East Bay November 2009

EAST BAY

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Eco-Friendly Paints Backyard UpdatesNOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009

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N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 O O 9

[ C O N T E N T S ]

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T H E G R E E N L I F E

TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com

12 Eco-FabulousMaking your home Green is easier than you think.By Heidi Doerfert

16 So Much More Than GreenEndless choices when it comes to eco-friendly paint.By Patricia Hayse Haller

18 A Backyard OasisRenovate your swimming pool.

20 Grass to EnvyA new kind of eco-friendly synthetic turf saves themoney and time spent tending to the lawn with.By Jenny Jedeikin

Solid Silks Velvet LinenTaffeta & Embroidered Silks

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TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com East Bay THM November/December 2009 7

24

22

10 Add a Bed to Any Room By Patricia Hayse Haller

BUILD IT GREEN22 Your Pathway to a Healthier,

More Energy Efficient HomeGreenPoint Rated Existing Home.By Annette Hartsfield

CCIDC24 The Forever Home: Going Green

Designing Green to last a lifetime.By Patsy Zakian-Greenough, CKD, CAPS, CGBP, CID

CLCA26 Tips On How To Begin Again

Recommendations to help protect your property after afire from the California Landscape Contractors Association.

28 Beam Me Up!Add architectural flair to your home with wood box beams.By Heidi Doerfert

ON THE COVERRestoration Timber hand hewn white Oak beams.Photo: Restoration Timber (www.restorationtimber.com).

TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com8 November/December 2009 THM East Bay

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BayArea.com

Refacing Your Home “On The Cheap” Tips and tricks to beautify on a budget.

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Get GroundedBring your style home with endless flooring options.

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Adding Space Without Adding OnWallbeds gives you back the room.

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10 November/December 2009 THM East Bay

LEARN MORE AT WALLBEDS ‘N’ MOREWith the largest display of wallbeds in California, Wallbeds ‘N’ More is dedicated to helping every one find the right solution for their space, from the smallest apartment to a larger home.

To find the perfect extra bed for your family, call (925) 570-5663 or visit wallbedsnmore.com. THM

ADD A BED TO ANY ROOMWhether you just need a guestroom now and then or are experiencing a real ‘space crunch’ every day, Wallbeds ‘N’ Morecan help you make the most of every room in your home. Choose from a host of different space-saving options.

OFFICE BY DAY, BEDROOM BY NIGHTCreate a home office to fit any sizeand budget. From a compact officesystem for a 10' x 10' room to anelaborate library-look complete with anexecutive-style desk and a custom combinationof cabinets, bookshelves, filing cabinets,hutches and—of course—a wallbed.

HIDDEN DESK BEDGet a 2-in-1 solution for even thetiniest space with a desk that convertsto a twin or full size bed. There’s noneed to clear off the desk—just pullthe bed down and the work surfaceglides down smoothly to disappear under the bed.

CHEST BEDOpen this 4'X5' cabinet by pullingdown the doors to form a platform,then unfold a full-size innerspringmattress to create an instant guestroom. Closed, the cabinet is deepenough for a stereo or TV, which makes it popular for family rooms and dens.

WALLBED WITH A WARDROBETurn any room into a bedroom byadding a wallbed and matchingwardrobe cabinet. Choose from five different styles from sleekcontemporary to classic Mission, bed sizes from twin to queen, andwardrobes in 24" and 32" widths.

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[ G R E E N L I V I N G ]


GO GREEN!” IS A MESSAGE that seems to be everywhere.The movement towards a healthier planet is no longer limitedto a small group of environmentalists. Everyday people are

realizing the need for using materials that are kinder to our personaland global environments. You may want to take part but wonder how you can fit eco-friendly elements into your existing home andlifestyle. The best way to bring Green into your life is to start small.Many companies are answering the demand for more natural andsafer products that are eco-and-bank-account friendly.

If Walls Could TalkJack O’Neil of Kelly Moore in Concord says they have long

been an innovator and leader in Green options for paint. “KellyMoore introduced E-Coat almost 21 years ago. It’s nicknamed the“earthquake paint” because when the 1989 earthquake hit, hugedrums of paint spilled all over our San Carlos plant. We recycledthat paint and E-Coat was born.”

