Filed under: Air Quality, design, Hot Topic, Materials, Resources, Sustainable Living | Tags: Architect, design, DIY, Eco friendly, environment, Home, house, Sebastian Eilert, Sebastian Eilert Architecture, Tap Water
Turning your home into a more eco-friendly space doesn’t have to require a massive renovation right away. You can do simple things on your own that promote low waste and green living. Consider these DIY projects shared by Miami Green Living to help you start your eco-friendly journey.
1. Simple Ways To Reduce Water Usage
One study shows that homes in the U.S. use over 27 billion gallons of surface and groundwater every day. There are simple ways you can decrease the use of water in your home at little to no cost. For example, install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators to decrease the amount of water you use in the bathroom. If you’re concerned about installing these features correctly, you can hire a plumber to help. They can cause up to $150 per hour. Therefore, make sure you read up on the company first. Do a quick search for a “local plumber near me” and check reviews and ask for proof of licensing and insurance before you allow them to work on your house.
2. Seal Your Windows
Improperly sealed windows are the top cause of excessive utility bills. If your windows are older, you may notice issues with the caulking around them. This is a project you can handle on your own. All you need is the right materials, and you can reseal the windows to stop incoming air from hindering your heating and cooling efforts. Additionally, home buyers typically service for utility use history on a home. This simple task of sealing the windows could increase your property value by lowering utility costs and creating a more visually pleasing window as well.
3. Use a Smart Thermostat
Heating and cooling systems account for a vast majority of the energy bills in a home. The benefit of a smart thermostat is that it learns how you typically adjust the temperature throughout the day and automatically does it for you. Additionally, you can program a smart thermostat to adjust at certain times of the day. For example, when you leave for work in the morning, program the thermostat to go up or down, depending on the season. Then, before you come home, you can program it to start getting the temperature where you prefer it. It saves on the energy bill and makes your home more comfortable.
4. Use Natural Cleaning Products
Natural cleaning products are a great way to make your home greener and save money. Hot water, white vinegar, and citrus form the foundation of many cleaning products. You can get your entire kitchen clean and fresh just with a spray bottle containing mostly warm water, a half-cup of vinegar, and several drops of orange and lemon essential oils.
5. Drink Tap Water
Most people are afraid of drinking tap water, but depending on where you live, it’s often no different than the distilled bottled water you drink. You can buy a pitcher with a filter for $30 and keep it in the fridge for fresh, cold water. The filter will significantly reduce the presence of hard metals and make the water taste better. Remember to check your local water statistics to ensure drinking tap is a healthy option.
Once you start implementing changes and seeing the decrease in utility bills, you’ll likely want to keep going. Continue looking for ways you can be more eco-friendly outside of the home as well. Before you know it, green living will be a natural part of your everyday life.
Filed under: Building knowledge, Construction and Permits, design, Hot Topic, Materials, Sustainable Living, Waste | Tags: Architect, coverings, design, Home, hot topic, house, interior design, Miami, paper, Sebastian Eilert, Sebastian Eilert Architecture, Sebastian Eilert Architecture Miami Green Sustainable Building, wall paper, wallpaper
Wallpaper has a surprisingly long and storied history in interior design. Its invention is credited to the Chinese less than 100 years after paper itself was invented. The style came to Europe via the Silk Road and saw changes in production and design as advances in block printing and other technologies allowed for more widespread use.
Since then, wallpaper has seen popularity in waves and although it has fallen out of favor at times, one thing is for sure – every time wallpaper comes back into fashion, it comes full force. Most recently, wall coverings, in general, had seen dwindling sales as an obsession with minimalism gripped interior design and architecture towards the latter half of the 20th century. Now, however, wallpaper is all the rage again and advances in the field mean that we can do more with wallpaper than ever before. That means that current trends in wall coverings are all about making bold choices.
Here are seven trends for 2022 that are bringing back wallpaper in a big way.
Go Wild
More than ever, people are ready to bring a bit of the outside in. Whether it’s grand tropical foliage or a jungle scene, this trend is anything but meek. For 2022, it’s about deep greens, light neutrals, and moody, muted tones and with a focus on natural materials.
Designers are taking it to the next level with patterns and vintage-style illustrations that transport us back to a wilder time. Expect to see birds, tigers, and elephants with or without their lush jungle backdrop.
Texture
In this most recent iteration of the wallpaper trend, we’ve seen a much greater variety of designs than ever before. Another factor driving the variety in this trend is texture. Whether it’s grasscloth, cork wallpaper, silk, or flock, the right tactile texture can elevate a design and bring a room to life.
Graphic Prints
One of the bolder trends for 2022, graphic prints are being used in a variety of ways and in some spaces that might seem surprising. A wide range of imagery is being seen in graphic print wallpaper but major themes to follow include people, nature, art deco style, and illustration.
Geometric Patterns
Geometric patterns have been rising in popularity in the past few years, and this trend shows no signs of slowing down. They add a touch of luxury wherever they are used. This year geometric patterns are being paired with light and airy blues, grays, and shades of white. Geometric patterns are so universal that they can lend themselves to a wide variety of decorating styles and they are a great way to bring a space together.
