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As if it wasn't challenging enough to choose one paint color over another,
now there's
'green'? And, what exactly is 'green'? And, what exactly is 'green interior design'?' And what is 'green architecture'?
Going green,' is minimizing harmful effects on human health and the environment and going green is increasing smart solutions to improving the planet. Designers and architects are focusing design efforts for social good incorporating these green goods and services.
Green Design Is - -
Adaptive Re-use: Re-purposing Old Buildings For New Uses
The
The Tate Modern Museum is a preeminent museum that once was a power plant and is now one of the world's most famous examples of adaptive re-use.
The Tate Modern was created from the shell of the old, unsightly Bankside Power Station on the Thames River in London.
One old power station,
goes international,
then goes award-winning museum,
through sustainable architecture.
The Tate Modern contains four art galleries and houses the national collection of British art from 1500 to the present day as well as
international modern and contemporary art.
The Tate Modern collection includes nearly 70,000 artworks by over 3,000
artists and grows every year, including "Ophelia".
Below, Ophelia is one of nearly 70,000 works of art located at the distinguished Tate
Modern Museum; it is estimated to have a market
value of just under $47 million.
Click here to see more exemplary examples of adaptive re-use buildings.
Green Design Is - - Reclamation
Bog Oaks Are Prehistoric Trees
They date from a time when the world was emerging from the last Ice Age.
It was a time of rapidly rising temperature, retreating Ice Cap and rising sea levels. The vegetation across southern Britain contained many areas of oak forest. As the temperatures rose, storms felled whole forests and in the more temperate climate a vegetation of sphagnum mosses and ferns became predominant. This growth entombed the fallen oaks, eventually compacting to form peat and preserving the trees in an acidic and anaerobic environment. These trees have survived millennia due to extraordinary circumstances.
These ancient oaks are a direct link with a time when the people of Britain were just starting to develop agriculture and expressing their connections to the universe through the erection of standing stones.
Over time the colour of the trees has deepened, sometimes achieving a dense black.
Bog Oaks have a profound history.
Swinstead Bog Oak Bowl, above,
is made from 5,000 year old bog oak.
The two photographs here left and right show Adrian Swinstead's Sycamore Arch Table, cut from a concave section of tree, Sycamore from Geddington, Northamptonshire, fortified acrylic toughened glass.
This last piece is actually a bench - Sycamore Arch Bench - cut from a concave section of tree, sycamore from Geddington, Northamptonshire with 50 mm plexiglass.
Adrian Swinstead says about his endeavors, "Cherishing a piece of ancient bog oak to become a thing of beauty after its five thousand years underground is my work, my art and a privilege."
For more information about Adrian Swinstead's work, click here to visit his website.
See more Adrian Swinstead in the Something Beautiful Journal
click here.
Green Design Is - - Sustainable Business Practices, Using Regionally Available Processes and Materials and Paying Workers Fairly:
Lulan is a producer of textiles, rugs, home accessories and personal goods using sustainable business practices. The company philosophy is exceptional, excerpts are shown here:
- Economic: create sustainable livelihoods for our weavers.
- Cultural: processes and materials that are regionally available. Environmental: natural materials or low-impact dyes.
- Social: Workers are paid fairly and provided at different weaving centers day care and healthcare.
- Craftsmanship: Exclusive designs, hand-woven by master weavers, preserving a traditional craft with modern application.
- Natural materials/process: natural materials such as silk, organic cotton and other natural fibers, natural and/or low-impact dyes, and processing.
So ..... regarding what is green? And, What's It Got To Do With Design? Green minimizes harmful effects on us humans, our environment, and green helps us improve our lovely planet. Further, smart interior and architectural design is green.
If decorating isn't easy for you or if you are in need of some particular interior design assistance, our designers at the Something Beautiful Shoppe will be happy to work with you - working with professional helps assure you get the look you deserve while helping eliminate costly mistakes.
Apple Pecan Chicken Salad Toasty
Croissant Sandwich
This lunch is a real treat - crisp apples, meaty yet almost sweet pecans, shredded chicken, and squeeze of fresh lemon juice all sandwiched within a toasty croissant - that's a great lunch.
Yield: 4 Sandwiches
Ingredients:
1 cup roughly chopped pecan halves
2 whole boneless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
1 Granny Smith apple, cored, peeled, and diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1 green onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup red onion, minced
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
1/3 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise (to taste)
1/2 lemon
Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix the pecans, chicken, apples, celery, green onion, red onion and parsley together.
- Stir in the mayonnaise, starting with 1/3 cup and adding more to your preference.
- Give the half lemon a squirt or two over the salad and stir to incorporate.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover and chill for 45 minutes before serving
Serve on sliced, toasted croissants with fresh lettuce (would also be unique served on mini croissants as an appetizer for a cocktail party).
