Great Room Ideas – Making a Large Space Feel Intimate

Oct 25, 2019 Category: Decorator services

Today, people tend to either upsize or downsize, depending on what stage they are at in their lives. Each situation brings its own unique set of dilemmas. Downsizing leaves you trying to decide what to keep and what to say goodbye to. Upsizing often leaves you with a void – not having enough furniture to fill your space. An even tougher problem for some is what to do when you have an enormous living space to decorate. In this blog, we will explore some unique great room ideas that can help make a large area feel cozy, intimate, comfortable, and sophisticated.

Many floor plans today feature a “great room” – a large living space that can double as a living room and dining room, separating the two with furniture groupings. However, other homes have designated dining areas, leaving you with a large room that can seem overwhelming. How do you fill the space to make the room welcoming?

Creating unique open floor plan ideas can seem daunting, leaving you second-guessing your decision to buy that house. You do not need to suffer from buyer’s remorse when an interior designer can show you how to create that intimate, warm feeling you desire.

If you have lived in a home for many years and would like to transform your great space into a cozy room, think about intimacy. Rather than trying to fill an open living room with lots of large pieces of furniture positioned around an enormous coffee table and large area rug, imagine the feeling that comes from creating multiple, more intimate seating arrangements.

Before – Spreading Out the Furnishings

When thinking about how to fill a large living room, many people naturally assume that oversized furniture is an excellent way to begin. It is true that you do not want to use small, dainty furniture in a vast space – it will get lost.

Another thing to avoid is hugging the walls. Putting furniture up against a wall in a large space only makes it feel cavernous. Creating a seating area around a focal point is crucial, such as with the fireplace in the photo below.

As you can see in the “before” photos below, not only is this room extremely large, but it also has very high ceilings with windows above the French doors. There are many focal points in this space.

Another problem that can occur when you have a big living room is that the creation of one central sitting area leaves you with a lot of open floor space. The space in the photos below is 40 ft long x 32 ft wide with a 24 ft high ceiling. This “grand” room is perfect for entertaining – the question is how to pull it all together, making it feel intimate and welcoming.

After – Creating a Cozy and Intimate Floor Plan

Intimate, cozy rooms are possible to create, even when dealing with a huge living room. Besides the general concept of filling the room with furniture without overdoing, there is also a sound factor to consider. Large rooms can feel like an echo chamber at times. The proper use of textiles in furnishings can help absorb sound.

One thing to consider when discussing great room ideas is how you plan on using the space – especially if you enjoy entertaining. Creating seating areas that foster conversation is crucial – you do not want to have people yelling across a large space to be heard.

In the drawing below, you get an idea of how to make a living room cozy by creating two separate seating areas. The areas are symmetrical, giving the room a cohesive look.

Because area rugs can anchor a room, understanding how to combine area rugs in an open floor plan is crucial. As you can see in the design concept below, two identical rugs create the anchor for each of the seating areas.

Properly sized furniture and the scale of accessories are essential when filling a large space. The two living room furniture arrangement examples in the drawing below show how to use accessories to separate similar but distinct seating areas. The sofas help to anchor each of the seating areas. The use of asymmetrical coffee tables helps serve as focal points that take your eyes away from the expanse of the room.

When creating great room designs, another critical aspect is the lighting. There are a few things to consider with lighting design for a large space:

  • The lighting must be even
  • Lighting should be large or use plenty of recessed lighting

Lighting is not a problem during the day when a room has abundant windows like this one that will let the natural light in from the outside. Ensuring the creative use of lighting for nighttime entertaining will help enhance the intimacy of the individual areas.

As we continue with our discussion of large living room ideas, the next focus is wall art. When dealing with a vast space, small pictures will get lost on the walls. You want large scale, bold art to help enhance the design of the room.

