What are your favorite eco-friendly materials for interior design?
Marina Broschofsky | Red Door Design House
I love using natural materials such as reclaimed wood, steel, stone and concrete. You can create such a beautiful and interesting look with simple materials such as these.
Megan Edwards | M Design and Interiors
Caesarstone or PentalQuartz made from recycled granite. Also, low- to zero-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint colors by Benjamin Moore or Devine.
Terri DeMun | Lone Star
For the bedroom, cotton, cotton, cotton. Preferably thin, and lightweight, and soft. There is nothing better than sliding into really nice crisp cotton sheets.
What are the hottest new textiles and colors you are seeing out there?
Marina Broschofsky | Red Door Design House
Gray has been the most popular neutral this past year, which allows you to use just about any color to accent with. I am seeing more bright color accents this year—from bold yellows and reds to neon blue, orange, plum and olive.
Terri DeMun | Lone Star
Having grown up in the '60s and '70s, I have always loved block printed cotton, Indian Kalamkaris, batik and ethnic woven fabrics (ikats) or even madras plaids. So when these items started showing up in the mainstream again, I was delighted.
What are some of the eco-friendly materials you are using in your latest projects?
Elisabeth Grabher | Grabher Construction
Reclaimed barn wood I started using five years ago. Recycled glass tiles—the colors and textures are great. Vintage or used lighting fixtures.
Brian Poster | Poster Construction
I really like the hardwood engineered floors. They have real wood of your choice but the planks are laminated to an engineered product for stability and durability. The finishes are outstanding!
David Lloyd | Lloyd Construction
They are not glamorous, but I continue to be fascinated by heat recovery ventilators. Their value is twofold in that they ensure healthy air quality for home occupants while also being eco-friendly by capturing heat from exhausted air.
What are some innovative ways of achieving sustainability?
Buffalo Rixon | Ruscitto Latham Blanton
We have recently been using “enhanced” drainable house wraps as rain screens to improve the longevity of the exterior wall system and materials. In essence, they provide an air gap between the exterior wall sheathing and the exterior materials, allowing both to sufficiently dry and resist decay.
Elisabeth Grabher | Grabher Construction
I think some of the most innovative products right now are the contemporary pre-fab homes or pods.
Brian Poster | Poster Construction
Insulation is the key to a comfortable indoor environment. Buy the best insulation system you can afford. It may not be a fun or sexy decision point, but it will enhance your indoor experience for the life of your home. During the design phase, consider the orientation and overhangs to get the most out of solar gain in the winter and shading in the summer.
David Lloyd | Lloyd Construction
I like to incorporate elements of passive solar building design in my builds. The small concessions made in design are usually far outweighed by gains in comfort to occupants and energy savings.