Eco-Luxury Candles to Indulge In

Posted on 28. Dec, 2010 by Sesshu Design in Blog, eco-friendly design, gifts, glass, green design, home decoration, luxury design, repurposed, reuse

We believe that luxury and eco-friendly living are not exclusive of each other, and these wonderful candles showcase that philosophy perfectly.

Soothing aromatherapy candles make a wonderful gift for anyone you know who deserves some relaxing, but the glass containers they come in are not so eco-friendly. Until the introduction of EkoMiko candles. Created by actress and environmentalist Izabella Miko (of Coyote Ugly and Deadwood fame), the luxurious line of hand-poured candles are made from a luscious organic coconut butter wax and a repurposed glass bottle holder.  Even the special wick is organic, non-toxic and nearly smokeless.  Thinking through all the details, the biodegradable box can be planted to sprout wildflowers.

The 100% certified natural vegetable wax, created by Stone Candles, is a coconut blend made with luxurious biodegradable elements, which are  non-GMO, pesticide free, raw materials. This wax is primarily coconut based wax with some traces of palm wax, beeswax and essential oils which are fair-trade and organic.

The unique wooden wicks create a crackling wood fire sound while burning.  The wood wicks are 100% natural grown, 100% organic, and made with absolutely no chemical treatments. This special wick does not require trimming, there is little to no debris. and minimal carbon buildup. Wood Wicks efficiently burns all waxes and are grown, manufactured, and sold in the USA. They are surprisingly long lasting, too – expect about 40 hours of burn time.

The frosted green reclaimed vessel comes from reclaimed wine, water and other bottles rescued from the North American waste stream. The re-purposing process requires only a fraction of the energy needed to make glasses from recycled glass. Using a unique wine bottle-to-goblet conversion patent each glass thus retains the essence of the original bottle, preserving the artistic contour, vibrant color and design of the original bottle. The decoration of the glass is applied via silk screen printing process using an environmentally friendly, lead-free ink as a barrier for the frosting process. The frosting is achieved from sandblasting instead of the non-environmentally friendly method of acid etching. Sandblasting medium is aluminum oxide, which is totally inert and is re-used over and over again.

Continuing the philosophy of bringing new life to items no longer needed, the seeded box was a perfect choice for EkoMiko’s packaging material.  Planting the box in soil and watering it will allow the embedded seeds to sprout into beautiful wildflowers.

DONGHIA President on Design Trends

Posted on 26. Oct, 2010 by Sesshu Design in Blog, fabrics, furnishings, home decoration, luxury design, scottsdale interior design, Uncategorized, wallcoverings, wallpaper

DONGHIA

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting Crans Baldwin, President of Donghia and Bergamo – two very beautiful fabric lines that I always enjoy using on my client’s projects.  He was at the John Brooks showroom in Scottsdale, presenting an exclusive sneak peek at the new Fall collections from both lines, as well as the new collection from Armani Casa textiles.  The fabrics were stunning, as always, but what I found even more intriguing were his comments on what he sees as interior design trends happening right now.

In these tough economic times, people have turned back to value and quality in the items they purchase.  People have begun to do those interior design or redecorating projects again, but they are very conscous of using products that are of high quality.  They want things that will last, that are authentic.  Understanding this, the Rubelli company (which is the parent company of Donghia, Bergamo and Armani Casa) have created interior textiles that use beautiful and luxurious fibers which are authentic.  Durability, known in the interior design industry as “double-rubs” or “rub count”, is a key design factor in the new collections.  The pricing is also kept in a very reasonable range, allowing interior designers to use these very special fabrics in more areas.

Another feature that has become more important to many people in these uncertain times is buying things that are made in America.  Donghia has a fabric mill in Pennsylvania which produces amazing textiles, and all of their furniture is hand made in America.  (They still make some furniture in Europe, but that is only sold to customers in Europe.)

Color palettes are always a big interior design trend people are curious about.  This season colors are darker, bolder and saturated with deep aubergine, navy, chocolate, and gray mixed with crimson, copper and brights.  One color scheme even combined orange and purple in varying degrees – from Phoenix Suns team colors, to a slightly more subdued copper paired with dusty plum.  Black is also big this season, sometimes mixed with white or cream, sometimes alone as in a luscious, rich, patterned velvet.

Texture is important – soft and luxurious velvets or chenille-like wovens, fil coupe’ (literally ‘cut yarn’) sheers, nubby terry cloth for outdoors, and a super heavy cotton sateen that will outlast many commercial grade fabrics.

The patterns are unique, and often hand made by artisans all over the world.  Many new patterns are recreated from old “documents” – fabrics that are in the company archives from the past – now done in fresh modern color palettes, or maybe at a different scale, but still the authentic old pattern.  This was especially true in the Armani Casa collection, which uses European and French Art Deco patterns, fabrics and even a dress form the 1920’s and 30’s as inspiration.

Some of the latest patterns take a traditional design and then enlarge it to a giant scale, weave it in contemporary color schemes, and create a very fresh and modern new look.  Damasks, stripes and tapestry patterns all receive this fresh treatment to great effect. 

