You can do one of two things with a grass lawn.  First, you can get rid of it and save water and fuel.  Or, second, you can minimize the lawn surface and avoid fuels when maintaining it.  If the latter is your approach, this new Helix HX1000 from family-owned EcoMower could come in handy.  The light, 21-pound reel mower takes a 16″ path with heat-treated, carbon steel blades designed to cut without much upkeep.  Maintain the quiet, get some exercise, and ditch carbon-based fuels with this reel mower selling from $220.

Read more »

The accessory dwelling unit (ADU) market is alive and well in the Concordia neighborhood of Portland, Oregon.  People like these tiny structures — sometimes referred to as backyard cottages, granny flats, or laneway houses — because they can be leased out or used to accommodate an expanding family situation.  And, as these structures grow in popularity, they’re getting greener, too.  For instance, check out this high-performance ADU built by Hammer & Hand and designed by Departure Design.

Read more »

This is Morning Sun, a near net-zero energy home completed at the end of December 2009 for owners Doug and Emily Boleyn.  The high-performance abode — designed by Matthew Daby of m.o. daby design llc and built by Cellar Ridge Custom Homes — received LEED Platinum certification, Oregon High Performance Home certification, and an Energy Performance Score of 31, making it one of the most decorated green projects in Happy Valley.

Read more »

California-based IndoTeak Design has what it calls “the greenest teak products on the market.“  Its FSC-certified, post-consumer, recycled teak products — flooring, paneling, siding, and decking — come from Indonesian structures up to 300 years old.  IndoTeak also offers a unique, patchwork-painted Balinese boat wood, reclaimed artisan teak cabinets, and other beautiful custom wood products.  IndoTeak provides competitive pricing and matches competitors, assuming the same quantity and quality.

Read more »

Woman’s Day, an enormously popular magazine that helps its readers “live well every day,” just published an article with six tips for a greener home.  I talked with Olivia Putnal while she was researching the article, and she was kind enough to mention Jetson Green.  Visit WomansDay.com for some excellent discussion of home cleaning products, essential oils, efficient lighting, reuse and recycling, clutter removal, and energy-saving appliances.