Go Green Design

Succulent Wall

2012-02-09T11:06:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to share this picture and a great idea
for a wall. Succulents don't need a lot sun so if you have
a wall in your yard that is unused or you don't know
what to do there this may be something to do.
Try to plant a variety of succulents and there a many;
both hanging and as ground cvering ones.
GOOD LUCK!

The Deconstruction of a Chair

2012-02-08T10:33:00.000-08:00

Last week I had a pleasure to attend a CEU class at "Century Furniture"-www.CenturyFurniture.com showroom at LA Mart. I didn't know what to expect and I got a surprise.
The class was held by Alex Shuford - 3rd Generation Furniture Maker at Century Furniture. He started the presentation by talking about the company history and how his grandfather started it.
Then he talk about the difference between a lower price chair and a high end chair,
and he did had a chair that was beautiful (unfortunately my before photo did not work.
And as the tittle of this presentation say he did deconstruct the chair by slashing it to shreds and pieces with his sharp exacto knife.
You all should hear our loud reaction to that, LOL!.
I attach some photos and a YouTube videohttp://youtu.be/vEKLNGMnwZQ that will explain more about what "Century Furniture" stand for.
And if you ever have a chance to see his presentation take it.

Lead-based paint.

2011-11-17T14:57:00.000-08:00

Recently I had a friend that asked me what's the danger that lead paint can be in her new rental apartment.
We all know that lead was used in paint before 1960 in US and we here lots on TV about lead used in toys for kids but do we know what it can do to our health?
Here is some info about lead;
Lead was used as a pigment in "alkyd" oil based paint. About two-thirds of the homes built before 1940 and one-half of the homes built from 1940 to 1960 contain heavily-leaded paint and only some homes built after 1960 also contain heavily-leaded paint.
It could be used on interior or exterior surfaces, on woodwork, doors and windows.
In 1978 the US Consumer Product Safety Commission lowered the legal maximum lead content in most kinds of paint to 0.06%
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development recommends that action to reduce exposure should be taken when the lead in paint is greater than 0.5% by lab testing or greater than 1.0 milligrams per square centimeter by X-ray fluorescent.
Lead-based paint is a major source of lead poisoning for children and adults, in children, lead poisoning can cause irreversible brain damage and can impair mental functioning.
In adults,it can cause irritability,poor muscle coordination, and nerve damage to the sense organs and nerves controlling the body, in rare cases even can cause problems with reproduction or increase blood pressure.
The current blood level which defines lead poisoning is 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood.
What to do if you have lead-paint;
1) Have the painted item replaced.
2) Cover the lead-based paint,you can spray the surface with sealant or cover it with gypsum wallboard.
3) Have the lead-based paint removed by a professionals trained in removing lead-based paint do this work.
4) Reduce lead dust exposure.You can remove a small amount of lead-based paint if you can avoid creating any dust.
You can periodically wet mop and wipe surfaces and floors with a high phosphorous cleaning solution (5%)
Government officials and health professionals continue to develop advice about removing lead-based paint but you can contribute to it by choosing products that are healthier to us and the environment.

LA'S MOST EXOTIC SETTINGS FOR SALE

2011-05-10T11:55:00.000-07:00

One of the most exotic setting is the Sowden House build in 1927 by Lloyd Wright (Frank Lloyd Wright's son) and restored by designer Xorin Balbes (2002, 2009.
John Sowden house is also known as The "Jaws House" and noted for its use of the ornamented concrete blocks and for its unusual facade, resembling either a Mayan temple or the gaping open mouth of great white shark.
The original owner, John Sowden (painter, photographer) hired his friend Lloyd Wright to build the home in Los Feliz.
The house has been recognize as one of Lloyd Wright's most important works and a landmark in Los Angeles.
From 1945-1951 the house was owned by Dr. George Hodel, a prime suspect in the "Black Dahlia" murder. The doctors son Steve Hodel Los Angeles homicide detective claimed in his 2003 book "Black Dahlia Avenger" that the victim Elizabeth Short, was tortured, murdered and dissected by his father inside the Sowden House in 1947.
You my recognize the house from as home of Ava Gardner in the movie "The Aviator".
Like to share some photos from the house as I had the pleasure to visit it before the sale, the house is offered at $4,200,000. Small price for a historic gem.
If you drive by the address is: 5121 Franklin Ave. Los Feliz, CA

PARIS; LIFE & LUXURY

2011-05-05T17:14:00.000-07:00

For a few days now I have been seeing around Los Angeles banners advertising exhibit at The J. Paul Getty Museum "PARIS; LIFE & LUXURY" and today I decided to go and see it.
And what a day it was! The weather was perfect, the gardens in fool bloom and the exhibit fantastic.
A little note from the museum about this exhibition; "Evoking the elegant, prosperous world of Rococo Paris, this major international loan exhibition brings to life activities that took place inside a Parisian town house over the course of a typical day-from dressing and letter writing to dining, music, and other evening entertainments. It brings together a wide variety of objects-from candlesticks and firedogs, to furniture and clocks, dressing gowns and jewelry, musical instruments and games-all from elite society in Paris, The fashion and cultural epicenter of Europe at the time."
"Paris was a center of great cultural achievement and artistic creativity during the reign of Louis XV from 1723-1774" and I am so grateful to be able to see master work of some of that time under appreciated man.
The exhibit is until August 7, 2011 but if not just to see the artwork go and see the gardens or just have a minute seating and taking in the beauty of that place.
I did had more then a minute looking at the architecture of the Getty Center, the views over Los Angeles and just think about why I moved to California, and I now know why......

