habitat sustainable decorating
September 2013
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Want to design your own home decor? Use these materials to help you get started!
5 editor’s note
contents
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cover
by Michael Boodro
8 good things
fresh ways to display fall food and decorate for the holidays
14 homekeeping
our editors share tips for bringing order to every room
features 32 wallpaper
learn how to roll on your own wall paper with no mess
64 fall decor
appropriate accessories, colors, and decorations to use in your home for autumn
72 pillow talk
see the latest pillow trends and learn how to choose your own fabric and make you own
22 house tour
how to decorate your living room bright and sustainably
49 eco-artist
an inside look into the work of Todd Mclellan and the art of destruction
56 d.i.y.
decorate your home with handmade yarn bottles
68 gardening
nothing deterred this couple from buying a down-at-theheels property, or from turning it into an inviting lush garden
86 green house
70 collecting
91 home-made
76 reports
adding plants to your home is a great way to bring nature in
are all eco-friendly countertops created equal? We tried out seven samples to find out.
83 finishing touch
the wood-slatted wall in Randy Brown’s home in Omaha adds a perfect touch.
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tracy wilkinson shares with us her stunning pottery work
the best places to find vintage dishware with curves and splashy colors
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tour
sustainable space
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decorate your living room with a bright vibe while on a budget
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Blue as an accent color brightens up a previously neutral room. The sustainable fabrics usef for the fabrics is a great exra touch.
instead of a big salary. Admiraford these high design culture bly this couple wants to do still options no matter how beautiful more and right now their focus or green they may be. is on how they can make their My suggestion is to step living spaces more sustainable. back and consider the bigger A quick read of the picture about living spaces. glossy design magazines and Green design, at its core, blogs offers little help. They needn’t be about the pedigree tell us that the answer lies in of the fixtures and finishes. reclaimed 18th The simple truth Century floors, is that a living step back and FSC certified space that is take a look at wood tables, efficient and the big picture CFC free polya joy to be in urethane chairs, is inherently and artisanal, handmade, free sustainable because it will be trade everything else. While effectively and highly used these are certainly important throughout its long life. A dark, initiatives to consider, their high poorly proportioned space that cost and associated exclusivity, is awkward to use and decertainly begs the question of pressing to spend time in is a relevancy for this couple, as waste of materials and energy, fwell as the majority of other no matter how green the furnipeople, who simply cannot afture pieces are that fill it up.
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Decor is one of the most importnat parts in making your iiving room sustainable and beautiful. By adding posters, accent paint colors, wallpaper, lights, plants, etc, you’re home can be transformed in seconds. It is the little things that count when protecting the environment. It is also more financially capable to focus on buying sustainable accessories rather than huge pieces of furniture. Every type of accessory, ranging from pillows to display dishes can be made sustainably. These types of eco-frienly products spice up your living room and make it very enjoyable to be in. You’ll be surpised how much decorating can make a difference. It is also very important to
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recently received an email from a young woman who was very frustrated by the lack of affordable green options for living room design. She has a modest lifestyle and resides with her husband in a small rental apartment in a big city. From what she told me about their life it sounds like they are already doing a lot of things to reduce their environmental footprint. For example, the couple has no car and either walk or use mass transit. They rarely eat out, preferring instead to cook at home with fresh ingredients from the local market. They also work for socially responsible companies, choosing to make a difference
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These details show how to use space effectively and visually. All objects seen are sustainably produced and can be purchased at a low price.
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Photographs (current and facing page) by Johnny Miller Photos by Johnny McLellan
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Photographs by Bold&Noble
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Bold & Noble offers a variety of designs and screenprints, all sustainably produced and manufactured in their office.
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tour
< from page 23 to fit the way you really want to live. Otherwise, it will just be a pre-plan your space. Create a waste of the energy that was floor plan of your living room. required to produce it. Therefore, there will be no Finally, it is important to wasted space and still not be remember that most furniture cluttered. The room should pieces have second, third, seamlessly allow this to hapeven four lives. Like the houspen without any wasted space, es in which we reside, chairs, circulation conflicts, or impedisofas, and tables usually last ments with other parts of the longer than we do. Sustainhouse. While this may sound ability is about like more of moving beyond a functional Living room our fascination argument than furniture is the with the shiny a sustainable stage on which wrapper of the one, remember we live our lives new, no matter that sustainhow green its ability should label. Re-purposing an existing also be a matter of joy and piece of thoughtfully designed fulfilment rather than just kiloand well-constructed furniture joules and particulate counts. is a great way to recognize, The second step is and respect, the natural capital tomthoughtfully furnish the that is embodied in its creation. room for use. Here again we In short, there are lots of green need to place our actions design options for living rooms, within a bigger context. Living and the most important ones room furniture is the stage on donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t cost much money. which we live our lives. It is not a tableau to only look at but not touch. A grouping of living room John Brown furniture should be designed Director of Wyeth Design
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d.i.y
yarn & bottles decorating has never been so easy!
