roomplanners APRIL 2010
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the green room why the color green is good for us!
what’s your green style? take our quiz
green room bingo
24 ways to go green at home
asparagus & feta frittata
kale & chicken soup
what’s so good about green? Spring is here... and who isn’t in the mood to lighten up a little? We certainly are, so we decided to have a little fun with our green issue. First, we got inside the heads of some very famous green folks for their insight on the color green. They spilled the beans, so to speak, on what we need to know about nature’s favorite color. You might be surprised to learn, for example, that what’s good about green isn’t just its connection to healthy vegetables and the planet. Turns out green is good for a balanced state of mind and poise, among other things! It even treats nausea, claustrophobia and over-active kids. Find out more about this amazing color from the folks who know it best.
Loreen Epp
If you’ve ever shopped for green paint, you probably concluded that there’s more variety in paint colors than there is in nature. That’s a scary thought! So we thought we’d try to simplify things a little. Take our what’s your green style quiz… then check which green hue you’re most suited to!
President, RoomPlanners Inc.
In honor of Earth Day this month, we also included our green room bingo card so you can score your own home and family for green habits! See how many no-cost, low-cost ideas you’re already using … or pick up some new ways to preserve your money, health and planet. And what would Spring be without thinking about our garden? We’ve included some garden green recipe ideas that taste as good as they look! Enjoy!
on the cover Long Cove is a sophisticated coastal collection from Lexington Furniture. The collection features dining room, living room and bedroom options in shell or midnight finishes. Lexington Furniture is a design-leading marketer and manufacturer of branded furniture. www.lexingtonfurniture.com
about roomplanners.com Roomplanners.com is devoted to making professional quality interior design affordable and accessible. We invite you to visit out web site to browse hundreds of rooms for ideas, or to take our survey to identify your environmental personality profile. We offer a variety of free home decorating articles, including room critiques, product reviews, cooking and kitchen ideas. Our RoomCues™ offer concise, practical guidance and inspiration on how to pull together a specific look you love. You’ll find us online at www.roomplanners.com. Or join me at twitter.com/loreenepp For more information on our company and services, please contact me at loreen@roomplanners.com
All written information herein is copyright ©2010 Room Planners Incorporated. All rights reserved. No part of the material protected by this copyright may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means without written permission from Room Planners Inc..
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it’s good to be
green
… and who would know better than the green folks? Ever wondered what would happen if some of the most famous green folks got together to talk? Here’s what we’d be dying to ask our dream green panel … and what we think we’d hear.
contemplated painting the inside of his garbage can green on account of how cramped it gets in there. He’d probably also know that green has been known to reduce headaches, indigestion and nausea. We’d be tempted to tell him it also reduces mood swings and might make him a happier guy. Green Giant would brag that green helps him build muscles… but that it soothes muscles too and helps calm him when he sees how skimpy his outfit really is.
First, we’d want to know what’s it like being green. M & M would probably roll her eyes and say something like “Beauty of this magnitude can’t be described in words.” Green Giant would likely tell us that in spite of his skimpy outfit, it’s pretty cool to have the stature and strength of a tree. Kermit would remind us that being green isn’t easy. We’d wonder why Kermit is still singing the blues about being green... To which Kermit would respond that we have no idea what it’s like to spend everyday being the color of a leaf. He’d lament that he just blends in with ordinary things. “I’m not cool and I’m not hot,” he might say. But Oscar would undoubtedly see the benefits of blending in (...who would want to be seen picking through garbage, not to mention living in a garbage can!). Gumby might claim that being part of nature is the best part of being green. He’d probably say that it’s good not to be too flashy, and that it’s much better to come across as friendly poised and balanced. Green is the only color that’s both stable and flexible, like a tree, he might tell us. He might add that green makes him more generous and hopeful. We’d press them all for more information. Shrek might tell us that green keeps him relaxed, even when he looks in the mirror. Oscar might tell us he once heard that green combats claustrophobia and has since
We’d want to know how they came to be green. Green Giant would claim he came from green vegetables, cucumbers, peas, spinach and such. Kermit might mention that the blue of the sky and the yellow of the sun mix to turn him and his lily pad green everyday. The Incredible Hulk might admit he’s not sure why he turns green when he gets upset. Maybe its to compensate for his red-hot temper, since green has been known to lower blood pressure and control anger. We’d be curious which green they like best. Shrek would tell us that yellow-green has helped him take life less seriously. Popeye might pipe in to argue for darker spinach greens, claiming they make him feel confident and strong. Gumby would defend blue-green because it feels fresh and malleable, like the ocean. Oscar would argue for duller greens because they hide dirt. M&M would remind us that bright green is confident and even sensual… and did we know it’s an aphrodisiac? Finally, we’d ask where they spend most of the time. M & M would most likely hang in the green room, that quiet, glamorous place where celebs relax before they go on camera. Gumby might mention kids rooms, since parents often choose green to calm over-active kids. But the group consensus would likely be anyplace where they can feel connected to the nature and get a little peace and quiet.
our green panel ...