An interesting use of an authentic material is the horsehair sheer and wall covering shown in natural colors which is quite beautiful in its subtle shading of browns, blacks, creams and taupes.  Horsehair was often used as stuffing in upholstery and as a stiffener in the 19th century.  It is slightly scratchy, and somewhat stiff, but in the right application is stunning.  Donghia is the only manufacturer to create a wall covering by paper backing the horsehair fabric.  It looks similar to a grasscloth, but more unusual and refined.

I am personally looking forward to helping my clients find the stunning statement fabric or wall covering they love which will make their home incredible.  With the new direction taken by the Rubelli’s, I know it will be a joy.

12 Questions to Ask Before Selecting a Green Design Material

Posted on 28. Sep, 2010 by Sesshu Design in Blog, carbon footprint, eco-friendly interior design, energy efficient design, green building products, green design, healthy homes, innovation, LEED, luxury design, new technology, scottsdale interior design, sustainable design, sustainable interior design, Uncategorized

A green interior design material, finish or fixture must first be a good product. Here’s what to look for even before considering a product’s green claims.

Selecting the right eco-friendly materials is one of the most important challenges you will face in building your green home. Real progress has been made by manufacturers in developing green design products and backing up their performance claims, but the question still remains – what is right for my home?

This is something I deal with on a daily basis as an interior designer committed to green interior design. There is a huge gray area between cutting edge technology and risk. You might feel you have to choose between building an eco-friendly home and wanting to ensure that your home will be comfortable and function well – without problems or extra expense.

“Green interior design is always about making choices, compromise, and setting priorities,” is what I tell my clients.  “It’s never going to be ‘perfectly green’, so you have to decide what matters to you.”  You want to feel confidence in your decisions and have the information you need to weigh the trade-offs associated with them.  Still, how do you know what is the best choice for you?

Adapted from EcoHome Magazine’s recommendations for builders and designers, here are 12 questions you should ask about any green design product you’re considering—before you make your selection:

1. How will it perform its basic function as a building material or product?
2. How does it compare with products I am considering or have used before?
3. Is it code approved for my intended use? (Ask your builder, architect or interior designer about this)
4. Is it third-party certified, or is it just a claim by the manufacturer of being eco-friendly?
5. Will it contribute toward project certification, i.e. LEED, Green Build, etc?
6. Is it available now (or will it be when I need it)?
7. How will it affect my budget?
8. Is there any uncertainty about it’s safety or performance?
9. How will it improve the level of energy efficiency, water conservation or indoor air quality of my home?
10. How will it contribute toward sustainability?
11. Will it require special installation skills or adaptations?
12. Is it worth the investment for the benefits?

After answering these 12 questions, talk with your building team to determine if the material or fixture fits within your comfort zone and meets the goals of your project.  You should also ask, “What makes this a green design product?” and “Can you verify the manufacturers’ performance claims?”  Then you can focus on the product’s green attributes and how they will integrate with the other elements of your green home.

Building a green home can be very rewarding, once you work through the layers of documentation and research to determine the best solutions.  Working with a knowledgeable, experienced design and building team will make it much easier and more enjoyable.

Scottsdale Interior Remodels

Posted on 18. Jun, 2010 by Sesshu Design in Blog, locally made, luxury design, scottsdale interior design

Just uploaded a video showcasing two of our recent projects in Scottsdale.  They are both interior remodels, but are very different in style and feel.  You can see the before photos, photos of the project in progress, and the finished project photos.

The contemporary home features green interior design aspects, including a custom powder room sink that has been getting rave reviews across the country.  I think the coolest part is that it is made from concrete with a high recycled fly ash content (one of the key ingredients of concrete), and concrete can easily be recycled.  The natural materials, colors inspired by nature and the simple lines of the furnishings lend a subtle Zen flair to the design which contrasts nicely with the ‘Wow!’ impact of the glass mosaic bar face.  Eco-friendly interior design can be any style- it is more about function, sustainability and conservation than aesthetics.

A more transitional design style in the second home feels very warm, inviting and comfortable  for a baby-boomer couple with pets.  The clean lines and simplicity of shaker style cabinetry marries well with the less cluttered feel they wanted to achieve.  Warm cherry woods, golden beige, vibrant red and cool aqua blue tones provide a soothing yet interesting color scheme throughout the home.  The difference from before to after is truly amazing!  The owners love their updated space and feel it reflects their true style, although it was different than they initially planned.

Take a look and share your comments, then pass this on to your friends!  We love hearing what you think.

Handcrafted Furniture from Reclaimed Teak Creates Sweet Dreams

Posted on 13. Apr, 2010 by Sesshu Design in Blog, eco-friendly design, home decoration, local companies, luxury design, recycled, scottsdale interior design, sustainable design, sustainable interior design, woods

A hand carved chest from Jason Scott Collection

The Jason Scott Collection line of reclaimed teak wood furnishings has options that are rustic or refined, in traditional or contemporary styles.  All are beautifully hand-carved by craftsmen who have honed their skill for many years.

All the teak is reclaimed from architectural structures from Java, and then created by Javanise craftsmen who have been woodworkers for generations.

Headquartered in Phoenix since 1995, the Jason Scott Collection has become well known for the beauty the carvers find in each piece of wood and the history they preserve in each piece of furniture they create.

