Recycled Kitchen Countertops Finishes :: Alternatives to Natural Stone

Technically the greenest kitchen counter top is the one you already have... However if yours is bright yellow (we still come across a few) or beyond repair or you are unable to source a recycled kitchen then you may need to look for a new kitchen joinery and a new countertop.

Firstly, your counter top material should be of good quality, durable, water resistant, non porous (this excludes most natural stones) and something that is a timeless design that you are happy to live with for many years. If your kitchen is a neutral design and of a good quality it is likely to be around for a while, thus reducing the need to consume more materials with buying a new kitchen.

I have selected a few alternative counter materials below. Some of these brands may not be available in your country but there may be other similar products available by local suppliers.

Recycled glass countertops - For an alternative to natural or quarried stone. 

Whilst granite and marble counter tops have a luxurious finish they are not very environmentally friendly as they are a quarried from natural stone. Nowadays engineered stone has become quite popular as a practical stone substitute but their manufacturing process is not so eco-friendly and their recycled component is fairly low.  However, some stone composite brands are now incorporating higher recycled content options. For an alternative to natural stone or non recycled composites try:

1. Squak Mountain Stone - A fibrous-cement material made from recyled paper, recycled glass and low-carbon cement.

2. Fuez - Made from 100% curbside recycled glass.

3. BottleStone - Made from 80% post-consumer curbside recycled container glass.

4. Vetrazzo - Made from cement and 85% recycled glass from curbside recycling programs. Some of the glass comes from  windows, dinnerware, stained glass, laboratory glass, building demolition glass, traffic lights and other unusual sources. They even provide a certificate of transformation that tells you where the glass came from!

5. Seeta by Torzo - A formaldehyde free composite made from sunflower seed hulls.

6. Caesarstone - On a few colours only, 42% recycled content from production off cuts.

Nowadays there is a wider selection of different surface materials that adopt recycled principals, FSC certified timer products and green building council certification. This is still a growing market a lot of green wash with some materials claiming that they are eco and green when they are not. If you give yourself some time to research thoroughly and check the products technical credentials then you should be able to find your perfect alternative counter finish.

Have fun.

Natural Paints & Low VOC Paints

image via Marston & Langinger

If you are moving into a new home, decorating your nursery, renovating your existing home or just renovating some old furniture there are a few things you should consider when it comes to paints and finishes.

Materials such as paints, stains, varnishes, carpets, new furniture and kitchen joinery contain compounds that "off-gas" over a period of time producing poor air quality in your home. 

A simple example of this is the odour from fresh paint. The smell will dissipate but the compounds will continue to "off-gas" for years after the products or materials are initially installed. For more detail see the image below from Green Painters.

for more details click here at Green Painters

Believe it or not some paints are healthier than others.

I often hear people say... “I love that new home smell” when their walls have been freshly painted or when their timber floor has been sanded, sealed and polished.

That “new smell” is likely to be the product of VOC off gassing and is actually toxic gases released into the air.

You may ask what is a VOC...? 

VOC is short for Volatile Organic Compound. If you would like to learn more about air quality & Volatile Organic Compounds click here.

Otherwise I will try to explain... Regular paints, the sort we normally buy from our local hardware store, are made from a cocktail of petrol based products and chemicals and can give off differing levels of toxic fumes called VOC’s into the environment that can cause symptoms such as breathing and respiratory irritations and headaches.

From the time when these paints and finishes are applied they continue to release their highest levels of emission over the first year and then continue to release lower emissions for years after the first application.

New environmental regulations and consumer demand have led to the availability of a range of healthier paint options from organic and natural paints to zero VOC and low VOC paint products.

If these healthier paints are used along with choosing low VOC finishes, low formaldehyde materials and natural furnishings a newly decorated room should have no smell or odour.

An example of a project where I have used a range of low VOC and natural paints is “Three Little girls and a Boy named Ted”. 

