Trilogy Partner forms Haitian Orphans Charity

Michael Rath, a Trilogy Partner, has co-founded The Haiti Orphan Rescue Program (HORP) to build permanent adequate shelter for Haitian orphaned and abandoned children. Joined by builders Mike Mahon and Andrea DeLuca of sustainable building company Adaptive Building Solutions in Ann Arbor, Michigan, HORP will raise funds and assist Haitian labor to construct multiple orphanage projects over the coming years. Haiti’s “children without family” receive no aid from their government, and Mike M and his family have years of experience in Haiti helping these most vulnerable Haitians and their caregivers with support and medical aid. The earthquake of January 12, 2010 left more than 500,000 children without family or government support, spurring the two Mikes and Andrea to establish HORP as a non-profit 501(c) charitable organization. The next project commences mid April when members of HORP will travel to Haiti to refurbish a damaged orphanage housing 20 children more than half with disabilities. Visit HORP to learn more about this worthy cause and to contribute through programs like the “Adopt an Orphanage” and “HORP Ambassadors.”

Lighting Energy: Concerns About Mercury

Osram Sylvania, a major manufacturer of lamps used in lighting fixtures, took their second telephone poll of more than 300 homeowners and renters. The poll, which was done in November 2009, had the results issued in December 2009.

Now, this may not be as important as the U.S. census, but it did show that many of us want to save money on our lighting through efficient lamps. We are also interested in what they are made of and how it may affect our planet. This interest by the public may well be of interest to other manufacturers; the public’s views are not micro but macro, as we do understand that there is interconnectivity in the choices we make.

Osram Sylvania found that three out of four consumers had switched to the energy efficient lamps we know as compact fluorescent. The survey also showed that though compact fluorescent lamps were the overall favorite choice by the public. There were, however, serious concerns about the mercury found in these lamps. Lamps with mercury are considered hazardous waste items and are not to be thrown in the trash to go into landfills.

What was a surprise in this survey was the fact that the public did not know about the legislation that had been introduced and pasted requiring phase out of incandescent lamps by 2014. With the United States being the major consumer of incandescent lamps, the phase out would reduce the demand for incandescent by 1/3.

Experts say that by changing to compact fluorescent from incandescent, this could lead to a drop in energy demands and close 80 coal fired power plants because compact fluorescent lamps use 75% less energy. The phase out of 100w incandescent lamps is scheduled for 2012.

Americans are not the only people being asked to change over to compact fluorescent lamps. In February 2007, Australia instituted a mandatory program to phase out incandescent lighting by 2010. Great Britain announced, approximately six months later, a voluntary initiative to change over by 2011. The British officials estimate they will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 5.5 million tons annually just by changing from incandescent to compact fluorescents.

Did you know about the legislation phasing out incandescent? Did you know there was mercury in fluorescent lamps? Did you realize there was that kind of energy efficiency in a compact fluorescent?

The Debate on Whole House Air Purification Systems vs. the Good Old Fashioned Open Window!

I recently heard that my city is one of the worst in the nation when it comes to air quality. (A good excuse not to get out for a jog…right?) Well, it got me thinking about what simple things that I could do in my own environment to improve the quality of air. Here is some debatable information that may blow your mind! Sorry to all you “Green Design” Lovers out there. Sometimes I don’t think that we realize the ramifications that “new-to-the market” building materials may have on our health.

As it turns out, indoor air quality has become one of the major concerns of the Environmental Protection Agency. Strangely enough, air inside homes and offices is more toxic than the worst outdoor air – possibly two to five times worse, especially in newer, energy efficient houses. Insulating properties designed to keep winter’s cold air out and summer’s air conditioning in are not assisting you in improving the air quality in your home. The old fashioned exchange of indoor/outdoor air doesn’t happen often enough in the newer energy efficient homes to keep interior air safe to breathe. It is times like these that I am glad I live in an 80 year old home! LEAD RULES!

The reality is that the implementation of new materials that can reduce your overall utility bill may also result in higher health costs. Allergies are on the rise. One study determined that 54% of our body’s energy comes from the air we breathe, so the stuffy air indoors – where most of us spend 90% of our time – are depleting our body’s natural resource for defense on every level while it attacks our immune systems with an overload of used air.

The traditional solution of “opening a window” isn’t always possible in office buildings.

Studies show that air filtration and purification systems can correct the problem. As I began to search for systems, I saw a mind-boggling assortment of options in a wide price range to improve the quality of the air we breathe. Not one filter or purification system can meet all needs in all areas, so it’s important to know what you are shopping for in an air cleaning system for your home.

Here are some pros and cons highlighted in pursuing a system, if you choose to at all:

These are key words that you will find on packaging or labels in the specifications of various systems

• Ionizers: This is a process used in conjunction with other kinds of filters. It emits a small electric charge to the air stream which draws air through it; this creates a magnetic-like attraction for pollution particles and causes them to adhere to the filter.

• Electrostatic Precipitators: Filters the air by creating opposite charges on metal wires or plates; this attracts and holds dust, pollen, smoke and other particles as small as .0001 microns on a metal, glass or fiberglass assembly that can be washed and re-used.

• Ultraviolet Light Purification: Passes the air through a UV system that destroys bacteria, viruses, and dust mites of any size.

