Sustainable Interior Design Products – Earth Day Every Day!

With Earth Month coming to a close and environmental concerns becoming a worldwide political issue, eco-consciousness has reached an all time high. In light of increasing concern for our environment, many believe more emphasis should be put towards saving the earth every day. Consumers can take steps to protect the environment by simply replacing unsustainable items in their home with more “earth-friendly” products. Each year manufacturers around the world develop new products that are made using more sustainable materials; conserving natural resources, reducing unnecessary waste, and also featuring stylish design aesthetics and luxurious performance. It seems you really can have it both ways!

Did you know that 1.4 trillion gallons of water could be saved per year if 50% of the 238 million high-flow toilets (3.5 gallons per flush) in the US were converted to a dual flush toilet? Did you know that 1.4 trillion gallons of water could be saved per year if 50% of the 238 million high-flow toilets (3.5 gallons per flush) in the US were converted to a dual flush toilet? As the worldwide leader in high efficiency dual flush toilets for commercial and residential use, Caroma toilets surpass both the U.S. federal requirement of no more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush (gpf) for new toilets and the North American high efficiency toilet standard of 1.28 gpf. The Adelaide dual flush toilet from Caroma includes two buttons for flushing; the half flush which uses 0.8 gpf for liquid, and the full flush which uses 1.6 gpf for solids. Along with WaterSense-approved performance, Adelaide toilets feature a large trap together with the flush-down technology that virtually eliminates blockages. Now through the month of May, Caroma is offering 50% off the list price of their dual flush toilets (participating US retail locations only). To receive a 50% off coupon via email, customers can log onto http://www.caromausa.com/oneflush.

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Another way to conserve water is install lavatory faucets equipped with water-reduction aerators. Leading decorative plumbing manufacturer Watermark Designs now offers efficient water-reduction aerators which enable innovative user-controlled volume reduction. Available with the lavatory faucets in Watermark Designs’ cutting-edge contemporary collections, including Napa, Titanium, Touch27 by Clodagh and Prêt-a-vive, these high-performance aerators can be adjusted from 2.22 to 1.5 gallons per minute (gpm) flow-rates, exceeding the industry standard of 2.25 gpm. The user can effectively conserve water by keeping the aerator at the lowest flow-rate setting and if they require a higher rate, they can simply turn the device up. Based in Brooklyn, New York, Watermark Designs utilizes their own R&D department specializing in water delivery technologies to develop water-saving fixtures that are AB 1953 certified, CSA tested, and MA code approved.

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Using products made of sustainable materials can also help the environment by reducing waste and creating recycling opportunities. By taking cues from nature’s blueprint, Stone Forest® creates classic and contemporary kitchen & bath designs from stone, bronze, bamboo, copper, iron and hardwoods. As a durable, renewable and water-resistant natural material, bamboo continues to be an exciting material for Stone Forest’s growing collection of designs. A new drop-in version of their award-winning modular SYNC™ series, the SYNC Drop-in Sinks are now available in bamboo as well as honed basalt and multi-colored onyx. www.stoneforest.com

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Saving electricity by using energy efficient lighting is another tactic to making a more sustainable world. Studio Italia Design, one of Italy’s most innovative lighting designers and manufacturers, is also leading the “eco-charge” with LED lights, fluorescent lamping and other energy efficient lighting solutions for contemporary spaces. The chic UFO chandelier from Studio Italia Design is a mix-and-match tour de force. Its curvaceous and sculptural shape provides the ideal amount of diffused lighting using CFLs. The UFO is available in gold, silver or white acrylic with the choice of semi-covering colors in red, white, green and dark blue. As a completely customizable fixture, one can create their own distinct pendant combining all or any of the available colors as they see fit. www.sid-usa.com