Fine Green Design

Back on Track

by Adriana on 03/08/2010

in Green Home, Green Inspirations, Green News

Ever get so bogged down with projects or maybe just life in general and something suffers? My hand is raised high in the air right now…forgive me for letting my blog suffer. The upside in all of this is that business is booming! Well, I’m back and I’ve decided to kick off “being back” with a series of posts (gotta love a theme!) about greening your home.

We’ve already talked about greening your bed and greening your various parts of your life. Over the next month we will go into detail about greening your home (and of course some decorating solutions) from your kitchen to your garage and everything in between. Consider it an early spring cleaning to get you motivated and well, back on track.

Before we can dive into greening specific areas of your home, let’s go over some of the basics. This can include big projects like installing solar panels (that’s not happening anytime soon) or a simple inexpensive project like switching your shower head to a low flow version.

Don’t worry greening you home is easier than you think.Green living is all about the choices you make both big and small that lesson your environmental impact. As we talk about greening your home throughout the next few weeks we will go into specifics about how the choices you make effect your home. These greener choices fall into one or more of the following categories:
1. Protecting Natural Resources.
2. Limiting Waste
3. Social Responsibility
4. Healthy Living

What better way to kick off this series than with some eye candy…

domino4
domino2
domino3 domino5
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domino-1 Photos are courtesy of Domino Magazine.

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DIY Project: Create a Woodland Terrarium

by Adriana on 01/28/2010

in Green Projects, Green Thumb

With winter still making it’s presence known here in the northeast, I’ve decided to put my gardening desires to good use indoors. Today’s DIY project is all about creating a simple woodland terrarium that will bring stunning-lush shades of green into your home. I’m crazy for all the beautiful neutral shades of green found in nature, they really go with just about anything. Ok, enough design talk let’s jump right into this project.

*glass terrarium*apothecary terrarium*close-up terrarium*glass terrarium*multiple terrariums*mushrooms*

Materials
It takes just a few simple materials to get started. First off, we will need air tight kitchen canisters, recycled jars, or old apothecary containers. Ikea has some inexpensive glass canisters, or if you are like me and store everything ball jars, try these from Fishs Eddy. Next on the material’s list is: moss and horticulture charcoal. The charcoal will help to absorb excess moisture as well as eliminate odors. Don’t skip that step it’s important! Choose the plants for your terrarium wisely. Plants like ferns and english ivy that thrive in moist environments are the best choice. Try and stay away from the succulents, as they tend to rot from all the humidity. Oh, and you’ll need just a bit of potting soil.

Process
1. Cover the bottom of your container with the horticulture charcoal.
2. Put in a thin layer of potting soil (no more than an inch thick).
3. Add your plants in.
4. Cover the soil with a sheet or clump of moss.
5. Lastly spritz with some water and cover. You are done!

See how easy that was and the result is just stunning. To take your terrarium to the next design level, try adding in some fun accessories. Mini mushrooms are my accessory of choice, but these doves are pretty fabulous as well.

How about you guys, what kind of garden projects keep you busy during the winter?

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Simple Seed Starting

by Adriana on 01/27/2010

in Green Projects, Green Thumb

I‘ve come a long way; from the girl with fake house plants (embarrassing) to the girl that can now sustain a house full of thriving plants. Now it’s time to move on to bigger (or smaller, however you look at it) things like starting my own seeds. I will admit I am quite nervious but trust me if I can do it anyone can!

Here’s how to get started…

1. First off your seeds need a home to grow in. It’s important that the pots you choose allow for extra moisture to drain away. Instead of purchasing a starter kit, try reusing containers or even make your own pots from newspaper. Find out how here.

2. The mix you choose for your for your little seedlings is equally as important as where you house them. Choose a light soil that holds moisture evenly, allowing them to grow quickly. You can find a planting mix specifically labeled for seed starting. This is one of my favorites.

3. The last key ingredient to get your seeds started right is light, bright light that is. They need direct sunlight to get stated. If you are like me and lack direct sunlight try using plant lights or a floresent fixture with a cool white tube and a soft white tube (your seeds need the full spectrum of light).

Nope, your not quite done (it’s not that easy!) Now that we know “how” to get started, here’s how to plant and tend to your seedlings.
1. Proper planting is a must. The depth at which you plant them varies so take a look at the seed packet for specific depth. Save the packet. Trust me in comes in handy throughout this process. Don’t worry sowing your seeds is quite simple. Plant one to three seeds per pot and cover (or not) as instructed on the packet.

2. Like I mentioned before these guys need bright light to make it. To grow strong stocky stems, they need as much as 12 hours of bight sunlight a day!
3. As they start to sprout and grow it’s necessary to thin them out. Before they are 2 inches tall, snip off the weakest plants in each pot right at soil level. easier said than done (I always feel bad about snipping them). Water as needed to keep the soil moist.

Once you have successfully sprouted and grown your seedlings in there little home, it’s time to take them to the next level- their graduation into the garden!

