The New Year – The Perfect Time For a Design Plan

Posted on 26. Jan, 2011 by Sesshu Design in Blog, home decoration, scottsdale interior design

The New Year is traditionally a time to reassess and make changes in your life. It is a perfect time to assess your home and maybe give it a facelift.  Think about ways you might want to change your home to be more beautiful and functional for the way you live now.  Often rooms that were once perfect no longer fit the way our lives have changed. If a space was furnished more than seven to ten years ago, it could probably use some updating.  This is the perfect time to create a design plan that will help you achieve a beautiful look that flows from room to room.

It doesn’t need to be a major overhaul of your entire home.  A simple update of color scheme, or re-upholstering your sofa and changing the pillows can instantly freshen a room. Often things like bedding, window treatments, or your favorite chair (or the dog’s favorite chair) can become shabby or dated without you really noticing – until something like a new year focuses your attention on freshening up your space.  Luckily, these things can be easily replaced, updated and refreshed.

If you want to redesign more than one room, an overall design plan is a good tool to help you implement changes in phases.  With a plan for each space that accounts for the entire design concept you will have a guide to work form when making buying decisions down the road.  Without a plan, the process of designing one room at a time tends to result in a home that is disjointed, and lacks flow and harmony. 

When creating your design plan, walk through your entire home one space or room at a time and make a note of what could use updating, what is in disrepair, and what you no longer like.  List each item, and then go back and prioritize the list.  Some things may suggest being completed at the same time, like if you need to replace counter-tops, maybe this is a good time to also redo the plumbing fixtures.

There a a lot of incentives still available if your update includes environmentally friendly changes like more efficient windows, water saving fixtures, or tankless water heaters.  A design plan can assist you in deciding what changes make the most sense to tackle now, and what can wait until later.  With the real estate market being what it is, this is a great time to invest in remodeling and updating your home.  Home improvements like kitchen and bath remodels are still a good return on your investment, especially if the change is something that you will use often and enjoy while you are in your home.  For instance, making-over the master bath into a personal spa retreat is one change that you will likely wonder why you didn’t do it sooner!

As experts in solving challenges with space, function and style, the designers at Sesshu Design Associates can work with you to create a design plan that fits your needs and budget.  Then you can execute it on your own, or use our purchasing services to create the total package.  Either way, you will be confident that your entire home will have a cohesive style and function beautifully for your life.

For a complimentary consultation to explore the possibilities in your home, contact us today.

Designing with Light, Part 3 – The Best Bulb for the Job

Posted on 18. Dec, 2010 by Sesshu Design in Blog, eco-friendly interior design, eco-friendly lighting, energy efficient design, energy efficient lighting, energy saving, energy-star, green design, LED light, new technology, scottsdale interior design

In addition to selecting the appropriate fixture, it is very important when designing the interior lighting in your home to consider the type of bulb which each fixture uses.  The performance of any fixture depends greatly on the light source (bulb) used.  Light sources vary in their efficiency, lighting effects, and performance.

Some basic terminology for lighting measurement should be understood.  Although you are likely familiar with these terms, many people do not correctly understand what they mean in relation to choosing a bulb for interior lighting.

• Wattage: the amount of electricity consumed by a light source (bulb)
• Lumens: the amount of light that a source produces
• Efficacy: Lumens per watt
• Foot-candles: the amount of light reaching an object

Today there are high-efficiency light bulbs available, such as compact fluorescent  and LED, which produce significantly more light for every watt of energy used.  This is a common misunderstanding – wattage does not measure output of light, but rather electrical consumption of the bulb.  For example, a typical CFL (compact fluorescent) bulb produces four times as much light for every watt as a standard incandescent bulb.  New on the market are LED bulbs which deliver the same illumination as a 60 watt white light incandescent at a mere 12 watts, or about five times more efficiency.