Materials
12 glass jars 1 to 3 skeins of yarn Double-sided tape Scissors
Budget
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$20-$30
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A bit of yarn transforms plain glass bottles and jars into accent pieces. Start with vintage milk bottles or recycled jam jars, or pick up some ball jars or blue shades. Coil yarn around all or some of the jar. With three simple steps, you are on your way decoratinng sustainably. 1. Apply double-sided tape evenly over any curved portions of the bottle that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to cover with yarn, such as the curved neck of the milk bottle; this will hold the yarn in
place, making an easier job of wrapping as well as a neaterlooking result. 2. Wrap the bottle. Starting with the lip or base of the bottle, attach the end of your yarn to the bottle with a small piece of double-sided tape, slightly below (if starting from the lip) or above (if starting from the base) where you want the yarn coil to begin. Begin wrapping the yarn around the bottle, wrapping over the loose end and making tight, even coils that follow the profile of the bottle. When you are about 1/2 inch from where you want to stop wrapping, apply a piece of double-sided tape to your intended stopping point, wrap to there and trim the yarn.
Sabrina Moyle
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Photo’s by Bold&Noble.com
eco-artist Todd McLellan uses a more organized approach in his ‘Destruction of a Type Writer’.
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istence,” McLellan told art blog tographs it frozen in mid-air, E-Junkie in an interview. “I tried just before the countless units a few versions and ended up fragment all over the room. laying them out disassembled. After visiting thrift stores I have a very keen interest in and collecting old electronics finding out how that still worked, things work. I can McLellan came it all started just imagine the up with the idea from a kinderhands that put of taking them garten finger them together with apart and phopainting class. such precision. tographing the We don’t get the insides. This same thing out of project shows current technologies, and the that with imaginative power, products now don’t last nearly discarded electronics can as long.” transform into wonderful art. To show his audience the “I wanted to photograph process of “disassembling” them in some way that would these electronics, McLellan give them meaning for their ex-
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ances piece by tiny piece, he creates intricate patterns with hundreds of minuscule metals, wires, strings, and springs that become beautiful and interesting photographic studies. He takes away the initial function of these objects and gives them a new, artistic function. Not only is his work interesting to look at, but it is a sustainable and effective solution. Instead of a ringing telephone, he presents a tranquil layout of the vast parts of that telephone — each tiny digit, each vital screw. He takes a similar rotary phone and pho-
made a video that documents his laborious method. In the short sped-up video, he takes apart an old alarm clock, a camera, and a typewriter. He then meticulously organizes each disassembled machine in his studio — slowly crafting an orderly masterpiece from scratch. One viewer called it an “organized mess”. View the video and find out more about the inspirational photographer at his personal website, toddmclellan.com. He is a great source for inspiration!
Kelsey Herman President of R&R Arts
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eco-artist
todd mclellan insight into the art of destruction
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It started from a kindergarten finger painting class and grew from there.Todd McLellan was born amongst the golden wheat fields of Saskatchewan. Raised by a carpenter and electronic technician, he became fond of the hands-on approach. He harvested his passion in Alberta, and in 2002 he moved to Toronto, Canada. Like many great image makers, he has a passion for creating visuals extending beyond one discipline. Todd enjoys being creative, both in studio as well as in the great outdoors. Look around your bedroom or kitchen, and chances are that you have a myriad of electronics just waiting to be used. These appliances have a function, making our daily lives easier with the click of an “on” switch. But Canadian photographer Todd McLellan became fascinated by the underlying nuts and bolts — those intricate parts that work together to make machines function. McLellan’s 2011 project, titled “Disassembly,” is just that — as he takes apart applito page 59>
Todd McLellan’s ‘Destruction of a Camera’
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d.i.y
DREsS your wall The time has come to redecorate a room in your
home. You stand there in front of a large blank wall with your paintbrush and you just totally blank. Where do
you start? Fortunately for you there is a tool that makes much easier. What is this amazing and wonderful de-
vice you ask? It is the versatile paint roller. Paint rollers allow people to drastically reduce the amount of time it takes to paint a large, flat surface, like a wall with few windows or a ceiling. >
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the daunting task of painting such a large surface so
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tear off that old wallpaper and paint your own Most people go straight for the cheap DIY type paint roller when they go shopping. They work just fine but there many other options for you to choose from. The biggest problem for most people is the “cutting in” process around windows and awkward corners. Anyone can tell you that painting a corner with just a roller is pretty much impossible. Still there are ways around this problem. You can cut in with a brush first and then go back and roll the rest of the walls. The professionals have a trick to get around this. Guess what that is? Yup a professional paint roller. The little plastic caps on the end of a normal paint roller are missing on these ones so you can paint in much tighter spaces. That means that you need to do less cutting in and you can avoid using the brush to paint corners all together. However, you’ll still need to paint the area where the wall connects to the ceiling and
crevices that are too tight for the roller to get into by hand. If your baseboard trim is already installed, you may also want to cut in around the baseboard with a brush, too. When you shop for a paint roller handle and covers, you should start by thinking about the job you are buying them for. The traditional short roller is fine for normal walls. If you are doing a cathedral ceiling, though, you may want to look for a rod extension. This extension screws into the handle and allows you to paint those higher spots with ease - much better than trying to balance on a step ladder while painting high up on the wall. Next, think about the texture on the walls. There are covers that work better with different wall surfaces. For instance, popcorn finishes need a roller that can handle that rough, uneven surface without falling apart and there are special roller covers >
Photos by â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Painted Houseâ&#x20AC;?
