It’s a new year!
The gyms are full of people fulfilling resolutions and we are all anxious to start this year on the right foot. Healthy living, healthy eating and more exercise are on many people’s lists of things to do and we are being bombarded hourly by ads and campaigns promising to improve our lives.
The design industry is not immune to this marketing hype, we are absorbing new ideas and ways to upgrade our homes and it can be overwhelming to sift through all of the information. Healthy bodies, healthy pets, healthy homes – it all seems like quite the trend, doesn’t it?
If you have the vaguest interest in design you will be well-versed in the ‘green’ home trend we have been seeing escalate through the past few years. It is a fantastic program for new homebuilders and renovators alike and helps us decide on the best solution for our homes. What is the solution for those of us who live in existing homes, do we have any green solutions?
As a matter of fact we do, there are a number of ways to improve the health of your home without building an entirely new structure. We can reduce our carbon footprint, increase air quality and reduce allergens as we make our homes more beautiful.
The age of products in your home is something to carefully consider.
Products which are exceeding 25 or 30 years in age can contain materials which are no longer acceptable for residential living such as asbestos or lead. Flooring tiles, vinyl, window blinds and paint can contain these harmful materials and should be replaced or (in the case of asbestos flooring) covered over with newer products.
The danger in these products is when they begin to break down, chip or flake- this can spread particles in the air which can be dangerous to inhale. If you suspect your home has older lead based paint, a sealed and freshly painted wall will be the best solution to this problem.
Sanding and scraping the paint off is not recommended because of the dust it will create.
Aging carpet is something else to consider. As carpet ‘matures’ it collects all manner of stains and debris. You would be appalled at what our installers find when they remove older carpet! With the addition of moisture, stains and spills comes the increased risk of mold/pollen and bacteria growing underneath your carpet underlay.
We will soon be offering the Healthier Living Installation System for carpet which incorporates a comprehensive installation which virtually eliminates debris and allergens.
A bioshield underlay seals the existing subfloor to prepare for your gorgeous custom carpet which is installed by our certified installers.
This underlay lasts a lifetime and provides a pad which blocks future spills from reaching the subfloor. To me, this sounds like an amazing solution to increase the air quality and the overall health of our home.
Home décor is not just about being in stride with current style, it also helps us to keep our homes clean and healthy.
Products which you have been holding on to for decades (with the exception of beautiful wood antiques or floors) need to be refreshed and protected to keep harmful elements out of your home.
The immediate benefit is a cleaner, safer home but the amazing result is your beautiful new colours and products that you have chosen!
Kim Lewis is an interior designer in Red Deer with Carpet Colour Centre. Feel free to contact her at 343-7711 ext. 227, email her at klewis@carpetcolourcentre.com or join her facebook group called “Ask a Designer.”