E-Coat is made from a minimum of 50% post-consumer waste.For example, if a commercial project has a large quantity of leftoverpaint, it can be shipped to Kelly Moore’s Sacramento plant where it is recycled into new paint. You know when you try to match paintto a certain color and it doesn’t come out quite right the first time?

Rather than throwing it out, Kelly Moore remanufactures thatmistinted paint and recycles 99% of returned paint. E-Coat is anexcellent and affordable choice for use in places that are occupiedduring application, such as health care facilities and schools. Theproof of this recycling program is in the landfill. Actually, the proof iswhat isn’t in the landfill…like several thousand tons of solid waste!Another plus is the conservation of millions of gallons of water.

Kelly Moore’s Enviro-Coat, which first came out as a low-VOCpaint over 10 years ago, became a zero-VOC product in 2008.Volatile organic compounds, or VOC’s, are emitted as gases fromcertain solids or liquids. VOC’s include a variety of chemicals, someof which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects.According to the EPA, concentrations of many VOC’s are up to tentimes higher indoors than outdoors, largely due to toxic emissions by paints and finishes.

“The awareness of living Green has really taken off in the pastfew years,” Jack explains. “The demand for eco-friendly paint beganwith architects and contractors working on commercial jobs likehospitals, nursing homes, and schools. They needed a product thatdidn’t have the unpleasant fumes that typical paints carry.” Enviro-Coat, and its commercial counterpart, Green Coat, offers low odor,easy clean up, and mildew-resistance in addition to zero-VOC’s. >>

eco-FABULOUS

BY HEIDI DOERFERT

Making your home Green is easier than you think.




“Not only is it kinder to the environment,” Jack notes, “It’s alsokinder to folks who suffer from asthma and allergies.”

The California Water Environment Association honored KellyMoore’s efforts for taking proactive steps to manufacture qualityproducts with the least possible impact on the environment. “We are proud to say that not one drop of water that falls on our SanCarlos factory campus goes to waste,” Jack notes.

Floor ItAfter you’ve turned your walls Green, turn your attention to

the floor. You may already know that cork, bamboo and wool carpetare eco-friendly options but there are some exciting new choices in environmental flooring. Carpet One’s Green Select initiativerepresents their commitment to making our environment betterthrough their relationships with customers, suppliers and theiremployees. They are continually working with vendors to produceflooring that meets strict eco-friendly standards. Carpet One carriesproducts that have earned their Green Select label, which meansthey are recyclable, contain a minimum of recycled material and/orare made from a natural, sustainable, quickly renewable resource.

“Mohawk carpet’s SmartStrand technology is made up of 37% renewable resources such as corn that give it a softer feel than nylons or polyesters,” says Laurie DeSimone of Carpet One inLivermore.The SmartStrand fibers have really good stain protectionso cleaning up those spills is less of a headache. Another greatoption is Anderson Hardwood. They only harvest wood from

professionally managed forests that are under the SustainableForestry Initiative. Laurie says Anderson will actually plant a tree in your honor in one of America’s Heritage Forests when youpurchase an Anderson hardwood product! Their motto is “Replacewhat you take. Follow the rules and leave the place better than how you found it. That’s what it means to be Green.”

The latest innovation is leather flooring, which is made from100% recycled leather and comes in plank or tile form. TorlysLeather Floors, available at Carpet One, contain no harmful VOCemissions, no added formaldehyde and exceed California Indoor Air Quality standards, among the most stringent in the world. It is made from the scraps of leather that are left over from making belts, purses, and car interiors. It is as durable as hardwood and is absolutely beautiful on the floor.

Laurie points out that Green flooring is becoming more and more in demand as word gets out about the growing variety andoptions that are available. “If a homeowner can buy a floor that they love and know that it is also eco-friendly, it makes them feelthat much better about their purchase,” says Laurie.

To find out how to add color to your home without the toxins, visit Kelly Moore attheir Web site www.kellymoore.com. To go Green on the floor, visit Carpet One at1917 First Street in Livermore, call them at (888) 291-4418, or visit their Web site at www.carpetonelivermore.com. For more tips on Going Green, check outwww.treehugger.com and www.gogreenonline.com. THM

East Bay THM November/December 2009 15

upcoming in ournext issue

Beautiful KitchensJANUARY 2010

Inspiration

Innovation

Design

Ideas

Resources

DESIGNERS � ARCHITECTS � CONTRACTORS

Let us know if you havea local kitchen project toshare with our readers!

