Interior design experts seem to be one: environmental concerns remains hot and will continue to influence interior decorating in 2009. Focus will be on organic, natural, and recycled products, and on refurbishing instead of replacing. Expected to be hot are recycled carpets, grass cloth wall covers, bamboo floors, and the new emphasis on accumulating less so that there'll be fewer to throw away. For this reason, other experts see a resurgence in the interest on vintage furnishing and furniture. Indeed, green has come a long way. Today, "stylish" invariably brings with it a connotation of concern for the environment. Here are renovating tips for the green and stylish from TC Thorn.



Tip # 1 Check your paint for VOC levels. Paint is a relatively inexpensive way to jazz things up inside or outside the house, but paint tends to have high levels of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) considered harmful. Do check the labels and the fine print. Comforting is the fact that more and more environment-friendly paint are finding their way into hardware shelves.

Tip # 2 Check your bedding for formaldehyde. One thing that makes sleeping so pleasurable is the softness of the bedding. But did you know that formaldehyde is being used to treat bedding to make them soft? Formaldehyde is nasty, and should not have a place in the bedroom. While you're at it, check also that your mattress is made of natural latex rubber.

Tip # 3 Bamboo floors, anyone? It's unlikely that it'll ever get to the point that the bamboo slats used in Asian floors will ever find themselves in American homes. What seems likely is that bamboo tiles might gain acceptance. Bamboo's cool-- both literally and figuratively, and is certain to be become a conversation piece anywhere.

Of course, the easiest and less costly is to stick to what you already have, but jazz it up. A new layer of shellac, for instance, will do wonders to certain types of wooden floors.

Tip # 4 Instead of carpets, why not carpet tiles? Carpet's cool, but scores low on the environmentalists' scorecard. This is because of its tendency to collect dust and mildew, not to mention mites and pet dander which can be allergenic. A green substitute might be carpet tiles which often come recycled, and are way easier to clean than carpets. Besides, carpet tiles don't need carpet padding.

Tip # 5 Conserve water. Up to half of what's flushed away in people's bathrooms everyday. Is overkill, as half of the usual is normally enough. Consider dual-flush toilet models and water-less urinals.

Tip # 6 Consider abstract metal art. They're chic, and certain types like metal wall sculptures are made from things people throw away. Besides, abstract metal art is hot, being on decorators' top ten list of trends for 2009.

Tip # 7 Recycling of old furniture is in. It means less number of trees cut. It also means less refuse for our landfills. Best of all, people think you're such a nice guy to be concerned so much about the environment.

This article was written by the authors at Walldecorandhomeaccents.com - an online wall art store featuring modern design wall clocks.