CAN THIS Home Be Greened?
(Page 2 of 3)
November/December 2003
By Cheryl Terrace
A fresh start
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Air quality is one of the greatest challenges for city dwellers. Because Denise and Doug’s building was constructed in the 1930s, termed “pre-war” in New York, the existing windows were large metal casements. Aesthetically pleasing and not airtight, they provide good air exchange. Although they offer a disappointing view of a brick wall (pretty common in the city), the advantage is that the windows don’t face the street. That means less soot and city noise from buses, sirens, and garbage trucks. Still, a freestanding HEPA filtration unit ensures optimal air quality that is constant and quiet. Denise also has a green thumb and has an assortment of beautiful plants—natural filtration units—in the living room, bedroom, and kitchen, where herbs also add scent.
Throughout the apartment, the original hardwood floors needed only a light sanding and a few coats of Last-n-Last, a nontoxic stain. We brought the painted steel door moldings back to their natural state by cleaning them with Orange-Sol and then finishing them with Back to Nature coating/sealer. All the hardwood doors were transformed with a creamy white Muralo Waterborne paint.
The bathroom was also an easy fix. The black-and-white basketweave floor pattern and the white square wall tile with a black border, common in the 1930s, remains a classic design. The original ceramic tiles were in good condition and required only a good cleaning and restoring. Although it’s not a nontoxic process, we had the porcelain tub professionally reglazed because I thought it a better solution than dumping it into the landfill. We also added a new Carrara marble vanity on chrome legs, and we mounted mirrors on the upper portion of the entire bathroom, except the shower area, to make the bathroom sparkle. The existing venting system was old but adequate. Also, by utilizing a “point of source” filter for the showerhead, Doug and Denise are able to enjoy showers without chlorine or other contaminants.
Challenges in the kitchen
The small kitchen—a total redo—was the biggest challenge. We installed a built-in reverse osmosis unit under the sink to ensure clean, high-quality water. Marmoleum natural linoleum in black covered the floor, and we chose creamy gray Kashmir granite with tiny flecks of color for the counters. To complement these, we selected Ann Sacks tiles designed to look like antique ceramic subway floors. We also selected formaldehyde-free, sustainable woodworking made by local artisan Andrea Inganni, finished with Schreuder low-VOC paint. A deep, old-fashioned white ceramic sink and plenty of counter space for juicing is really all that Denise and Doug require. This is New York after all, and with all the wonderful restaurants that deliver, who needs to cook?