou.com, for your COMPLIMENTARY consultation!  You will “Love the Space You’re In.”

* Romantic - the classic of mood lighting- but let’s dissect how it works.   Soft lights at or below eye-level when seated are key - this is usually achieved with candles, but accent table lamps with a dimmer switch do the trick just as well.   Warm tones in the orange family are especially flattering, and can be achieved by a combination of a low-watt bulb on a dimmer with a lampshade made of natural material. 

* Conversant - So a few friends have come over for appetizers and drinks- what kind of lighting can get the party started?   The number of people and size of the room impact how many watts you need, but the main tip is to beware of creating hot-spots.   If there is a high-watt lamp next to a guest, turn it down or move it to the perimeter of the room – it is uncomfortable to be blinded every time you turn to speak to someone, and it takes the focus away from the conversation.   Likewise, dark-spots with little light coverage leave people feeling- well, like they are in the dark.

* Industrious – You have your “To Do’ list, your stack of papers and your game-face on.   Maybe it’s time to tackle those taxes, or just a healthy stack of magazines, but you’re feeling industrious.   Light it up!  If you have a great view (great enough to distract you) pull those shades and turn up the task lighting.  When fluorescents are the only light source (like many offices and stores) they can cause headaches due to the constant, almost imperceptible flicker - but when combined with incandescents in a living space they can provide just the right amount of focused light to help keep you focused.   A bright bulb can reflect off a computer screen, but a well-positioned desk lamp can help cut down on eye strain and help you finish in no time.

Come look at our portfolio pictures posted on our site for a little inspiration.  And as always, your DecorDesigner Carmen Proctor is just a call or a click away!

Spring Decor

After the holidays - the company, the food, the commotion, the wrapping and unwrapping - it’s good to take a minute, sit back and look around at what needs more than just a little dusting.  Here are some tips for recovering from the hustle and bustle by making a positive change that will extend the joy year-round:

 * Artwork – when the holiday decorations come down, the walls look bare again! Get a head start on the Spring and deck the halls once more, with artwork that truly reflects who you are while adding lushness to your living areas. When rooms are full of friends and seasonal decor they feel rich and warm – extend that fullness into the year and notice the difference instantly.

* Lighting -  nothing gets across the idea of a bright, clean, happy space better than ample lighting. Lighting expert Henry R says, “Most rooms have 30-50% less lighting than is really needed to complete a space.” His suggestion: Try adding one or two more lamps to your main living area – even if you think it is bright enough already. You may be surprised at just how much fresher it feels.

* Plants - Humans respond to living things – we crave nature. So bring some green inside (and ensure that it always stays green, regardless of the color of your thumb)Decor&You suggests three high-quality silk plants for most rooms to refresh your “natural instincts” and fill your home with dashes of nature and light. You may even try some silk orchids for an extra blast of Springtime color… and these orchids stay colorful for more than just two weeks a year.

After the holidays - the company, the food, the commotion, the wrapping and unwrapping - it’s good to take a minute, sit back and look around at what needs more than just a little dusting.  Here are some tips for recovering from the hustle and bustle by making a positive change that will extend the joy year-round:

 * Artwork – when the holiday decorations come down, the walls look bare again! Get a head start on the Spring and deck the halls once more, with artwork that truly reflects who you are while adding lushness to your living areas. When rooms are full of friends and seasonal decor they feel rich and warm – extend that fullness into the year and notice the difference instantly.

* Lighting -  nothing gets across the idea of a bright, clean, happy space better than ample lighting. Lighting expert Henry R says, “Most rooms have 30-50% less lighting than is really needed to complete a space.” His suggestion: Try adding one or two more lamps to your main living area – even if you think it is bright enough already. You may be surprised at just how much fresher it feels.

* Plants - Humans respond to living things – we crave nature. So bring some green inside (and ensure that it always stays green, regardless of the color of your thumb)Decor&You suggests three high-quality silk plants for most rooms to refresh your “natural instincts” and fill your home with dashes of nature and light. You may even try some silk orchids for an extra blast of Springtime color… and these orchids stay colorful for more than just two weeks a year.

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Through Decor & You, Carmen Proctor is taking her belief that your home should be your source of pride and comfort, and using the unique Decor Plan system, is creating fabulous interiors for her clients. Decor & You offers 3 options for every project to include 3 floor plans, 3 different “visions” for the space encompassing furniture, accessories, flooring, lighting and window treatments; and 3 fabric packages to coordinate with recommended paint selections. At Decor&You, we believe that when you walk into a room in your home you should feel both proud of how beautiful it looks and relaxed by the comfort that surrounds you.

Decor&You of Denver serves the Denver Metro Area and the mountains of Colorado. We provide:

Interior ReDesign • Home Staging • Color Consultations

Custom Window Treatments • Furniture • Carpeting

Wallcoverings • Area Rugs • Bedding • Accessories

and much more…

Call Decor&You® of Denver today at 303-730-4122 to set up an initial consultation. You don’t need to start big, you just need to START!

You will Love the Space You’re In!

Decorating Around a Big Screen TV

It’s that time of the year again… the lead up to the Big Game. Whether you are a fan or not, it’s no coincidence that more big-screen TVs are sold in the month leading up to it than any other time of the year. But what about the other 364 days of the year? Does technology need to be the dominant feature in the living areas of your home? Let’s explore some ideas about how to tie it in with the rest of your decor.

LOCK IT UP: There are dozens of beautiful armoires, mirrored vitrines and bookcases with doors available to house that silver monster. Yes, it does entail a new piece of furniture… but isn’t that a fair trade-off for bringing a Times Square video billboard into the house? Just make sure that the doors open out to at least 130 degrees or can be rolled back into the armoire for optimum viewing from all angles.

FRAME IT: Although not appropriate in all cases, we have all seen this as a great solution to the technology conundrum. Whether the style is Baroque, Rococo or slick Modern, a nice, heavy frame can change the whole feeling of a flat-panel hanging on the wall, and convert it into a piece of art.

CONTROL THOSE CORDS: One of the most unsightly parts of technology is all of those cords. Whether your room houses a prominent TV or stereo, or if your kids have video game consoles, be sure to address wire management. Many purpose-built TV armoires include grommets or wire channels, but there is nothing wrong with using color-coded zip-ties or Velcro wire wraps to tame the pit of electronic snakes. It’s much better to see one thicker line of cords bound together than a mess of ten separate strands. Labels or color-coding is also useful when reconfiguring layouts.

USE A VIDEO SOURCE SELECTOR BOX: They are smaller than a hardcover book, cost less than $40 and can save you hours of headaches. Instead of going behind the TV to add/remove/move wires to alternately hook up your DVD player, VCR, game consoles, DVR, etc. all of the wires feed into the selector box. Each button corresponds to a device, and switching between them takes one finger and one second to accomplish… not to mention, there is only one set of wires connecting the box to the screen – everything else can be concealed around the selector unit. You can find one in your local electronics store – just make sure you know how many devices you need to connect!

About the author:

© 2009 Decor&You. Carmen Proctor (http://www.decorandyoudenver.com) is a Certified Interior Decorator and Territory Director in Colorado for Decor&You. Carmen’s love of art and her management expertise inspired her to become a business entrepreneur and a Decor&You franchise owner whose design team provides full-service furnishing and interior decorating services to area residents and businesses, at no hourly fees or hidden costs.  For more information, please call Decor&You of Denver at 303-730-4122.