TYPES OF NON-TOXIC PAINTS

Natural Paints

• Many of these ingredients are made from renewable resources and natural raw ingredients such as water, plant oils and resins, plant dyes, natural minerals such as clay, chalk, milk casein, bees' wax, earth and mineral dyes.
• These are ideal for residential applications, or for use when chemical sensitivity is an issue or sustainability is the main focus.

Zero or Low VOC Paints

• More of a traditional water based or acrylic paint product and ideal for residential and commercial applications.
• These products can be quick drying, better to clean and have a higher UV resistance.
• For chemical sensitivity use Zero or Low VOC paint (less than 1 gram/litre).

Some major paint manufacturers in Australia still use tints that contain high levels of VOC'S. With all paints you can ask for a product's technical data sheet that will explain the VOC level within the product.

With products that brand themselves as “Low VOC” on the tin it is still worth checking what the final VOC level is after a tint is added. When tints are added the VOC value may increase and therefore the original VOC level cannot be guaranteed.

PAINT MANUFACTURE AND SUSTAINABILITY 

for more details click here at Green Painters

Another thing to think about is that just because the paint is classed "low VOC" it does not mean that the product has a low environmental impact. The whole life cycle of the product needs to be considered:

• Does the product come from a renewable resource? 
• How much water is needed to make the product?
• How much energy is used in producing the product?
• Can the product be disposed of with a low environmental impact method?
• Can the product or it's waste be recycled?

There are now eco labels that can help you identify how sustainable a product is. This labeling system will vary from country to country but shows if a product has passed a comprehensive sustainable life-cycle based assessment.

Here in Australia just look for the label below...

GREEN PAINTERS

Green painters and decorators are now becoming much more popular. When selecting low VOC or natural paints I always try to use green painters and tradesmen that are familiar with using these natural products. The benefits of this are that:

• Your painter is qualified and trained to apply these products.
• Your painter uses waste-water minimization and disposes of painting waste correctly within EPA guidelines.
• You know that your paint will not be swapped for a cheaper brand.

WHY NATURAL or LOW VOC PAINTS?

1. Natural finishes, allergy safe & toxin-free.
2. No fumes or smells - healthier on your family and colleagues.
3. Sustainable life-cycle managed product.

As more products are available on the market more people are asking for natural alternatives to protect the health of their children and colleagues. By selecting products that are non-toxic and low VOC you are improving the quality of your air within your home and selecting a more sustainable product.

the beautiful Sistine Chapel - painted between 1508-1512

I hope this has explained a few things about low VOC and natural paint products. Natural paints are not a new thing, they have been around for many years and used to decorate the Sistine Chapel and all the stuccos and ceilings in Europe.

Have fun.

How To Decorate :: The Modern Country Style

image via Blakes London

This decoration style reminds me of the my first property in England. Our first purchase was a 114 year old, Victorian semi-detached house, with two floors, small garden at the front and courtyard, herb garden, shed and grassed area at the rear.

Buying an old character house would be quite normal as a large number of English houses would be Victorian, Georgian or Farmhouses in style and would be of at least a 100 years old! 

These lovely old homes would be full of architectural character; timber sash windows, old fireplaces, cast iron radiators, roll top baths, traditional kitchens, high ceilings, parquet timber flooring, hand plastered walls, ornate cornices, ceiling roses and timber beam ceilings.

By introducing a mix of modern and vintage furniture into these character buildings you are able to mix the charm, history and the traditional quality of the past with modern day living in a relaxed modern country style.

How To Decorate The Modern Country Style

This Modern Country style combines antique finds and reclaimed furniture, with new modern and handmade furniture pieces, set against a backdrop of rustic timber, coir and stone floors, brick, plaster or old tiled walls and white washed or milk painted timber walls or furniture. 

I love those old leather rustic seats and aged timber flooring...
To this day I still prefer timber as my main floor finish rather than that of carpet or floor tile!

