The Natural Home

The Natural Home- for a Green Environment

There is something special about a home that draws us in and connects with us. The way we are made causes us to respond quite positively to natures elements. Most of these have been in use in houses for mellenia by peoples in various parts of the globe. Today the possibilities in creating a unique natural home that is environmentally responsible and healthful are better than ever!


Imagine your feelings when picturing yourself at this retreat:

“Relax in front of our natural stone fireplace seated in the softest of mohair sofas. Fall to sleep wrapped in smooth, silk bedding. Awaken to the sounds of the water. Walk barefooted across our luxurious wool carpet to open sheer flaxen draperies welcoming the morning sun. Refresh yourself in our honed limestone shower and dry off with our thickest cotton towels. After a day of fun, enjoy preparing a healthy meal on our teak cabinetry and travertine counters.” 

Our home doesn’t need to have the rarest products to provide this emotional connection; mix in local elements. Beautiful results can be a primitive, rustic, casual or even elegant, depending on how and where we use it.


Notice some of the intrinsic benefits derived when using earth’s natural products!
 

Cork- Used in the Mayo Clinic, widely known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties as well as for absorbing sound. The most resilient in its flooring category. Superior cushion and insulation means less cold feet and aching joints from standing on cold, hard floors. Since cork bark is harvested every nine years or so, it is a highly renewable product.

Wood- Antibacterial and antifungal for the health of a playing toddler, it’s visual warmth strongly connects us. We still love its ambience when visiting older homes. Our furniture feels strongly grounded and the room feels more complete. Floors, walls and ceilings come to life. Room dividers incorporating wood provide a look of strength. A large variety of window shades are made from natural wood fibers and sticks.

Bamboo- Similar to wood, this grass is one of the most sustainable in its category, regrowing within three to seven years after harvesting. When flooring is sliced to show its joints, it often inspires Asian styles. Other configurations produce softer effects. Natural bamboo ceilings look incredible. Full and split styles allow light to penetrate the room through bamboo roman and roller style window shadings. We are now seeing its pulp woven into fabrics and area rugs much like cotton.

Linoleum- Cork flour mixed with linseed oil provides unique colorations and pattern possibilities in long lasting natural linoleum. This is the fun side of green. Being antibacterial, and antifungal, it’s great in laundry, kids rooms, project rooms, let your imagination go wild! When it is time to remodel, the old linoleum can be shredded and composted. 

Rubber- From thin glue-down tiles to thick exercise room flooring, it adds colors, textures and comfort.

Wools- Wide varieties are available. Outstanding herds are bred, fed and monitored to create stronger, longer, finer, and cleaner strands than cheap wools. Some of these wool carpets are still in use after hundreds of years. Wool under-carpet cushions flex mildly enough to provide optimal wear to carpets. Its hyper-allergenic properties and low VOC off-gassing make it a great flooring choice for sensitive people and pets. Oh, how we love walking bare footed on this! Its anti-static properties benefit our computer rooms, too.

Cotton- Varies according to its growing climate and weave, it has a wide range of sun fastness, wear-ability and clean-ability. Basic and informal, cotton bedding, drapery, furniture, slip covers and area rugs just make us want to put our feet up. Using cotton upholstery batting means fewer petroleum products.

Latex- Made from the milk of the rubber tree, thus a renewable resource and naturally biodegradable. It’s long lasting resilience makes this the ultimate cushioning for upholstered furniture and mattresses. Very low off-gassing and VOCs means we breathe, sit and sleep easier. Latex foam conforms to the shape of your body for a comfortable night’s sleep, and it is resistant to dust mites, microbes and mildew. Contact allergies to latex are not a concern with a good fabric cover.

Linen- Made from Flax, its fibers are separated from the stalks, softened and woven. Nothing compares to the subtle, natural textures of this loosely woven cloth. Weavers excel in creating natural tones and prints. It’s lack of presumption allows us to just be ourselves. 

Abaca- From the banana plant family it is said to be nature’s strongest fiber. Woven into gold, tan, brown and black area rugs, it gets softer feeling with use.

Coir- Coconut husk fibers are used to create waterproof rugs with a heavier texture.

Seagrass- This grass has a smooth texture and is very resistant to staining and fading. Used as wall-to-wall flooring over latex cushion and as area rugs.

Sisal- This popular natural fiber used in flooring and matting is antistatic. Not to be confused with Sisal Hemp, this fiber has long been used to make rope and twine. Environmental concerns about pollutants from processing are stimulating new ways to use its effluents as biofuel.