Types of Light Sources (Bulbs)

There are four basic types of bulbs that are commonly used in residential interior lighting design:

• Incandescent
• Tungsten- Halogen
• Fluorescent
• LED (Light Emitting Diode)

Each of these have specific characteristics with varying degrees of efficiency and cost, making them more or less suitable for various interior lighting applications.

Incandescent bulbs have been around since Edison invented them, and are what we most commonly see in household use.  However, they are highly inefficient, and are being phased out of production.  They are used in almost all types of fixtures from chandeliers to table lamps, ceiling fixtures and wall fixtures. They produce a warm yellow-white light, are inexpensive and readily available in a wide variety of wattages, sizes and shapes.  They come in three basic types – general, globe and decorative (candle, flame, teardrop and other shapes).

Incandescent bulbs also are available with a reflectorized coating that directs the light in one direction, providing better beam control than typical general service type bulbs.  These are available in a variety of beam shapes such as flood, narrow flood, spot and narrow spot.  They are very common for recessed and track lighting.

Tungsten-Halogen sources are whiter and brighter than standard incandescent bulbs.  They also have a longer life and provide more light per watt than incandescent sources, and are therefore a more energy efficient choice with a lower lifetime cost.  Tungsten-Halogen bulbs are available in both standard voltage (120 colts) and low voltage (12 and 24 volts).  Low-voltage bulbs require a transformer to operate correctly and safely.

Standard voltage halogen bulbs (also called line voltage) commonly used are PAR-16, PAR-20, PAR-30, PAR-38, T-3(single-ended halogen), and T-4 (double ended halogen).  They all provide a brighter and a whiter quality of light than standard incandescent bulbs. PAR type bulbs come in flood, spot, and narrow beam shapes which work well in track, recessed and outdoor flood lights.  T-3 and T-4 bulbs are long and narrow, and are often used in wall sconces, torchieres, and pendant fixtures.

Low voltage halogen bulbs include MR-8, MR-11, and MR-16 mini reflectors which provide excellent beam control and are often used in smaller track and recessed fixtures.  In recent decades, they have been the gold standard in many interior lighting design applications.

Xenon bulbs are available in rigid-loop, festoon, and wedge base types of miniature bulbs that are popular for strip lighting, under-cabinet and cove-lighting.  They have a similar light to halogen, but longer life (up to 20,000 hours similar to fluorescent) and operate at a much lower temperature.

Fluorescent bulbs are approximately four to five times as efficient as incandescent or halogen light sources, producing as much as five times the amount of light per watt.  They also have a rated life that is 10 to 20 times longer than incandescent bulbs.  One concern among environmentalists is that they contain mercury, which makes disposal a bit more complicated.  If you use fluorescent bulbs, whether CFL’s or standard tube, they should be taken to an appropriate recycling or disposal center – not just thrown in the trash.

CFL’s are now available in a wide variety of sizes, shapes and are used increasingly in all types of fixtures.  They have a warm white tone that closely resembles incandescent sources.  CFL’s with a screw-in type of base can be used to replace incandescent bulbs in standard lamp sockets.  This is where understanding wattage versus light output (lumens) comes into play.  Your lamp typically states that bulbs should not exceed 60 or 75 watts, but with the lower wattage of CFL type bulbs you may be able to get the equivalent lumens as using a 100 watt standard bulb, thus having more light safely and efficiently.

T8 bulbs are the tubes typically used in larger ceiling fixtures.  Because they have electronic ballasts, these bulbs are extremely efficient, turn on instantly and do not hum.  They are available in a wide range of color tones from warm to neutral to cool.

LED bulbs are the newest type of light source to enter the marketplace in recent years and are creating a huge green design buzz. Now available as a replacement for standard incandescent type bulbs in interior lighting design, they contain no mercury or lead and won’t fade colors because they produce no UV light.  They are typically a very bright, white light and operate at a very low temperature.  The latest developments have produced bulbs which more closely resemble the warm white light we are used to and can be dimmed to personal tastes.