Call 925.659.6200 or e-mail [email protected] more information.

EAST BAY

Phot

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Budget-friendly Upgrades

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2009

Kitchen Redefined


IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE TO GO GREEN to save the environment,think again. You can go rich ruby red, morning sunshine yellow, or big country blue. In fact, with new low- and no- VOC paints by

Benjamin Moore, you can choose from 3,300 custom colors and still be green, says Chris Handling of Professional Paint Center inWalnut Creek.

“For more than 50 years, all paint has been tinted with the sameglycol-based colorants,” says Chris. Unfortunately, traditional paintsalso contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which they releaseinto the air, giving your home that headache-inducing “new paint”odor. VOCs contribute to ozone depletion and smog.

Now, Benjamin Moore has changed all that with a proprietarywaterborne colorant system that it uses to make some of the finestlow- and no-VOC paints on the market. And, as an exclusiveBenjamin Moore retailer, Professional Paint Center is playing aleading role in helping Bay Area homeowners choose the rightenvironmentally safe paint—and even the right color.

That’s nothing new. Homeowners and professional painters alike have been turning to Professional Paint Center for quality paint, spray equipment sales and service, and expert advice for over 30 years. Founded by Jack Handling—Chris’ father—in 1976,Professional Paint Center is a favorite with painting contractors. But the store is also renowned for the expertise, product knowledgeand advice they offer to average do-it-yourself homeowners. The storehas color consultants and design specialists on staff to help withcolor matching, painting techniques and more.

BY PATRICIA HAYSE HALLER

So MuchMore ThanGreen



Endless choices when it comesto eco-friendly paint.

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Professional Paint Center, Inc.2724 North Main StreetWalnut Creek, CA 94597

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From the beginning, Professional Paint Center has exclusively sold Benjamin Moore paints, confident in both the quality of theproduct and the reputation of the company. “Benjamin Moore hasbeen a leader in color for a long time, but they’ve also become aleader in innovative products,” said Chris. “Now they are at theforefront in low-VOC products.”

Most exciting, says Chris, is the Aura line of paints, whichcombines Benjamin Moore’s waterborne colorant with a uniquecolorlock technology that chemically bonds the paint and colormolecules together. The result is a rich fade-resistant color that won’t wash or rub out, and offers unparalleled coverage, even overdark hues that other paints need several coats to cover.

“No matter what color you have on your wall or want on your wall, Aura never needs more than two coats. And it dries in one hour, so you can get the job done faster,” says Chris. In fact, he

says, “Aura is the best performing paint anyone makes. Not the bestlow-VOC paint. The best paint, period.”

Benjamin Moore also has two zero-VOC products that feature thewaterborne colorant system, but not the colorlock technology. Naturais a premium grade paint that goes on smoothly, cleans up easily, driesto the touch in 30 minutes and can be recoated in only an hour. Bestof all, it has no VOCs in either the base or the colorant, and has beenspecially refined to remove other trace compounds, making it virtuallyodorless. EcoSpec is a new contractor grade paint with no VOCsand minimal odor. According to Chris, EcoSpec is the ideal choice for someone seeking a green product for a price-sensitive project.

To find out more about Benjamin Moore’s low- and no-VOC paints, or to consult with a color and design specialist, visit Professional Paint Center at 2724 North Main Street in Walnut Creek, or call them at (925) 933-3315. THM


Before

18 November/December 2009 THM East Bay TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com

A Backyard Oasis

Renovate your swimming pool.

ESSENTIAL TO YOUR BACKYARD SUMMER FUN ISan attractive and appealing swimming pool. As apool ages, not only does it look outdated, but it

becomes rough, mottled, develops stains, tile and copingloosen or fall off and can have damaging undetectedcracks. The remedy to all of these problems is California’sGunite and Pool Plastering.

Based in Livermore, and in business since 1992,California’s Gunite and Pool Plastering does work for over forty distinguished pool companies throughout NorthernCalifornia. Our in-house services include steel reinforcing,gunite installation, coping, tile, plaster and state-of-the-art WetEdge Technologies premium pebble surfacing. We specialize in renovations and all of our employees are skilled craftsman with many years of experience in the industry.