Raffia- The underside of the Raffia Palm leaf contains a long fiber that is currently being used in area rugs.  

Rattan- There are several hundred species of these palms that are being used in furniture and area rugs. It is lightweight, durable and has some flex. The innercore is often used as wicker. Harvesting Rattan has become a viable alternative to depleting rainforests. 

Rayon- A broad term describing cooked wood pulp extracted into fine strands. Provides very soft, supple and colorful fabrics. Environmentally questioned because of toxic wastes produced by many manufacturers.  
Mohair- Goat hair woven into a velvet style fabric up to 1/4” thick. Ranging from stiff to very soft, some can wear as long as leather. Just sink in and experience it!  

Silks- Silk worms miraculously produce fine strands that have incredible strength. Depending on their feed, temperatures and handling, certain types create pearled, iridescent, high sheen, or multi colored fabrics. These outwear, fade less and clean easier than cheap silks. This is the most dramatic window treatment and bedding fabric we have ever experienced. Woven silk wallcoverings will soften and sooth living, dining and bedrooms.  

Rice Paper- Wallpapers and Shoji panels soften otherwise hard surfaces. They do not always create an Asian look, but they always add a natural feeling to the space.  

Grass cloth- Generally used for walls and ceilings, natural grasses are woven or sewn together in panels. Its warm, subtle textures envelop and comfort us better than painted, hard and cold drywall ever could.  

Glass- Made from sand, it sounds natural. Its ability to open a space to the outdoors is unmatched. The clearer the better. Mirrors have similar effects. Beautiful recycled glass is available for durable nontoxic countertops and many other home uses, including decorative wall tiles.   

Stone- Rocks, granite, marble, travertine, quartz, slate, sand and limestone. Whether in its natural shape or cut into tiles and mosaics each has its own way of lending to your home’s solidity. Grain patterns created over centuries are forever interesting and rarely duplicated artificially. Maintenance and VOCs are less of a concern than ever with the development of water-based penetrating sealants. Because of the visual weight of stone, creating room balance is essential. Current concerns about its natural radiation appear to be exaggerated.  

Clay- Adobes have always connected with our need for softness in structure. Tiles formed from natural clay (pavers) evoke warmth, much as a dirt floor, worn and polished from decades of use. We love the way many of these evoke a sunlit quality. When the floor is warmed, via sunlight or under-floor heating, it has the most pleasant effect on our feet that moves up through the whole body. Almost spa-like. 

Water- Falling water creates a healthy ionic charge, cleansing the air. For that reason when standing near waterfalls, rushing rivers or the ocean, we feel better, have more energy and mental clarity. Adding a water feature in the appropriate areas of our home brings the same relaxing effects and balances an otherwise hard room. Its “white noise” pleasantly masks unwanted road noises, etc… Our relaxation starts outside and can steadily occupy us inside. 

Fire- Who doesn’t dream of curling up next to it? Used as a main focus in a common room, it grounds the seating area and provides a reason to gather. Flames in motion entrance our minds, encouraging thoughts, dreams and pleasant conversations. This main source of dry heat soothes and relaxes our tense muscles, unwinds us physically and mentally.

Sunshine- Spending time on a sunny patio or in an unprotected sunroom can help us to get the fifteen to thirty minutes of pure sunlight that we need each day. It helps to set our circadian rythmn, enabling us to sleep better and wake up refreshed. Sunlight goes through the eyes and into the hypothalamus of the brain, which is stimulated to regulate body functions such as blood pressure, temperature, desire for food and water, and it positively affects our emotions, stress levels and immunity. Sunlight on our skin causes us to form Vitamin D, which is so important in preventing some cancers and has even been shown to help prevent diabetes. A sunroom with a water feature could quickly become your favorite room in the house! 

Plants- In the right places, florals, foliage and trees define our space and connect us with the outdoors while cleansing and freshening the air. Different species will say different things to each room’s design. Florals draw attention to their placement, while foliage softens the room’s abrupt edges. Good quality silks we find increasingly difficult to visually distinguish from the real, and they don’t need water!  

It is important to for us to choose products that reflect environmentally sound and sustainable practices using less volatiles. Green homes and LEEDs points are increasing our awareness of this daily. When we use the right placement and strength of each product to accomplish its purpose, we bring delight to the senses. Our world begins to make sense. It takes a shorter time to unwind. We long to rest in our home, visit with our loved ones and enjoy our pets. Presumptions disappear, conversations feel more relaxed and intimate. We begin to read more, learn who we really are and value important relationships. Life seems to hold some solidity and security. …we cannot help it, we fall in love with our home.