For more photos and examples of their work, visit their website: http://jasonscottcollection.com or contact us to commission your very own piece.

Luxury is in the Details at Spring Market

Posted on 08. Mar, 2010 by Sesshu Design in Blog, eco-friendly design, fabrics, furnishings, innovation, local companies, luxury design, scottsdale interior design

Last Friday was Spring Market day for 2010 at the John Brooks showroom in Scottsdale.  They hosted designers from all over Arizona and treated us to presentations by Nick Berman from Berman Rosetti Designs, Samuel & Sons Trim, and Mark Boone of London Boone Designs.

The message of the day was that luxury is all about the details- not fussy, over-done adornments, but simple, clean, modern touches that reflect our current lifestyle and the way people truly live today.  Timeless patterns and motifs such as the Greek key pattern are showing up in designs, but in an updated style and done in new materials.

Rose Quartz beaded trim by Samuel & Sons

Samuel & Sons presented their new line created by designer Lori Weitzner, featuring hand-blown glass beads as well as semi-precious stones like jade, amber, rose quartz, and seed pearls sewn onto simple braids and flat ribbons. 

Her Oasis line is inspired by and rooted in nature with materials like jute embroidery on linen and polished wood beads.  The look ranges from urban sophisticated glamour to organic, natural and soothing.  Wood beads are polished to a satin finish in their natural color- no dyes or stains are used, and they replant trees to replace those used in the manufacturing process.  The line includes two tie-backs fashioned of natural tree pods in two options – both are stunning and would work well in environments where a traditional tie-back would be fussy and out of place.

Mark Boone

Mark Boone inspired us with photos and stories of a recent renovation project he completed in Southern California.  The before and after was amazing- we enjoyed knowing that every designer faces similar challenges in gaining the trust of the client to create the vision.  He put it as “a semi-blind date’ – the client meets the designer, they see their work, but they really don’t know much else about them as the designer, and the same is true from the designer’s side.  There needs to be a chemistry between all parties in order to have the best possible results because building (or remodeling) a home takes several months- if not years!  The details of how the homeowners live are important to the designer’s ability to create a space that truly functions well for them.

Hand-cast Glass Mosaics – Responsibly Manufactured

Posted on 02. Dec, 2009 by Sesshu Design in Blog, eco-friendly interior design, luxury design

A private residence great room created by Sesshu Design Associates uses the Tessera tile in Black in combination with other custom mosaics on the face of the bar to create instant impact and ‘WOW’ in the primary living space.

A favorite material I use as decorative borders inside showers, at vanities and in kitchen backsplashes is glass mosaic tile. Glass is so versatile, ranging from sleek contemporary to earthy and organic – especially when mixed with other natural stones. One line I use often and appreciate for its sustainable and recycled manufacturing process, as well as their community values, is Oceanside Glasstile in Carlsbad, California.

All Oceanside Glasstile is made primarily from silica sand, an abundant natural resource. Many colors (depending on the “recipe”) also contain recycled content that may include pre-consumer, post-industrial, and/or post-consumer recycled bottle glass from curbside recycling programs. Pre-consumer materials are generated during the manufacturing process and typically consist of scrap and trimmings that were never used in the consumer market.

Because of its handcrafted nature and broad range of colors in both translucent and iridescent finishes, Oceanside Glasstile is an exceptionally beautiful building materialan ideal choice for creating unique, comforting living spaces that are conducive to health and productivity, all of which is part of green building.

Glass tile is a very strong building material that is impervious to water and resistant to problems from freeze/thaw cycles. This durability further adds to its sustainability.

Oceanside Glasstile allows custom blends in both the Tessera and Geologie lines, using any combination of their vast selection of stock colors and sizes. The possibilities are limitless meaning your home can truly be unique! All Oceanside Glasstile materials are designed to work together in colors that are consistent across all product lines. You can easily combine liners, decos, and trim from one line with mosaics or field tile from another. The entire Oceanside Glasstile product family integrates to allow unlimited possibilities. Each line embraces the glass medium in a different way. The cost to create your own unique blend is quite reasonable, and delivery times are excellent – typically less than 3 weeks from order to delivery.

Respect for the environment and respect for their employees are principles essential to Oceanside’s company philosophy. They provide on-going education, community outreach and other programs for their employees.

Oceanside Glasstile is available through your builder or designer at over 400 locations across the country.

Update: An installation at one of our projects here in Scottsdale, this bar face utilizes a combination of Oceanside Glass Tessera tiles and a custom mosaic from another source.