Bungalow Heaven

2011-04-13T15:21:00.000-07:00

It dose sounds fantastic and it was! On Sunday, April 10.2011 I had a pleasure to view Arts and Crafts homes in beautiful city Pasadena California. It was amazing weather to walk from home to home. The organizer of this yearly event i a home association 'Bungalow Heaven"- www.bungalowheaven.org Here is some info from the association web " Tucked in the deep of the California Oaks that line the streets is a bit of paradise, Bungalow Heaven residents say".
I got to know that the neighborhood was added to the U.S National Register of Historic Places, and as a member of national Trust For Historic Preservation makes me glad to know that we have some think like that at our door step.
I hear all the time that investors/builders demolish beautiful houses just because of the cost to preserve the old house and it makes me think how come that we can go to other country's and admire the historical sites but here at home we demolish them!!
Maybe it's time to live some history for the kids to be proud of.
On that Sunday I seen eight homes and many of the homes maintain the authentic Arts & Crafts style some of them even had Mission- style furniture and decor of the period.
My self guided tour ended with a "Living History" with actors portraying homeowners of the period, in a 1912 bungalow furnished with authentic mid-century pieces and mid-century inspired decor. This is what the proud homeowner talk about; " This eclectic mix of arts & crafts architecture and mid-century furnishings works beautifully, as several of the elements of both architectural styles have commonalities". Unfortunately pictures were not aloud inside the homes.
In did everything blended well together even me!..

DO's and Don'ts in Feng Shui

2011-02-01T19:33:00.000-08:00

DO arrange your kitchen with a wall behind the stove, rather than placing the stove on an island or peninsula. The wall provides solid, continual support to the prosperity of your family. If you are not planning to remodel soon, use decorative stove covers or screens, available at kitchenware shops, to create a wall effect.
DON'T install more than one stove. Rather then doubling your wealth, this will divide it. Instead, increase the number of burners on the stove top.
DO put your computer in the North or West area of your office to enhance your creativity. Place the computer in the SE if you use it to generate income.
DON'T have any mirrors in your office, as they can reflect negative energy
from clients to other people in the room.
You should always maintain control over energy in your office.
DO wear nine Chinese coins in any combination of jewelry, such as earrings, bracelets, brooches, or rings, to attract good fortune.
DON'T hang any coins on your back door; this represents your money living the premises!
DO position your Buddha diagonally across from and facing the door, which is the position of power and honor in the room.
DON'T put your Buddha on the ground so that people look down on him. Keep him level with or higher than the occupants of the room.
DO choose bedding and linens in solid colors. If they have patterns, avoid geometric, angular designs that emanate negative energy and disturb your rest.
DON'T position a bed on the short wall of a room with a pitched ceiling. The energy of the sloping ceiling will press down on the bed's occupant.

DO keep your aquarium at a level about waist-high,and an odd number of fish; this represents yang energy.

DON'T put an aquarium in or facing a bathroom or a bedroom.

This is considered unlucky and can result in loss of fortune.

DO keep a representation of a bat in a SW area to encourage marital contentment.

DON'T buy wedding rings or gowns from a divorced person. (got a hint?)

And most of all have fun with Feng Shui.

Check out the KraftMaid Define Your Style $50,000 Dream Kitchen Contest

2010-10-12T10:57:00.000-07:00

Check out the KraftMaid Define Your Style $50,000 Dream Kitchen Contest
I am very exited that my presentation board was accepted to the contest.

Architect Frank Gehry talks LEED and the future of green building | Need to Know | PBS

2010-06-27T10:25:00.000-07:00

This is a fantastic and inspirational interview with Frank Gehry about "green design"

Architect Frank Gehry talks LEED and the future of green building Need to Know PBS

Sustainable Garden

2010-05-05T20:23:00.000-07:00

I visited Pacific Design Center many times before and payed attention to the building a cross the street on Melrose blvd. in West Hollywood, it was dark, depressing and overgrown with ivy.

And we know how difficult it is to get read of ivy.

To my surprise not long ago I noticed a new tenant, The famous "Balenciaga" designer had open it showroom and completely change the inside and the most important the front yard.

Picture says a thousand words, but if you are in the neighborhood please go and see how the landscape designer created a sustainable garden with rocks and succulents.

I just love to see more of it in Los Angeles.

ASID recomends; 10 Ways to Go Green

2010-04-23T13:42:00.000-07:00

"By taking a "green" approach to your interior design project, you can make your home resource-efficient and healthier for you and your family, as well as more environmentally friendly.

Utilizing earth-friendly products and practices in residential interiors makes good design sense, and with the variety of furnishings and finishes currently available, the appeal of sustainable design has never been greater. The following guidelines can help you and your interior designer create your green home.

Conserve energy by purchasing major appliances with an Energy Star rating and by adding timers and automated thermostats to control usage. Also, consider switching to fluorescent light bulbs and using more natural lighting with windows or skylights.

Repair leaky fixtures and install low-flow shower heads and faucets.

Use water-based paints, finishes and sealants. Some milk-based paints are also available.

Look for wall coverings that are made of paper or natural fiber, rather than synthetic materials, and printed with natural inks.

Choose carpeting, rugs, window treatments and other textiles made from natural fibers, such as cotton or wool, that are untreated and free of toxins such as pesticides and chemical cleaners.

Ask for flooring products made from rapidly renewable resources, such as bamboo or linoleum.

Select solid woods, when possible, for furniture or cabinetry, rather than pressed woods or composites that may contain formaldehyde or other chemicals that may be toxic.

Reuse materials, such as brick, stone,glass, tile or metal, in new and interesting ways. Old woods also can be safely treated and reused.

Consider the "lifecycle" of furnishings and accessories before purchasing: Are they made of materials that can be reused or recycled when the item eventually wears out or is not longer needed?

Recycle packing and shipping materials from any newly purchased items, and safely dispose of paint cans and other containers whose contents could potentially contaminate the ground or water supply."

