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Interiors: Why home design is getting smart, sustainable and health conscious
This article discusses the growing trends of smart, sustainable, and health-conscious home design. It highlights the concept of 'passive houses,' a specific construction standard developed by Swedish and German scientists and engineers, emphasizing their energy efficiency and minimal heating requirements. These homes feature excellent insulation, airtight seals to prevent heat loss, triple-glazed windows, and orientation for optimal natural light and shading, with a Ventilation Heat Recovery system (VHR) for air circulation. While passive houses are not necessarily more expensive to build than other new homes meeting high BER ratings, high-end developments like Drumnigh Oaks showcase these principles with luxurious interiors.
Interior designer Sara Cosgrove of Grove & Co. exemplifies this approach in her work at Drumnigh Oaks, integrating sustainable materials such as curtains made from recycled plastic bottles and sintered stone countertops, avoiding petroleum-based components. She stresses the importance of scrutinizing material ingredients to minimize chemical use, drawing a parallel to the hidden ingredients in processed food. The article also mentions the use of rugs with the 'Care & Fair' label, promoting ethical labor practices and environmental responsibility. Additionally, recycled paint from Enable Ireland's collaboration with the Rediscovery Centre is utilized, demonstrating that sustainable options can maintain high quality.
A significant concern addressed is indoor air pollution from furniture, fabrics, and building materials, which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes can be two to five times higher inside homes than outdoors. Formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are identified as harmful pollutants. A new solution, Prestige by Fleetwood, an air-purifying paint, is introduced as a way to mitigate these pollutants by removing airborne formaldehyde and meeting indoor air purification standards. Róisín Lafferty, an interior designer, collaborated on this paint line, valuing the product's quality and the company's commitment to sustainability.
Tiffany Jones of Beach House Interiors further expands on 'Wellness: by Design,' raising awareness about chemical pollutants released from common household items through 'off-gassing.' She advises consumers to look for certifications like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) for furniture and OEKO-TEX® for fabrics, indicating responsible production processes. The article concludes by listing relevant organizations and upcoming events like the Ideal Home Show, where these innovations will be presented, underscoring the shift towards healthier and more environmentally friendly living spaces.
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