Color is the other crucial aspect when discussing great room ideas. In a large space, you want to ensure that you have some colorful accents. As you can see in the drawings, blue accents are used for the loveseat in one seating area, and the chairs in the other, with coordinated pillows on the cream sofas and chairs. Repeating color and furniture patterns through the room help tie it all together.

The room depicted here is a work in progress. A future blog will present the finished project. Do you have a large space that you would like to see transformed into an intimate, sophisticated, and cozy paradise? If so, contact HK Interiors at 954-401-8542.

The Pantone Color System Explained

Aug 22, 2019 Category: Decorator services

The Pantone Color System Explained

Interior design can be overwhelming for a homeowner – there are so many colors, styles, textures, patterns – where do you begin. An excellent starting point is the Pantone color system.

Today, many people are familiar with the fact that a new Pantone color of the year is chosen to spotlight each year. What they do not know is that Pantone has helped standardize the manufacturing industry through its Pantone matching system (PMS). Different manufacturers working on the same project can maintain consistent colors throughout their designs.

The widely produced Pantone Solid Colors palette has over 1100 unique colors used primarily in graphics, print, and publishing.

Unlike the CMYK colors which are made up of only four elements (black, cyan, magenta, and yellow), the PMS system consists of a wider range of colors, maximizing color consistency and reducing the degree of variation found in the CMYK system.

The Pantone color system, or Pantone Color Matching System, is the most widely used standardized color system today. There are actually two separate systems for Pantone colors – one for print and packaging, and the other for fashion and product design. The last one is the one we will focus on today. …more

Choosing Throw Pillows – What You Need to Know

Aug 22, 2019 Category: Decorator services

Custom pillows by HK Interiors

One of the quickest and least expensive ways to change up the look of your room is with new throw pillows. Why would you need an interior designer if all you have to do is go out and buy a few inexpensive throw pillows to toss on your couch?

Truth be told, it is not always that easy. I know some people have wonderful color and style sense and can probably accomplish this on their own. However, there are also those who know they can easily get overwhelmed with patterns and colors. It is the same with furniture and decorative pillows. Make the wrong choice, and you will find yourself doing another return to the store.

Here is a list of do’s and don’ts of selecting decorative throw pillows for your home. Of course, you can always contact me to discuss options. In the end, the services of an interior designer can help beautify your home without it costing a small fortune. The right custom throw pillows or the specified Pantone color number system can take your home to the next level. There are also other decorating touches that an interior designer can add that will transform your room in ways you never imagined.

Throw Pillow Selection Do’s and Don’ts

Here is the first thing you need to know before you head out to the store and buy some new throw pillows – the selection is seemingly endless. It is easy to get lost in a sea of pillows that will have you second-guessing yourself – all the way to the register and beyond. Just when you think you made the right selection, you get home, and nothing seems to match.

Here is what you need to remember about buying throw pillows:

Throw Pillow Do’s:

  • Choose the right size pillows for your sofa. Aside from being decorative, sofa pillows are also there to serve a purpose. You want your pillows to add comfort to your seating. Large throw pillows can make it difficult to sit comfortably on your sofa. If you have a firm sofa, you will want softer pillows. If your sofa is very soft, getting firm accent pillows will provide stability when sitting.
  • Select your color palette with care. Keep your throw pillows in the same shade or select complementary shades for a cohesive look.
  • Do not mix too many patterns, but it is good to mix tone on tone textures. While you do want some variances in your pillows, overdoing it can backfire and create a look that distracts from the beauty of your room.
  • Follow this formula: Mix tone on tone textures or solids in different sizes or 1 solid, 1 busy print, 1 small print. A large or busy print works best on large couch pillows (think large = large). A small print, stripes, or plaids work best for small pillows. Use your medium pillow to bridge the two others. Remember to place larger pillows at the end of the couch, and the smallest ones to the center.