Zen Powder Room is also Eco-friendly

Posted on 25. Aug, 2009 by Sesshu Design in Blog, eco-friendly interior design, luxury design, recycled

We recently completed this powder room in one of our projects- a remodel in Scottsdale of an early 90′s semi-custom home. The owner wanted aspects of a Zen aesthetic, with the quiet, soothing sounds of water running to be incorporated into the home somewhere. The powder room was a logical choice for both. We worked with Concrete Interior Design here in Scottsdale to create this unique vanity and water-feature combination.
The entire vanity is designed and constructed of colored concrete, which is made from recycled and eco-friendly materials. Incorporated into the upper shelf is a hidden motion-sensitive eye that operates the “faucet” – a row of individual water streams trickling down into a pebble filled basin. The effect is a unique blend of fountain and function. The design of the faucet feature conserves water with its low-pressure streams and automatic shut-off. Behind the flowing water, a mosaic blend of glass and man-made tiles provides a bit of color and sparkle.
The pebble-like texture of the glass sconces harmonizes with the Zen theme, and repeats the texture of the actual stones in the sink basin. Soft, glowing faux finished walls are the perfect backdrop for pops of bright red accents and tie into the rest of the home.

Certified Eco-friendly Outdoor Fabrics

Posted on 13. Aug, 2009 by Sesshu Design in Blog, home decoration, luxury design, recycled

Here in Arizona our outdoor living season is just getting under way when most people are thinking about bundling up for winter. Which means that the latest introduction into the sun-resistant fabric selection from Mokum is very welcome right about now. Mokum’s latest outdoor collection, Australian Botanicals Outdoor, is made from 100% Post Consumer Recycled textiles. The fabrics are inherently and permanently stain resistant, antimicrobial, anti-fungal, bleach cleanable and machine washable. The collection is also extremely durable, adding to its environmental desirability…

The fabrics are 100% solution dyed olefin with a soil resistant finish and all yarns used in the Australian Botanicals Outdoor collection are:

• Made from post industrial waste
• Produced using environmental friendly manufacturing processes
• Fully recyclable
• Certified Cradle-To-Cradle

These are not just your everyday, ho-hum, designs, either. Vibrant colors and bold patterns enliven any backyard or patio living space. Available through your interior designer.

Solar-powered Outdoor Lighting

Posted on 11. Aug, 2009 by Sesshu Design in Blog, green design, innovation, luxury design, new technology

The glass shade is handcrafted for CL Sterling & Son in a Portuguese town called Marinha Grande, which has a history of glassmaking that dates back 300 years. The craftspeople pour a slurry of molten glass into individual molds to simulate a wax candle. The light’s energy source, embedded solar cells, is concealed in the solid brass stand, shown in an oil-rubbed bronze finish. The style is very low-tech, but is quite the opposite with a hidden timer that is set according to geographic location. The LED bulbs will last for three to five years.

Because the solar-powered energy source does not require an external electricity supply, there is no wiring involved, which makes installation easy and allows the fixture to be easily moved around an outdoor landscape.

CL Sterling & Son, 860.739.2720, http://www.clsterling.com/

Recycled auto glass countertops

Posted on 17. Jun, 2009 by Sesshu Design in Blog, green design, luxury design, recycled, scottsdale interior design

We recently re-modeled our studio, including the bathrooms, and one of the most unique products we used was this countertop made from 100% recycled auto glass, and manufactured locally by High Road Custom. The product, called Re-Glass, is available in many colors, hues and finishes. Ours is Turtle Multi-Hue in the Natural finish.

Re-Glass was born from the simple concept of sustainability and environmental responsibility. Each one-of-a-kind, hand-made glass product is made of 100% recycled glass, created with nearly zero waste product and containing zero VOC. To further its sustainability; each and every product is 100% recyclable.

While Re-Glass products are designed for a lifetime of use, the counter tops, surfaces, furnishings and even sculptural elements are 100% recyclable and can be reclaimed and used in new recycled glass products at anytime in the future making for a zero landfill product. This is known as cradle-to-cradle, salvaged and reused materials that can be used again and again staying out of the landfill permanently.

Hand-crafted Hardware with Sustainable Style

Posted on 15. Jun, 2009 by Sesshu Design in Blog, home decoration, LEED, luxury design, recycled

Hand-cast bronze door hardware by Rocky Mountain Hardware has been a long-time favorite in our studio for quality, dependable and beautiful door pulls, latches, hinges and decorative details. I am proud to use them on any of my projects, and the sustainability of their product is a big plus. They have a very organic, comforting feel which appeals to the senses- you just love to touch and handle these pulls.

Rocky Mountain Hardware uses the highest-quality (suitable for art), recycled material to create all of their bronze products. The factory and company headquarters are in Idaho, and they are a family owned and operated company proud to still be in their home state. Love for preserving the beauty of the natural environment in taken very seriously by the company -the corporate headquarters is even housed in a LEED Gold certified building!

Rocky Mountain Hardware is certified by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) to contain a minimum of 90% recycled content, with at least 50% post-consumer recycled content and the balance (40%) pre-consumer recycled content thus qualifying for up to 2 LEED points. SCS is the leading third party provider of auditing and certification for green building products.

Featuring multiple metal and patina options, in rustic or refined styles, there is likely to be a door set that suits almost any home. They also make custom lighting, bathroom accessories and decorative tiles.  Available only through your designer, architect or builder.