For more information, visit American Society of Interior Design ASID www.asid.org

1stdibs Introspective - eye-on-design - James de Givenchy

2010-04-20T10:11:00.000-07:00

I think that in the times as we are now in it's nice and uplifting to see some beauty,
and this is iconic design. Please visit the site and see what I am talking about.
Enjoy....

1stdibs Introspective - eye-on-design - James de Givenchy

The Millennium Modernist: Geoffrey Bradfield

2010-04-13T17:35:00.001-07:00

The Millennium Modernist: Geoffrey Bradfield

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1stdibs Introspective - Eye-On-Design - Andrew Puschel

2010-04-12T18:22:00.000-07:00

1stdibs Introspective - Eye-On-Design - Andrew Puschel

The Dry Garden: Previewing more stops on the Theodore Payne garden tour this weekend

2010-04-09T09:29:00.001-07:00

The Dry Garden: Previewing more stops on the Theodore Payne garden tour this weekend

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Wallpaper that steals headlines

2010-04-09T09:16:00.001-07:00

Wallpaper that steals headlines

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2010-02-03T11:59:00.000-08:00

Just like to share with you, that on January 29 th I went to PDC in Los Angeles for a Designer Lecture and book signing. The guest speaker was Designer Juan Montoya , "He is voted as one of the AD100 top designers, Colombian-born, Juan Montoya is known for pairing his heirloom antiques with sleek modern surfaces and elegant finishes. His passion for sculptural forms draws him to influences as diverse as Louis Kahn, Swedish architect Erik Gunnar Asplund and artist Eva Hild. Many of his favorite interiors of the last 30 years are collected in a new monograph; this lavishly illustrated book, "Juan Montoya",looks at this award-winning and cutting edge designer whose work constantly influences contemporary interior design."
And I can say that it influences me to strive to become a better designer and more professional practitioner.
The book is fantastic as a coffee table book or just as inspiration to design.

2009-12-03T11:17:00.000-08:00

I just got email about this fantastic exhibition
"Bauhaus 1919-1933: Workshops for Modernity" At the Museum Of Modern Art in NY
go to http://www.moma.org/ or http://www.antiqusandthearts.com/ and hope that you all will enjoy
reading it as I did. For those who are in the New York area please share your experience
if you get the chance to see it.
I love the Bauhaus style and all the "artists" involved in it.

Formaldehyde

2009-11-23T20:27:00.000-08:00

As a part time hair stylist I need to share this because it amazes me that hair stylist around the country
are working with this Formaldehyde, Aldahyde (or any other derivatives of Formaldehyde)
Please visit this blog site http://beautyonrobertson.com/blog/?p=39 to read more or go to http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/formaldehyde
Do we need more dangerous chemicals in our life. For those of you that didn't knew
I do work as stylist,designer and some time actor to.
What can I say it is all to bee creative in my life and I love it but I like to bee safe
that's why I have need to post this info.

Global Consumer Confidence Rebounds, but Spending Still Restrained | Nielsen Wire

2009-11-18T10:23:00.000-08:00

Global Consumer Confidence Rebounds, but Spending Still Restrained Nielsen Wire

Hachette shutters Metropolitan Home magazine - Crain's New York Business

2009-11-13T12:22:00.001-08:00

Hachette shutters Metropolitan Home magazine - Crain's New York Business

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Earth Day 2009

2009-04-22T16:36:00.000-07:00

As we all know today is the Earth Day 2009 but did you know that; the average student throws away 67 pounds of lunch trash every school year?

Reduce the amount of waste you throw away by taking a green lunch to school;

pack your food in a lunch box instead of paper bag, use Tupperware instead of Ziploc bags,

reusable instead of disposable bottles, cloth instead of paper napkins and silverware or bamboo instead of plastic utensils.

Starting today Sony Pictures invites you to an earth day celebration in Exposition Park- Rose Garden in Los Angeles to view the fantastic art globes that will be shown from 4/22 - 7/23

after that in Houston for more info go to http://www.coolglobes.com/

I went today and can tell you it's fantastic. See here some of them.

From English to Green garden

2009-04-21T17:00:00.000-07:00

Succulent Garden

English Garden

I like to talk about one of my clients Barbara B. who lives in Los Angeles and to whom I am very grateful for showing me her garden transformation. For many years she was a very committed to make her garden look like the ones she visited in England, it was the most beautiful garden I have seen here in LA without being very manicured.

But as we all know California and Nevada have shortage of water and as designer Barbara decided that is time for change and be a responsible citizen of this state and country.

She research the "Succulent gardening".

With the unlimited amount of cacti and succulents available, one can create landscapes that are vividly surrealistic or monochromatic for desired color schemes.

Succulents are great plants to use in the garden. They are easy to grow, requiring little water, fertilizer, care and maintenance. They are highly adaptable to difficult situations, such as rocky or poor soil, hillsides, crevices, small gardens and container plantings. With great foliage colors, unique textures & shapes, plus beautiful flowers, using succulents one can create true leisure landscape. I have found succulent plants to be patient with me and my lack of time for gardening(balcony). O yes! I got hooked on succulents me to, and my garden is growing with different plants, some of them from local nursery's some from friends and clients.

The succulents are highly evolved plants, which have adapted to their changing environments. Succulents, including the cactus family, have a highly specialize anatomy to enable them to survive periods of drought. All are able to store moisture in fleshy tissue in their stems, roots, or leaves. Most have developed distinctive features to help reduce water loss. One of my favorites is Red-Aloe. Another favorite is the Old Man cactus with his blanket of wool covering the body of the cactus, reflecting heat and intense sunlight off of the plant during the day and acting as a blanket during the cold nights. These are true survivors.

The best of this change is that we don't have to worry about the watering, even if we go for weeks the plants will survive the Californian heat.

