Eco-Friendly Tips With Low Costs and High Savings

Most homeowners have weather-stripped their doors to maximize climate control, and have switched out traditional incandescent light bulbs with eco-friendly CFL models. Short of installing double paned windows or making other costly home improvements, what more can you do to make your home “greener” without emptying your wallet?

Change filters often. Change air conditioning filters monthly to keep the system running at peak performance.

Dry bigger loads. Your dryer has more capacity than you think. Dry two or more loads at once so the dryer cools down and heats up less frequently. And clean out the lint filter often.

Check the fridge seal. Feel for cold air around your closed refrigerator door to be sure the seal is in good condition.

Adjust stove top cooking. Avoid wasting heat by matching up your pot/pan size to the correct burner.

Unplug battery chargers. Many chargers continue to draw power even when not connected to a device, so unplug yours after charging.

Use a laptop. They use less energy than your desktop computer, so use them instead when you can.

Reduce hot water consumption. Install low-flow, aerating faucets and shower heads. Select a shower head with a flow rate of less than 2.5 gallons per minute.

Choose drought-tolerant plants. Any number of plants and ground covers can add greenery to a yard without gulping lots of water – including clover, certain breeds of grass like Bermuda and Zoysia, and edible plants like herbs and strawberries. (Note: you may want to put in some type of wood or brick border to contain groundcovers or plants in the area you want them to stay in.)

Matters of the Hearth

Yes…that title is punny! Today we’re talking about fireplaces. They’re not you’re Mom’s fireplace of old, no not anymore. Now they are the focal point of the home. The gathering place and they’re not just about warmth, which of course is important. They bring a beautiful design into the main room in your house and create a certain ambiance. Most fireplaces are featured on an entire design wall which has form and function. And electric fireplaces have made a big come back. They not only look like real flames, but they can come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit the living room. Or bedroom if you so desire. Let’s explore a few designs in some of the model homes built by Nathan Homes and designed by the myself, Sallie Elliott of the Priority Group.

The Vintage Modern Home

This gas fireplace is featured on a full wall of that classic wainscoting finish which has been around for a long time however it keeps a more contemporary feel with a neutral gray/beige all over color. At the same time, there is a bit of a modern touch with the television that’s hidden behind a map of one of my favorite cities, Paris. The map splits in half and travels horizontally on barn door rails giving the entire design a more, modern day look when it’s opened. And lastly, the fireplace itself is mantleless but instead embellished with a molding that matches the wainscoting, making it seamlessly blend into the design rather than being the focus of the wall. All of it is meant to make a quiet statement combined with beautiful hardwood floors and a candelabra style chandelier.

The Yorkshire Home

Despite how grand this home is, it is designed with cottage inspiration in mind. The gas fireplace is another full wall façade including large creamy white stone that makes a bolder statement and yet has a warm rustic feel to it with built in nooks for firewood and artwork display. It also has a Tudor designed seating bench which gives it pizzaz. There is no mantle, and the fireplace itself is shifted off to the left and balanced on the right with the two nooks. I added a television on this wall, although they tend to make a space look a little harsher, because the stone and the rest of the wall softened up the look and were so gorgeous that you’re not distracted by the technology. Plus, most people want one in their living rooms. The medium warm brown colored hardwood flooring and the two brushed brass chandeliers in this family space tie it all together like a beautiful bow.

The Avalon Home

This one is an exceptionally clean full wall arrangement with a six-foot-wide electric fireplace creating high end faux fire ambience. The built-in oversized nooks are accented inside with a dark gray color and filled with white birch logs that tie to the light wood flooring throughout this house. Light gray all over paint creates an almost concrete look to tie in the beautiful modern simplicity of this stunning house with this wall. It certainly makes a statement and that’s because of its large size and spacious layout. In fact, this wall goes with the grand feeling of the Great Room it’s located in. My personal home has a traditional feel to it, but this modern beauty is my favorite one we’ve designed because of how good it makes you feel when you walk in.

The Riviera Home

This fireplace design is function meets old world. It feels like a modern day take on a homestead style hearth. With the convenience of the undersized gas fireplace, which makes the wall look larger, this wall makes a beautiful bold brick statement. The brick is covered in a plaster application called German Schmear. The plaster is wiped off to make it look like the brick has been “buttered” but still showing the original brick color throughout. While this wall is mostly white, it still has a warm feel because of the texture of the brick and again because the original brick color still shines through. The homestead style, as I like to call it, is amplified with the two alcoves located on either side of the fireplace because they are arched and they each have one brass understated sconce inside. I love this fireplace set up because it makes such a splash without all the fuss. I didn’t get a chance to stage this home because it sold before it was even finished but if I had I would add a beautiful, oversized piece of artwork above the fire to complete the look.

Find more information about the Priority Group real estate team and see more of my home designs/décor at www.omahaprioritygroup.com

By Sallie Elliott ~ Priority Group Team Lead and Designer