Beautiful Plaster Finishes in Natural Clay

Posted on 27. May, 2009 by Sesshu Design in Blog, healthy homes, LEED, luxury design, recyclable, scottsdale interior design

We just finished a small remodel at our office, and used a terrific product in one of our conference rooms- American Clay Plaster. It is all natural, coming straight out of the earth, and has absolutely no nasty odor- even during application! It is hand troweled on and can be finished in a variety of techniques that range from very rustic to more polished and smooth, similar to Venetian Plaster. Painted Earth Finishes did the installation for us, and were fantastic to work with.
Manufactured in and using materials from the United States, American Clay uses natural clays, recycled and reclaimed aggregates, and vibrant natural pigments in each of three beautiful finishes: LOMA, PORCELINA, and MARITTIMO.

Earth Plasters are non-dusting, mold and fade resistant, repairable and moisture controlling. For projects in Scottsdale, they would also qualify for LEED MR 5.2 regional material credits. American Clay may contribute up to 7 LEED credits (8 if you include the recycling area as all of American Clay’s packaging is recyclable), and 5 in most areas.

American Clay is available in a wide range of standard colors, and custom colors are also an option, making it the perfect choice for any space.

Japanese Inspired Paper Lamps

Posted on 18. May, 2009 by Sesshu Design in Blog, green design, home decoration, innovation, luxury design

These beautifully patterned cut paper lamps from Brooklyn based Levent & Romme shown at this year’s BKLYN Designs really caught my eye. Imagined first as pen and ink illustrations, the designers then cut the patterns into a single sheet of thick watercolor paper. Watercolor paper is softly textured and just opaque enough to make the designs pop, and the heavy weight paper lends itself perfectly to the shades’ delicate cuts. The shade fits together using a tabbed design so that it forms a tube without any fasteners or adhesives, increasing the lamps’ sustainability.  Available in four patterns, the fixture uses a compact fluorescent lamp for illumination.

Designers Anne Romme & Fiyel Levent have been working together for the past two years on furniture, installations, and interior designs. They add a twist to their designs by focusing on technology in their fabrication methods, while basing them around traditional materials and craftsmanship. The patterns used for the floor lamps were inspired by the work of Japanese American artist Ruth Asawa, and other Japanese designs- such as Isama Noguchi’s paper lights.

Eco-luxury Resort in Napa Valley

Posted on 06. May, 2009 by Sesshu Design in Blog, eco-friendly design, green design, LEED, luxury design

The newest Napa Valley luxury hotel is an eco-resort- the Bardessono- and it looks to be a nicely sustainable gem. When designing the inn and spa they took care not to disrupt the area’s natural habitat while including a host of green building strategies including rammed earth walls, grey and black water treatment systems, and solar and geothermal energy. Completed just a few weeks ago by eco-developer Phil Sherburne and architect Ron Mitchell, the project is currently pursuing LEED platinum certification.

Building a luxurious restaurant, spa, and hotel in the middle of Napa Valley’s Yountville was a challenging project for Phil Sherburne and architect Ron Mitchell. They needed – and wanted- to be sustainable while also building a relationship with the community.

The architect and developer used recycled cypress wood to build all of the doors, desks, floors and ceilings. They also focused on the interior, targeting elements that would ensure the property’s natural feel. The environmentally rich 62-room hotel stands proudly, with the support of the neighborhood, right on the Bardessono family’s six-acre farmstead in Napa Valley.

Healthy Sleep with Organic Mattresses

Posted on 15. Apr, 2009 by Sesshu Design in Blog, healthy homes, indoor air quality, luxury design, scottsdale interior design

Looking for a quality mattress that will let you sleep healthy, deeply and well? If you suffer from allergies, asthma or environmental illnesses, a natural mattress is exactly what you need. Several all-natural mattresses are now available, but one of my favorite is from Savvy Rest. Originally developed as the Savvy Baby Organic crib mattress, now all Savvy Rest mattresses are free of toxic chemicals, just as your sleep should be.

Several factors play into creating a healthy mattress, including the following:
Hypoallergenic
Most mattresses and pillows even most organic ones are welcoming habitats for allergens. Dust mites cause breathing problems, stress the immune system and can trigger asthma attacks. A chemical-free organic mattress should also be hypoallergenic, or you’ll just be trading one problem for another. Savvy Rest is made of natural latex rubber, in which dust mites can’t survive.

Pressure Relieving
Your mattress should support you in supreme comfort. Most conventional mattresses, particularly those made with innersprings or coils, produce painful pressure points that cause you to toss and turn.

Natural latex rubber, the core of a Savvy Rest, is pressure relieving and promotes the deepest stages of sleep. You can choose very firm, very soft, or any grade between (on each side).

Comfortable
A removable mattress casing made with certified organic wool fiber quilted to certified organic cotton fabric (not cotton fibers- see cotton fiber vs. cotton fabric for the crucial difference). The wool’s lanolin is naturally repellent to dust mites and microscopic scales covering each strand keep the internal ticking environment dry. So you’ll sleep warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer on a Savvy Rest.

Savvy Rest mattresses are available in Scottsdale at Natural Territory, or through your designer.