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Paint Rollers can be used not only for walls, but for other home accessories such as tapestries and lamp shades.
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This assortment of handmade stationary shows the wide variety of uses for a paint roller.
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for this type of wall so take texture into account before you start. You can also find covers that create a pattern. These covers make certain faux painting techniques much easier, since rolling is so much quicker than stenciling or freehand painting a design. Imagine being able to stencil an entire room or room in just a few strokes? The Rollerwall Design Painting and Decorating System allows you to create the look of wallpaper patterns with your desired paint color and the patterned roller. If the pattern doesn’t look right, you can wipe it off before the paint dries. When you decide you are tired of that pattern, you can just paint over the walls with a fresh coat of paint and create a whole new effect with a different patterned roller and paint color. If you’ve used stencils or standard patterned rollers before, you’re probably thinking that there is no way the job is that easy. What about those globs of unevenly applied paint that make the pattern blurry? However, the Rollerwall products are designed to keep the paint from being too
thick or thin. A traditional roller cover is rolled in the paint. Then the patterned roller is snapped in front of the paint filled roller. As you roll the wall, the paint filled roller applies paint to the patterned roller in an even, blotch free layer, which is transferred to the wall’s surface. Another thing you may be wondering is whether matching up the pattern is as hard as matching patterns along wallpaper seams. It actually is easier, because the wallpaper is so awkward to move into place when it is such a long, sticky strip. The Rollerwall roller is designed so that you can match the new strip of paint with the previous one by using a special guide on the roller. All you need to do is make sure that your first pass with the roller goes straight up and down so that the next strip can line up easily. So when the time comes you for you paint your home (once again) then don’t forget to include paint rollers in your painters toolkit - they do make life so much easier.
www.paintsplashes.com
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Photos by “The Painted House”
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Fall
Finishes spice up your home for autumn with seasonal decorations As the days become shorter and the temperatures dip
lower, it’s time to bring some warmth back into your home. Learn how to bring the beauty of fall into your home using our helpful tips and clever tricks. Whether you’re in the market for a festive fall centerpiece, a splendid fall
door decoration, a seasonal wall display, or anything in
between, we’re sure to have an array of ideas to help you
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infuse your home with the colors and textures of fall. >
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Photos by ‘The Creative Place”
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Do It Yourself decorations are a great way to prepare your house for the fall! 1. Tin Can Jack-o’-Lanterns 2. Candy Jar Treats (found via Ashlee Proffitt Design) 3. Fall Pillows 4. Halloween Wreath (found via Ashlee Proffitt Design) 5. Papier Mache Pumpkins (found via Ashlee Proffitt Design) 6. Candy Corn Wreath 7. Easy Halloween Ornaments 8. No Carve Pumpkin Decorating
Photo by Melissa Dunlap
With gorgeous colors found in nature, home decorators are giving Christmas a run for its money by showing what a beautiful season fall can be.
of all the beauty Mother Nature has created in her home. Subtle changes such as adding a touch of color or a focal piece of furniture can really give your home some (new) personality. When deciding on color, it’s easy to stay in the safety zone and stick with standard neutral tones. But in reality, more people are using colors that pop. Why not shed some of the boring colors that can seem drab and try spicy colors that stand out and grab attention. Chili-pepper red is the trend for this fall and into the
holiday season. Look for this color on everything from wall decorations to pillow accents to glassware. Painting isn’t the only way to give a stylish nod to autumn. Look for blankets, pillows, and rugs in darker colors and textured fabrics to complement your furniture. Choose fabric patterns with metallic or beaded detail, embroidery, or Middle Eastern influences. Besides providing an instant updated look, these easy additions will make your home seem warmer and more comfortable. Fill shelves, tables and bare cor-
ners with various-sized candles in delicious seasonal scents like cinnamon, vanilla, apple, and pumpkin pie. Use copper accents wherever possible for a rustic fall look. Also, add natural elements to your home decor for an ecofriendly touch. These accessories bring a natural and cozy look to your home and are the cheapest way to decorate! Fall is coming soon, so start your projects and crafts to get your house ready.
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Furniture First. Online
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Fall is an excellent time to update your home and add a few new touches before the short winter days force you inside, but not all of your modifications need to be huge alterations. There are very inexpensive ways to add a little holiday décor to your home in the fall, or simply ways to embrace the environment by bringing in a plant, collecting leaves for a photo display or filling a vase with stones and pebbles. The best way to get inspired for this season’s decorating trends is to take a long walk and make mental notes
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draw a plan for
your space