Throw Pillow Don’ts:

  • Do not put so many throw pillows on your sofa that you have nowhere to sit. Guests sometimes feel uncomfortable moving around pillows in someone else’s home. Instead, they will perch uneasily on the edge of the sofa. The purpose of a couch pillow is to add comfort while being visually attractive.
  • Do not give in to temptation and buy cheap throw pillows – the quality of material and inserts matter.
  • Do not forget to tie your throw pillows together with one color. Even if there is only a tiny amount of your primary color in the fabric, it will still bring a cohesive look.
  • Do not be afraid to go bold and make an exclamation point in your home. If your room and furniture are all white, cream, or beige, it is okay to bring a bright, bold color into the room with accent pillows.

Final Points of Interest about Throw Pillows

Here are some final recommendations when looking at buying throw pillows:

  • Stick with solid colors if your room has a lot of patterns.
  • Pair a simple stripe with a solid pillow for a classic look.
  • If you have throw pillow covers that you like and need to get inserts, choose a slightly bigger insert for a fuller pillow.
  • Odd number pillow pairings create a more modern look; even pairings are more traditional.
  • It is ok to mix shapes, such as oblongs and squares, or squares and circles. Just remember that although you may be drawn to a particular shape, it may not look good on your style of furniture.

Remember, your throw pillows should complement your sofa (or chair). Choose your sizes, patterns, fabrics, textures, and shapes carefully.

HK Interiors is here to help you transform your home or office into the vision you desire. Contact us at 954-401-8542 for more information.

Coral – the Pantone Color of the Year 2019

Jun 21, 2019 Category: Decorator services

 

Each year, the Pantone Color Institute announces a Color of the Year. For 2019, that color is coral. Here in South Florida, we find the color coral used frequently, especially in the oceanfront condos of Boca Raton and Delray Beach that beckon design towards colors that remind us of the sea. Coral is lively, warm, and inviting. It is fresh and feminine without being too “girly.”

Whether you reside in the suburbs of Coral Springs and Parkland, or along the waterfront of Deerfield Beach or Fort Lauderdale, using the coral color in any of its hues can brighten up your home.

One thing we often find when looking at coral on the color wheel is its use with varying shades of blue. Coral and turquoise or aqua are perfect for an ocean or beach-themed interior design. You do have to be careful when choosing the shades to blend into your room. If you are using a vibrant shade of coral, then you want an equally vibrant blue. An example of this is seen when combining it with tiffany blue and white.

Muted shades of coral work best when used with complementing muted colors. Creating a neutral environment with coral pairs it well with shades of cream, beige, gray, and tan, and it also combines well with warmer colors such as yellow, apricot, and peach. Accent pillows, rugs, curtains, ceramics, or lampshades that feature coral help to energize a neutral room.

Living Coral Palettes to Consider for Interior Design

What color is coral considered? Depending on the shade and hue, it may appear as the color salmon, coral pink, or peach color. The Pantone Color of the Year 2019 is Living Coral. It is a vibrant shade that thrives as an accent to other colors in a room. Living coral reminds us of the coral that is alive under the ocean surface, giving shelter and nourishment to all forms of sea life.

Pantone has created five color palettes that feature living coral. In the first, Focal Point, coral becomes the focus of the cool color grouping as it pairs with colors such as Storm Gray, Forest Biome, and Martini Olive. Other shades in this grouping include Golden Lime, Beluga, Twill, and Mauvewood.

For those who love the vibrancy of a dazzling sunset, Pantone brings Shimmering Sunset to life with colors such as Conch Shell, Hot Pink, Aurora Pink, and Magenta Haze to blend with Living Coral. Radiant Yellow, Amberglow, and Papaya add the warmth of sunrise to your room.

The next palette is Sympatico, designed to pay homage to the world’s many skin tones. These beautiful colors create a warm glow in your home. Living Coral compliments Burnt Henna, Rose Dawn, and Coral Sands, combining two shades of coral into one beautiful palette. Sun Kissed Coral, Candlelight Peach, Sand, and Mellow Buff also work beautifully to create an inviting habitat.