The biggest benefit to LED bulbs is their extreme efficiency – typically using just 20% of the energy consumed by a standard bulb – and their very long life.  They are quite expensive right now, but when you consider that they boast a useful life of 15-20 years in addition to lower energy bills, they are a smart investment.

LED bulbs have been used in holiday lights for several years and are available in a wide variety of colors and styles.  Philips has just introduced a bulb which replaces the standard 60 watt incandescent bulb, and is suitable for all standard light fixtures.  This is likely to be the biggest change in interior lighting design of the last 100 years.

Energy Savings and Efficiency

Lighting uses 7% to 10% of the total energy consumed in your home.  There are a number of ways you can reduce your electrical energy consumption from lighting.  Careful and thoughtful planning of your interior lighting design should be a priority.

Turn off lights when you don’t need them.  Use occupancy or motion sensors. Timers and photoelectric sensors work well to turn outdoor lighting on and off automatically.

Use dimmers or other lighting control systems.  A bulb that is dimmed to 75% or maximum output emits enough light that the difference is indiscernible to the human eye, yet uses 25% less energy and will last 25% longer.

Look for products that carry the Energy-Star symbol.

Use more efficient PAR bulbs or energy saving fluorescents where possible.  They are ideal for laundry rooms, storage rooms and garages.  CFLs with excellent color qualities can also be used in kitchens and baths, or in decorative wall sconces and ceiling fixtures.

Use highly efficient LEDs, especially for fixtures that are used often, task and accent lighting.  The very long life of LEDs makes them perfect for hard to access fixtures such a recessed cans in vaulted ceilings.  By switching out your incandescents  for energy-efficient LEDs you will be playing your part in reducing the environmental impact that lighting plays in our world.  If every home in the US were to switch, we would save enough energy to power 17 million homes.

Related Stories:

Designing With Light, Part 1

Designing with Light, Part 2 – Choosing the Right Fixture

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.

Clean the Air Inside Your Home with Green Plants

Posted on 19. Oct, 2010 by Sesshu Design in bamboo, Blog, eco-friendly design, eco-friendly interior design, environmentally friendly tips, green living tips, healthy homes, home decoration, indoor air quality, innovation, local companies, nontoxic cleaning, scottsdale interior design, zero-VOC

The air quality inside your home is one of the most important yet overlooked areas of green interior design.  The range of remedies can range from rather expensive options like replacing carpeting or serious HVAC systems for moving air, to one of the least costly and also aesthetically pleasing – adding live plants to every room.

A NASA study shows that live indoor plants do indeed help to create a healthier environment inside your home.  The study shows that

• indoor plants not only absorb CO2, they also release oxygen
• living plants scrub the air of pollutants commonly found indoors from our carpeting, paints, and cleaning products.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gases that pollute indoor air quality.  They can be found in many common household products, including paint, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, glues and adhesives. Breathing these compounds causes symptoms that range from allergic reactions to respiratory tract irritation to more serious conditions like asthma and cancer.

There are now paints, carpeting products, and indoor cleaners that have low or zero VOCs. Regardless, NASA found that a house plant for every 50 feet will help reduce VOCs and improve home air quality.

Even the act of living and breathing inside your home adds to the problems for healthy air because human respiration removes oxygen, and emits carbon dioxide.  If your home is extremely air-tight, over time the levels of CO2 can rise quite dramatically without some form of air transfer or cleaning.