M & M, “Green” Mars Incorporated
Green Giant Betty Crocker
Kermit, the Frog Sesame Workshop
Gumby Prima Toy Co.
Oscar, the Grouch Shrek The Incredible Hulk Sesame Workshop Dreamworks Animation Marvel Comics
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what’s your
green style?
start here!
1. I like to feel: 1 2 3 4 5
hip or current calm or contemplative cautious or sincere disciplined or intellectual attractive or creative
take our survey!
Choose your favorite answer for each of these 10 questions. (You can pick more than one answer if you need to)… then see which green color might be right for you! 6. When it comes to artwork in my home, I prefer: 1 2 3 4 5
something modern monochromatic prints folk art or artifacts oil paintings or tapestries a pretty still life painting
9. The sofa I prefer the most is:
10. The lamp I prefer the most is:
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2
2
3
3
4
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5
5
organic greens.
is intellectual, influential and decisive. Check out our traditional and classic greens.
2. I don’t get people who: 1 2 3 4 5
live with too much stuff like stress or pressure want to change things don’t stand up for themselves don’t make an effort to look attractive
3. I like homes that feel: 1 2 3 4 5
open & uncluttered natural & relaxed communal & casual protective & private charming & elegant
7. I like the look of: 1 2 3 4 5
steel, glass or leather teak, linen or grasscloth pine, cotton or jute tapestry, velvet or brass crystal, silver or brocade
8. I like colors that look and feel: 1 bright, fresh, clear
2 understated, quiet, neutral
4. I like rooms that look: 1 2 3 4 5
new or state-of-the-art organic or quiet rustic or casual slightly masculine slightly feminine
3 earthy, appetizing, friendly
4 rich, dark, established
2. I like the look of my favorite flowers inside a: 1 2 3 4 5
modern glass vase plain ceramic vase terracotta or metal pot classical urn painted porcelain pitcher
5 delicate, pastel, hazy
scoring your results Total up how many 1’s, 2’s, 3’s, 4’s and 5’s you chose and rank them by quantity. Here’s a quick summary of your score! Find out more about our green colors and green styles on the next pages. www.roomplanners.com
Mostly 1’s..Your green style is cool, innovative, new and youthful. Check out our modern greens. Mostly 2’s… Your green style is natural, understated, quiet and stylish. Check out our
Mostly 3’s… Your green style is rural, warm, exotic and earthy. Check out our country and global greens. Mostly 4’s… Your green style
Mostly 5’s… Your green style is delicate, dressy and nostalgic. Check out our elegant and nostalgic greens.
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green room the
color determines a room’s style almost as much as furniture today. Kermit, the Frog, might not have been sure about being green, though he did conclude in his famous Being Green song that “it’ll do fine”. But green lovers everywhere know that nature’s favorite hue won’t just do; it can do wonders! Green can’t be beat for its restful, quiet and balancing effects. It’s a favorite for hospitals, schools and TV studios because it heals, restores and calms us.
But the type of green we use can make as much of a difference in how our rooms feel as our choice of green, blue or red. In fact, today, color can determine a room’s style almost as much as furniture. So it’s more important than ever to understand what different colors, even varieties of a single color like green, do and say inside a room. On the next pages, you’ll find our 12 favorite green hues for interiors… grouped into five different moods, or green styles. The room photos we’ve
included suggest that certain types of greens look best with certain types of furniture. But the beauty of understanding a color’s mood is that you can use it to create a specific effect, regardless of the furniture you use. Mixing organic greens with traditional furniture, for example, instantly adds a restful, quiet quality. Our paint colors are duller than what you’re used to seeing in clothing and other products. That’s because large areas require a more subtle approach. But once you see these colors on the wall, we guarantee they’ll provide all the color you need! 5
modern green
Modern colors recall wide expanses of airy space and spring itself. These clear, cool hues add a young, vibrant, optimistic, fresh, inventive and organized quality. Modern greens look best with smooth or light surfaces, clean lines, 20th century art and contemporary materials. Lea Furniture, Off Campus
GREEN APPLE
American Drew Furniture, Antigua
Behr 400D-4
Green apple is the color of Granny Smith apples, pistachios, celery and the first buds of spring. Its high yellow content feels happy and exudes a fresh, almost tropical air.
