Nuts About These Colorful Bowls

Posted on 09. Nov, 2010 by Sesshu Design in Blog, eco-friendly design, eco-friendly interior design, gifts, home decoration, locally made, recycled, sustainable, sustainable design, sustainable interior design

A room is never quite finished until it is accessorized – and a touch of whimsy or personality is exactly what is called for.  I just love these fun and functional bowls made from Macadamia nut husks because they provide both.  Each one is unique, and still contains bits of the original shell that show through in the colorful interior coating.  The wood-like outer shell contrasts with the vibrant colored hand-polished lining, created though a process of grinding, polishing and waxing.

Designed and crafted by Marc Harrison in his native Australia, he hopes these bowls create an emotional connection between the product and the end-user.  Hand-crafted with local materials and manufactured using low-impact processes these Husque bowls are a great example of artistic and sustainable design.  Each one arrives packaged with the story of the design’s origin and the history of the macadamia nut.

Available in an array of bright colors, these bowls would add a nice accent to any room.  Used to serve nuts, display fruit, or just as a piece of art they are sure to grab attention and the story of their creation makes a great conversation starter. In addition to the bowls which come in two shapes, the Husque collection includes a tray and vase in the same colorful options.

Greenwashing – How to Avoid Being BAMBOOzled by Green Labels

Posted on 05. Oct, 2010 by Sesshu Design in Blog, eco tips, eco-friendly, eco-friendly design, eco-friendly interior design, energy efficient design, energy-star, environmentally friendly tips, green building products, green design, green living tips, healthy homes, indoor air quality, innovation, LEED, new technology, recyclable, recycle, recycling, resources, sustainable, sustainable design, sustainable interior design, Uncategorized, water saving tips, WaterSense, zero-VOC

Green-wash | green’wash’ | verb: The act of misleading consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service

If you look around, you’ll see that companies left and right are all jumping on the “GREEN” bandwagon.  Unfortunately, this has become a case of buyer beware, because too often they are just slapping on an ‘ECO-FRIENDLY’ label and that does NOT mean the product is actually environmentally responsible.  To add to this confusion, there is often no consensus on what ‘GREEN’ means.  This ‘Greenwashing’ has become a real problem for consumers looking for products and materials that are eco-friendly, sustainable and responsible.

The best defense against this type of deception is doing your homework, and looking for third-party certification seals.  These show that a process of independent, reliable testing has been applied to the green building material or product in question.  Even here there have been a number of imposters who try to make something look official when it isn’t.  Learn to recognize the following green labels on products and services which are truly ‘Green’.

ENERGY STAR

A joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy which is dedicated to helping consumers compare and buy energy efficient products.  Energy efficiency is an important first step in protecting the environment.  The ENERGY STAR mark is the national symbol for energy efficiency.   www.energystar.gov

Carpet and Rug Institute’s Green Label and Green Label Plus

You have probably never heard of the Carpet and Rug Institute, much less their green labels. Your designer probably has – if they are educated about green interior design.  The labels refer to a carpet’s VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) and other chemical emissions. The carpet, adhesives, cushions and even vacuums are tested by an independent laboratory using a methodology developed with the help of the EPA.

Unfortunately, indoor air quality is usually considered a small (and very under-emphasized) component of the environmentally sound life. Things like sustainable material sourcing, durability, and green company practices are too often seen as being more important to green living.

WaterSense

Launched in 2006, WaterSense is an EPA-sponsored partnership program designed to protect the future of our nation’s water supply by promoting water efficiency and water-efficient products, programs, and practices.

WaterSense helps consumers identify water-efficient products and programs that meet WaterSense water efficiency and performance criteria. Products carrying the WaterSense label perform well, help save money, and encourage innovation in manufacturing.  www.epa/gov/watersense

Green Seal

Green Seal is a non-profit independent agency that uses science-based environmental standards to certify green design products, materials and services.  Green Seal works with the manufacturers, purchasing groups, industry sectors and the government to improve the ‘green-ness” of the production and supply chain.  Only after undergoing a strict evaluation beginning with product creation and through recycling and disposal can a product be Green Seal Certified.  www.greenseal.org

Cradle to Cradle

Cradle to Cradle certification evaluates products using a series of environmental and social criteria based on the principles of Cradle to Cradle design, developed by design and consulting firm McDonough and Braungart and detailed in their book by the same name. Their basic principle is that a product should be designed such that it can be used for something else at the end of its original life – nylon carpet into fuel, for example.

Cradle to Cradle is one of the most rigorous of the green labels for certification of eco-friendly design products. Their standards are publicly available, and they get at the heart of the problem of sustainability for a culture of consumption.

UL Environment

UL Environment is a subsidiary of Underwriters Laboratories which helps to support sustainable  products by assisting businesses in standards development, education, as well as third-party assessment and certification.  www.ulenvironment.com

Forest Stewardship Council

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certifies timber and wood products as well as forest management. An international organization founded in 1993, FSC provides certification other agencies which label products and companies as green certified according to the FSC’s standards. Standards for wood include: no genetic engineering, no harvesting in conservation areas, and no harvesting from conversion of natural forests.

The FSC green label has been criticized for conflicts of interest because anyone can join the General Assembly that sets the rules, even if they have allegiances elsewhere. The certification has also been accused of not making clear distinctions between natural forests and managed forests, which are seen as little more than plantations, and standards that change too frequently.

LEED

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council is rigorous and thorough. It is still constantly being refined and updated, although professional builders often find faults with the system. To get LEED-certification on a home you must focus on things like energy efficiency, water conservation and indoor air quality. There are four levels to the LEED certification point system– Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, with each one increasingly elite.

Although government buildings have been required to achieve LEED Silver or better and the USGBC works closely with the government on legislation, USGBC is a non-profit not affiliated with the federal government.

The LEED program legitimacy is well-established and the standards are strict. The program certainly encourages green design, especially the provision that awards credits for innovation.  www.usgbc.org

These are just some of the many legitimate certified green label programs.  I’ll be continuing this listing in future posts, so check back to keep learning what you need to look for and shield yourself against unscrupulous businesses.  (Subscribe to our RSS feed with the orange button on the top of the page to get them delivered directly.)

Please share your thoughts, questions and comments- I’d love to address them.

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.

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.

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.

Designer shows sustainable kitchens that inspire

Posted on 17. Mar, 2008 by Sesshu Design in eco-friendly interior design, kitchen, sustainable, sustainable interior design

Recently unveiled in New York, this Danish Modern kitchen by Knud Kapper shows that sustainable design is incredibly beautiful and warm. The new eco-friendly Living Kitchen Architecture series are hand built from solid woods that were harvested from sustainably managed forests under stringent regulations. Engaging, durable and finished with natural wood treatments, the pieces embody the mid-century style he is known for.
For more…

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)