Although all live plants take in CO2 and create oxygen, some are more efficient than others.  Many of the best are very common and easy to find.  The top indoor air scrubbing plants found by NASA are listed below (this plant list came from Zone10.com):

• Bamboo palm, Chamaedorea seifritzii
• Chinese evergreen, Aglaonema modestum
• English ivy, Hedera helix
• Gerbera daisy, Gerbera jamesonii
• Janet Craig, Dracaena “Janet Craig”
• Marginata, Dracaena marginata
• Mass cane/Corn plant, Dracaena massangeana
• Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, Sansevieria laurentii
• Pot mum, Chrysantheium morifolium
• Peace lily, Spathiphyllum
• Warneckii, Dracaena “Warneckii”

In Scottsdale, my favorite source for incredible indoor plants and creative plantscape design is Plant Solutions.  They are passionate about green design, and have even developed an innovative solution called the living wall- a vertical installation of live plants which takes up very little floor space while adding multitudes of living plants to improve your indoor air quality.  Green interior design addresses many areas, and it can sometimes be costly to implement, but live plants are easy to add and inexpensive.

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.

Contemporary Yin-Yang Nightstand

Posted on 04. Oct, 2009 by Sesshu Design in furnishings, furniture, Portfolio, scottsdale interior design

Soft flowing curves that move in opposite directions on this nightstand evoke a sense of yin and yang and create harmony and balance in this north Scottsdale master bedroom.

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.

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.

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.

Save Energy with Technology and Convenience

Posted on 21. Mar, 2009 by Sesshu Design in Blog, energy saving, green design, home decoration, innovation, LEED, new technology, scottsdale interior design

A new partner that I am working with to create integrated home theater, lighting and security systems for clients who want to enjoy ultimate convenience and cutting edge technology in their homes, Digital Home Lifestyles, is helping them to save money and energy as well. That may seem unlikely – after all adding more electronics to your home must add to the electricity required, right?

The difference is being made in the amount of energy needed to illuminate the home – something every home requires. The amazing thing is that it works with all the standard lights and bulbs you already know and use. The savings comes from the lighting control system and how it works. In addition to providing ease of pre-set lighting scenes for specific activities and time of day, a lighting control system like the one used by Digital Home Lifestyles can be programmed to limit the level of light. As explained by Chad Hollander, design consultant of Digital Home Lifestyles, by setting all fixtures to only come on at 80% of maximum, you are also using only 80% of the electricity needed to power that fixture, but there is no visible difference to your eye in the amount of light. Limiting the maximum wattage output of bulbs also extends the life of the bulb, resulting in lower replacement costs.

United under a single control system, independent “subsystems” can also monitor and conserve energy throughout the house with a simple touch of a screen, or programmed to suit your lifestyle. From the touch of a button you can open or close window shades according to the sun, adjust thermostats and be alerted to doors or windows that have been left ajar. It can be operated remotely from any computer anywhere in the world. You can even answer the front door while you are in another part of the country via the monitors in your security system and the Internet, instructing UPS to leave the package you were expecting.

Several control system products including lighting systems, thermostats, and shade controls are designed to operate efficiently, replacing several products and drawing less power. Integration solutions offer significant energy savings by providing daylight harvesting and automating lights, drapes, thermostats and sprinklers/fountains based on daylight, time, motion, occupancy, temperature, humidity and other conditions. By integrating the disparate environmental systems, efficiencies are increased exponentially and may contribute toward LEED Certification. Many options are available to suit your needs.

To truly experience the benefits of a home control system, the interface has to be easy to understand and simple to use. Infinitely customizable, the sky is the limit with how your home can be adapted to your lifestyle. The system can turn music on or off, preheat the pool or spa just in time for your arrival and can be set for individual preferences for each member of your family. When you arrive home, and enter your code to change security alarm settings, it can automatically turn on your favorite music or television channel and the lights for your path from garage to bedroom.

Digital Home Lifestyles is my choice for installing home theaters and entertainment systems that are unparalleled in Arizona. Their technology partners are the top of the line and systems can be designed specifically for you and your home – whether you have a dedicated theater space or want to conceal it within a living room, family room or outdoor area. They professionally design a media system according to your desires, and can present you with a budget in minutes, making changes in real time until you are satisfied with both the technology features and price. Then they work with your designer and builder to install it seamlessly into your home. As a designer, I appreciate that speakers and controls can be easily matched to be nearly invisible and integrate into your decor, no matter what the color or style.

