Allyson Buck and Sarah Heinbaugh are taking an Earth-friendly approach to interior design.
New CountertopsContact the writer at 636-0272.The downturn in the economy and the trend toward green living has led to more efficient use of space in homes. There is an interest in livability, rather than showiness. Bathrooms are smaller and more sensible, but closets are still generous. Formal living, media, or exercise rooms that are unconnected to other core areas tend to not be used. These spaces may be converted to studies or home offices. Buyers who work on line are growing in number, and they need work space at home.Retro Is BackThe two relied on savings to get the business going. As befitting a green business, they took a green approach. Their cabinets, for example, came from ReSTORE, which sells recycled building materials.Simplify & De-clutterMore than ever, buyers want to experience the outdoors. Large, sliding glass doors and screened porches have made a comeback. On tight urban lots, glass walls open the interior to a private yard. Backyard gardens, covered patios with outdoor kitchens, and pools are all desirable to today�s buyers.The showroom is located inside what was formerly part of Hall's Walls. Buck and Heinbaugh rent the space. Hall is not part of the business.Buck learned about American Clay from Deborah Hall of Hall's Walls, a distributor for the product.Hard surface floors are a part of the green trend. Carpets hold dirt, dust mites and other allergens. Concrete, stone, cork, natural linoleum, bamboo, and wood are popular floors today. Bamboo, which grows a foot per day, is attractive and sustainable. Ceramic tile continues to be a good fit for baths, and is being explored for kitchen counters. Large ceramic pieces set tightly together offers a new look with lots of new colors.Among InteriLife's lines is American Clay, a natural-earth veneer plaster - and a product that started Buck down the path to creating InteriLife with Heinbaugh.In the recent past, to upgrade a house was to �granitize� it. Today, granite is moving aside in favor of new choices. Recycled glass and engineered stones are growing in popularity, in line with the green trend. Soapstone, long used in labs, is in demand. The organic look of limestone, concrete, and marble have a following. Stainless steel is a good fit with modern styles.DURAPALM (shown in Midnight Palm) Harvested From coconut palms, this wood is slightly stronger than oak. COST $23/sq. ft. ECO-FRIENDLINESS 100% derived from old, nonfruiting palms. info Smith $ Fong, San Francisco (plyboo.com)"I really liked the product," Buck said. And in delving into it, Buck also got to know Hall.
Contact the writer at 636-0272.
Author: Bill Radford
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