If you are looking for a fun and energetic design using Living Coral, look no further than the palette called Trippy. With a nod towards the hallucinogenic 60s, Trippy combines it with exuberant shades such as Sulphur Spring, Chive Blossom, and Vivacious. For those looking for a bit more blue in the room, Barrier Reef, Deep Lake, and Ibiza Blue mesh beautifully with Coral and Pink Lemonade.

In our final palette, we go Under The Sea, to embrace the lure of the ocean and the ecosystem of the coral reefs. Here, Living Coral mingles with shades such as Blue Depths, Turkish Sea, Viridian Green, and Turtle Green. For an even brighter feel in the room, mix it with Sea Pink, Vibrant Yellow, and Limpet Shell.

How to Use Coral In Your Home

There are so many ways to use coral without it seeming overwhelming, and it makes an excellent accent wall, especially in a dining room or kitchen as it can help improve digestion. As a wall color, coral serves as a background for framed nautical or nature pictures, neutral tapestries, and your favorite photos. Bright lights can enhance the vibrancy of coral walls while soft lighting can help tone down the color.

Of course, coral works wonderfully as an accent in your room when used in a rug or on throw pillows. A coral pillow on a neutral couch provides a visual pop of color. For something more downplayed, you can choose pillows with just a hint of coral.

A small accent table in the corner of a room or against a wall is another great way to bring the color coral into the room. You can choose a strategically placed chair, curtains, or even a chandelier to help liven up a neutral palette. As you can see in the rug below, coral pairs beautifully with the color gray.

South Florida residents can learn more about incorporating coral into their homes by contacting HK Interiors. Call us today at 954-401-8542 to discover how our interior design services can help you transform your home or office into the vision you desire.

Kitchen Design Tool: Creating the Before and After

May 31, 2019 Category: Decorator services

Everyone dreams of having a modern kitchen; they just do not always know where to begin. You may stand there at your stove, counter, or sink, wishing things could be different. However, you have no idea where to begin. That is where the expertise of an interior designer can come in handy. Your designer will make use of a kitchen design tool – a form of blueprint design to customize your remodel.

If you have ever looked at floor plans of a home, you probably saw something like this:

In the image above, you can see that the kitchen design is somewhat closed in, with a wall separating it from the living room and dining room areas. The kitchen is open only to a smaller eating area, with another walkway through to the dining room. You will see that we marked in red some of the changes that were to be made, including the removal of the wall to create an island and adding a straight wall to extend the kitchen cabinetry. An added benefit of remodeling the kitchen was a new closet in the master bedroom.

The kitchen photos below show the “before” dated look of the room, along with the wallpaper that was past its time. It was also time to get rid of the white cabinets and the black countertops. You can probably sense how easy it is for someone in the kitchen to feel closed off from everyone else, especially when entertaining.

The Kitchen Design Tool: A Work in Progress

In the after version using our kitchen design tool, you can see how the new wall helps to extend the kitchen cabinet design across the room. The goal was to increase storage space while also eliminating the original awkward angles of the previous wall.

Stonewater Kitchens

The now-open floorplan includes a new island, as well as still providing space for a casual table and chairs. Now, when company is over, no one has to feel left out when working in the remodeled kitchen. Images below show how the old white and black design have been replaced by shades of cream and taupe. The taller cabinets provide abundant storage, and lighted shelves offer additional brightness for the display of select items.

CAD by Stonewater Kitchens

We utilized the kitchen design tool to create an island with higher cabinets. In the next picture from our kitchen design gallery, you can see how the top of the cabinet is higher than the top of the island.

CAD by Stonewater Kitchens

Aside from providing increased storage space, the higher cabinets also provide hidden space to camouflaging items on the counter.

CAD by Stonewater Kitchens

These kitchen design pictures are part of a current work in progress.