Customers will receive a free estimate from one of ourqualified sales representatives, Ron Tatti or Kelley Knight.Both Ron and Kelley have over 25 years experience inbuilding and renovating pools. They can offer many cost-saving suggestions and help you design a new and freshlook to your pool. With the new and refined products now


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available, your pool will continue to look like new longerand be more resistant to mottling and stains. Yourrenovated pool will add value to your home and increasethe pleasure of spending time in your own back yard.

A remodeled pool and new equipment can offer thehomeowner significant energy savings, making the pool“greener” and safer. One example is to shallow a pool, which will ultimately reduce the amount of water in the pool that needs to be filtered and chemically treated.Additionally, in several projects, deep-end walkouts or an “Acapulco Shelf” have been added to pools, whichmake them more kid-friendly.

Homeowners are always interested in a way to stoptheir kids from the “racetrack routine” around the pool,which can result in injury. An appealing solution is to

take out the concrete deck behind the pool, build a wall,face the wall with stone, install fountains in the wall andthen landscape behind the wall. This not only eliminates a chance of injury, but also adds a visual change ofelevation and the tranquil sound of a soft waterfall.

Remodeling a pool today offers a plethora of safety,energy-savings and aesthetic solutions to the customer.California’s Gunite and Pool Plastering is uniquely suitedto serve the customer seeking to remodel their pool. Thebest advertising for the company are customer referralsand Ron or Kelley can provide you with over 500 names,as well as endless before and after photos of past projects.

For more information call California’s Gunite and Pool Plastering at(925) 960-9500 or visit them online at www. californiasgunite.com. THM



WANT TO SAVE NEARLY 56,000 GALLONS OF WATER a year, yet stillhave your property looking like a tropical paradise? Install HeavenlyGreens’ Fieldturf in your yard and guests, pets, and sports-minded

kids, will never know the difference. According to Troy Scott, Vice President of Marketing for the nine-year-old company, Heavenly Greens looks and feelsso realistic; the most common reaction from people is disbelief that it’s asynthetic product. “You would have a very hard time pointing out which was which, if you saw a grass lawn side by side with our two-tone syntheticlawn,” says Troy. “Yet this turf is going to last 20 years, requires virtually nomaintenance, and saves the environment from excessive water waste and thepesticide run-off from lawn chemicals.”

If the environmental angle doesn’t convince homeowners, Troy finds thelow maintenance aspect is another big reason why more people are turningtoward synthetic lawns than ever before. “When you consider the fact thateach weekend roughly 54 million people are mowing 20 million acres of grassin this country, this product is a much healthier environmental alternative.”The average homeowner will recoup their entire investment on the product in six to eight years, because of the savings they will accumulate from usingno water, lawn mowing equipment, or fertilizers.

“But not all synthetic turf is created equal,” explains Troy. “Unlike some of these new-to-market synthetic turf products, make sure you work with a reputable company that carries a solid warranty. Heavenly Greens isguaranteed to last fifteen years, and has a shelf life of 20-25 years.” Made of polyethylene, and very soft to the touch, Heavenly Greens continues to bethe product of choice for thousands throughout the Bay Area. The companyrecently serviced the Marin County Humane Society, as well as Google andYouTube, on their interior and exterior corporate headquarters. “We installedan amazing putting green for the YouTube staff, which is only one of our fourdifferent applications,” notes Troy. “There’s commercial and residential use, a playground or play area turf padded for additional safety, and a puttinggreen product for our PGA endorsed professional putting greens.”

Not to be forgotten is the pet application, specifically engineered andguaranteed for durability to resist digging or scratching, and it won’t discolorfrom urine stains. While your dog may never know the difference, you willcertainly notice the appeal of less yard maintenance, and those yellow burn

Grass to EnvyA new kind of eco-friendlysynthetic turf saves themoney and time spenttending to the lawn with.

