Wow! I was just reading the Dallas Morning News and came across an article for the Urban Reserve. Urban Reserve is an incredible modern housing development in Dallas. Each home is sustainably designed, incorporating sensible siting and massing, non-toxic, high-quality materials, efficient systems, and low-impact construction techniques.
The development has design guidelines you can download from their website if you are interested.
Dallas News Article
Urban Reserve
Todd Oldham has teamed up with FTD to deliver oak tree seedlings instead of flowers, which we all know die eventually. There are 60 varities and FTD can send you the type of tree best suited for your environment based on your zip code. Each tree kit comes with growing directions, cool "Oldham" style packaging and a hand written gift card, all for $29.99.
FTD
Image from site.
I am always searching for that perfect balance between environmentally friendly and chic. The ladies at Green with Glamour offer all different kinds of stylish and green goods. I particularly like the aspect of the website that highlights the women who run and own the website.
From their website...
"Dear friends for over a decade, Kathleen Rowan and Deana Bracken consider themselves true Chicago-bred women. Along with the affinity for fine food, great design, and the ability to seamlessly combine urbanity with gentility - comes their mid-western appreciation for long stretches of land, great bodies of water, and sharing a toast with close friends. And it is through their shared consideration for the planet's well-being, high style, and the heartland - that the green with glamour™ concept was born.
As the years passed and their eco-mindfulness grew, Deana and Kat - both avid shoppers, design fans, a bit Nancy Drew-ish - each began to compile files and create wishlists of their favorite environmentally-sound ventures. The two set off to follow their respective passions - Kat went after all things epicurean, ready-to-wear, and the best of beauty... while Deana chased her fondness of pottery & glass, personal adornments, and fantastic vintage finds. By merging, their wits, resources, and aesthetics ... the green with glamour™ collection was cultivated."
Green with Glamour
While channel surfing the other day, I noticed a new channel titled "Green" in the channel lineup. I was immediately intrigued and tuned into a home show on the channel. The show was about how this builder rehabbed a single-family home in the Austin area. The house was your typical home by most standards when he started but when he was done it had all energy efficient appliances, low VOC paint and floors, and recycled insulation.
One of the other shows I watched was about the City of Greensburg's disaster recovery efforts. I am so happy to see this kind of programming on cable now.
Planet Green
I recently bought a Mini Cooper. It's not a hybrid nor is it electric but it is fast, fun, and cute. But the best part is that my average MPG since I got it is 30! My old Honda Accord was averaging about 20 MPG. It's great to do something for the environment while wholeheartedly enjoying the "ride" along the way.
Carbon Negative - describes a process, lifestyle or invention that results in a net removal of carbon from the atmoshphere.
Carbon Neutral - neutral total carbon release, brought about by balancing the amount of carbon released with the amount offset.
So there seems to be a misuse of the term "carbon neutral" in my opinion. Shouldn't we be focused on "carbon negative" instead?
On May 4, 2007 a deadly tornado devastated the small town of Greensburg, Kansas. A year later the city is rebuilding and rebuilding greener. The City Council approved a resolution that all city buildings will be LEED certified.
Check out their progress.
Greensburg
Dell is producing an environmentally friendly computer in a bamboo casing. Dell said the computer is 81% smaller than a standard deskstop, uses 70% less power and is filled with recycled materials. Dell said the computer would come out end of the year and it should cost between $500-700.
I won't post a list of all the things we should be doing to help save the environment. I will say, please go outside today and enjoy it! We spend so much of our lives indoors and there is just so much to see and do outside. I plan on taking my dog to the dogpark and enjoying every minute!
My all time favorite, lust inducing, heavy breathing, to-die for dream home, is a Mid-Century Modern. I will feel like I have made it in life when I can own and live in one of these architectural wonders. Mid-Century architecture embodies all that I believe is scared in this world; modernism, clean lines, organic style, ample windows, and open-floor plans. Function and form are so wonderfully blended in these houses.
Well I guess I am late to the game with this post but there is a magazine entirely dedicated to the Mid-Century Modern....Atomic Ranch. I am now a proud subscriber. I was introduced to the mag via a pamphelt for a House Tour happening here in Dallas.
The White Rock Home Tour and Art Festival is April 19-20, 2008 and highlights six beautiful Mid-Century homes. If you live in the Metroplex and are interested at all in architecture or sustainability I recommend attending. I will definitely be there. I told Thom he might need to bring a few papers towels on the tour with us because I most certainly will be drooling.
Home Tour
Atomic Ranch