1. Next step is to harden off your little (now big) seedlings. Before they can handle the wind, rain and strong sun, the your young plants need a period of gradual adjustment. This process begins about a week before the their transplant date (refer to the packet for the exact date). To start set your containers in a sheltered, shady spot outdoors. A covered porch, or under a table or even a chair is ideal. Be sure to bring the plants back in at night or any other time the temperature drops or becomes windy and rainy. As the week progresses gradually expose them to more sunlight. After two or three days, you can safely keep them in the sun for half a day, then return them to the shade. By the end of the week they’ll be tough enough to remain in the sunlight all day.

2. Once the plats have hardened off it’s finally time to plant them in your garden (sucess!). As you dig the hole to plant them in, it’s a good idea to add some compost into the soil. Plant it only as deep as it was in the pot, and don’t forget to water it well!
3. Time to preform your victory dance! They have been safely transported into your garden. To protect the plants even further. apply mulch around them to retain moisture and reduce weeds. If frosty nights threaten your plants, cover them with sheets or hot caps.

What about you guys? What are some of your garden plans for the spring?

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Waste Not

by Adriana on 01/20/2010

in Green Home, Green News

I love food. I love shopping for it, cooking it, and eating it. I do not however, like the smell of old food and left overs in my small garbage can in my small kitchen. (no we do not compost…yet) I’m trying to figure out to make that work in this apartment building. All that waste (and smell) got me thinking….here’s how I plan to shop and eat a bit more carefully.

waste-not-1 Photo Courtesy of Martha Stewart

Did you know that the average American household creates about one and a half pounds of food waste a day. (crazy huh?)

1. The first step, is to take note of what goes in and out of your trash. Once you have an idea of what is getting thrown away you can then adjust your habits. For instance, a half eaten box of stale Trader Joe’s crackers always seem to make their way into our garbage. As much as I think they are quite yummy, we never come close to finishing the box. After all that waste, I now know that I should just stop purchasing the crackers, or at least find an air tight container to store them in.

2. Next, keep your fridge in order. When it comes to “wasting not” an orderly fridge will help you keep inventory of what you have, so you won’t push ingredients to the back to be forgotten about. I try to reorganize right before I go food shopping.

3. Portion control. I’m not talking about what you consume (although that’s a good idea) I’m talking about the ingredients you plan to make dinner with. I have the hardest time gaging how much ingredients I am going to need for two; so I usually end up making way more than I should, therefore contributing to the horrble smelling waste in my garbage. Solution: think small. There’s no need for restaurant sized portions at home.

4. Flexibility (well, and maybe a bit of creativity) is the key to making this whole “wasting not” thing work. Try and have at least one meal a week dedicated as a use-it-up meal. Casseroles, frittatas, soups and smoothies are all great ways to put those items that are about to go bad to good use.

5. Make sure your fridge is set at the right temperature. It’s not always easy to find the perfect setting. For a while there everything I placed on the top shelf of my fridge had ice crystals. Your fridge should be set at 39 degrees to keep foods safe.

6. Utilize your freezer. I know I don’t use mine like I should! Store your left overs in individual sized portions in the freezer (makes thawing way easier). Don’t forget that you can freeze extra ingredients like broth, sauces, and tomato paste in ice cube trays. Check this post out for more on freezing.

7. The concept of food shopping more than once every couple of weeks, took a while for me to grasp. I know that it’s hard to find time to go to the grocery store more than once a week, but restocking your produce a couple of times a week will help to keep your fruits and veggies from going bad before you have time to eat them.

8. Buy local. This should be a given for everything you buy, but especially food. Think about it, by the time your perishable, non-local food arrives at the store it’s already more than halfway through it’s life-span. Meaning, it’s gonna perish sooner in your home than the local produce that only endured a few miles to get to you.

9. Buy in Bulk. I used to be the person that would walk past the bulk section of Whole Foods with not so much as a glance in that direction. Now, that’s the first place I go. Buying from the bulk section will ensure you can scoop out the exact quantity from the bin that you need instead of buying a whole package that may go to waste in your pantry.

10. Know the shelf life. It’s important to learn the label lingo, to determine how long your food will stay fresh. Check out Still Tasty…It’s the ultimate shelf life guide.

Now that I am on the road to less waste and a freshly smelling kitchen, what about you guys? How do you eliminate food waste on both your wallet and the environment?

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Greening Your Bed

by Adriana on 01/13/2010

in Green Home, Green News

Your bed is where you begin and end the day, so greening and taking proper care of your beloved friend is essential for a good nights sleep. One of my favorite things to do is sleep. I’m always the first to fall alseep and wish I could be the last to wake up! Dark movies theaters? I don’t waste my money anymore. As much I love to sleep I know I don’t care for my bed and it’s components like I should.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, a bedroom that is cool, dark, and quiet, fosters a more restful nights sleep. To preserve your bed and care for it as you should, proper laundering is a must. That being said, here are tips to keeping your bed clean and green…
Washing
1. Sheets. It’s a good idea to wash your sheets weekly to remove the dirt and dust (yuck). Be sure to wash printed and colored pillowcases inside out to protect the color. To prolong the life of your sheets, alternate sets between washing…bonus, you’ll be able to make the bed up while you wash.
2. Pillows. To keep allergens and hair and body oil at bay, protect them with a pillow protector (it’s a zippered cover that goes on under the case). Even with the cover, your pillows should be washed at least twice a year; the covers once a month. Use a liquid detergent rather then powder, which could leave a residue. Run pillows through the rinse cycle twice to ensure they’re rinsed fully.
3. Mattress. Just like your pillows, the best way to protect your mattress from allergy-causing dust is with a mattress cover. You should wash your matress cover every month or so.To maintain a healthy mattress it’s always a good idea to flip from end-to-end seasonally to ensure that the weight is evenly distributed across the bed.
4. Comforter. Comforter covers should be washed weekly if you don’t use a top sheet, and monthly if you use a top sheet. Wash your actual comforter at least once a year. If you simply use a decorative comforter than wash as frequently as you would a comforter cover.