For more information about integrating your home and lifestyle, anywhere in the world, contact Sesshu Design Associates or Digital Home Lifestyles directly.

Truly ZERO-VOC paint – in any color

Posted on 19. Mar, 2009 by Sesshu Design in Blog, cost of green design, healthy homes, indoor air quality, LEED, scottsdale interior design

Benjamin Moore has released Natura, the first ever truly Zero-VOC paint that is virtually odorless, and has fewer VOCs than any other paint on the market. With zero VOCs in both the base and the colorants, you can match virtually any color without sacrificing the green benefits. They put their Green Promise seal on this product- assurance that it meets or exceeds the strictest industry standards with excellent performance.

One of my clients used this to paint their entire interior, with rave reviews. It goes on easily, dries fast, has excellent coverage and great durability. Best of all – with no odor, you can still live in your rooms while you’re painting. You can breathe easy, knowing the air is free of the harmful and toxic compounds found in standard paints (which is what we know as “that new paint smell”).

Benjamin Moore has gone beyond the EPA standards to evaluate not just VOCs, but all the elements that affect indoor air quality. Natura exceeds the LEED criteria for the environmental safety.

The Natura range includes a primer plus three sheens – flat, eggshell and semi-gloss – and, of course, the infinite selection of colors. Offered in quarts and gallons, Natura is $49.99 a gallon, MSRP.

For more information on Natura and its availability, visit www.benjaminmoore.com. The site includes a retailer locator to help find where the paint is sold nearest you, or ask your designer to specify Natura on your home.

**Update:
The April 2009 issue of Dwell compares 4 popular lines of eco-friendly interior paint – Benjamin Moore Natura, YOLO Colorhouse, AFM Safecoat, and Mythic. All rated farily well, but the Benjamin Moore was clearly the winner, both from an expert’s view and the editor’s. It ranked espeically high on color choice including darks and brights.

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.

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!

How did I come to be an eco-friendly designer?

Posted on 16. Jan, 2009 by Sesshu Design in eco-friendly interior design, scottsdale interior design, sustainable interior design

Breaking with my standard format of reporting design trends, I want to share a little bit more about me personally and why I am in the business of creating eco-friendly homes.
I grew up in beautiful Jackson Hole, Wyoming – an area so rich in natural beauty and resources that I couldn’t help but be awed by my surroundings and of course that influenced me greatly. Conservation has long been a hot topic there – my home was just minutes south of Yellowstone National Park, the first National Park in the US, and literally across the road from Grand Teton National Park. That doesn’t mean that I am profoundly for movements like Greenpeace or against ever killing a single sagebush. My upbringing has led me instead to a much more moderate approach to preserving the environment.

A major influence on my focus on building healthy interiors has to be my father, who has suffered from severe chronic asthma for most of my life. (Here he is working as a part-time volunteer EMT, along with a few grandkids, my Mom and another firefighter) The many times he was hospitalized and nearly died created a need to learn more about his illness, and what triggers an attack.

Now of course we know so much more about triggers due to the air quality of your living environment such as dust, cleaning chemicals and paint fumes, pet dander, mold, etc. Naturally I always ask clients about their health issues, allergies, etc before recommending flooring, bedding, and even the cushions in their sofa. The availability of paints and finishes that are low or zero VOC is wonderful, and I use them whenever possible.

All this doesn’t mean that I am a granola girl, though. I love the city life (that’s why I am now living in a suburb of the 5th largest city in the country) and fashion, modern architecture and living luxuriously. I’m not a fashionista, either, though. Somewhere in between – a little bit country, a little bit rock’n roll. People of a certain age will get that.