Kitchen Designs Photo Gallery

If you are new to our blog, you may not have seen some of our other kitchen design ideas from past remodels. Through the innovative use of the kitchen design tool, we have been able to create modern kitchens that brighten up the home. There are two primary reasons to remodel your kitchen:

  • To enhance your enjoyment of your home
  • To prepare it for better resale value

Of course, most people who start looking at kitchen images online do it because they want to remodel their kitchen for their own use. Perhaps there is a need for more storage, as in the photos above. Some people want to turn a closed-off kitchen into an open floorplan – again, as with the room featured here.

In the kitchen pictures below, you can see how dark the lighting in this kitchen was in the before photo. Next, you will notice that we added more recessed lighting as well as hanging pendants above the now straight island. You can see more of the before and after photos from this kitchen in our blog: Kitchen Design Ideas – Things to Consider Before Moving Forward.

For additional ideas for kitchen design, you can also check out our blog: Modern Ideas for Kitchen Design – Options for Updating Your Kitchen.

Contact HK Interiors for help turning your kitchen into a culinary paradise. To discover how our interior design services can help you transform your home or office into the vision you desire, call 954-401-8542 today.

Types of Window Treatments and Their Functions

May 01, 2019 Category: Decorator services

It is easy to get so caught up in decorating your home that you forget to think about functionality. This is especially important when considering various types of window treatments. The way a window functions in your home should be the primary factor in what type of window coverings to buy.

Things to consider when making this decision include:

  • Do you need the window treatments to protect from sun and heat – the South Florida sun can be brutal during the long winter months. Proper protection can also help lower your electric bill. Another issue to consider is the protection of your furniture and flooring from fading. Some products offer UV ray benefits.
  • Does your home have a zero-lot-line? If so, you may want window coverings that can give you added privacy. Opaque materials provide privacy when back-lit as people cannot see in from the outside.
  • If you are hoping to sleep late in the morning, getting blackout curtains or shades is a good idea. These products can also help reduce glare and eliminate the penetration of natural light when they are closed.
  • Are you hoping that your window curtains will enhance your décor without blocking the outdoors view? If so, you may opt for sheer fabrics.

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Picking the Perfect Chandelier Size for Your Room

Mar 25, 2019 Category: Decorator services

 

One of the hardest decisions people have when reimagining or planning their living space is chandelier size and design. Anyone who has ever walked into a lighting store can tell you how overwhelming it can be at first glance. You do not even have to look up to see all the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Where do you begin?

There is a trick to selecting the right light fixtures for your home or room. You have to know what size will work best, and then what type of style will compliment your furnishings. Today, we are going to focus solely on chandelier size and leave style for another day.

The most common room in the home for a hanging light fixture is the dining room. Dining room chandeliers can make or break your design, meaning that you must focus on getting the right size.

Some people also opt for a kitchen chandelier, especially if they have an eat-in kitchen. Placing a mini chandelier above a small, corner kitchen table can add ambiance to the space. If you have a kitchen island, that gives you another option for specialty lighting. Just remember to keep the hanging lights a minimum of 28 to 34 inches above the top of the island. Pendant lights, spotlights, orbs, track lighting, box lights, and even a small chandelier will create spectacular ambiance in your kitchen.

Ceiling height is another issue, especially when choosing vaulted ceiling lighting for a living room. Yes, you can spend hours of time researching chandelier options, or you can speak with an interior designer who can help you get it right with minimal time and expense.

Choosing Dining Room Chandeliers

Your dining room chandelier will be a focal point of the room, catching the eye and creating ambiance for all your dinner parties. If you have frequent buffets or gatherings, you are going to want lighting that will truly enhance both the mood of the event and the appearance of the food. Too large a chandelier will be overwhelming. Underestimating your dining room lighting will cause it to look out of place and not enhance your table. The goal is to wash the table in light, elimination shadows without adding heat to the room.