BOTTLE GREEN
organic green
Organic greens look best with dry, matte finishes, clean lines and nubby, natural textures.
OREGANO
Kincaid Furniture, Gathering House
Behr 760D-5
Oregano is the color of dry seasonings and Japanese ceramics. Muted and understated, this dull, greenish yellow borders on brown. It feels quiet, casual and laid-back.
Behr 420D-4
Bottle green is the color of soda and water bottles, cleaning detergents, chewing gum and air freshener packages. No other color symbolizes fresh or clean better.
Organic colors recall nature’s most subtle side. These nearly colorless hues add a calm, quiet, agreeable, relaxed, low-key and open-minded quality.
Broyhill Furniture, American Era
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DILL
2 Behr 400F-4
Dill is the color of quiet willow and faded moss. Cooler and less yellow than oregano, dill has a refined, masculine quality. It feels understated, fashionable and confident.
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Global colors recall spicy or sour foods and exotic, lush faraway places. These exotic hues add an adventurous, extroverted, fascinating, zesty and untamed quality. Global greens look best with tropical or textured furniture, unusual artifacts, ethnic patterns and animal prints.
global green
JUNGLE
3 Behr 410D-5
Jungle is the color of rainforests and swampy waters. The high yellow content in this hues gives it a zesty, extroverted quality, but it’s grayed down just enough to qualify as a paint color!
Country colors recall autumn leaves and country vegetables. These familiar hues add a casual, safe, relaxed, comfortable, appetizing and wholesome quality. Country greens look best with rustic furniture, wrought iron lamps, folk art, sunflowers and patchwork quilts. Broyhill Furniture, Attic Heirlooms
MOSS
country green Kincaid Furniture, American Journal
Behr 410F-5
Moss is the color of ground cover and earthenware. Despite its dull quality, this warm green has a cool quality. It feels balanced, mature and tasteful, even in a rustic interior.
ROSEMARY
3 Behr 390F-5
Rosemary is the color of garden herbs and tart apple pie. Grayed down just a little, this sprightly yellow-green feels lively but pastoral; a good color for updating a country room.
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Classic colors recall regal evening gowns and precious stones. These formal, luxurious hues add an opulent, stately, regal, powerful, confident and decisive quality. Classic greens look best with rich polished woods, solid colors, restrained proportions and indulgent textures.
classic green
Hooker Furniture, Beladora
MALACHITE
4 Behr 470F-6
Malachite is the color of marble sculptures and classic patio umbrellas. Despite its deep, rich quality, this hue stays cool and restrained. It’s well suited to the simple. but opulent textures of timeless classic styles.
Traditional colors recall medieval tapestries, English hunting gear and forests. These mature hues add an oldfashioned, protective, private and intellectual quality. Traditional greens look best with grainy woods, heavy furniture, aged leathers, brick, wool and tweed. Hooker Furniture, Albany Park
PINE
traditional
green
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Hooker Furniture, Arbor Hill
Behr 440F-6
Pine is the color of coniferous forests, old English hunting jackets and university crests. Dark and robust, this no-nonsense green feels serious, practical, historic and intellectual.
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elegant
Elegant colors recall fruit, flowers, garden party dresses and Chinese art. These pretty hues add a soft, pretty, feminine, youthful, generous and flattering quality.
green
Elegant greens look best with French furniture, crystal, ornate mirrors, silk, brocade and mixed floral bouquets. Drexel Heritage, At Home in la Belle Maison
Kincaid Furniture, American Journal
CELADON
5 Behr 420E-3
Celadon is the color of jade and ancient Chinese carvings. This sophisticated hue is associated with good taste and fine furnishings from the 18th century. The hue’s slightly blue cast adds to its cool elegance.
Nostalgic colors recall faded floral patterns, vintage clothing, antique stationery and potpourri. These muted hues add a hazy, romantic, sentimental and soulful quality. Nostalgic greens look best with antique furniture, feather duvets, floral fabrics, cheval mirrors and skirted chairs. Lea Furniture, Rhapsody
ARMY GREEN
nostalgic green
Kincaid Furniture, Chateau Royale
Behr 540F-4
Army green is the color of camouflage clothing and quiet, shadowy forests. Its grayish quality feels simultaneously soft, tranquil and slightly melancholic.
