I know we posted this last year, but the program is still up and running, and we thought this is such a great cause and a great way to recycle. If you are interested in sending cards, please read below for more information on how these cards will be used.

“Over thirty years ago, wishing to show our donors appreciation for making St. Jude’s Ranch for Children possible, the idea was conceived for turning the previous year’s Christmas cards into “new” cards for the coming season. The recipients were so delighted with their unique “thank you,” they requested the children sell them the special cards. And so, the St. Jude’s Ranch Recycled Card Program was born. “

St. Jude’s Ranch for Children are now accepting used card fronts from Christmas cards and any other occasion from now until February 28, 2010. In the past, St. Jude’s temporarily suspended the accepting of cards because they were overwhelmed with the response from many caring donors that they needed to take time and reorganize the program. Now, they are accepting cards again. If you happen to read this after February 28th, you can still donate, but you will need to visit the St. Jude’s website first for different instructions at http://www.stjudesranch.org/

St. Jude’s has been collecting old cards and making new ones for over 30 years, which gives the children an opportunity to make “green Christmas” cards, learn about recycling, and raise money for St. Jude’s. Recycling our old cards also gives us a chance to be “green”, offer supplies to a great organization, and be able to support a worthy cause.

If you would like to donate your used card (fronts only), please send to:
St. Jude’s Ranch for Children
Recycled Card Program
100 St. Jude’s Street
Boulder City, NV 89005

For more information and to keep updated on this program, please visit St. Jude’s website often. http://www.stjudesranch.org/

You can also purchase these “green cards” by contacting St. Jude’s Ranch:
St. Jude’s Ranch for Children
ATTN: Donor Office
P.O. Box 60100
Boulder City, NV 89006-0100
Phone: 1(877) 977-SJRC

Some of these changes include:
The percentage of the cost of the upgrades allowable as tax credits has been raised from 10 to 30 percent.

Tax credits that were limited to specific dollar amounts have now been changed to 30 percent of the cost of the upgrades.

The maximum dollar amount for improvements per homeowner for the year has been raised from $500 to $1,500.

Items that are eligible for the tax break are:
Exterior windows, skylights, storm windows, and doors. These items must have a U factor (the ability of the product to prevent heat from escaping) of <= 0.30 and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, or SHGC (the amount of solar heat that a product allows in), of <= 0.30. Eligibility can vary based on features and by climate zone.

Metal or Asphalt Roofing. Must have an Energy Star rating to qualify. The roofing material must be expected to last at least five years or must come with a minimum 2-year warranty.

Insulation. Certain types of insulation qualify for the tax break; however, insulated siding does not qualify. The main function of the product must be to insulate, and the product must have at least a 5-year lifespan or come with a 2-year warranty.

Other items that may qualify within certain guidelines include:
– Central air conditioning and heat pumps
– Furnaces
– Hot water heaters or boilers
– Photovoltaic solar panels
– Wind energy systems

Specific efficiency levels must be met, so not all Energy Star items qualify for the tax break. Only those with higher energy efficiency ratings are eligible. The $1,500 maximum is cumulative for ALL improvements. So, if you install approved windows and a new water heater this year and 30 percent of the cost of both improvements is $1,700, you will only be able to claim a total of $1,500.

Strict regulations dictate which systems are eligible for the tax break. All items and/or systems must be installed between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2010, and must be in the homeowner’s principal residence to qualify. If you own commercial property, additional deductions are available for commercial buildings.

For specific information about all of the home improvement credits that are available, visit Energy Star and click the Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency button. Remember to save receipts and the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement. For new windows, keep the Energy Star label. You will need these items when filing your taxes.

If you’re thinking about making some home improvements, the timing couldn’t be better. Contact your home improvement contractor for more information.

Composting is the process by which bacteria and other organisms break down dead plant material. For this break down to occur, an active compost pile requires a temperature of 55-70C, adequate moisture and good air circulation.

Properly maintained it will not give off bad odors, or attract insects and animals. To avoid the undesirables, you should note that certain materials should not be used for composting purposes. Meat, fat, bones and dairy products decompose very slowly, cause terrible smells, and attracts vermin and flies, while pet waste can spread unhealthy organisms.

The composting process results in a rich dark humus that is ideal for improving soil quality. This practice makes an excellent organic plant food and creates a rich, natural soil conditioner with a coarse texture that helps loosen heavy clay soils, improving them for healthy root growth. It also improves the water-holding capacity of sandy soils.

