Style, Sustainability, and a Breath of Fresh Air: The Details

More on Healthy Home 2010,  the designer showcase project now open in Palatine, Illinois. Last week, I blogged about the project, its goals, how it got started, and its emphasis on good indoor-air quality. This week, it's all about "the what and the why" of the materials selected.

Susan Fredman, the founder and CEO of Susan Fredman Design Group, designed the interiors. Widely recognized as a leader in the Chicago design community she has been recognized nationally for her dedication to the not for profit sector. Having completed several green projects, Susan and her team agreed to follow sustainability guidelines developed specifically for HH2010.

She also provided a detailed list of the materials used in the house and, helpfully, the rationale. It's obvious that the reasons the designers chose particular products are thoughtful and varied.

For example, the mirror and vanity featured in the powder room are made from reclaimed locally harvested black walnut from the Horigan Urban Forest in Chicago. The core material is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the zero VOC natural lacquer finish is derived from tree sap. Both came from el: Environmental Language, sustainable designers extraordinaire.

The nursery features Q Collection Junior furniture, products that are GREENGUARD Certified and made from 100-percent-certified woods and 100-percent-biodegradable fabrics or recyclable materials. The wall treatment by American Clay has no VOCs, is made from 72-percent post-industrial recycled content from stone quarries, is a an extremely durable surface, ships dry for less weight, is made in the U.S. with natural dyes, and has the lowest carbon footprint of any commercial wall product.

Both the kitchen and master bath feature fixtures by Kohler and quartz countertops by Cambria, the only producer of natural quartz surfaces in the United States. Quartz countertops are non-porous and don't need to be sealed, thus eliminating chemicals. They have no added urea-formaldehyde or VOCs, are GREENGUARD Certified and are made in Minnesota. The Kohler products are WaterSense certified by EPA.

Great job everyone involved in the project. This is the beautiful and healthy home we all want.