BY JENNY JEDEIKIN



APPLIANCES

Direct Appliance 925-560-0500www.directappliancedublin.com

CARPET AND FLOORING

Carpet One of Livermore925-455-9210www.carpetoneoflivermore.com

CLEANING SERVICE

Spring Fresh Cleaning800-750-7175www.springfreahcleaninginc.com

CONCRETE

Lara’s Concrete925-458-6304

CONCRETE RESURFACING

Creative Resurfacing866-956-4490www.creativeresurfacinginc.com

COUNTERTOPS

Granite Transformations866-680-9540www.granitetransformations.com

CUSTOM FRAMING

Acanthus925-866-1144www.acanthusonline.com

DRAPERIES

Exclusive Fabrics & Furnishings866-413-7273www.thedrapeboutique.com

GARAGE STORAGE

Premier Garage866-497-2880www.premiergarage.com

GARDEN ORNAMENTS

Giannini Garden Ornaments Inc.650-873-4493www.gianninigarden.com

HARDWOOD FLOORING

Le’s Golden Floor Company925-443-0519

HEATING & AIR

Roeber’s510-537-0556www.roebers.com

HOME FURNISHINGS

Azzulina925-820-5900www.azzulina.com

HOME THEATER

20/20 dB510-432-0180www.2020db.net

LANDSCAPE CURBINGCreative Curbs925-628-3181www.carlscurbs.com

PAINT CENTERProfessional Paint Cener925-933-3315

PAVING STONESBlack Diamond Landscape & Designs800-942-1955www.blackdiamondlandscape.com

POOL RESURFACING

California’s Gunite925-960-9500www.californiasgunite.com

REDWOOD FENCING

Borg Redwood Fences925-426-9620www.borgfence.com

REMODELING CONSTRUCTIONSunshine Construction, Inc.925-472-8760www.sunshine-construction-inc.com

KITCHEN & BATH REMODELINGValley Oak Designs925-705-4611

SHOWER DOORS & ENCLOSURESCalifornia Shower Door Corp.800-675-6225www.calshowerdoor.com

SWIMMING POOLSHacienda Pools209-839-1995www.haciendapools.com

TILE AND STONEWestern Tile Design Center925-671-0145www.westerntiledesign.com

WALLBEDSWallbeds ”n” More925-570-5663www.wallbedsnmore.com

WATER HEATERSPhillips Water Heater Service925-584-9846

WINDOW COVERINGSExciting Windows!866-680-9440www.Exciting-Windows.com

WINDOW TINTINGSolar Control Glass Tinting Co.800-999-3828www.solarcontrolcompany.com

WINDOWS AND DOORSArgonaut Window & Door408-376-4018www.argowin.com

RESOURCE GUIDE

List your business, call 925-659-6200

marks are a thing of the past. “Fieldturf is LEED certified, meaning it canhelp new construction, or upgrade projects obtain LEED credits for greenbuilding initiatives, which is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design”,Troy explains. Most recently Heavenly Greens installed 30,000 square feet at the Silicon Valley Humane Society in Milpitas.

Heavenly Greens services the entire Northern California region, and thehome installation process is simple. “It takes just one day to embed up to500 square feet of turf,” says Troy. “That’s the rule of thumb, depending on the area and the access we have to your yard.” The installation processincludes removing four inches of surface material from your yard, thenreplacing it with base rock, and other materials to prepare the drainage systemunder the turf. Once the base is complete, the product is rolled out, customcut to fit your area, then secured, and the final layer of infill stationed above.Simple to maintain, all this turf requires for cleaning is the natural rinsingthat occurs with rainwater. It can also be hosed down occasionally, and evendisinfected if required, as the product is resistant to discoloring from mostchemical cleaners.

Heavenly Greens offers two color options as well “The turf comes in a very lush looking solid green for the lawn that always looks picture-perfect,”says Troy. “The other option for folks, that I prefer myself, is a two-tone colorwhich is a bit more convincing as real grass. It looks like a lawn that was just mowed,” he says. “These products are incredibly realistic, and a fantasticalternative to our ever increasing water problems here in California—we’reeven starting to see various counties offering rebate programs to installsynthetic turf because of the large water savings.”