Florals
Floral might be considered the quintessential wallpaper pattern, and while the florals we’re seeing for 2022 harken back to traditional Chintz patterns from India and later Europe, they are anything but dated. Today’s florals command the room with colorful, intricate designs on bold, rich, sometimes even velvety backgrounds. The effects can feel playful, exotic, or downright mysterious. Designers are sticking with small, detailed blooms to open up tight spaces and larger blooms for more airy locations.
Gold
Gold is having a moment – and with good reason. Touches of gold can bring light into any space, adding an element of glamour and luxury like nothing else. This trend will only grow and expand in 2022 with a trove of luscious textures to play with. Expect to see it used as a delicate accent or an all-out theme and everything in between with brush strokes and paint splatters in the spotlight.
Bonus: Unexpected Places
There is one trend that can be seen alongside all of the others that will continue to define the most recent comeback of wallpaper. In 2022, we’re seeing wallpaper in all kinds of unexpected places.
Traditional wisdom dictated that busy decor wasn’t meant for small spaces, but interior designers have thrown that rule out the window. Wallpaper is being used to bring some brightness, color, and structure to intimate vanity areas, cozy reading nooks, and even attic spaces.
Another typical decorating faux pas being broken this year is the wallpapered ceiling. In the spirit of playful rulebreaking, designers are opting for dramatic styles and daring color palettes over safer choices.
Summary
Designers are using wallpaper in ways they never have before. Technological advances in printing are allowing us to experiment with a wide variety of patterns and materials and that is resulting in some suitably bold styles for the long-awaited comeback of wallpaper.
In 2022, watch for jungle scenes and lush foliage, subtle textures, bold graphic prints, and elegantly understated geometric designs. Also on offer are a range of dramatic florals and decorating schemes that are practically dripping in gold.
There has never been a better time to update the look of your home.
Ready to start your project? Contact Sebastian Eilert Architecture for your Architectural and Interior Design project needs.
Filed under: design, Hot Topic, Resources, Sustainable Living | Tags: architect services, Home, home options, house, housing, senior, senior living
Seniors often have big decisions to make during their older years regarding housing. Many have been living in the same house for quite a while, but the loss of a spouse, financial challenges, or health issues make it necessary to make a change. There are a number of different types of living options available to older adults and they each come with different benefits. Miami Green Homes breaks them down for you.
Aging adults have many housing options to choose from
Once the decision is made to move into a new place, it is time to start the search. Some older adults will be able to continue living independently. However, Helpguide explains that it is essential that they consider not only their current needs, but how things may change over the next few years. Moving at this age is difficult, both physically and emotionally, so most do not want to have to do it again anytime soon.
Single-level living is often a good fit for aging adults so that they do not have to navigate stairs. While there are single-family homes that can work well for seniors, many people at this stage of life will focus more on downsizing to a townhouse or condominium so the exterior maintenance issues are taken care of by the association.
Retirement communities have plenty of perks
Many seniors focus on 55+ independent communities instead. These age-restricted communities typically organize a number of social activities for their residents and this makes it easy to connect with other seniors. Depending on the community, residents may have access to a golf course, swimming pool, gardening, clubs, tennis, art or woodworking shops, and regular social gatherings.
55+ retirement communities often have more security than a traditional residential neighborhood, which brings peace of mind. In addition, they are usually close to medical facilities and the homes are designed for accessibility. While family members, including grandchildren, can certainly visit, the overall feel of the neighborhood is typically peaceful and quiet, without loud parties or rambunctious kids.
A combination facility may be the best fit
Some families look for a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). These offer different levels of assistance in one place, explains AARP. They provide a tiered approach to senior living, typically including options for independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care all within one community. This means that as a senior’s needs increase, they can access additional assistance without a major relocation.
A CCRC will usually include access to health services, meals, housekeeping, transportation, and personal care assistance. This living situation provides comfort to families and their older loved ones since help is always nearby, and moves as one’s needs increase will be relatively simple. These senior living options can be expensive, but many have different levels of service available.
Evaluate the financial ramifications before selling the old home
Families should always consider the financial implications of a senior’s move. Some older adults will sell their home and put the equity toward their new place. In that case, you’ll want to research the area’s housing market to get an idea of the average sale price — which, in Miami, is $370K. In some situations, seniors simply want to transfer the ownership of their property to another family member.
In this type of scenario, a quitclaim deed may be the best approach. Realtor details that quitclaim deeds are used in transactions that do not involve any money, a title search, or title insurance. They often work well for seniors who want to transfer ownership of their home to their adult children as it is a fairly simple and inexpensive approach.
There are many types of living options available to seniors these days, including traditional neighborhoods, 55+ communities, and tiered assistance communities. During the decision process, families also need to decide whether to sell an existing property or perhaps use a quitclaim deed to transfer it to family. Once plans are made, seniors can feel confident that they are in a new home that suits their needs throughout the rest of their years.
Looking for tips on making your home greener? Check out Miami Green Homes.
[Image via Pixabay]
Miami Green Homes 