There are two primary ways of selecting chandeliers for dining room ambiance:

  • As a fixture for an empty room before purchasing furniture

If you are moving into a new home and have not yet purchased furniture, follow this rule:

Measure the length and width of the room and add them together. The number of feet is equal to the number of inches in diameter of your chandelier. For example, a 10’ x 12’ dining room equals 22’ – corresponding to a 22” chandelier.

  • If your dining room already has a dining table

Matching chandelier size to a dining room table is also easy. The rule here is to keep your chandelier no larger than one-half to three-quarters the width of your table.

Hanging height is also crucial when considering chandelier placement in a dining room. The bottom part of the chandelier should hang no lower than 30 to 32 inches above the top of the table.

You may also want to consider using a dimmer switch to adjust the lighting in a dining room. Buffets often do better with brighter lighting, while intimate dinner parties may do better with a softer glow.

How to Select the Right Living Room Chandelier

There is a lot to take into consideration when buying a living room chandelier. You have to think about the height of the ceiling, the size of the room, the style and positioning of the furniture, as well as ambiance.

If you have a high ceiling, your chandelier will have to cover a great deal of space, often hanging low in the room. Creativity is a big part of living room lighting. Again, speaking with an interior designer can make all the difference in the world for how your room will come together in the end. Creating an ideal living room lighting scheme is crucial to the functionality and ambiance of your home.

In addition to selecting just one central chandelier, you can also opt for ceiling lighting to go with the hanging fixture or multiple smaller chandeliers placed around the furniture layout. Using four smaller hanging lighting fixtures is an excellent option when a living room has a ceiling fan. Many ceiling fans also have light fixtures to consider.

A Final Word on Chandelier Size

You do have a little leeway when looking at chandelier size for a room. In addition to the measurement instructions provided in the dining room section, here are some other options to consider:

  • Rooms smaller than 10’ x 10’ – select chandeliers between 17” and 20” wide
  • Rooms around 12’ x 12’ – choose chandeliers between 22” and 27” wide
  • Larger rooms around 14’ x 14’ – select fixtures between 24” and 32” wide

In addition to the rooms mentioned, long hallways or entrances to the home are excellent opportunities for hanging a chandelier. Bedrooms and even bathrooms, especially over a central custom tub are other options for hanging a chandelier.

Please contact HK Interiors to discover how our interior design services can help you transform your home or office into the vision you desire. Call 954-401-8542 today for all your interior design needs.

 

 

Slate Gray and Silver – Interior Design Colors to Consider

Mar 25, 2019 Category: Decorator services

For many years, beige and cream were the warm neutral shades everyone seemed to use in their homes. Times change, and so do interior design ideas. Move over warm neutrals and say hello to slate gray and silver. Of course, there are many different shades of grey you can consider. As you can probably see, we are spelling gray with both an “a” and an “e.” There is no right or wrong way to spell the color grey.

Grey interiors are versatile. You can use varying shades of gray hues on your walls, including light gray paint and blue-grey paint which will bring out different emotions and accents in a room. Silver textured or patterned wallpaper can also make a room pop. Grey bedroom furniture is often soothing for improved relaxation. Furnishings, light fixtures, and accessories in shades of silver and gray offer exciting contrasts.

HK Interiors

What Is the Meaning of Gray or Silver in a Room?

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Rug Placement Guide – Tips for Placing a Rug

Feb 25, 2019 Category: Decorator services

You may not know this, but there are rules for placing rugs in your rooms. If you break the rules, your room may look choppy, out of place, and unfinished. Use the right size and rug placement, and you will be thrilled with your finished look.

The two main rooms for rug placement are the living room and bedroom. Some people also place rugs in the dining room. Follow the rules listed here and choose the right size and shape of rug for your room.

Rug Placement in the Bedroom

Some people opt to forgo carpet and use wood or tile throughout their home. To add a feeling of warmth, they select area rugs. Rug placement on hardwood floors and tile serves a dual purpose – functionality, and appearance. Stepping out of bed onto a cold floor in the middle of the night is not pleasant. Feeling the warmth of a nice rug under your feet keeps you in a state of tranquility. However, you have to know how to place the rug for both design and function.