Take the time to visit the Heavenly Greens showroom in San Jose, you can contact HeavenlyGreens at (866) 724-TURF (8873), or visit their Web site at www.heavenlygreens.com. THM


DECIDING TO MAKE “GREEN” UPGRADES TO YOUR HOME IS a personal decision. Whether it’s concern for the environment,saving money on utility bills, or creating a healthier living

space for our families, we all have different priorities when it comesto choosing more sustainable options. But knowing where to start is a different matter. A home remodel is already a very overwhelmingprocess without having to worry about the carbon footprint of theproducts you choose, or how to maximize energy and water efficiency.Just as you might hire an interior decorator, or a landscape designerto help you identify the best options for your tastes and budget, youmight consider hiring a GreenPoint Rater to help you navigate thechoices involved in adding Green elements to your home.

Growing consumer demand for healthier, Greener products thataren’t much more expensive than their conventional counterparts has resulted in a greater range of choices. But more isn’t alwaysbetter. How do you know which ones are really Green and which onesare just jumping on the sustainability bandwagon? Many of theproducts have certification labels, but with over 400 Green consumerlabels currently on the market, it can still be confusing. Do you

choose FSC or SFI Certified wood products? Indoor Advantage or GreenGuard? Green Seal or EcoLogo? And that’s just products. How do youdecide which energy efficiency improvements to tackle first? Do youinstall solar panels, or is it more economical to seal leaks and addbetter insulation? What about your windows—should they beexchanged first? Or is that even necessary? Do you opt for a tanklesswater heater? A solar hot water heater? Or maybe the “hot water ondemand” system is the best choice for your needs. Depending on thevintage and location of your home, your priorities, and your budget,what makes your home Green can take many different forms.

Hiring a GreenPoint Rater to help with your Green remodel can take the guesswork out of a lot of these decisions. Whether you areundergoing a whole house remodel, or just tackling one room, the Rater will work with you to make the greatest impact in the areas mostimportant to you. Working off the GreenPoint Rated checklist, whichallots points in five categories (Community, Energy, Indoor Air Quality,Resource Efficiency, and Water), the Rater will help you assess whichGreen building measures are best suited to your needs and budget, and will help you navigate the product choices.

[ B U I L D I T G R E E N ]

Your Pathway to aHealthier, More Energy

Eff icient Home

BY ANNETTE HARTSFIELD


While the program is primarily concerned with the economy,comfort and health of your home, having the GreenPoint Rated labelcan also add re-sale value to your house. A study in the Seattle regionrecently found that homes with “environmental ratings” sold quickerand for more money than homes without a rating. This summer, theSan Francisco MLS (Multiple Listing Service) became the first regionalMLS in California to add GreenPoint Rated and other Green ratings as a search criterion. As homebuyers become increasingly concerned withenergy efficiency and indoor air quality, the GreenPoint Rated labelmight give your house the edge it needs in the marketplace.

The GreenPoint Rated program is an impartial, third-party verifiedrating system administered by Build It Green, a non-profit organizationin Berkeley that promotes the advancement of Green building practicesthroughout California. By assigning a point value to each improvementyou make, the program serves as a pathway to a more resource-efficient,healthier and environmentally friendly home.

Annette Hartsfield is a Build It Green Program Associate and Grant Writer. For more information on the GreenPoint Rated Existing Home program, and to locate a GreenPoint Rater, please visit www.builditgreen.org/greenpoint-rated. THM

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The Forever Home: Going GreenBY PATSY ZAKIAN-GREENOUGH, CKD, CAPS, CGBP, CID WHEN IRIS HARRELL AND ANN BENSON DECIDED TO REMODEL

their two-story home, they were sure about two things. First, theywanted “The Forever Home” so they could age-in-place and have

people of all ages and abilities visit. Curb-less showers and an elevatorwere installed. Secondly, they wanted to implement as many Greenpractices and materials as possible.

As a Green guideline, they used a rating system from “Build It Green”.When a choice was needed, good judgment was foremost. “It’s aboutmaking the right decision and doing what’s important,” says Iris Harrell.Instead of replacing the old furnaces, ducts were sealed and tested. At93% efficiency the furnaces avoided the landfill.

