From siding, to paint, cleaners, and windows find the most eco-friendly options for your home.

by Barbara Buoy

Call of the Wild 

Natural Antler Chandelier 36”

This unique chandelier will be the highlight of any space and a guaranteed conversation starter. Handcrafted from naturally shed elk antlers, which vary in shape, size, and color, no two are alike. RH, Restoration Hardware. www.rhskihouse.com

Everything Old is New Again

Placemat and Mug Rug

re:loom^® might be the most creative of all upcyclers. Each item from the brand is made from donated clothing, excess designer fabrics, and corporate materials that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill or incinerator. Homeless and low-income women locally handcraft rugs, placemats, pillow sleeves, and other home décor and accessory items using traditional floor looms. re:loom^®. www.reloom.org

Welcome Home   

Pinewood Forest

Throw pillows and paint colors aren’t the only way to express your style. Pick a sustainable Pinewood Forest home, with floor plans ranging from 370 square feet to 4,500 square feet, and let your green flag fly. Homes built here are intelligently designed for maximum efficiency, use the earth to heat and cool (geothermal), seal out the extreme elements, use smart home technology, and when equipped with solar panels and batteries, can achieve unprecedented energy efficiency and sustainability.   www.pinewoodforest.com

So Fresh and So Clean

Smart Strand^® Forever Clean by Mohawk

SmartStrand^® carpet is the panacea for anyone with a pet, child, or an inclination toward clumsiness. An advanced nanotechnology built into the fiber’s core provides permanent protection from stains and dirt. SmartStrand^® is partially made with renewable plant-based materials and is OEKO-TEX^® certified free from harmful substances. Enhance Floors & More. www.enhancefloors.com

Sealed Tight

Infinity^® windows from Marvin^®

Keep your home toasty and your energy bill low with these
energy-efficient windows made from Ultrex^® fiberglass. Infinity^® windows are predominantly composed of natural silica sand, expand 87% less than vinyl, and are resistant to leaks, seal failures, and rot.
North Georgia Replacement Windows. www.ngwindows.com

Keep It Clean   

Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Castile Liquid Soap

This eco-friendly cleaning option is a go-to for Jennifer Hankey, founder of Green Queen Botanical Services. Made in a concentrated formula (which cuts down on packaging) with plant-derived Vitamin E and citric acid, it can clean everything from hardwood floors and counters to
stainless steel appliances. Dr. Bronner’s. www.drbronner.com

Sustainable Safety

HardiePlank^® Lap Siding by James Hardie

HardiePlank^® siding has become synonymous with safety, durability, and sustainability due to its ability to resist a wide range of elements, including fire and the effects of moisture. It seldom needs replacing, meaning less waste is created. James Hardie products are also made from natural and recycled materials. www.sidingplus.com

Waste Not, Want Not 

Highline^® Toilet Tank, 1.0 gpf

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, toilets waste more water than any other item in our homes. Using a smaller valve with more pressure, Kohler Co.’s Highline^® toilets use just
1 gallon of water per flush, which is less than the 1.28-gallons used in other high-efficiency toilets. Older toilets can use five gallons or more! Kohler Co. www.kohlercompany.com

Helpful Head Knowledge

Southface Institute

This organization has been promoting sustainable homes, workplaces and communities through education, research, advocacy and technical assistance since 1978. Homeowners are welcome to attend a monthly Sustainable Atlanta Roundtable (SART), where experts share perspective on the area’s most pressing issues. For hands-on learning, homeowners are introduced to key building-performance concepts and ways to make a home more resource-efficient in the Fundamentals of Building Science course. www.southface.org