Drying
1. Sheets. Dry your sheets according to the label. To avoid wrinkles remove them from them before they are fully dry.
2. Pillows. You don’t want any dampness left in the pillow, as this may cause mold. Ensure that your pillows are completely dry. To keep your pillows extra fluffy, throw a couple of tennis balls in the dyer with them. (wrapped in clean white socks of course, you don’t want “tennis ball green” pillows!)
3. Mattress. Well, not that you would be drying the actual mattress…but the follow the manufacture directions on your mattress cover to dry it.
4. Comforter. Like the pillows it’s important to make sure the comforter is completley dry to avoid mold and mildew. If your washer and dryer can’t handle your large comforter take them to the cleaners for a professional clean.

Storing
1. Sheets. Keep your spare sheets neetly folded in a cool dry closet or drawer. To avoid yellowing, line the surface you store them with acid free tissue paper. Avoid storing your sheets in plastic containers which can trap moisture causing mildew and mold.
2. Pillows. Well, the bed is always the best choice. For those extra pillows its best to keep them in a cool dry place.
3. Mattress. I doubt any of you are storing a mattress soemwhere in your house other than a bed…
4. Comforter . Like your sheets and pillows, store you extra comforters in a cool dry place, and avoid plastic containers!
Knowing when to replace
1. Sheets. Frequent washing will break down even the most expensive sheets Replace them when you start to see those obivous signs of age.
2. Pillows. With regular care, you pillows can last you many years.
3. Mattress. A high quality mattress will last you 25-50 years (wow!). A midrange mattress will last about 8-10 years. YOu will know when it is time to replace your mattress, a stiff back will be and indicator it’s time to start shopping for a new one.
4. Comforter . Surprisingly, your comforter will last 15-25 years with the proper care. Replace it, whens it start to look limp, or if it starts to leak bits of filling.

That may sound like a lot of laundering, but as much as I hate to do laundry a clean and healthy bed is more important. Here’s to a good nights sleep!

How about your guys how do you keep your bed green and clean?

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What To Do With Those Leftovers

by Adriana on 01/06/2010

in Green Home, Green Inspirations, Green Projects

No, I’m not talking about food I’m talking about your gift wrap. You could always save it for next year, but what’s the fun in that. Here are some quick and oh so simple green projects for your leftover gift wrap.

1. Spruce up some of your office supplies. Wrap your recycled tin cans to store your pencils and pens or anything for that matter. I love this one cause they also make to cutest votive holders for your next party.
pencil-cup2
2. Protect your most precious items or those you plan to ship. I’m always on the lookout for create eco friendly packaging ideas, and this one is fits the bill. shred that paper and use as packaging.
packeging 3. Keep yourself organized. Make decorate box labels and color code them by subject .What a stylish way to stay organized!
storage-box 4. Turn your scraps into art. I don’t know about you, but I but I love pretty paper, wrapping paper included, so why not frame that beautiful paper and hang it on your wall. It adds just the perfect graphic touch. Speaking of which…have you checked out my new shop? It’s vintage fabric prints galore!
paper-prints

Of course there is always the option of ironing (could be disastrous if it’s not on a low setting) your paper and rolling it back on the tube for next year.

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Mood Board Monday-An Eclectic Mix

by Adriana on 01/04/2010

in Green Inspirations

Even though the Holiday season has come to a close, I want to continue on the tradition of mood board Monday into 2010. I think inspiration is the best way to start off your week, don’t you? Well, at least every other Monday.

After returning home from our Northern Virginia mini christmas vacation, I set out to bring my home back to normal and I just couldn’t wait to whip out my new pillows, candles, and other household items I got for christmas. As I was cleaning, removing christmas tree needles (they are everywhere!) and decorating with my new accessories , I was inspired to create my dream living room mood board. So often I’m creating mood boards for clients and I never have time to put together something for myself. Of course my pick is an eclectic mix of old and new…Here’s my ultimate living room mood board!

eclectic-mood-board

*rug*sofa*plant stand*coffee table*lamp*desk*wall art*tv cabinet*club chair*pillow*desk chair*needle point wall art*
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eclectic-2
eclectic-3 photos are courtesy of Anthropologie

What about you guys? What’s one word (or even a few) that would describe your ultimate style? Come on don’t be shy…the next mood board Monday might just be for you!

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