With Genie Nowicki, a Certified Interior Designer in the State ofCalifornia and a Certified Green Building Professional, Iris and Annachieved their goals. Here are some tips for your project:

Energy Savings:Add solar panels Use dual-glazed windowsEuropean Rolling Shutters at windows - shades on skylights Reduce furnace use with “Zone Heating” such as gas fireplace inserts and heated floors Consider heat recovery ventilation systems Insulate walls and floors Use fluorescent and LED lights Energy Star appliances Whole house fan and ceiling fans


Indoor Air Quality/Health:HVAC–seal ducts, install Hepa filtersNo VOC paintsUse exterior plywood in interiors—no formaldehydeCheck crawl space for dampness and drainage

Materials:Use Forestry Stewardship Certified Woods (FSC)Recycled glass countertops or other man-made countertopsEngineered floors or refinished floorsWool carpet

Water Conservation:Use a re-circulating pump with timerConsider automatic faucetsWater conserving appliances

The concept of The Forever Home and being Green was laced intoevery decision. Throughout construction photos and videos were taken todocument the project. Serving as a model for professionals and homeownersalike, this project documentary can be seen on PBS stations: “TheForever Home: Going Green.” Visit www.theforeverhome.com.

Remember, good design is always beautiful regardless of thespecialty you’re designing for. A house should be built not just for whomyou are today, but also for the person you’ll become tomorrow.

Patsy Zakian-Greenough is a Senior Designer with Harrell Remodeling, Inc. ResidentialDesign + Build in Mountain View, California, www.harrell-remodeling.com. For a list of Certified Interior Designers in your area or to view the CID Pages (a visual directoryof CID’s), visit www.ccidc.org/cidpages. THM

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[ C L C A ]

FIRE DESTROYS HUNDREDS OF HOMES each year in Californiaand often burns thousands of acres of land. If your propertywas damaged by fire, the California Landscape Contractors

Association (CLCA) is pleased to offer some recommendations tohelp your landscape recover and to help protect your property.

In general, many plants and trees are exposed to fire in theirnative environment and many will recover in the spring and shouldbe left alone. Any pruning or cutting back of fire-damaged plantsshould not be done until the plants show signs of recovery. Removingbark, leaves or limbs can expose the plants to sun damage. Heatfrom the sun can actually kill the tissue beneath the bark on sometrees. It is best to leave them alone until new growth appears.

Recommendations to help protect your property after a firefrom the California LandscapeContractors Association.

Some plantsrecover faster thanothers. Burned plantscan still be greenunderneath and stillhave healthy roots. Ifsimilar plants appear tobe recovering, wait a few more weeks before removing damagedparts. Full damage to woody plants may not be apparent until thenext spring or summer season. Re-examine them at that time andthen carefully remove damaged wood to make room for new growth.Ash on the plants will not cause damage and should be left alone.

Damaged trees that have branches that are cracked or overhanginghomes, driveways etc., that can be a future hazard, should beremoved. Trees that have shifted in the soil due to wind or burndamage and those with burned roots should be removed as well,because they are now considered unstable and could potentially fall. If fire has completely burned off all the bark around the entirecircumference of the tree and/or fire has burned deep into the trunk,the tree should also be removed.

Fertilization is not recommended. Immediately fertilizing can causedamage to the roots and cause additional harm to the plants. Waitingalso gives the soil time to recover. Wait until the spring and fertilizeat half rates with a product containing nitrogen. Do not fertilize withmanures at that time, since they contain a high concentration of saltsthat can injure roots.

Plastic irrigation lines, parts and drains may be damaged. Checkyour existing irrigation system for leaks and damage and documentthem for your insurance company. Also shut off irrigation waterimmediately after a fire to help prevent erosion and further damage.

It is generally not recommended to water plants immediately aftera fire. If your area is experiencing a drought and water is necessary,water gently by hand. Severely burned soils do not absorb water well.Make sure the flow of water is slow enough to be absorbed. Alsoexamine and clean concrete drains and swales. Many become filledwith ash and mud during a fire.

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In areas where protective plants are removed or destroyed, soilbecomes vulnerable to erosion. Soil erosion can happen slowly or itcan happen very quickly in a heavy rain. The exact measures neededfor your property are based on your soil type, slope grade, homelocation, weather, water availability etc. Also areas exposed by firecan open the door for invasive species and weeds. In some areaserosion control materials or mechanical control measures may need to be applied. Contact your local CalTrans office or local forest servicefor guidelines in your area.