Some great books about succulents;

"Designing With Succulents" by Debra Lee Baldwin

"Hardy Succulents" by Gwen Moore Kelaidis

A world of plastic trash in the ocean...a TED talk

2009-03-11T15:54:00.000-07:00

This is a video clip that I think we all have to see and share with friends,children, families, and colleagues.

Capt. Charles Moore of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation first discovered the Great Pacific Garbage Patch -- an endless floating waste of plastic trash. Now he's drawing attention to the growing, choking problem of plastic debris in our seas.

Charles Moore is founder of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation. He captains the foundation's research vessel, the Alguita, documenting the great expanses of plastic waste that now litter our oceans.

Why you should listen to him:
A yachting competition across the Pacific led veteran seafarer Charles Moore to discover what some have since deemed the world's largest "landfill" -- actually a huge water-bound swath of floating plastic garbage the size of two Texases. Trapped in an enormous slow whirlpool called the Pacific Gyre, a mostly stagnant, plankton-rich seascape spun of massive competing air currents, this Great Pacific Garbage Patch in some places outweighs even the surface waters' biomass six-to-one.
Moore said after his return voyage, "There were shampoo caps and soap bottles and plastic bags and fishing floats as far as I could see. Here I was in the middle of the ocean, and there was nowhere I could go to avoid the plastic."
Since his discovery, Moore has been analyzing the giant litter patch and its disastrous effects on ocean life. Through the Algalita Marine Research Foundation, he hopes to raise awareness about the problem and find ways to restrict its growth. He's now leading several expeditions to sample plastic fragments across thousands of miles of the Pacific. Please view this important video on this link:

http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/470 or go to WWW.TED.COM

"His findings have gone a long way toward educating the science community, if not yet the public, on the magnitude of marine pollution and its impact on life -- all life."Thomas Kostigen, Discover Magazine

Next time you spend you day at the beach, think about what you live behind you!

Salons can clean up their act...

2009-03-11T10:58:00.000-07:00

Salons can clean up their act...a few tips on how to help your salon become more green. by Denise Genova, Owner, Beauty on Robertson, Beverly Hills, CA http://www.beautyonrobertson.com/

This blog is from my good friend Denise and I like to share with you what hair stylists and salon owner can do to keep salon spaces green.

We salon folk are up there on the offenders list of contributing to excess trash, using a lot of water, as well as power etc.Think about it, we use metal tubes, and plastic bottles for color (maybe on a busy day at least 10 plus) that we throw right into the trash.These bottles and tubes will never decompose, so they just sit there, forever, in our land fills.
While I admit that it is difficult for hair salons to be completely green, here are some helpful tips on becoming green and contributing less to the overall problem.I've broken down each section and listed tips and links to sites that offer great products and services.

Recycle
There are so many items we can recycle in the salon. Locate your local recycling drop off and encourage other salons in your neighborhood to do the same.Items we can recycle:Hair color tubes and bottles, soda cans and plastic containers, the list goes on. Look around your salon and see what you can recycle. You will be amazed at how much you will find.If you get money back from recycling, buy a beautiful plant for the salon (air cleaning plants are good, and an orchid is always a good investment, they last forever and require little water).

Remodeling/Upgrading your salon
If you are building out, or upgrading, consider these Eco friendly alternatives:Bamboo floors Solar panels Florescent or LED bulbs Eco friendly paint www.bioshieldpaint.comCeiling fans Tint windows where direct sun comes in, this will help save on air bills Set thermostats properly.

Energy Saving Ideas
Turn off lighting when certain areas of salon are not being used.Unplug appliances entirely from the walls (i.e. power strips). If power strips are left plugged in, power is still be used even though appliances are not on.Our blow dryers, irons etc. are plugged into the wall 365 days a year, which means we are constantly pulling electricity.Stylists, don't over use towels on clients.These extra towels ultimately have to be laundered which uses more energy and water.The State of California is in dire straights as far as water goes, do not waste water at all costs.We get a good amount of water from Colorado, and they are at a point where they cannot supply us with water due to droughts, etc.Farmers are suffering and cannot properly tend to crops, in the long term, that translates to shortages of fruits and vegetables as well as other produce grown in CA. This shortage affects not only us here in sunny CA, but everyone across the U.S.

Cleaning your salon
Use cloth, not paper towels.You know you have a ton of color stained towels that you can use for cleaning!Place recycle bins in your color/supply rooms.Another good tip, get a small compost container for left overs from lunch, etc. and then use compost in your gardenhttp://www.gaiam.com/product/id/1006956.door http://www.gardeners.com/Stainless-Steel-Compost-Crock/Composting_New,37-985,default,cp.html

Promotional gifts for clients
Don't bother with having pens, or post it notes made. These items create more waste in the end. Think about having Canvas Shopping bags made with your salon name on them. When clients buy products they can use their salon canvas bag.

Promotional Event
Sponsor an "Eco day" where you have a contest for the most recyclables brought in by a customer, then give them free products or services. You can let your local TV and radio stations know and hopefully they will promote it. It's good PR and good for the planet : )

Change what you use/do in the Salon
There are so many companies that offer recycled cups, paper, etc. Look them up on the Internet and make the switch. Here are some ideas:Cups for beverages at salon Recycled coffee stirrers Buy sugar cubes instead of sugar packets, less waste (and looks prettier : )Use recycled paper cups Bamboo plates Recycled envelopes, stationery Recycled paper for business cards Set lights, fountains, etc. on timers so that they operate only during business hours

Product Lines
Try to only support product lines that are making a difference.
Beauty on Robertson uses and recommends Belegenza

Belegenza is perfect for those with hair extensions and those who want strong healthy hair. We love this line!Beauty on Robertson carries the entire Belegenza line for purchase in salon http://www.beautyonrobertson.com/ (and available on the website soon)