OLIVE
5 Behr 380F-6
Olive is a historic favorite for men’s suits in Britain. In interiors, this subtle brownish green is closer to olive drab, a heavy, bitter hue that’s revered for its complexity, quiet and placid qualities.
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add some
green to your room
without painting a wall … or buying new furniture Adding some green to your home doesn’t need to cost a lot! Best of all, green is really a neutral color (at least Mother Nature thinks so!) and can be added to your existing color scheme… as long as you choose a green that’s as bright or as dull as the colors you’re already using.
plants
artwork
backsplash curtains
It’s the most obvious choice, but it’s also inexpensive and healthy. Against red-tinged wall colors, plants look the greenest. PHOTO: Lexington
Paint isn’t the only way to add green to your walls. A greencolored tropical art print, modern art canvas or Renaissance masterpiece lets you add this coveted hue and pick your favorite view at the same time!
A painted (or wallpapered) backsplash in your favorite green adds a fresh, natural quality to your kitchen. Vegetable and fruit-inspired greens (yellow-greens) look freshest.
flowers
pottery
throws & pillows
Go for more stem than flower by choosing white flowers (they let the green stand out!) and placing them in a clear glass vase. PHOTO: Thomas-
Glazed or unglazed, smooth, shapely ceramics in solid colors bring the outdoors in. Display two or three vases together, in varying heights and shapes.
Furniture, Island Estate.
ville Furniture, Darryl Carter.
Add both throws and pillows to your bed, chairs and sofas. You can even mix cool (blue) and warm (yellow) colors, as long as they’re similar in brightness (or dullness)!
Hanging green panels on either side of a window simulates tall trees! Avoid overdoing a good thing by keeping them straight and simple. PHOTO: Thomasville Furniture, Bridges 2.0.
rugs Simulate fresh grass or clear emerald-colored tropical waters with a green rug under your table, sofa grouping or bed. PHOTO: Lexington Furniture, Tommy Bahama.
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green room bingo!
According to a recent survey by the American Home Furnishings Alliance, 60% of us want greener products. But when asked to name a green home feature, only 53% of us could!
So here’s our attempt to make the greening of our homes more fun… and memorable. These 24 ideas will help preserve our money, heath and planet. See how many of these you can cross off your card! Install a low-flow shower head to reduce water consumption by 50% or more. An efficient shower head uses 2 gallons compared to 4-6 gallons for regular shower heads.
Use a fan instead of the air conditioner. Or set the A/C at 78°F or higher. For every degree above 75° you set the thermostat, you’ll save 3% of the energy costs used to cool your home!
Wash clothes in cold water instead of hot water. 90% of the energy used to run your washing machine goes to heating the water! Save money and 6.5 lbs in greenhouse gas per wash.
Cut heat loss through windows with shutters or heavy curtains A valance will insulate even more. But make sure curtains (and rugs) don’t cover air vents.
Avoid using toxins on the lawn and garden, especially if you have an dog or outdoor cat. A pet that rolls on your lawn then cuddles with the family brings dangerous toxins inside.
Insulate, caulk and weather-strip around leaky doors, windows, outlets and attic entries. Keep the flue damper tightly closed when the fireplace isn’t in use.
Shorten your showers from 10 minutes to 5 minutes. You’ll save 4,200 gallons of water each year and cut your utility bills.
User the microwave or toaster oven rather than stove when possible. Avoid pre-heating the oven more than 10 min.. or peaking in too often! Opening the door lowers the temperature 25° F.
Use LED or Compact Fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs. They cost more initially, but reduce utility bills, last longer and reduce greenhouse gases.
Put lids on pots when cooking, simmer rather than boil and reuse hot water. Every pound of water boiled produces 1 lb. of greenhouse gas.
Invest in a high efficiency toilet. Or place plastic bottles filled with water inside your toilet’s water tank to reduce water usage. Or... don’t flush the toilet every time; a single flush uses 3 gallons!
Set your water heater’s thermostat at a lower temperature. Turn it to ‘low’ when you leave the house for the day or go on vacation.
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Heat just the room you’re in. Turn down the heat in rooms and zone heat with a separate thermostat, small space heater, wood-burning or electrical fireplace.
Turn the water off when you’re brushing your teeth. A running faucet wastes 2.5 gallons of water / minute. Fix leaky faucets too—at 1 drop her second, they waste 10 gallons/week.
Keep blinds & drapes on sunny windows open during the day and closed at night. In the summer, do the opposite. Close and cover windows during the day; open and uncover them at night.
Insulate your hot water tank with a hot water blanket. You can also insulate hot water pipes so they don’t cool so quickly.