Water flow is an important factor of any erosion plan. Neverunderestimate the power of storm water and debris. Evaluating thearea and planning for storm events is a critical first step to protectingyour property and improper or inadequate measures can aggravatepotential problems. If you need help with erosion control or fireprevention landscaping, be sure to hire a licensed professional whospecializes in that area of expertise. Ask for references, insurancecertificates and request to see their license. You’ll want to protectyour home and your neighbors’ as well.

It is also an important time to evaluate your property’s landscapeand damage. Take a look at what worked and what did not and try todetermine how to make your property safer in case of a future fire. Forfuture reference, it is also a good idea to keep records and photos ofyour landscape as part of your home inventory list for insurance purposes.

For helpful information about fire prevention landscaping please go to:www.clca.org/clca/education/fire-protection.php. THM

�

IF YOU’VE EVER LOOKED UP AT A CEILING AND SAID, ‘OOOH!’chances are it had wood box beams. There issomething utterly grand about them. With many

homeowners choosing to stay put in this economicclimate, adding custom touches to your house can makeit feel new and luxurious.

Steve Jackel of Jackel Enterprises, Inc. in Watsonvillesays his company specializes in creating faux wood boxbeams to enhance any décor. “Faux timber has manyadvantages over real wood. It weighs much less, decreaseslabor time and can be fabricated into any length or sizeyou need. Once installed, you can’t tell the differencebetween faux and the real thing,” he explains.

You may think that wood beams only lend themselvesto a rustic look but that’s not the case. Jackel’s BoxBeams can add drama to any space, including contemporary.“You can use a beam with a non-textured finish and a vertical grain in a light wood such as fir. It gives aclean, linear look,” says Steve.

From a contractor standpoint, box beams are apractical and beautiful design application for a client.The hollow wood frames can be installed after walls arefinished; can hide unsightly steel members; and providea channel for electrical wiring, lighting and plumbing.New construction often has residential fire sprinklers inthe ceiling, which box beams can conceal. “Contractors utilize ourbeams to achieve design goals for their homeowners. It’s a quickinstall, has high impact and the client loves that their house isn’ttorn apart!” says Steve.

The style options are extensive. If you crave an Old Worldfeeling Steve recommends a beam with a textured finish in a darkerstain like Tudor Brown. You can pattern the beams to showcasehigh ceilings or cover them completely to bring incredible warmth

to a space. A non-textured beam with straight linesdressed with molding would lend itself to a moreclassic look. “Coffered ceilings, which are beamsarranged in a grid pattern, are a stunning effect in a traditional home, “Steve notes. He encouragesclients to visit his 20,000 square foot warehouse and mill so they can custom treat beams to yourspecifications. Jackel Box Beams proudly serves theBay Area and ships its products all over Californiaand beyond.

“If you desire to add character and depth to aroom and make a big statement, but don’t want thestress of messy construction, our affordable and highquality faux box beams are the answer,” says Steve.

To find out how you can add the dramatic beauty of Box Beams to your space, call Jackel Enterprises, Inc. at (800) 711-WOOD(9663), visit their Showroom at 347 Locust Street, Watsonville or visit the Web site at www.jackelenterprises.com or www.woodboxbeams.com. THM

BY HEIDI DOERFERT

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Pick up your next issue at any of these Industry Showrooms.ConcordAll Custom Woodworks Pacific Coast Carpet D & S Custom CabinetsDunn Edwards Paints Bedrosians Tile & Marble Cabinet CoatsTip Top Kitchen & Bath Western Tile Design Center Sun Valley CarpetsLewis & Lewis Carpets Ashby Lumber Co. GM Marble & GraniteAbbey Contra Costa Floors Superior Stone & Cabinets Ordaz Cultured MarbleThe Floor Store Rosewood House One Stop Kitchen & BathMoulding Masters MMM Carpets Carpet DimensionJ & J Cabinetry Bebo Interiors Inc Grand StoneContra Costa Door Professional Flooring & Design

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DublinKobold’s Garden Supply Moulding Masters Dublin Carpet CenterAaron Brothers Sleep Train Mattress Center Western Tile Design CenterCorners of Dublin Dublin Plumbing Supply Custom Fireplace, PatioKelly-Moore Paints Barbeques Galore Consignment FurnishingsThe Plumbery Jennifer Convertibles CarpeteriaBay Lighting Sherwin Williams Paint The Futon Shop

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East Bay November 2009

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