Styleture

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that lighting, refrigeration and cooking are responsible for 41.5 percent of a home’s energy consumption. Fortunately, the popularity and technological efficiency of Energy Star appliances, compact fluorescent and LED light sources, and water conserving faucets have enabled homeowners to make the kitchen a greener and healthier space. Below are a few eco-friendly furnishings that meet style requirements too. (Click on any image for a larger version)

1. Eco-Friendly Cabinetry: Modern kitchen cabinetry by ALNO features non-toxic paints and lacquers, free from heavy metals and low in emissions.  Cabinets are made from recycled and regenerated wood from certified resources as well as the continued use of non-toxic laminates, aluminum, glass and technical veneers. ALNO only uses lumber, veneers and wood panels from fully managed and sustainable forests.  ALNO Cabinetry was used for the Healthy Child, Healthy World green home in Austin, Texas. Visit ALNO USA
   

   Alno Cabinets

2. Energy-Efficient Lighting: Maximize natural lighting and look for fixtures that call for compact fluorescent bulbs. According to Energy Star, if every American home replaced just one incandescent bulb with a standard CFL, we would have enough energy to light more than three million homes per year. Studio Italia Design offers hip eco-friendly fixtures that lower the carbon footprint too. Try Tris for overhead task lighting. Visit Studio Italia Design
   

   Studio Italia Lighting

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We see more and more green designs these days, despite the fact that sustainability is not necessarily a new trend in Architecture and Interior Design. This has produced even more amazing designs that are completely sustainable and LEED Certified, much like the Founding Farmers restaurant we wrote about last week. Here are just a few of our favorites that we’ve seen this year.

Recycled Cardboard Office: Photography by Joachim Baan.

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