Text below taken from http://www..belegenza.com/

Belegenza delivers professional results...naturally!The time has come for safe, food-grade products that exceed expectations, match the quality of your services and have your well-being in mind!Belegenza is the one and only silicone-free, mineral oil-free, petrolatum-free, paraben-free, SLS-free, phthalate-free, & urea-free product line designed for the high-end salon and clientele. We have developed a patent-pending formula that actually penetrates deep into the hair shaft as opposed to coating the hair with chemicals. The conditioning and cleansing agents are a unique combination of the fruits of the earth and sea and the labor of the silk worm to provide condition, shine and performance never before possible. Not only has Belegenza discovered a way to make each of the benefits synergistic in their effects—but has done so without the conventional chemical culprits!..... free of silicone, petrolatum, mineral oil, phthalates, SLS (sulfates), parabens, ureas! Belegenza is committed to creating and upgrading all our formulas to meet the rigid requirements set by the CEO Alan G Eschenburg at all times!

Pure Hair Extensions
We are proud to be a Pure certified salon.Pure Extensions is the only Eco friendly, socially conscience hair extension company we are aware of. The company's initiatives are groundbreaking and stylists should incorporate this product in the services offered at their salons.The following link answers all your questions, and if you have more questions, the friendly people at Pure hair Extensions are always available to assist you. What's even better, when clients are done with their extensions, the hair can be sent back to the company so that it can be donated to make wigs for cancer survivors!http://www.pureextensions.com/green.htm

TIGI (Toni & Guy)
I am a graduate of Toni & Guy's Advanced Training Academy and have the TIGI hair care and color lines stocked in the salon.TIGI has just come out with their Eco line, Love, Peace & the Planet. This line uses natural and organic ingredients, with very little synthetics. The packaging is recyclable too!One of my favorite products from TIGI for my hair extension clients is Dirty Secret Shampoo from their Rockaholic line. I always advise clients with extensions to not wash daily if possible, this dry shampoo helps you get an extra day before having to shampoo (thus saving water and energy!).

So there you have it...I am sure you will think of many other ways to make your salon more green. Please be sure to comment and share your ideas!
www.vanderzondecor.com

Color Predictions by Pantone

2009-03-05T11:31:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK, SEPTEMBER 5 – 12, 2008

This article have been send to me by "Pantone Paint"

http://www.pantone.com/ and I think it's a great and colorful information that I like to share with everyone

in this dark economic time.

"Spring traditionally evokes a sense of freshness and new
beginnings, with sprouting shoots and blossoming flowers
that inspire designers to breakout of the winter doldrums.
Bright colors return to the top 10 list for spring ’09, as
designers incorporate vibrant pops into their collections, yet
temper the vibrancy with deeper, translucent or neutral tones.
“New York’s fashion designers encourage hopeful attitudes
with lively colors, while sophisticated, grounded hues
address the need for stability in times of economic
uncertainty,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director
of the Pantone Color Institute® .
Fall ’08 saw blue and purple rise to the forefront of fashion.
As is often true, colors evolve from season to season, and
spring ’09 is no exception. Palace Blue, a favorite among
designers this season, takes a steadfast, classic, spring
navy-like tone and makes it sparkle. Paired with just about
any color in the report, it offers many intriguing spring
combinations. Taking purple in a lighter direction, Lavender
presents a softer, more summery hue, extending the mystical
aspects of purple available last fall.
As yellow continues to make its mark on the world of fashion,
tangy Super Lemon brings a fun, optimistic outlook to the
palette. Its luminosity is determined to evoke a smile and
attract the roving consumer’s eyes. Taking a cue from its
lemony neighbor, friendly and approachable Salmon Rose
also conveys an optimistic outlook. The subtlest of oranges,
Salmon Rose is flattering to most complexions and is
beautiful with a summer glow. Think sensual and seductive
Fuchsia Red for clothing, as well as lipstick and nail polish
selections, this spring. With its blue undertones, this cool red is
a real show-stopper, adding a sense of elegance to the palette.
Stabilizing neutrals provide practicality in a changing
economic landscape. Not your average beige, Rose Dust
breaks away from the typical neutrals associated with spring
by adding dimension with subtle rose undertones. And with
its bluish-green undertones, cool Slate Gray is a nuanced
neutral that can be paired with any of the other nine colors
in the report.
Three greens, each with their own distinct personality, round
out the color palette for spring ‘09, perpetuating the idea of
freshness and renewal. Vibrant Green, the quintessential
spring hue, brings a true verdancy to the palette in a time
of revitalization. Dark Citron, a citrus-inspired green, is
calmer and more serious than most, offering an element of
sophistication to the mix. Reflective Lucite Green, a clean,
clear subtle hue, adds a slight shimmer".

http://www.vanderzondecor.com/

Home Staging Service

2009-02-25T10:36:00.000-08:00

Appearance of your home enhances sale results.

Homeowners need to use every tool they have to get the best selling price for their property in what has become crazy real estate market.

One of the best options is to use a professional home staging/design service.

Home staging is designed to make a home more attractive for potential buyers or renters.

Staging is not only decorating the place but mostly cleaning ,removing clutter, and increasing the visual appeal of the house.

Staging a home can make the difference for the homeowner between to sale the home quickly or having it sit on the market for months.

Staging is a process of making the home more neutral so it can appeal to a large base of buyers as possible, the buyer is using his or hers imagination "can I see my self here?"

Staging doesn't have to cost a lot of money if you compare to how much you can loose in the price

reduction of the sale.

But staging is not only the indoor "face lift", curb appeal is as well important if not the most important to get the potential clients through the door. If you can't get the buyers or renters in their is no point in the indoor staging.

Most of the Realtors will agree that the longer the house stays on the market, the lower the selling price will be. "Stage homes sell more quickly than non-staged homes, and for a higher price".