Flooring for Cavemen, Castles and a Govenor’s Mansion- Now it Can Be Yours

Posted on 06. Apr, 2009 by Sesshu Design in Blog, LEED, luxury design, recycled, scottsdale interior design

Leather has been used for centuries to soften, cushion and warm rooms in the finest homes. In the past leather floor tiles used the dorsal (spine) part of the hide, which is thicker and more durable – but also the most expensive. EcoDomo Recycled Leather Tiles are a more cost effective, and eco-friendly option combined with exceptional beauty, character, and resilience. Like all leather tiles, they will develop a patina over time and reflect the uses and characters of the inhabitants of the space. However, they are the most resilient leather tiles on the market today. They have the look, feel, and characteristic fragrance of leather – while being made of a recycled material.

The EcoDomo Recycled Leather Tiles are made from natural products which are completely renewable, including leather (scraps collected from furniture, shoe and other leather factories), natural rubber, and acacia tree bark. The acacia tree bark is a natural binding agent used to ensure the consistency of the product. Acacia tree bark is harvested from trees which re-grow the bark over time, in a similar manner to cork. The harvesting does not damage the trees.

Recycled Leather Tiles and adhesives required to apply the tiles can contribute to LEED credits. Maintenance is very easy, and eco-friendly also. Eco-Domo recommends using beeswax or carnuba wax to maintain and restore the tiles after installation- both of which are natural and renewable. These recycled leather tiles are completely natural, and help to reduce materials sent to landfills.

Tiles are available in 8 colors and 4 textures – contact your designer to see actual samples. Their online virtual sampler is a good place to start, though.

Why is Mesquite a Sustainable Choice?

Posted on 28. Feb, 2009 by Sesshu Design in Blog, luxury design, scottsdale interior design

Mesquite is a sustainable wood because it is actually a bush, not a tree. Attempts to cut, shred, remove and even burn does not kill mesquite root systems and results in mesquite growing back stronger and thicker. Farmers and ranchers have tried to eradicate mesquite for hundreds of years resulting in them growing back stronger and expanding their area of growth as animals and cattle eat the seed pods and distribute the seeds. Based on current usage of mesquite and eradication efforts the supply in Texas alone can last for thousands of years without need to plant additional mesquite.

The beautiful reddish-brown wood is also extremely durable and the hardness is better than oak, maple or mahogany. It is more tolerant of moisture than many woods, which makes its use in areas like kitchens a possibility. One disadvantage is that large and longer board lengths are difficult to find and substantially raise the costs. However, shorter planks or end-grain blocks can be quite unique and attractive.

This mountain vacation home in Colorado features a mesquite countertop and cabinets in the bar.

Magnificent Flooring with a Story to Tell

Posted on 30. Jan, 2009 by Sesshu Design in eco-friendly, eco-friendly interior design, green building products, green design, luxury design, reclaimed flooring, recycled, scottsdale interior design, sustainable design, sustainable interior design

One of my favorite eco-friendly products is reclaimed wood flooring, and a fantastic source here in Scottsdale is Vintage Hardwoods. They offer a wide variety of wood species sourced from the US and Australia. Reclaimed wood already has that beautiful patina of wear and a story to tell – something we often try to achieve through artificial aging processes, with sometimes less than fabulous results.

By using the wood from old barns, sheds and other structures which are going to be torn down, we save new trees from being cut down, avoid sending smoke and ash into the air (because often these buildings are burned rather than torn apart), and are able to experience some incredibly beautiful woods that may not even be around anymore.

Vintage Hardwoods resources, gathers and re-mills all their own wood. They specialize in longer planks which, while more difficult to remove from the old structures they were originally a part of, create a longer lasting and more beautiful floor. Often their wood comes from smaller structures, as well – those that many people don’t want to hassle with disassembling and transporting.

Vintage Hardwoods uses water based stains and low VOC glues to finish and install the planks in your rooms. Each installation is provided a plaque that identifies the wood species and where it was sourced from, as well as the approximate date of its first use.

By its nature, reclaimed wood is always unique and available in limited quantities. Some of my favorites are shown below.

Reclaimed Australian Sheep Wood

We call it “sheep wood” because it is authentic floor planking removed from original sheep shearing facilities and wool sheds in Western Australia. The white gum species were used because their extreme hardness and durability were able to withstand the constant traffic of the sheep.
We locate this wood, import it and then restore it in our mill. We preserve it’s original character while revealing a new beautiful complexion. The result is a luxurious floor reminiscent of the frontier days of the outback.
Woods from these eucalyptus families are beautiful and elegant. They are characterized by a smooth, creamy grain and original nail holes darkened by decomposed nails. The natural color is a light reddish brown with hints of chocolate.

Reclaimed Australian Spotted Gum

Historically, spotted gum was used in Australia for construction piles and shipbuilding. Its long fibers give it an excellent “power to weight” ratio and high resilience. The original timbers came from Australia’s east coast in a section from the far south to Queensland. Spotted gum has varied grain patterns and colors ranging from light mocha to pale blond with peach undertones.

Reclaimed Vintage Oak

For hundreds of years oak has been used to build barns and warehouses. Oak is a popular choice for reclaimed flooring because of its very fine grain patterns, interesting knots, and nail holes with mineral stains left by decomposed nails. Other characteristics include saw marks, hairline cracks, and occasional worm holes. Reclaimed oak has beautiful nut-like tones ranging from a deep mocha to light cream.