My designs tend to be somewhere in between going all out green with organic cotton, bamboo and sisal – and the most exotic woods, stones and materials from all over he world. I always tell my clients that building a green home is about making choices, prioritizing and deciding what works for them. We tend to look for and use local sources as much as possible, specify mainly hard surface flooring, natural fiber carpets, and energy efficient appliances and fixtures. Recycling pull-outs for trash, low water use plumbing fixtures and long lasting construction materials are always part of our plans.

The new options are growing everyday, and getting better and better. We will continue to explore and use the best of the new products that become available to us. Meanwhile, we are doing our best to educate and inform about the choices we have. To that end, this blog will highlight new products we come across and how we are using them in projects. We will also talk with architects and builders who create eco-friendly homes.

If there are any topics you would like to see us discuss, please comment here.
We look forward to hearing from you…

ASU’s New Sustainable Building

Posted on 13. Jan, 2009 by Sesshu Design in architecture, eco-friendly interior design, LEED, scottsdale interior design, sustainable, sustainable interior design

What was old is new again at Arizona State University’s Global Institute of Sustainability, with the campus’ beautifully renovated former Nursing Building. The $6 million renovation included asbestos abatement and modernized the classrooms.  Their project turned a depressing, old and dark building into a new space filled with daylight. Its new inhabitants will be inspired as they work to improve the environment, the economy, and the social challenges we all face today.

One of the most exciting and visible sustainable additions to the building are the six wind turbines mounted on the roof. Each of the turbines is powered by thermal updrafts (to capture the hot air currents of the desert environment) which provides 1,000 watts of power directly into the APS electric grid. A 24-killowatt photovoltaic solar array is planned for next year. Other sustainable aspects include using recycled content throughout the building in the form of insulation, countertops, and furniture. The building is hoping to attain LEED Silver upon completion.

Glowing Light Wallpaper

Posted on 11. Dec, 2008 by Sesshu Design in eco-friendly interior design, energy efficient lighting, scottsdale interior design, sustainable interior design, wallpaper

Swedish designer Camilla Diedrich has imagined lighting our homes with glowing wallpaper rather than having to rely on electric lights, and created a stunning line of luminescent wallpaper. Her Nature Ray Charles Wallpaper (available in 8 colorways)features floral motifs that shine through in delicate lines using fiber optics, adding a touch of energy-efficient ambiance to any room.

“With the bold, light-drenched Nature Ray Charles wallpaper series, Diedrich’s goal was to inject an intrinsic luminance using a single colour – searching for light without light.”
This visually striking wallpaper brings nature home and is the result of Diedrich’s efforts in repeating patterns of vaguely organic forms, which are cast in vibrant hues and resemble some sort of luminous deep-sea invertebrate. The result is simply breathtaking.

Lighting – what’s the real deal with CFL vs Incandescent?

Posted on 15. Mar, 2008 by Sesshu Design in eco-friendly interior design, eco-friendly lighting, scottsdale interior design, sustainable interior design

There’s so much confusion out there – are CFL’s really the answer? What about the mercury in them? What about the quality of the light – I don’t like fluorescent light? and on and on…
Well, the incandescent light bulb may not really be going away at all, and the newer CFL’s are much, much better.
Check out this article for more – Lighting: The Need to Be Green
A new federal law is forcing the 50-cent light bulb into an uneasy retirement.
Penny Bonda
Interior Design · February 20, 2008

“Yes, it’s true what you’ve heard. The law starts phasing out “general service lamps” in 2012 but only the inefficient ones—our beloved “A” lamps, sold in 4-packs for $2.69 that provide the just the right brightness, color temperature and dimmability. “R” lamps, also gone—as are most halogens as we know them. By 2014, all lamps must be 30% more efficient than today’s products. Since a huge percentage of all lamps currently sold are on the banned list, the lighting industry and its customers, including designers and all consumers, will have to make changes. The residential sector will take a bigger hit than commercial, which has always been more likely to depend on fluorescent lamps.”

More…

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)