"It's a lot of homes on the market right now, and that is what is going to set you apart from someone else, staging is a fantastic and important tool."

For consultation on staging or design please visit my site; www.vanderzondecor.com

2009-01-21T12:54:00.000-08:00

The Problem With Plastic
The chemical BPA is especially bad for babies
from articles byJeffrey MacMillan, Deborah Kotz and Adam Voiland for US News

During the first few years of life, when babies' cells continue to undergo "programming," exposure to certain toxic chemicals can disrupt the delicate process. Bisphenol A, a compound in hard, clear polycarbonate plastics that mimics the effects of estrogen, has raised particular concern because it interferes with hormone levels and cell signaling systems. Several dozen scientists issued a review of 700 studies on BPA warning that the levels most people are exposed to put them at elevated risk of uterine fibroids, endometriosis, breast cancer, decreased sperm counts, and prostate cancer. Infants, the report said, are most vulnerable to BPA.
"Plastic bottles and plates that are boiled or put in the microwave or dishwasher are especially problematic because heating them repeatedly causes high amounts of BPA to leach out," says Retha Newbold, a developmental and reproductive biologist at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Triangle Park, N.C. Once small cracks form in the surface, a product should be discarded. She recommends that parents, to be on the safe side, switch to glass bottles or those with disposable plastic liners that don't contain BPA. And they should use microwave-safe paper plates or glass dishes covered with a paper towel rather than plastic wrap. Some manufacturers, have begun to offer plastic bottles and training cups that are BPA free.
How to Avoid a Controversial Plastics Chemical
By Adam Voiland
Scientists aren't in full agreement about whether the chemical known as bisphenol A, which is used in the production of certain plastics and can leach into food and drink, poses health hazards. Today, an expert panel organized by the National Institutes of Health concluded that the hormone-mimicking chemical poses minimal health risks overall. But a statement made last week by 38 independent scientists warned of a wide range of adverse health effects.
For people who want to play it safe and minimize their exposure to the controversial chemical, experts have some tips: Avoid storing food or beverages in polycarbonate plastic, which is often used to make baby bottles and "sippy" cups, 5-gallon water cooler jugs, and hard, transparent water bottles, among other products. And avoid canned goods, since the linings of metal cans often contain bisphenol A. For people who continue to use polycarbonate food and drink containers, not heating them should also reduce exposure, says Frederick vom Saal of the University of Missouri, who is a vocal critic of bisphenol A. The acidity of a container's contents and the age and condition of the polycarbonate can also affect how much of the chemical leaches into food or drink, he adds.
Alternatives to polycarbonate include polyethylene and polypropylene plastics, as well as glass. Both alternative plastics are usually identifiable by recycling code, a number that should appear inside a triangular symbol on each plastic container. The number 2 marks polyethylene and the number 5, polypropylene, Polycarbonate doesn't have a unique recycling code, but it tends to be assigned the code 7, a category for miscellaneous plastics.
Metal cans, according to studies, are a significant source of human exposure to bisphenol A. And finding alternatives isn't simple. The most reliable way to avoid bisphenol A from cans is to avoid using them at all. "The breakdown of the plastic lining of cans, or any [bisphenol A]-based product, is greatly accelerated by acidic substances or alcohol,” For many canned products, there are fresh or frozen alternatives, as well as products that come packaged in glass.
Trade groups such as the American Chemistry Council and the Can Manufacturers Institute stand behind the safety of polycarbonate. Nevertheless, some manufacturers are seeking alternatives, and a few are actively capitalizing on consumers' concern over bisphenol A.
Whether such traces pose a risk to people remains unclear. The NIH-organized expert panel that concluded its meeting today in Washington registered some concern about bisphenol A's possible neurological and behavioral effects, particularly in children and developing fetuses. Its chair, Roger Chapin of pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc., acknowledged that concerned people may want to apply a "precautionary principle" and take steps to avoid the chemical. But he and the panel's other members, who reviewed hundreds of relevant studies, said the chemical's health risks appear to be "minimal" overall. And many regulatory agencies and numerous industry-sponsored studies say there's no significant cause for worry.
Bisphenol A (BPA), a compound in hard, clear polycarbonate plastics, is getting official scrutiny—and things are looking less than rosy for the controversial chemical. The U.S. government's National Toxicology Program yesterday agreed with a scientific panel that recently expressed concern about physiological changes that occur in people when they ingest BPA that has leached from plastics into their food. The Canadian government is even considering declaring the chemical toxi. This could set the stage for banning it from plastic baby bottles, water bottles, and food containers. At the very least, some people will be even more eager to buy foods and beverages in BPA-free containers.

You can purchase the bottles on; www.vanderzondecor.com

Top 10 Plants That Clean Air

2009-01-06T20:46:00.000-08:00

Top 10 House Plants That Clean Air/According to NASA

Common indoor plants may provide a valuable weapon in the fight against rising levels of indoor air pollution. Those plants in your office or home are not only decorative, but NASA scientists are finding them to be surprisingly useful in absorbing potentially harmful gases and cleaning the air inside modern buildings.
NASA Study shows common plants help reduce indoor air pollution….

NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) have announced the findings of a 2-year study that suggest a sophisticated pollution-absorbing device: the common indoor plant may provide a natural way of helping combat “SICK BUILDING SYNDROME”.
Research into the use of biological processes as a means of solving environmental problems, both on Earth and in space habitats, has been carried out for many years by Dr. Bill Wolverton, formerly a senior research scientist at NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center, Bay St. Louis, Miss.
Based on preliminary evaluations of the use of common indoor plants for indoor air purification and revitalization, ALCA joined NASA to fund a study using about a dozen popular varieties of ornamental plants to determine their effectiveness in removing several key pollutants associated with indoor air pollution. NASA research on indoor plants has found that living plants are so efficient at absorbing contaminants in the air that some will be launched into space as part of the biological life support system aboard future orbiting space stations.
While more research is needed, Wolverton says the study has shown that common indoor landscaping plants can remove certain pollutants from the indoor environment. “We feel that future results will provide an even stronger argument that common indoor landscaping plants can be a very effective part of a system used to provide pollution free homes and work places, ” he concludes.
Each plant type was placed in sealed, Plexiglas chambers in which chemicals were injected. Philodendron, spider plant and the golden pothos were labeled the most effective in removing formaldehyde molecules. Flowering plants such as gerbera daisy and chrysanthemums were rated superior in removing benzene from the chamber atmosphere. Other good performers are Spathiphyllum, Dracaena Massangeana, and Golden Pothos. “Plants take substances out of the air through the tiny openings in their leaves,” Wolverton said. “But research in our laboratories has determined that plant leaves, roots and soil bacteria are all important in removing trace levels of toxic vapors”.
“Combining nature with technology can increase the effectiveness of plants in removing air pollutants,” he said. “A living air cleaner is created by combining activated carbon and a fan with a potted plant. The roots of the plant grow right in the carbon and slowly degrade the chemicals absorbed there,” Wolverton explains.
NASA research has consistently shown that living, green and flowering plants can remove several toxic chemicals from the air in building interiors. You can use plants in your home or office to improve the quality of the air to make it a more pleasant place to live and work - where people feel better, perform better, any enjoy life more.

TOP 10 plants most effective in removing:Formaldehyde, Benzene, and Carbon Monoxide from the air:
Bamboo Palm – Chamaedorea Seifritzii,

Chinese Evergreen- Aglaonema Modestum,

English Ivy Hedera Helix,
Dracaena Marginata,

Mass cane/Corn Plant - Dracaena Massangeana,
Mother-in-Law’s Tongue– Sansevieria Laurentii,

Pot Mum - Chrysantheium Morifolium,
Peace Lily - Spathiphyllum,
Dracaena – “ Warneckii “
Dracaena “Janet Craig,"

