This doesn’t mean your home renovation needs to become one big DIY project, however. There are ample solutions that will keep your conscience clean and your home green — as in eco-friendly. This month let’s talk design options that are as environmentally-friendly as they are stylish. After all, what’s sustainable about a décor that you want to replace after a month?

Flooring
Bamboo is a great solution if you love the look of a hardwood floor but hate the thought of more trees coming down! Bamboo grows much faster than many other trees do, making it the greener choice, while not requiring any compromising on style. Bamboo floors come in a variety of styles and colours to suit any room and demand less maintenance than hardwood. Bamboo floors also lend themselves to different types of décor. So, whether you have a traditional space or a more contemporary one, incorporating this new trend on flooring is sure to please.

Cork is another great flooring alternative. It not only satisfies our urge for eco-friendly products, it also has a unique, natural texture that will add character to any space. Like bamboo, it is easy to maintain, but cork also provides acoustic insulation, an important consideration for those living in condominiums.

So, why is it eco friendly? Cork is harvested by cutting just the bark from the Cork Oak Tree, which is not cut down. It is capable of regenerating its bark within three years. And, perhaps more importantly, cork is affordable — keeping your bank balance sustainable too.

Energy Saving Appliances
This one is a no-brainer. When shopping for new appliance for your home, whether a new home or if you’re renovating your kitchen or laundry room, always be sure to buy ones that have the Energy Star symbol on them. This is the international symbol that helps consumers identify the most energy efficient appliances. You will not only be doing the environment a huge favour but also your pocketbook.

Conserve Water
A five-minute shower can easily use 45 litres of water or more. Keep that in mind when doing your next bathroom renovation. I try to use the most water-conserving faucets, showerheads and toilets in all of my designs. It used to be that these were really hard to come by, but now you can find these at any hardware store and each brand has a line of eco-friendly bathroom fixtures. There is no excuse to using a drippy old faucet or showerhead. Even if you are not doing a renovation, these items are easily changed. When thinking about toilets, go the dual flush route.

Eco Furniture
There are some great retailers around Calgary that carry furniture a little softer on the environment. By this I mean they carry either locally produced products (both supporting local business and avoiding long distance shipping), or products that are manufactured using environmentally responsible materials and/or methods. Most retailers should be able to tell you about the manufacturing processes of the pieces that they carry which will let you know a lot about how the piece is made and if the processes are eco-friendly.

For example, you might consider what a sofa or chair has been stuffed with. Look for pieces that are filled with natural products and not something synthetic that could be harmful to the environment. Rivas Home carries all eco-friendly products for the home, from clothes to furniture to accessories. You might also try Kit Interiors, which carries an amazing line of mid-century modern pieces that practice eco-friendly techniques in their manufacturing.

Up-Cycle
For those that have been keeping up to date with my articles, you know that I am a huge fan of Up-Cycling ­— using pieces that you already have in your home and giving them a new lease on their décor life. This is an amazing way of staying green and creating a DIY project for yourself. Sometimes a new coat of paint on a nightstand or changing the knobs on a dresser to make it come alive again and avoid having to purchase more product. Most of us have furniture pieces in the basement or garage that we no longer use that may have some life left in them — give them another chance!

Garage sales are one of my favourite things to do on a weekend. See what your neighbours have that might be of use to you before purchasing something new. Again, that coat of paint might go along way. For furniture pieces, consider new upholstery. There are great upholstering companies in Calgary that you can bring your own fabric to and they’ll create something good as new for a fraction of the price.
 
When you think about it, it really doesn’t take much effort to change your shopping habits to become more eco-conscious in your own home. Good decorating doesn’t always have to be all about new things, but when you do choose new, the availability of eco-friendly options makes it all that much easier.   NL

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Alykhan Velji
Having a successful design career for the last five years, Alykhan Velji has definitely made a name for himself on the Alberta design scene. Coming in as one of the top three finalists for HGTV’s Designer Superstar Challenge in 2006 and then landing a role as a Stylist/Design Assistant on The Style Dept. also was a great boost to his career.

As well as having his own design business, Alykhan Velji Design, Alykhan has been featured in many local and national publications, offering his expertise on design and trends. Finding inspiration in his travels and keeping abreast with the design industry’s new and innovative trends ensures his design esthetic is always fresh, all the while remaining original and timeless. In its fourth year as a design firm, Alykhan Velji Design specializes in both residential and commercial projects.  http://www.alyveljidesigns.com