Use throws over seating to give you that country look with a mix of neutral and floral cushions for decoration.

Keep everything white but use storage, furniture and lighting as accents. 

Ahhh... I miss these old baths.

images above via Foster House 

Kitchens would have ‘Belfast’ styled ceramic sinks set into a timber or recon stone counter top, recycled timber dining table or chopping table, old style pantry cupboards and lots of open shelving for storage jars, best china, boxes and baskets. 

images above via Foster House 

For more on country style kitchen design ideas click here.

For decoration accents think natural fabrics, fine embroidered linens, checked, striped or soft floral vintage fabrics, cottons, flax and wool, fresh flowers, old and new handmade china pieces, covers for seats and patchwork throws. 

image via Foster House 

images via Pale & Interesting

For many more interior images and details, feel free to hop over and follow my Pinterest boards.

Have fun...

Country Style Home :: Kitchen Sink Design Ideas

What do you think of when you think of a Country Style Home?

I always think of the kitchen first and those old country style kitchen sinks. I would love to own one of these but until then here's a few for inspiration.

Country Style Kitchen Sinks

There is such a wide selection of sinks to choose from these days but a style of sink that find it's self quite a home in any country style kitchen is a Farmhouse, Butler or Belfast sink.

Most of these type of sinks are made form fireclay ceramic and although not as robust as stainless steel they add that element of character to any country style kitchen.

Brick bond rectangle wall tiles look great above these sinks.

As do open shelving.

My humble apologies for not being able to credit the origin of these photos. If you are the owner one of these images please let me know and I will add your details to the image.

Have fun shopping for your perfect country style kitchen.

Recycled Herb Garden Wall

What a delight yesterday when I popped round to see my friends from FROG and their new recycled herb garden wall. What a great idea to use old secondhand pots, pans and kettles. They have even rigged up a simple irrigation system.

How cute is this kettle?

Just in case you are wondering who FROG is? If you live in the Fraser Coast region and eat organic fruits and veggies, then this is where you go for you weekly organic veggie box.

Thanks so much Celine and Liam.

Have fun.

Recycled Fabric Cushion Ideas

I have a project on currently where we are using fabrics and rugs from Mexico to make cushion covers for a lounge area. Have a good look in your cupboards for those old blankets and throws. Instead of throwing out your old clothes why not recycle an old woolen knit jumper or a pair of jeans. You can even use an old rug. 

Here's a few ideas to get you started...

Vintage Sari material can also make great cushion covers like this one made by The family Love Tree.

An old Turkish Kilim can also make a great cushion cover like this one from The Family Love Tree.

Turn an old woolen jumper into a cushion. DIY idea from Brassy Apple and a great tutorial here.

Cushions made from hessian by Home Life. 

Vintage dollies can also get a new lease of life with this idea from Detailed Design via Etsy.

Now for some denim...

Recycled denim seat cushion idea by Barbie Shukster at Ecouterre.

Strips of denim and hem offcuts also make a great idea by Detailed Design via Etsy.

Leftover fabric remnants from Cloth Fabric. Read more here.

Gather those old jeans and create robust cushion covers, great for kids rooms. Ideas by Ashbee Design and a great mix of tutorials here.

FORE MORE RECYCLED FABRIC CUSHION IDEAS TRY:

Recycled patchwork cushion ideas

Ethnic cushion style

Recycled patchwork cushion ideas

Sometimes it just pays to hoard...

Have fun.

Patchwork Pattern Throw

I have been gathering quite a few fabric samples these days with the various project I have currently on.

What to do with them after I finish using them for sample boards? How about a patchwork pattern bed throw like this one by The Purl Bee. These are made from squares of felted wool fabric, but you could also use upholstery fabric, old denim or even an old chunky knit jumper. 

If you click here The Purl Bee have also got a great tutorial on how to make this amazing throw.

This may be my solution to covering up more tired sofa...

Have fun.