A Wholesome Home

Instead of blithely filling our bodies with victuals void of nutritional value, today's consumers pay strict attention to the foods they feed themselves and their families. Thankfully, that same healthy ethos is extending to our home environs as well- and most especially to our kitchens. It should come as no surprise, then, that homeowners are nourishing the heart of the home with elements that are tender on people and on the planet.

Here are seven pointers on composing a nourishing nook awash in ecologically sound elements-and no empty calories!

1. FIND THE RIGHT COMPANY
 The most important tip to creating a green home is to buy products from a company that's trustworthy and responsible. This is when the Web comes in handy. Log on and read up, researching its philosophy, its manufacturing processes and product components, its affiliations and accreditations (or lack thereof), and anything else that provides a well-rounded pictures of its business practices.

2. DON'T GET GREENWASHED
Akin to whitewashing, greenwashing occurs when a marketer touts a supposed eco-friendly benefit that is, in fact, unsubstantiated, skewed or downright deceptive. Do your homework, don't be afraid to ask questions. And if you thin you're being sold a bill of goods, then that's your cue to move on and keep looking. There are too many respectable companies out there today to waste your time (and your money) on a sham.

3. KNOW WHAT GREEN REALLY MEANS
What's green to one person may not be green to another, so teaming with your designer to determine your definition is imperative before planning can proceed. From the levels of formaldehyde that may be in a product to the materials that you select for your cabinetry, consumers have to know what matters most to them-their possible preferences and their bottom-line musts. With the eco-aware realm now way past its infancy, options abound. But until you figure out what sustainability looks like for you-do you want to save the planet, save the rainforest, or simply save a little on your utility bill- you'll have a hard time narrowing your needs.

4. LESS IS MORE
When it comes to cabinetry, a frameless box is a super-sustainable option. By using a frameless line, you'll get 10% more usable space. They're also easier to clean. They're healthy too because dust particles and hazardous allergens don't get trapped behind a face frame. The frame-free facade also makes for a very clean-lined design that exude a simple elegance, an eco-lovely look no matter what sheen of green you desire.

5. VEER TO VENEER
Although bamboo continues to be a top selling wood good, and even some new up-and-comers like coconut palm are gaining in sway, veneer is all the rage right now. We are seeing a ton of slab veneer doors. The reason a veneer or composite veneer is more green is that you can get about 35 percent more yield when you peel a log for the wood versus sawing it and making solid wood. If you're trying to create length in a petite space, horizontal graining on a slab veneer can be a clever counterpart to a conscious kitchen

6. IT'S OIL RIGHT
For somebody who is really green, a linseed oil cabinet finish is great because it's a hand-rubbed, natural, chemical-free finish extracted from flax seed. Used for centuries, linseed oil doesn't include a topcoat or sealer. It stains and protect the wood sans the need for any other treatment.

7. QUALITY COUNTS
Finally, no matter if you're in the market for sustainable accessories, an eco-sweet appliance suite or planet-pleasant cabinetry, or if you're engaging in a top-to-bottom kitchen redo, paying a bit more upfront pays off in the long run. If it's only to last say, 5 years, you're going to be filling the landfill. It may cost you more on the front end, but if it's more durable, you don't have the impact on the environment later.

And that pay-it-forward philosophy-mindfully greening now to reap the benefits for years to come-goes a long way toward engendering a healthy home and a healthy world.