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Environmentally friendly products are trending, and that includes the design world. More and more homeowners are looking for ways to lessen their carbon footprint, and companies have risen to the task by providing a large selection of products. Our showroom offers a variety of products sourced through multiple companies that allow you to get exactly what you need for your home while keeping Mother Nature safe. Let’s talk about some of the latest sustainable design trends that are now available to you and your family.
Bamboo Products
Considered a sustainable material because it is a renewable natural product, it is a popular choice for those who want to be eco-friendly. Bamboo also has a wide variety of uses, making it perfect for the home, and offers several benefits.
- UV protection: Built-in sun protection makes this a great choice for window treatments, which is why Graber utilizes bamboo in their natural woven shades. Learn more here.
- Hypoallergenic: Bamboo fabric is naturally hypoallergenic and is perfect for those with sensitive skin. Choose it to make your next decorative pillows or curtains.
- No Chemicals: Because bamboo is grown without the use of pesticides, it results in products that are safe for the whole family.
Interior designers enjoy weaving bamboo into the home since it is not only a natural product but also brings nature indoors so elegantly. Consider using it in your home.
- Furniture: From tables to chairs, bamboo is a steady material that serves multiple purposes and areas in the home while looking amazing.
- Plates: Bamboo’s smooth surface is a lovely addition to any tablescape or place setting.
- Artwork: Wall coverings from bamboo can create layers and dimensions in any room.
- Accent pieces: Decorative bowls, headboards, and even lamps are a great way to add bits of warmth and serenity to any area of the home.
- Countertops: If a butcher block is on your wish list for your new kitchen countertop, consider bamboo. It is smooth, unique, and durable.
Bamboo is a versatile material that brings a lot to any design, and when you include the additional benefits, it seems to be the clear choice for those who want to have eco-friendly options in their home. Talk to your designer about the products you can choose for your new design or home renovation.
Eco-Friendly Decor Items
We hear the reports of how much Americans are guilty of being wasteful, and many are encouraging individuals to consider items that have been sustainably sourced or reused. This is one of the reasons we love being an authorized dealer for companies like ETU Home that handcraft their products from reclaimed wood, recycled glass, and responsibly sourced materials across Europe. Their beautiful and unique pieces add instant charm and warmth to any room in the home. Some of our favorites include
- Cutting boards: A beautiful cutting board is not only practical in the kitchen but also great for decor. It is now available in multiple colors.
- Dough bowls: Their uneven dips and varying lengths make them a great piece in the home. Whether holding snacks for a party or filled with decorative items and placed on a coffee table, both are lovely.
- Glass accent: Clear and smooth, this is a nice decor element and can serve multiple purposes, such as a cake dome, pitcher, or vase.
- Rugs: Made from natural fibers, they can be a wonderful way to add texture and color to a room.
And it doesn’t stop there; here are some more decor ideas for the eco-friendly homeowner.
- Repurpose: Consider going to a local antique shop or even a flea market. Many vendors are taking old pieces and turning them into something brand new and functional.
- Greenery: Houseplants are not only natural; they have many health benefits, such as cleaning the air. They also create a more relaxed environment.
Don’t be afraid to get creative and try new or different things. You can also check out places like Pinterest to discover more ways to make eco-friendly design choices.
Natural Products
When considering becoming more eco-friendly, materials are at the top of the list. Now more than ever before, manufacturers and designers are partnering to create options that are sustainable. There is an ample supply of products and materials to help you create the perfect atmosphere and style in your home. Here are some to get your creative juices flowing.
- Cork: With a unique texture and versatility, cork is quickly becoming a popular material for items beyond the bulletin board, including flooring and common items such as lampshades. You can also color it, making it easy to add some color to a room.
- Glass: Forever recyclable, this is a material that will remain timeless and at the top of eco-friendly choices. From elegant showpieces to tabletops, glass has stood the test of time. When doing cabinets, it is a great way to reduce the amount of wood used by choosing to have your door fronts and even bathroom shelving made from glass instead. It is also a great option for showcasing some of your favorite pieces in the kitchen.
- Reclaimed wood: This is a popular feature in many of HGTV’s renovation shows, taking wood from the original house and incorporating it into the design. There are many ways to do this, including wrapping a kitchen island in reclaimed wood, building custom furniture or cabinets out of it, and creating an accent wall. There are lots of options with reclaimed wood. See a project we completed using some of the reclaimed wood from the 200-year-old farmhouse.
- Stone: From kitchen countertops to specialty tops in the home, natural stone remains a popular option, including marble and granite. Both are great eco-friendly choices and blend with several design styles.
There are so many sustainable choices available now that your designer will have an easier time locating options for you to choose from that allow you to get the style you need while leaving a soft carbon footprint behind.
It is always fun to watch those home improvement shows. It is always a delight to watch designers come up with a plan that completely transforms the space from drab to fab. Often, after watching those shows, you have a tendency to look around your own home, wishing you could give it an update, but a renovation is not conceivable at the moment for one reason or another. The good news is that you don’t have to undergo a renovation to give your home a lift or freshen it up; sometimes it’s the little things —the details —that can completely revamp your space and make a big impact without breaking the bank. Discover six simple ways you can freshen up your home and even make it feel completely new without going through a renovation.
Here are some steps you can take to ensure your kitchen is healthy and ready for creating dishes that are not only delicious but also beneficial for your family’s health. We know that it is not always easy to stick with the decision to be healthier, but with a well-designed kitchen, it can be. With over twenty years of experience, our design team is well-versed in planning a kitchen design that functions well for your specific needs while also reflecting the style you will love. We serve more than 15 counties and invite you to visit our 5,000-square-foot showroom, where you can walk through multiple kitchen displays to get a feel for the possibilities that await you. Connect with us and let’s start planning a healthy kitchen design.
Organization is a key part of a successful life. You make a plan, you know what you need, and how you will accomplish your goals. This strategy requires you to lay everything out so you can be prepared, which is why people love apps that help them stay on track or write it down in an old-fashioned paper planner. An organization can also infiltrate multiple areas of life, such as time management and home layout, meaning it has made its presence known in the design world. More and more designers are seeking ways to integrate organization into their designs, to the extent that a new term has been coined to describe this approach: organizeology. Let’s unpack what organizeology means!
If you are looking to hit the refresh button on your home, color is always a great way to start. From simple accent pieces, such as pillows and rugs, to repainting an entire room, choosing a new color can inspire you and help you regain your focus. The color of the year for 2022 are a wonderful place to start and can guide you down the right path for your home. Come visit our showroom in Uptown Shelby, NC, where you can walk through our 5,000-square-foot space and experience the possibilities for your home.
Lighting is a crucial aspect of interior design; it significantly influences the mood in the home and alleviates eye strain when there is minimal natural light or when it gets dark. More often than not, a home suffers from insufficient lighting instead of overillumination. For seniors, lighting is even more critical, as the muscles in the eye weaken over time and the pupil size decreases, making it harder for light to enter. Better lighting reduces the chance of bumping or falling over an obstacle and lessens the strain on the eyes as you look around. Good lighting also helps create a comfortable and relaxing environment, exactly what you want for your well-deserved retirement. Let’s talk about how you can have the best lighting, what the benefits are, and which lighting choices are best for certain areas in the home.







Walker Woodworking 
Walker Woodworking 
Greenbrook Design
Walker Woodworking