So, what do you get when you sandwich a plywood bamboo material called PlyBoo with two sheets of a paper-composite called Richlite? Stratum, a new countertop material made through a venture between Smith & Fong and Richlite Company. The material was inspired by nature and the majestic basalt cliffs of Palouse Canyon in eastern Washington.
We’re in a $17 billion market for new green homes, so it makes sense that the USGBC and Home Depot would team up to make green building products more accessible. Today, the USGBC and Home Depot announced a new database – available through LEEDHomeDepot.com – currently listing more than 2,500 products that contribute towards LEED for Homes certification.
UK-based Blue Forest makes inventive tree houses and recently introduced a new design concept called the eco-PERCH, which I think you’ll be interested in seeing. The four-bed retreat can be delivered, assembled, and commissioned in about five days with things like photovoltaics, a composting toilet, and rainwater harvesting, etc.
Unearthed Paints, maker of non-toxic and VOC-free paint, just announced a new natural Hard Wax Oil finish for wood floors, cork floors, and stone in interior surfaces. It’s non-toxic and contains zero VOCs and “provides a natural, breathable silky-matte finish,” according to a statement by Unearthed Paints.
Along the lines of Urbio or Minigarden, check out these new modular wall planters by KuL Studios made with recycled HDPE plastic. Called Ballavaz, the planters can be used indoors or outdoors and are available in 10 colors. KuL offers two sizes, 24″x12″ and 24″x18″, which mount with screws or hooks. Ballavaz include a concealed recess for drip irrigation — making these just right for herbs, veggies, and maybe a flower or two.
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