Chemicals Used
Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a commercial product found in a wide variety of industrial uses. Over 90 percent of the TCE produced is used in the metal degreasing and dry cleaning industries. In addition, it is used in printing inks, paints, lacquers, varnishes, and adhesives. In 1975 the National Cancer Institute reported that an unusually high incidence of hepatocellular carcinomas was observed in mice given TCE by gastric intubation and now considers this chemical a potent liver carcinogen.
Benzene is a very commonly used solvent and is also present in many common items including gasoline, inks, oils, paints, plastics, and rubber. In addition it is used in the manufacture of detergents, explosives, pharmaceuticals, and dyes.
Benzene has long been known to irritate the skin and eyes. In addition, it has been shown to be mutagenic to bacterial cell culture and has shown embryo toxic activity and carcinogenicity in some tests. Evidence also exists that benzene may be a contributing factor in chromosomal aberrations and leukemia in humans. Repeated skin contact with benzene will cause drying, inflammation, blistering and dermatitis.
Acute inhalation of high levels of benzene has been reported to cause dizziness, weakness, euphoria, headache, nausea, blurred vision, respiratory diseases, tremors, irregular heartbeat, liver and kidney damage, paralysis and unconsciousness. In anima tests inhalation of benzene led to cataract formation and diseases of the blood and lymphatic systems. Chronic exposure to even relatively low levels causes headaches, loss of appetite, drowsiness, nervousness, psychological disturbances and diseases of the blood system, including anemia and bone marrow diseases.
Formaldehyde is a ubiquitous chemical found in virtually all indoor environments. The major sources which have been reported and publicized include urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) and particle board or pressed wood products used in manufacturing of the office furniture bought today. It is used in consumer paper products which have been treated with UF resins, including grocery bags, waxed papers, facial tissues and paper towels. Many common household cleaning agents contain formaldehyde. UF resins are used as stiffeners, wrinkle resisters, water repellents, fire retardants and adhesive binders in floor coverings, carpet backings and permanent-press clothes. Other sources of formaldehyde include heating and cooking fuels like natural gas, kerosene, and cigarette smoke.
Formaldehyde irritates the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and throat. It is also a highly reactive chemical which combines with protein and can cause allergic contact dermatitis. The most widely reported symptoms from exposure to high levels of this chemical include irritation of the eyes and headaches. Until recently, the most serious of the diseases attributed to formaldehyde exposure was asthma. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently conducted research which has caused formaldehyde to be strongly suspected of causing a rare type of throat cancer in long-term occupants of mobile homes.
Plants Clean Air and Water for Indoor EnvironmentsPublic SafetyOriginating Technology/NASA Contribution Although one of NASA’s goals is to send people to the far reaches of our universe, it is still well known that people need Earth. We understand that humankind’s existence relies on its complex relationship with this planet’s environment—in particular, the regenerative qualities of Earth’s ecosystems. In the late 1960s, B.C. “Bill” Wolverton was an environmental scientist working with the U.S. military to clean up the environmental messes left by biological warfare centers. At a test center in Florida, he was heading a facility that discovered that swamp plants were actually eliminating Agent Orange, which had entered the local waters through government testing near Eglin Air Force Base. After this success, he wanted to continue this line of research and moved to what was at the time called the Mississippi Test Facility, but is now known as NASA’s Stennis Space Center. He was funded by the Space Agency to research the environment’s natural abilities to clean itself as part of what is now Stennis’ Environmental Assurance Program. The goals were to clean the Center of chemicals left behind through wastes and to supply information to NASA engineers about closed-environment “eco” support that may prove helpful in designing sustainable living environments for long-term habitation of space. A tertiary goal was to provide usable technologies to NASA’s Technology Utilization Program, essentially making the research available to the American public.The first step for Wolverton’s research was to continue the remediation work he had started with the military. He was tasked with using plants to clean waste water at the NASA Center. To this day, Wolverton’s design, which replaces a traditional septic system with water hyacinths, is still in use. His research then turned to using plants to improve air quality. In 1973, NASA scientists identified 107 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air inside the Skylab space station. Synthetic materials, like those used to construct Skylab, give off low levels of chemicals. This effect, known as off-gassing, spreads the VOCs, such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene, all known irritants and potential carcinogens. When these chemicals are trapped without circulation, as was the case with the Skylab, the inhabitants may become ill, as the air they breathe is not given the natural scrubbing by Earth’s complex ecosystem.
Around the same time that Wolverton was conducting his research into VOCs, the United States found itself in an energy crisis. In response, builders began making houses and offices more energy efficient. One of the best ways to do this was to make the buildings as airtight as possible. While keeping temperature-controlled air in place, this approach reduced circulation. Combined with the modern use of synthetic materials, this contributed to what became known as Sick Building Syndrome, where toxins found in synthetic materials become concentrated inside sealed buildings, making people feel sick.The solution Wolverton sought was not to make indoor environments less energy efficient or to move away from the convenience of synthetic materials; rather, the plan was to find a solution that restores personal environments. The answer, according to a NASA report later published by Wolverton in 1989, is that “If man is to move into closed environments, on Earth or in space, he must take along nature’s life support system”- Plants. One of the NASA experiments testing this solution was the BioHome, an early experiment in what the Agency called “closed ecological life support systems.” The BioHome, a tightly sealed building constructed entirely of synthetic materials, was designed as suitable for one person to live in, with a great deal of the interior occupied by houseplants. Before the houseplants were added, though, anyone entering the newly constructed facility would experience burning eyes and respiratory difficulties, two of the most common symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome. Once the plants were introduced to the environment, analysis of the air quality indicated that most of the VOCs had been removed, and the symptoms disappeared.PartnershipAfter serving over 30 years as a government scientist, Wolverton retired from civil service but continued his work in air and water quality by founding “Wolverton Environmental Services Inc. The company, based just down the road from Stennis in Picayune, Mississippi, is an environmental consulting firm that gives customers access to Wolverton’s decades of cutting-edge bioremediation research. Product OutcomeWolverton published his findings about using plants to improve indoor air quality in dozens of technical papers while with the Space Agency and as a simple consumer-friendly book, “How to Grow Fresh Air: 50 Houseplants That Purify Your Home or Office.” In it, he explains, in easy-to-understand terms, how plants emit water vapor that creates a pumping action to pull contaminated air down around a plant’s roots, where it is then converted into food for the plant. He then goes on to explain which plants and varieties remove the most toxins, as well as to rate each plant for the level of maintenance it requires. The book has now been translated into 12 languages and has been on the shelves of bookstores for nearly 10 years. Wolverton has also published a companion book, “Growing Clean Water: Nature’s Solution to Water Pollution,” which explains how plants can clean waste water. Another one of Wolverton’s discoveries is that the more air that is allowed to circulate through the roots of the plants, the more effective they are at cleaning polluted air. To take advantage of this science, Wolverton has teamed with the Japanese company, Actree Corporation, to develop what the Japanese firm is marketing as the EcoPlanter. Using high-efficiency carbon filters and a root-level circulation system, the pot allows the plant to remove approximately 200 times more VOCs than a single traditionally-potted plant can remove. The company has recently begun to assess the ability of the EcoPlanter to remove formaldehyde from the many travel trailers furnished by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to victims of Hurricane Katrina. The interiors of the trailers make heavy use of particleboard, which off-gasses formaldehyde. Many of the trailers have been found to exceed the recommended levels of formaldehyde for human safety. Initial tests of the EcoPlanter have been very encouraging, but other testing is still needed.Research has also suggested that plants play a psychological role in welfare, and that people actually recover from illness faster in the presence of plants. Wolverton’s company is working with another Japanese company, Takenaka Garden Afforestation Inc., of Tokyo, to design ecology gardens. These are carefully designed gardens that help remove the toxins from the air in hospitals, as well as provide the healing presence of the foliage. On the home front, in a partnership with Syracuse University, Wolverton Environmental is engineering systems consisting of modular wicking filters tied into duct work and water supplies, essentially tying plant-based filters into heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. This whole-building approach has recently been licensed by Wolverton to Phytofilter Technologies Inc., of Saratoga Springs, New York, which is currently constructing a prototype of a system that is intended to clean the water and air circulation systems of entire buildings using the natural abilities of plants. The design includes units that are built into existing HVAC units. The plants can be placed throughout buildings, in atriums, or in roof gardens and then hooked into the building’s HVAC units through forced-air filters. Wolverton Environmental is also in talks with designers of the new Stennis Visitor’s Center, who are interested in using its designs for indoor air-quality filters.

How to Green your Nursery.

2008-12-23T10:19:00.000-08:00

The most important aspect of green design of your Nursery is to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals. A nontoxic nursery is especially important because newborns spend most of their days in the nursery.
It may not be possible to always determine which materials are used in the nursery products or their safety, ask as many questions when purchase the products.
And if the feel or smell of that products bother you it will bother your baby as well.

Paint the nursery at least a month before the baby is home.

If you are pregnant hire some one to do the painting for you, paint with water-based low-volatile organic compound paints.

The crib is your baby's home, chose real wood, natural finishes and organically grown untreated cotton and wool.

Plastic is a major contributor to indoor air pollution, most toys are made from plastic therefore get natural cloth and wood toys.

If you have to put new flooring consider natural linoleum.

Provide good ventilation in the nursery and watch out for drafts, newborns need fresh air and warm room environment.

Try to use only natural and nontoxic cleaning products and pest controls. Keep your baby safe, healthy and happy.

view www.vanderzondecor.com for baby clothing