8.15.10 - Can My Life be Simplified?

by Jamie Briesemeister

5 Considerations When Deciding on Home Automation.

1. "Home automation" is not as threatening as it sounds...

The term "home automation" may conjure images of The Jetson's or Bugs Bunny's " Home of the Future" where hologram telephones are possible and meals are as simple as zapping a small pill. Poof, instant turkey. While many of these futuristic experiences actually do happen today, the solutions are more realistic than instant pill-food.

7.30.10 - The Healthy Abode: Spa Bath - Part 1

by Melanie Holden

Are you too busy for a regular spa trip, but in desperate need of a little pampering? Join the club! It seems like we've all been required to do more with less over the past few years, which makes for much busier, more stressful lifestyles. Needless to say, all this work and worry is not good for your health...

6.24.10 - The Healthy Abode: FSC - What is that?

by Melanie Holden

In several of my previous blogs I've referred to FSC Certified wood products, which has generated the question on more than one occasion: what exactly does FSC Certified mean?

3.19.10 - The Healthy Abode: Paint

by Melanie Holden

Happy spring everyone! How wonderful it is to throw open those windows and ventilate all of the stale indoor winter air. Love it! Fresh air brings a renewed energy to the soul. With the anticipation of flowers blooming and the earth coming out of hibernation, lets talk color to give that renewed energy a jump-start. Winter can get so drab with the long nights and lack of daytime sun. Thankfully, the days are getting longer and the Missouri Botanical Gardens helps ease the winter blues with their annual orchid show to help brighten those dreary days. I love gathering inspiration from the delicate and breathtaking display and translating it into colors and décor in my clients’ homes and businesses.

2.25.10 - Ten Energy Saving Tips for Your Home

by Jamie Briesemeister

Saving energy in your home can be as simple as flipping a switch, turning down a thermostat, or changing a light bulb. Here are a few statistics, gathered from a 2008 report by the U.S. Department of Energy that may open your eyes to how energy is spent in your home, with suggestions to decrease energy expenditures.

2.18.10 - The Healthy Abode: Cabinets

by Melanie Holden

When you make the decision to implement sustainable practices into your life, education is critical in order to understand what you’re truly looking for in sustainable products. So far, I’ve brushed on water-saving plumbing fixtures and countertops. Let’s chat about cabinets for a while…

12.16.09 - Myth of CFL's

by Jamie Briesemeister

Energy conservation has become a hot topic over the past few years. Consumers are urged to turn off lights, use less hot water, and switch to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) in place of incandescent bulbs. I agree with the first two points, but I take issue with the idea of switching every light bulb in one's house to CFLs.

11.29.09 - The Healthy Abode: Countertops

by Melanie Holden

So, you're in the market for a new countertop, and you want something that is earth-friendly, durable, sanitary, low-maintenance, gorgeous, and won't break the bank. Where to begin and how in the world can an eco-countertop boast all of these features? Let's talk.

11.12.09 - Recycling 101

by Jamie Briesemeister

Recycling has been a part of my life since I was a little girl. My mom and I recycled cans and bottles as far back as I can remember. Stomping cans flat and taking them to the recycling facility was a lot of fun – and we were paid for them! Later on, friends of mine and I started the Ecology Club in our high school. We collected paper, cans and bottles throughout the whole school to sort, stack, and stomp before taking everything to the recycling facility.

11.12.09 - Reducing Consumption

by Jamie Briesemeister

One of the easiest ways to reduce our consumption rate is simply to use less stuff. Buy less, use less. When you can’t use less, consider reusing what you have in a different way. In the design world, this would be called repurposing: reusing an item of value to serve a new, often completely different purpose.

10.25.09 - Water Conservation in the Home - Watersense

by Melanie Holden

Do you realize how easy it is to save water in your home without sacrificing the performance or design of your plumbing fixtures? A simple way to identify high performance, water conserving fixtures is with the WaterSense label. Products that have achieved this label will be at least 20% more efficient than conventional models....

10.20.09 - Energy Saving Tips at Home

by Paige McClellan-Gilbertson

1. Unplug objects when not in use. Plugs continue to draw current even when not turned on; the equivalent of one 100 watt bulb burning non-stop!
2. Opt for LCD over plasma televisions. A plasma television, even when not in use consumes as much energy as your refrigerator!
3. Install hardwood, tile or cork floors. Carpeting traps dust, mites and mold. Carpet glue, fibers and backing can contain off-gas volatile organic compounds (vocs)
4. If you love carpet, buy hepa filters for your vacuum cleaner, they can clean & filter up to 99% of allergens. Vacuum thoroughly and often...