Composting also allows you to re-use organic waste, such as lawn clippings and leaves that would otherwise take up space in a dump or landfill.

The easiest way to compost kitchen and garden waste is to create a loose pile where air and water can reach it. For best results the pile should be approximately one meter high by one meter wide. An overhang such as the canopy of a tree would be beneficial as this would prevent the compost heap from getting soaked or blown apart in a storm.

Another efficient option is to purchase a pre-made compost bin from a garden center or hardware store. Some are available in tumbler form. These are cylinders that allow you to rotate materials inside with little effort. The least expensive units are simple round or square plastic bins with a lid and air vents.

Composting materials should be turned regularly with a garden fork to allow for ventilation, which speeds up the decaying process. Turn your compost once every fortnight; using a fluffing action to help add more air to the pile and break up any clumps. Also water lightly to make pile moist but not soggy.

You can compost most organic waste materials such as lawn clippings, vegetable scraps, manures (chook, cow, horse, and sheep), shredded newspaper, twigs and sticks, even wood ash. The key is to add a fairly even mixture of green and brown materials – damp and dry in layers and to chop or shred the materials before adding. The smaller the material, the quicker it will compost. Autumn leaves make an excellent addition to the compost heap but can take some time to break down. If you don’t have a shredder just spread them over your lawn then mow and collect them in the catcher.

When your compost has fully decomposed it becomes a versatile, easy-to-use product which can be dug into sandy of clay ground to make it a more nutrient rich and water retentive soil ideal for raised garden beds and landscape beds.

Compost can be mixed with potting media, 1:3 ratio, or added as a dressing for container potted plants. It acts as a slow release fertilizer reducing the need for chemical feeding.

Apply two or more inches of your compost as mulch. It will protect and keep root zones cool and help conserve moisture while slowly feeding the plants. If applied much thicker or over multiple layers of newspaper it acts as a marvelous weed barrier meaning less time weeding the garden and more time enjoying it.

Remember, today’s garden waste can easily become tomorrow’s rich garden soil through composting.

Green remodeling can potentially lower your energy consumption by 30 to 50%. Considering skyrocketing energy costs, this can result in significant savings. Plus, you’ll be helping conserve the Earth’s natural resources. If you’re considering renovations to your home, take some time to investigate green alternatives.

The principles of green remodeling take into consideration indoor air quality, energy conservation, resource conservation, reduced material waste, and the use of products that are better for the environment. Here are some options to consider if you want to go green:

Choose nontoxic paints and sealants. Toxic paint fumes can degrade indoor air quality. Look for eco-friendly paints that have no or low levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

Upgrade heating and air units to more energy efficient models. Consider alternatives to conventional heating and air conditioning that may work for you, including passive solar heating, geothermal heating and cooling, and condensing boilers.

Install energy efficient appliances. If you are making appliance purchases, check the efficiency ratings. The right choices can save you about $400 a year while reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. For more information on understanding the Government Energy Star program, visit www.energystar.gov.

Buy natural flooring, and natural fiber rugs and fabrics. Products made from sustainable, renewable, or recyclable materials help conserve natural resources and will not contribute to poor indoor air quality.

Use local building materials and have any construction debris collected by a recycling company. Utilizing local building products reduces the cost to bring the product to you. Recycling construction waste keeps reusable materials out of our landfills.

Use roof shingles and tiles made from recycled material. The roofing industry offers a variety of environmentally friendly choices. Plus, these green roofing materials compare favorably with traditional roofing.

Upgrade the insulation of your home, water heater, and pipes. Select quality insulation and have it installed properly. Products that increase the “R” value of your home will save you money.

Replace your windows. Like appliances, windows have Energy Star ratings. Check these ratings to find the most energy efficient options.

Consider a tankless water heater. Some models can cut your water bill up to 50% and use less energy, plus they provide an endless supply of hot water. Keep in mind that a tankless water heater may cost more up front but will save you money over time.

Green remodeling doesn’t necessarily have to encompass your entire home at one time. You can implement green alternatives gradually to suit your project, budget, and needs. Ask your remodeling professional for more information about green alternatives during your next home renovation.

As a stager I work with realtors and homeowners to market properties. The principles of professional staging create a story about the house and the lifestyle that comes with that house. That story creates the emotional connection that we all want in the place we choose to call home – and that is quite magical when it is created in a place we don’t actually yet live. It is what makes staging a viable and indispensible marketing tool.