Reclaimed Vintage Heart Pine

With its strength and durability, heart pine was used extensively in shipbuilding, as well as for houses, barns, factories and warehouses. The supply of this wood is limited because the old-growth yellow pine trees were all cut down by the early 1930s. This beautiful reclaimed flooring is characterized by its varied grain patterns and unique colors of light gold, shades of red, orange, brown, and dark honey. The dramatic coloration is created by an oxidation process; the planks change color as they are exposed to season after season of heat, cold, snow and rain. The planks expand and contract as they go through the seasons, becoming harder as the colors deepen. The sapwood begins to crystallize and deepen in color. Other characteristics of reclaimed heart pine include knots, nail holes, mineral stains and occasional saw marks.

Reclaimed Vintage Sycamore

The hearty sycamore tree has the largest leaf of any tree native to North America. It was used primarily for barns built in the mid 1800′s. The sapwood of sycamore is white to light yellow, while the heartwood is light to medium brown. This beautiful wood has a fine, close texture with an interlocking grain. Reclaimed sycamore is characterized by its light, creamy color, dark knots, nail holes with mineral stains and occasional saw marks.

Green fabrics come in all colors

Posted on 29. Jan, 2009 by Sesshu Design in bamboo, eco-friendly, eco-friendly interior design, fabrics, green building products, green design, luxury design, recyclable, recycled, scottsdale interior design, sustainable, sustainable design, sustainable interior design

Brentano Fabrics has added a new label to their line which features exclusive eco-friendly textiles in a variety of styles, and materials. Their commitment to a green awareness while still designing with beauty and performance in mind led to the creation of Brentano Green, which includes both woven textiles and faux leathers.

The Brentano Green labeled materials are qualified with the following criteria:
Raw Materials must have either biodegradable or recycled content
Process evaluation of the dying and weaving as well as other environmental aspects in manufacturing the textiles
Facility & Social Responsibility accounting for working conditions, public health and green programs

The eco-fabrics are made from bamboo, eco-intelligent polyester, eco-wool, 100% post consumer recycled polyester and biodegradable polyurethane. In 1993, Brentano was searching for an alternative to environmentally harmful leather and vinyl textiles. After learning about polyurethane, they made the decision not to produce either leather or vinyl products, instead developing beautiful and environmentally friendly faux leathers.

Bamboo is 100% biodegradable and a rapidly renewable resource. It has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Bamboo also has the ability to absorb carbon dioxide and produces a large amount of oxygen as it grows.

Brentano’s Eco-intelligent Polyester is MBDC Cradle to Cradle Gold rated and part of a closed loop system designed to be upcycled (after use, it can be recovered and remanufactured safely and effectively). It is manufactured using 100% hydro-power.

Eco-wool is a naturally environmentally friendly fiber that requires less water and fewer pesticides than linen or cotton. The fibers have almost no toxic residues and it is compliant with EU Eco-label standards, Environmental Choice New Zealand certified and the mill is ranked Enviro-Mark Silver.

100% Post consumer Recycled Polyester if rated MBDC Cradle to Cradle Silver. Using post consumer polyester fibers preserves virgin oil, reducing use of this natural resource. The fabric is recyclable and the dyestuffs contain no harmful chemicals or heavy metals.

Faux Leather is made from biodegradable polyurethane, it is naturally soft and flexible and does not require plasticizers often used to soften vinyl or heavy metals used to tan leather.

Brentano Fabrics are available through your designer.

Celebrating 40 years with new Eco-Friendly Collections

Posted on 22. Jan, 2009 by Sesshu Design in eco-friendly, eco-friendly interior design, green design, locally made, luxury design, scottsdale interior design, sustainable, sustainable design, sustainable interior design, wallcoverings

Maya Romanoff, the artistic creator of the luxury wallcovering line by the same name utilizes both ancient and new production techniques. He has created some of the most innovative and exotic surfacing materials available -everything from glass bead and seashell encrusted papers to vinyls and inlaid wood veneers.

The design philosophy of the Maya Romanoff company, based in Chigaco, is simple: It has to be beautiful. While everything they design is governed by their collective definition of beautiful, Maya remains the ultimate decision maker, guiding color choices, and pattern repeats based on his feeling for what is most pleasing to the eye. The company also likes to support American jobs – more than 50% of Maya Romanoff’s wall coverings and surfacing materials are made in their Chicago studio by long-term employees. “Instead of exporting jobs to India and Asia, we export wallpaper, says Laura.

Their products are consistently intriguing and increasingly eco-friendly. Existing collections include: the Mother of Pearl wallcovering made from a thin layer of Capiz sea shells; Bedazzled, a wallcovering featuring glass beads; and True Metals, flexible tiles of brass, copper or aluminum.

What all these have in common is that they are flexible and made of natural materials. We strip away the unnecessary finishes so the material itself can be appreciated. The glass beads are right there on the surface; nothing covers our woods; and there’s only a thin layer of varnish on the seashells, explains Laura Romanoff, daughter of the firm’s founder.

In honor of their 40th Anniversary this year, they’ll be releasing the Meditations collection-an entirely green product made of Tibetan prayer papers and produced without electricity, and putting a more contemporary spin on the existing collections.

