Going Green- Introduction

Leaders in green

Hamernick’s stocks and promotes some of the greenest decorating materials on the market, including Shaw recycled carpets and padding, renewable hardwood and supple cork flooring, linoleum made from linseed oil, Kate-lo ceramic tiles, low-VOC paints, and even the Mohawk SmartStrand carpet made from corn.

If you think your investment will suffer from your good intentions, think again. For example, the completely-recycled Shaw carpets are incredibly soft and can be recycled again and again, “It’s truly full-circle,” says designer Jodi Poole. The Mohawk SmartStrand line is not only one of the softest carpets on the market, it also has the best stain warranty available. You can even scrub it with bleach and the color will hold fast, says Poole.

Introduction

There are the basic needs in life; food, water, clothing and shelter. Our homes, our shelters, are more than a mere physical structure. They are the place where we retreat for protection, comfort and spend time with friends and family. The materials used for and in our homes reflect who we are but these materials can come at a large cost to our environment.

Today, manufacturers, architects, designers and builders are stepping up to address their role in providing materials, designs and practices that pave the way for environmentally responsible homes.

You have a role too. Whether you are remolding or building new, choosing Green materials for your home will benefit your health, comfort, environment and finances.

In this section, we are going to cover what it really means to be green, tips on how you can be more green, hot new products that make it easy to be green and remain stylish at the same time.