So how does green come into that? Today buyers are looking for green features. In May of 2008, NAR published a report that indicated that 9 out of 10 REALTORS® said buyers are looking for green features and that interest would continue to rise.
• And, in a trend that could signal greater attention from institutional investors, Energy Star buildings are selling for an average of $61 per square foot more than their peers, while LEED buildings command a remarkable $171 more per square foot.
• According to a recent study, LEED buildings command rent premiums of $11.24 per square foot over their non-LEED peers and have 3.8 percent higher occupancy.
• Rental rates in Energy Star buildings represent a $2.38 per square foot premium over comparable non-Energy Star buildings and have 3.6 percent higher occupancy.

Obviously, hiring me as a stager is not going to give you a Platinum LEED rating, so what do I bring to the table? First I can take a look at the home and review the already existing features that are green, and then give the homeowner a list of features they can market as green. My knowledge of sustainability, green features and practices, energy and water efficiencies and conservation, and grants and tax credits available to finance eco-friendly repairs and upgrades will serve my client well as we go through the consultation phase of the staging project. During the consultation I recommend repairs and upgrades that will help sell the property and I use my green knowledge to ensure they know the choices which will up their green quotient. I can also provide them with the sources and resources to get this done through my knowledge of green products and relationships with service providers with a commitment to energy efficiency, durability, sustainable products and practices, durability, value and healthier options for the home.

The information we provide during the course of getting the home ready to sell and the environmentally sensitive choices we help the client make is only the beginning of the impact an EcoStagerTM can make for the seller. Many clients use the information we give them during the consultation when they move to the next home to continue moving towards a more sustainable life. And, the changes we help to implement and the information we help the seller provide the buyer can be the beginning or continuation of moving towards sustainability for the buyer as well. The service and knowledge we provide are invaluable and, for real estate professionals, making an EcoStagerTM part of your team is the best value you can provide for your clients.

“Green construction is a construction project built to a standard higher than building codes, they last longer are cheaper to operate, sell for a premium, use fewer resources and have a lower impact on the environment.”Source: Alliance for Sustainability, Mike Holcomb / 2007

Chic Home Interiors does Home Staging, Interior Redesign and Training in Staging, Color and Green Build Science. Our training arena is all of North America, while our design and staging is in the San Francisco Bay Area only. Visit our new Green Website.

Icestone [is] a durable surface made 100% from recycled glass and concrete. I first heard of this product about 2 years ago and initially thought it would make very cool looking countertops. A few weeks ago, I attended a product knowledge seminar on Icestone and now, the “green” side of it is growing on me. So I thought I would take time today to share a little more about Icestone and point some of the key factors that define it as a green product and company.

Icestone (http://www.icestone.biz) is a man-made product that is suitable for both, residential and commercial applications. Most people will use it for countertops and backsplashes but it can also be installed as flooring. Think about 1950′s terrazzo floors in the government buildings. Icestone offers a similar look but with more vibrant colors and a variety of shades.

How are the product and the company green?
-Made in USA – the factory is in Brooklyn, NY.
-Reuses glass bottles – beer, wine, sparkling water bottles … out of the landfill and into the countertop. The color of the recycled glass gives the shade to the slab.
-VOC free – no petroleum content and water based sealers. So helping in the wellness your family.
-Day-lit factory – saving energy where it matters the most.
-Grey water recycling – conserving and reusing resources to make a true impact on the environment.

What certifications does Icestone hold?
B corporation – “a new type of corporation which uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. B Corporations are unlike traditional responsible businesses because they: meet comprehensive and transparent social and environmental performance standards.”

Cradle-to-Cradle Gold – recently awarded Gold, this certification “provides a company with a means to tangibly, credibly measure achievement in environmentally-intelligent design and helps customers purchase and specify products that are pursuing a broader definition of quality.”

NSF certified – certifies that Icestone is suitable in a food service area like a kitchen.

These are just a few points that make Icestone highly desirable and worth considering when selecting your countertops or looking for something different for flooring. New shades are coming out. Who knows, it may be the one you’ve always wanted.

So keep on recycling those glass bottles. They may one day reappear… in your kitchen countertop!

Written by Valery Tessier-Leon for Case Design/Remodel. 

For more information on Case Design, please go to http://www.casedesign.com