Using a larger rug helps frame the bed and nightstands and make the room seem bigger. The next best option if you cannot find or afford a large enough rug is to go with two runners – one on either side of the bed.

Rug placement in a bedroom provides a few options: …more

Green Products – Making Your Home a Healthy Place to Live

Feb 04, 2019 Category: Decorator services

In our previous blog about Green vs. Sustainable, we discussed how builders, manufacturers, and designers are making buildings eco-friendly. Today, we will address some of the ways you can improve the indoor “health” of your home by purchasing green products.

What are green products and how do I get them?

Green products are items that can meet either of the following definitions:

  • A product that is less detrimental to the health of the inhabitants than its traditional equivalent
  • A product that has a lower environmental impact than others in its category

It is also important to point out that just because a product says it is “green” does not necessarily make it a fact. The terms “green,” “sustainable,” and “earth friendly” do not always mean the same thing. Labeling can be deceiving.

Also, although something may be truly “green,” it will likely still leave some small impact on the environment. Ultimately it is the degree of impact that makes the difference.

What to Look for When Choosing Green Products

Some of the attributes to consider when choosing green products for your home include:

  • Biodegradable or reusable
  • Locally obtained – fewer fossil fuels used for transport
  • Made from recycled materials or sustainable and renewable sources
  • Energy efficient
  • Low maintenance
  • No ozone-depleting chemicals
  • Free of toxic compounds
  • Do not produce toxic by-products

Whether you are looking for green building products, energy-efficient appliances, organic foods, responsibly forested wood, or organic furnishings, there are some seals of certification that you can look for to help you with your selections:

  • Green Seal Certified – This symbol of Green Seal Certification lets you now that the product has met rigorous, science-based standards. Some of the green seal-certified products include household cleaning supplies, food packaging, paper items, sanitary paper products, and printing & writing paper.
  • Energy Star – When you see the Energy Star symbol on a product you know that you are taking a step in the right direction towards sustainable living. Energy Star certified products use less energy and water and help cut annual greenhouse gas emissions. You can find the energy star symbol on a wide variety of products, including computers, light bulbs, ceiling fans, refrigerators, washers and dryers, phones, air conditions, televisions, and more.
  • USDA Organic Product – This symbol lets you know when food is grown without genetic engineering, irradiation, synthetic fertilizer, pesticides, and other dangerous chemicals. Produce, dairy, meat, poultry, and packaged foods may be labeled USDA organic.
  • Forest Stewardship Council – When you see the FSC symbol, you know the wood products you are looking at came from environmentally managed forests. Since 1993, the Forest Stewardship Council has worked to promote responsible forest management.
  • Global Organic Textile Standard – Products that are GOTS Certified contain organic fibers. More importantly, the certification looks at the entire textile supply chain to meet the proper tracking and management of organic
  • Global Organic Latex Standard – GOLS certification also ensures the proper tracking and management of organic materials and finished goods.
  • Greenguard Certification – The Greenguard Certification mark lets you now that the products meet strict chemical emissions limits to back up sustainability claims. You will find this certification on interior furnishings, furniture, cleaning products, electronic equipment, and other products.

These are only some of the many certification programs available for a vast array of green products for your home.

There is an excellent website that you can turn to when purchasing cleaning supplies and consumer products for your home. www.ewg.org is the Environmental Working Group that tests many of the items you buy every day. For their website that tests personal care products, visit www.ewg.org/skindeep to see if the makeup, shampoo, and other products you use are safe or toxic.

Next month, we will highlight some of the many wonderful products you can buy that are green and eco-friendly.

Contact HK Interiors to discover how to incorporate green products into your next interior design project. Call 954-401-8542 today for all your interior design needs.

 

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