• Ozone Releasing: Destroys all bacteria that comes in contact with the ozone, and leaves a “fresh” smell in the air. We associate this with the clean smell following rain, because some ozone, carried from the outer atmosphere where it protects us from harmful sun rays, remains in the lower atmosphere after a storm.

The safety of ozone gas in interiors, however, is questionable; it can irritate the lining of lungs and exacerbate breathing problems. The US federal government has set standards depending on the rate of filtration and room size recommendations. The Canadian government has banned the sale of ozone releasing air purification systems.

• High Efficiency Particulate Air (hepa) cleaners capture airborne pollutants .3 microns or larger; this includes some tobacco smoke, household dust, and pollens. The are designed to remove 99.97% of the particulates that pass through the filters, which cannot be cleaned and re-used; they must be replaced. They have no effect on fumes, viruses, bacteria, smaller mold spores, and some tobacco particulates.

• Ultra Hepa: A more efficient version of the hepa, the makers of these filters claim that they remove out 99.999% of the particulates that pass through them.

I often wonder if we are getting too smart for our own good. What does “environmentally friendly” really mean? What is “All Natural”? Did you know that you can buy a bag of “All Natural Doritos” at the grocery store now? We live in a society that has managed to put a label on everything, making us all believers in better ways to live our lives. Mother Nature is our oldest and most natural cleaning process. I think that our bodies adapt to our surroundings. Sure, some of us may feel that we will live longer than others due to the air quality around us, but in the end, we all have to “live” somewhere. Even if the Amazon was noted as having the best air around…what would happen if we ALL moved there? Not so great anymore…right?

Through all of my searching, I find myself laughing…just crack a window and live your life! Get outside for awhile. I have decided that instead of investing in an air purification system, I think a nice outdoor breeze sounds much better than recycling used indoor air.

What are your favorite outdoor activities? How do you feel about this green living trend?  Share your thoughts and pastimes on here!

Color Marketing Group predicts that Mardi Grape will be the 2010’s Hottest Color

The Color Marketing Group is the leading international organization of color design professionals. They predict that “Mardi Grape” will be this year’s hottest color, described as “a crossover between purple, brown, and gray” (www.colormarketing.org). As a matter of fact, it’s even being considered a neutral color. A color we can use as a backdrop for a main color scheme in a room and used in large areas of our homes.

Should we be surprised that “Mardi Grape” is the color for 2010? Not at all! Purples have been an accent color on the trend forecasts the last several years. Now it’s time to step it up a notch. Gray’s have been making their way back into the scene as a neutral, in some cases replacing the beige we are so used to seeing. It’s only natural to start combing the gray with a brighter color. Naturally the purple and gray have evolved into what we will see in 2010.

Get ready to see it in paint, wall art, accessories, decorative pillows, and rugs. For paint colors, try Benjamin Moore’s Affinity Colors Collection, Wisteria AF-585 or Tempest AF-590. “Mardi Grape” will work with many different colors such as gray, a yellow that’s grayed out, gray-blue and even a clean soft green. As always, beige’s will work well when paired with “Mardi Grape,” especially golden beige colors. Accessories may incorporate the “Mardi Grape” color in vases, candles, chargers, and even floral. I predict that “Mardi Grape” will be more popular in the modern style trends. It will look sharp next to sofas with sharp edges. Geometric patterns found in fabrics and wall art will be very receptive to the “Mardi Grape.” Brushed silver and brushed gold’s will pair nicely with it. Ebony and maple colored woods will pop nicely off of this backdrop color.

“Mardi Grape” will also work well in kitchens with light colored cabinets such as maple or painted white. Look for areas to repeat colors within tile, backsplashes, and laminate’s. The same idea can be repeated for areas in the bathrooms.

New Report Has Implications for Local Home Design Professionals

Small to medium sized businesses (SMBs) are embracing social networking in growing numbers.  A recent survey by Internet2Go outlines just how prevalent social media based internet marketing is ultimately going to be for small businesses.

While it is indicative of where saavy business owners are focusing and where the overall market is heading,  the study is most likely not a current representation of the broader population of small businesses.  The 2000+ businesses surveyed are out ahead of their competitors and selected from a pool the most active content contributors to a business- to-consumer social network site.  Internet2Go says:

45 percent of respondents have a presence or profiles on Facebook and Twitter to promote their businesses…… [yet SMBs'] marketing efforts have lagged consumer adoption of digital platforms, because of inertia, confusion and a lack of resources.

Here are a few highlights outlined in another report on this research that underscores the attractive budget characteristics of social media marketing compared to other forms of internet marketing.  Most importantly, it points to the importance of a  fully developed social media system in order to realize the benefits of the kind of engagement and marketing outcomes social media tools enable;

79% of respondents report annual marketing budgets of less than $5,000 per year with the 44% spending “less than $1,000” annually on advertising and marketing

Asked about their “biggest complaint” regarding online marketing the top two were “too costly” (26%) and “there’s not enough time to do it well and still run a business” (15.9%)

Despite its popularity social media showed the biggest gap between SMB adoption and perceived effectiveness as a marketing platform.

DesignSherpa has begun helping local home design businesses, through an affordable turnkey social media based internet marketing system, realize the benefits and outcomes of a well executed social media program.  For more information on the trends and power of social media for local design businesess contact Adam Japko at ajapko@nci.com or your local NCI Home Design Magazine representative.