CAN THIS Home Be Greened?
Real People + Real Problems + Real Solutions
November/December 2003
By Cheryl Terrace
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Photos by Cheryl Terrace
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A beautiful and glittering city, New York is a diverse, dynamic place to live. But like any big city, it poses some challenges for those who are conscious of urban dirt and air pollution. Fortunately, New York also has a stimulating “green culture” that’s growing by leaps and bounds.
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Denise and Doug Darien moved to the Upper West Side from California a few years ago to explore business opportunities. Doug works in advertising, and Denise is a yoga instructor. They love having access to different types of yoga classes, vegetarian restaurants, and a wealth of like-minded, socially conscious friends.
Returning from a yoga class one morning, Denise encountered five strangers in the lobby of the 1930s building where she and Doug were renting an apartment. The building superintendent told her an apartment was being auctioned that “was going to be a great deal for someone,” and before she knew it, she and Doug were proud owners of a one-bedroom apartment they had never seen. Things happen like that in New York.
After the closing—and when the emotional dust settled—Doug and Denise agreed they had indeed gotten a very good deal by New York standards. Still, it was difficult to see past the filth, crumbling plaster walls, and horrendous kitchen to realize the potential for a decent, nontoxic living space. At this point, this apartment seemed anything but.
That’s when they called me.
If these walls could talk
Denise and Doug wanted to renovate and remodel their 560-square-foot apartment in a completely nontoxic, sustainable manner. The only thing that would remain was the original black-and-white porcelain tile in the bathroom.
First, the crumbling plaster walls needed attention. The original plaster was removed, mesh was applied, and new plaster was troweled on and sanded (again and again). This is a time- consuming, messy job that requires the use of a facemask, but I believe it was worth it because plaster is a natural material that allows the walls to breathe, and it can be covered with water-based paint. Walls that breathe are desirable because they regulate humidity and oxygen, and they absorb a great deal of sound, a necessity in a New York City apartment. They also provide warmth, texture, and light reflection.
Redoing the walls created an opportunity to run new electric, along with telephone and cable—all shielded and grounded to minimize electromagnetic fields (EMFs)—inside the walls. I also recommended that Denise and Doug install a shut-off switch in the bedroom so they can cut the flow of electricity when they’re sleeping. Humans have their own electricity (about one millivolt—probably more for New Yorkers!), and exposure to excess electricity can negatively affect health. People often sleep better when they reduce or eliminate EMFs in the bedroom. The couple already had a metal-free mattress (metal springs or frames can transmit EMFs), along with all-natural bedding materials, and they were thrilled with the additional protection of a shut-off switch.
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