A very exciting new addition to the line is Sunburst, a wood veneer made of Paulownia, a fig tree that is flexible and fast renewing. Sunburst is part of the Ajiro collection, a product which recently received Interior Design Magazine’s Best of Year award. The veneer’s extraordinary hand-inlaid pattern and sustainable aspects make it an ideal product for today’s eco-conscious luxury homes.

The Maya Romanoff company has never been a slave to design trends, but instead creates products with the timeless appeal of natural materials. With this focus, Maya Romanoff will certainly be celebrating many more anniversaries in the years ahead.

Maya Romanoff wallcoverings are available exclusively through the Trade – contact your designer for samples, pricing and ordering.

Perfect Harmony

Posted on 21. Jan, 2009 by Sesshu Design in eco-friendly, green design, luxury design, mountain architecture, sustainable, sustainable design

A Montana home resonates with the surrounding land as much as it does with the owner’s heart

This beautiful sustainable home is in harmony with its surroundings due to some careful thought and planning by the homeowner and her designer. She liked the look and feel of NY lofts but also wanted something that fit in with the farms that dot the landscape around her home.

The result is that her place looks like it has been part of the landscape for ages. The designers’ challenge wasn’t limited to a farmhouse exterior look- the homeowner asked that the interior have the feeling of a New York City loft.
“The two ideas may have seemed totally incongruous to some, but these design pros quickly found common ground. Some real creativity came out of thinking about how to marry the two concepts, says [the designer]. [The owner] wanted to use as many sustainable materials as possible, and I thought about the post-and-beam aspect of city lofts; I used to live in New York, so I had a pretty immediate reference to that. We thought if we could have the house come out of the idea of a barn structure, which is also typically post-and-beam, that [construction technique] could be our common departure point, she explains. While it would look like an outbuilding, it would only reference one, not replicate one.”

- for more see the article in Mountain Living Magazine, November/December 2008 issue

Amazing Glass (Tiles)

Posted on 20. Jan, 2009 by Sesshu Design in eco-friendly, eco-friendly interior design, glass, green design, luxury design, recycled, scottsdale interior design, sustainable design, sustainable interior design, tiles

Just found these 100% recycled glass tiles from Bedrock Industries – they use only post-industrial and post-consumer glass and NO added oxides or colorants. Each tile is handmade, creating a distinctive appearance and wonderful color variations.

These are available through designers and tile showrooms nationwide. People have used them in many creative and unique ways – I love the idea of using them on the porch transom to create wonderful light play outside.

The tiles are available in many sizes, shapes, designs and colors – there is sure to be one that fits your style whether that is traditional or modern.
You can bet I will be specifying them somewhere in upcoming projects!

A Green Idea for Gift Wrapping

Posted on 22. Dec, 2008 by Sesshu Design in eco-friendly, gifts, green building products, green design, green living tips, luxury design, recycled, sustainable design

While it makes a fun tradition, gift-wrapping packages with paper and tape is an inherently unsustainable practice: think of all the paper and ribbon that goes into the trash each holiday season for the sake of making presents pretty.

Here’s a lovely green gift-wrap idea: wrap your present in a silk scarf this year! Not only do scarves make beautiful, easy gift wrap that requires no tape or scissors – but the durability and multiple uses of scarves mean that the gift-wrap itself becomes part of the present that can be worn and reused again and again.

BOBO wrapping scarves are silk scarves that are designed for the express purpose of wrapping presents. They can mold into a variety of shapes and the cloth material can be re-used over and over again.

Luxury Recycling

Posted on 15. Feb, 2008 by Sesshu Design in eco-friendly, eco-friendly interior design, green building products, green design, luxury design, recycled, recycling, scottsdale interior design, sustainable design, sustainable interior design

Here’s a juicy little tidbit you probably didn’t know -

Nearly 85 percent of all the gold ever mined is still being used today. Because it has been highly valued throughout history, it has always been recycled.

(Source: Discover Magazine)

Green Mansions – a growing trend?

Posted on 14. Sep, 2007 by Sesshu Design in eco-friendly, green design, luxury design, solar powered town homes, sustainable

It seems there is good news out there for the luxury custom home designers who are also environmentally conscious. There is a growing trend among buyers of new luxury homes to include sustainable features into the homes they are building.

I just read an article on CNNMoney.com about the emergence of luxury homes utilizing sustainable design and building practices.

The article highlights many of the beautiful ways green can be built into a home, without sacrificing any of the details, quality or style traditionally put into custom homes. We regularly use reclaimed wood, recycled glass tiles, low-energy appliances and low-water plumbing fixtures, etc. In the Valley of the Sun (as Phoenix is known), solar is a no-brainer that we haven’t fully taken advantage of yet – but it is growing. Using “gray water” (recycling dirty water from showers/sinks to flush toilets and water landscaping) is also a great practice we should be doing more of here in the desert.

Our firm bases our practice on making wealthy homeowners aware of the options and opportunities to incorporate eco-friendly materials into their new homes. It is one way of reducing the impact we have on the environment, while providing our clients with the luxury and amenities they want in their homes.

Read the entire article here –
Live the good life in a green mansion
As demand grows, multi-million mansions that are both indulgent and eco-friendly emerge.