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Dear Rosa,
Fall in the Carolinas is finally here! Not quite in it's glory but preparing for it's grand arrival. The different hues of autumn ranging from the blazing reds and red/orange to shades of golds. A glimpse of evergreens amidst the colors, a reminder of their ever presence.
This time of year brings the beauty of our earth to light and the question of what we as responsible citizens should be doing to keep it green.
Now, I am not a tree hugger by any means. No offense to anyone but Birkenstocks are not my look. However, I am very conscious of the environment and what we must do to keep the leaves changing for future generations. Recently I have been asked by many of you, What exactly does GREEN mean? In this issue, my vision is to share with you information about what actually makes a product green and how we can do our part to make our interiors more sustainable.
Rosa
"The only thing that stands between a man and what he wants from life is merely the will to try it and the faith to believe it is possible." - David Viscott
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Live Green, Live Life!
What is this all about?
The BUZZ these days is being green, whether you are freshening up your home or considering a remodel we can all do a little something to be green. In my business I am trying to reccomend products to my clients that are energy efficient, locally or regionally made, and have come from renewable sources.
I hope the following information will help to educate you on the topic of green.
Q: What makes a product Green and sustainable?
A: To be considered a green product, a products design and performance must promote and reward environmental responsibility.
1. The product must be made with recycled materials.
2. The product should have a low environmental impact.
3. The product should conserve natural resources.
4. The product should improve air quality.
1. Products must be made with Recycled material:
- Products made from rapidly renewable material, such as cork and bamboo flooring.
- Textiles made from organic materials such as cotton, wool, sisal , hemp.
- Products using recycled content such as carpets. Tiles made from recycled plastics and glass.
- Salvaged building products such as bricks, slate , reclaimed wood and lumber.
- Re upholstering furniture, giving life to old pieces, donating used furniture to places like the Habitat Re-Store.
2. Products having a low envoronmental impact:
- Consider the travel time it takes to receive a product. Is it coming from California or from NC?
- Products that do not release significant pollutents such as no VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints and adhesives.
- Using native landscaping and drought-tolerant plantings.
- Using fabric grocery bags - one of the hardest things to remember to do, yet one of the easiest ways to help our environment.
3. Products conserving our natural resources.
- Windows with dual pane or Low E coating. They reduce energy by collecting winter sulight and blocking out summer sun.
- Products using less energy and conserving water for example: Energy-star rated appliances, flourescent bulbs, dual-flush toilets and under-sink flow restrictors.
4. Products improving our air quality
- Using non toxic sealers and adhesive
- Products that block the spread off, or reduce indoor air pollutants for example, effective ventillation equipment and air and water filters.
If you would like further information on any of the products mentioned please contact me at www.rosadestinteriors.com
This information has been compiled from the following sources:
Charlotte Homebuilders Assoc., Green Council ww.hbacharlotte.com
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FUNiture Goes Green
Tennis Lovers
I don't know about you guys but I thoroughly enjoyed the US Open. Lots of Excitement and Drama or was it exciting drama?
Now you too can have some tennis excitement in your home or business with this contmporary and playful line of furniture.
Designed by Hugh Hayden, this furnitue is responsible for diverting thousands of tennis balls from landfills. Both reclaimed and repurposed, the ultimate in green design. The collection includes a surprisingly ergonomic chair with a smooth curved back and a 3' round glass-top coffee table.
If you've got to have these in your decor, just let me know and I will happy to place the order. These would work great in a game room, patio, country club or tennis shop.
Add some Fun to your game! |
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Turbo Chef
Did you happen to see this big truck in front of Ferguson's on South Blvd.?
The Turbo Truck here to introduce the TurboChef
I know your thinking "What is the TurboChef " and what is this all about?
As I become previ to new products being introduced to the market, I would like to share them with you.
The TurboChef truck was here in Charlotte along with Leslie Hoffman, Director of Residential Sales to promote TurboChef, a high performance gourmet oven. It is a Speedcook oven utilizing patented Airspeed Technology. It offers 7 Speedcook modes: Bake, Roast, Broil, Air-Crisp, Toast, Dehydrate and Favorites. It also offers manual adjustments as well as Microwave, defrost and standard convection bake modes. If you are thinking about a kitchen remodel and would like to look at the TurboChef, stop by Fergusons and see what it's all about. They will be happy to show you all of the features. Don't forget to tell them who told you about this amazing new oven. www.ferguson.com
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Color of the Month GREEN
LiveGreen, Live life
"The purest and most thoughtful minds are those that love color the most." John Ruskin
What does Green say about you and your interiors?
According to the Dewey color system, if green is your favorite color, you are a nurturing person. You tend to be concerned about others and the environment. You are motivated and understand who you are and what you want.
Green breathes Freshness
The East Room of the White House, finished in shades of greens and accented with white and gold.
Green is a Feng Shui color of renewal, fresh energy and new beginnings. I will cover Feng shui in a future e-zine.
When paired with blue, the color combination has a restful and calming effect and becomes a Modern Classic. It produces echoes of nature- water and forest. It can denote new beginnings and growth. Remember that old saying 'blue and green never to be seen wiothout a color in between'?
Depending on the intensity of the hues - rooms can go from punchy and whimsical (brighter shades) to calm and serene ( watery hues).
Green with yellow and black or white are sporty outdoor colors.
The accenting green wall adds a punch of color to this small kitchen which features black appliances and white cabinets. The color also helps to frame the window bringing the outdoors in.
 Green with purple has high contrast and can be very lively. Li
Whatever shade of green you like most, play with it, enjoy! |
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As you may have noticed, I have joined the NKBA which stands for the National Kitchen and Bath Association. I affiliated with them so that I could become certified as an NKBA designer. I have started taking the classes toward my certification and am preparing to take the exam sometime next fall. |
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Thank YOU Thank You for taking the time to read this edition of "VISIONS". I hope it has been an interesting and informative one for you. I welcome your coments and questions.
Rosa
Rosa Dest Interior Designs
www.rosadestinteriors.com
rosa@rosadestinteriors.com
Office: 704-362-1397
Fax: 704-366-3291
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Winner of the 2009 Excellence in Remodeling Award
for Kitchens over 60K
presented by
Home Builders Association
of Charlotte
Published in "Charlotte Designs"
Coffee table book benefiting
Haitat for Humaninty Charlotte
Nationally recognized for
successfully achieving the Credentialing Examination
presented by the
Council for Qualification of
Residential Interior Designers
Rosa Plaza Dest
A personal commitment to providing excellent service while designing interiors with a vision to reflect our clients' lifestyle.
Sensible design, a keen eye for detail, and a love of color Rosa creates beautiful unique spaces for those looking to remodel or makeover their homes or businesses.
I invite you to take a moment and view our special portfolio to learn more about us and how we can best serve you. Visit us at
http://www.rosadestinteriors.com
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"Charlotte Designs" is a coffee table book featuring local IDS designers, a peek at the beautiful rooms they have designed and designer tips. The book sells for $38.00 and 100% of the sales will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte. If you would like to purchase a book please contact me. rosa@rosadestinteriors.com
Books are also available at Hand Picked, Dilworth; DeWoolfson Down, Stonecrest; Crossville Tile and Closet & Storage.
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Business organizations I am affiliated with.
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