eco-friendly news you can useCOUNTER POINTThe warmth of wood is expressed in eco-conscious bathroom and kitchen counters from Artisan Group’s Heritage Wood Collection. Pictured here against a glass mosaic tile wall is a bathroom vanity crafted of distressed black walnut from a sustainably managed forest.
Company sources note that both bath and kitchen counters can be made in a variety of responsibly harvested woods, including exotic and reclaimed as well as bamboo.
The wood is finished with a food-safe organic tung oil, with low to no volatile organic compounds. The waterproof oil is said to repel moisture and bacteria and renders the wood surface stain-resistant.
Wood countertops can be cleaned and disinfected with a vinegar and water solution. With moderate use, the countertops should be re-oiled every 18 months to three years, according to Artisan Group literature.
For more details, visit
artisan-counters.com. Locally, the Heritage Wood Collection counters are fabricated by StoneNet Inc., (602) 243-5828.
WRIGHT ON TAP Inspired by the artistry of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Watermark Designs presents this geometric bathroom faucet from the company’s Classic Contemporary Collection. The eco-chic line features a variety of sink and shower handles, with motifs inspired by 10 other legendary architects.
Sink faucets have such water-saving features as automatic on/off capability—to avoid water waste—and water-thrifty volume-reduction aerators. The collection also includes low-water-consumption shower systems.
These products are available locally through Clyde Hardware Co. Inc., (602) 264-2106; and R&R Wholesale Plumbing, (480) 991-9624. To learn of other retailers, go online to
watermark-designs.com.
TOP THIS Reminiscent of a former era—and ready to stand up to modern-day use—this Pedestal Salvaged Wood Round Table from Restoration Hardware may be an heirloom-in-the-making.
The handsomely distressed piece
is crafted of unfinished solid pine
timbers rescued from 100-year-old buildings in Great Britain. With seating for six, the table stands 30" high and measures 60" in diameter. For more details, check your local Restoration Hardware store, or visit
restorationhardware.com.
Words of WisdomAuthor Jennifer Roberts believes a kitchen should be attractive as well as environmentally friendly. She provides tips for achieving both in Good Green Kitchens: The Ultimate Resource for Creating a Beautiful, Healthy, Eco-Friendly Kitchen (Gibbs Smith, Publisher).
The text covers nearly every aspect of putting together a green kitchen, from choices of flooring and cabinetry to counter and wall surfaces.
To reduce the environmental impact of a re-do, Roberts puts emphasis on the use of salvaged materials and Forest Stewardship Council-certified woods. She also suggests using sealants that do not result in off-gassing of toxic chemicals.
If a major kitchen overhaul isn’t needed, the author recommends simply replacing cabinetry hardware to give the room a new look. This will reduce the amount of waste from the project, she explains.