Keep the thermostat at 66°-68°F. Turn it down at night or when you’re away from home for more than 4 hours. Or use a programmable thermostat.
Install dimmer switches. Dimming lights by 25% saves 20% on energy bills. Dimming lights by 50% saves 40% and extends the life of your bulb by 20x!
Defrost food before putting it in the oven or microwave. Keep bottled water at room temperature (rather than in the fridge) if you use it for tea or coffee.
Air dry your dishes and clothes instead of using appliance drying cycles. Install a clothes line next to the washing machine or outdoors in the summer.
Turn lights off when leaving a room. It’s a myth that turning lights on and off uses more electricity, except in the case of fluorescent lights.
Run the dishwasher, washing machine and dryer only when they’re completely full. Also, keep the dryer’s filter clean to keep it operating at maximum efficiency.
Use light paint colors on walls and ceilings to reflect more light. Lighter rooms require less artificial lighting. Use desk lamps or table lamps instead of overhead lights.
Turn off the power when you’re not using electronics & appliances. Even in standby mode, electronics can operate at up to 50% of their running power.
Buy wood furniture with an FSC label. It ensures the forest followed environmental standards.
RENOVATING? A few more ideas ... Cover your vents and air conditioner during a renovation to protect air quality and efficiency.
Buy furniture with simple lines and neutral colors. It won’t become dated and need replacement.
Buy low-VOC paints and finishes to improve air quality and reduce allergies and asthma.
But new Energy Star appliances if your appliances are more than 15 years old.
Use energy efficient windows. They can lower heating and cooling costs by 35% each year.
Design smaller rooms and lower ceilings to increase heating and cooling efficiency.
Use reclaimed or fastgrowing woods such as bamboo or mango for furniture or flooring.
Choose wool or jute Insulate walls, attics and carpets; they’re made ceilings. without harsh stain repellants.
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Nowhere is it more good to be green than at mealtime... and Spring brings plenty of green inspiration! Add green to your meals with asparagus, spinach, cabbage, kale, peas, beans, lettuce, watercress, fiddleheads, cucumbers, peppers, artichokes, fennel, or even dandelion greens! Here are a couple recipes to get you started.
asparagus & feta frittata
1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil 6 small red potatoes (each cut into 8 wedges) 2 cups (500 mL) chopped asparagus (about 1” / 2.5cm pcs) 6 eggs 1/3 cup (75 mL) milk 1/8 tsp (.5 mL) pepper ½ cup (125 mL) crumbled feta cheese (about 2 oz/60 g) 2 tbsp (30 mL) chopped chives Heat oil in a large skillet (about 10” or 25 cm) over medium heat. Add potatoes, cover and cook for 6 minutes, stirring frequently. Add asparagus; cook until asparagus and potatoes are almost tender, 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Whisk eggs, milk and pepper in a medium bowl. Pour egg mixture over vegetables. Sprinkle feta cheese and chives over top.
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Reduce heat to mediumlow; cover and cook until eggs are set, 8 to 10 minutes. Cut into wedges to serve. (Makes 4 servings) Tips: If desired, brown the top
of the frittata by placing the skillet under the broiler for a few minutes. Wrap the handle of the skillet in aluminum foil if it is not heatproof.
cooking quarters Wendi Hiebert is a home economist and food writer, living in Kitchener, Ontario. For more of her recipes, visit www.CookingQuarters. wordpress.com
kale & chicken soup
1 to 2 tbsp (15 to 30 mL) cooking oil 1 boneless chicken breast, cut into ½” (1 cm) cubes ½ medium onion, chopped 2 carrots, thinly sliced 2 cloves garlic, minced 6 cups (1.5 L) chicken stock or broth ½ tsp (2 mL) hot pepper sauce (or more to taste) 6 cups (1.5 L) chopped kale 2 tbsp (30 mL) lemon juice Salt and pepper, to taste Heat 1 tbsp (15 mL) oil in through and kale is tender. a large stock pot on medium Season to taste. heat. Add chicken; sauté (Makes 4 servings) until cooked. Remove from pot and set aside. Tips: Add additional cooking oil Spinach, Swiss chard, if necessary, then add onsorrel, dandelion greens ion, carrots and garlic. or beet leaves can be substituted for kale. Sauté until vegetables are tender. Add chicken stock For a vegetarian version, and hot pepper sauce; replace chicken with bring to a simmer. Return cooked cannellini beans chicken to pot and add (white kidney beans or Great Northern or white kale and lemon juice. Cook for a few minutes until chicken is heated
navy beans) and chicken broth with vegetable
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