Beautiful bamboo banishes blahs from sustainable décor

Considering today’s drive toward environmentally responsible building and decorating, is it possible to find lush design and rich patinas and coloration in this market? Does going green necessitate going blah? In the past, green products did have the reputation of being bland. In the fashion world it was wrinkly cottons and clunky sandals; at home it was rustic wood everywhere from ceiling to floor. All this has changed.

Through a greater understanding of what makes a healthy home, we are learning how to build with products that are sustainable, durable and free from toxins. Change takes time, and we cannot expect an instant fix, but there are options available that you can trust to be in line with the present mentality of healthy, sustainable living.

Industrial designer James Loppie has founded a company called Umbrella Cabinetry. His mission is to leave a green footprint in the marketplace. This entails building with materials that fit that profile. In the kitchen seen here, Loppie has shown how it can be done. The cabinets are built from formaldehyde-free MDF and trimmed or faced with bamboo veneer. The handles are formed from recycled material. The stunning backsplash is woven palm, a new idea that adds another layer of interest to the overall design. Loppie uses discarded ends from bamboo to make kitchen accessories, cutting boards and towel racks. The overall look is warm and inviting, easy to live with and healthy for you and the environment.

Stock your kitchen with appliances that comply with Energy Star guidelines to save on energy and water.

It takes some searching to find building materials that qualify as green, but Loppie has done his homework and is happy to share his knowledge and sources. Contact info is on the Web site: www.umbrella cabinetry.com.

Bamboo is actually a type of grass, not a tree, but its height and appearance are deceiving. Bamboo is the fastest-growing woody plant in the world; some species grow as much as 2 feet in a day, which is why it is such a sustainable building product. It has been used for more than 7,000 years, but the past five to 10 years have seen an explosion of interest in North America, not only in flooring, panels, blinds and accessories, but also as a decorative motif. The tropical theme is popular in northern climates, fostering a sunny, tranquil environment that suits spalike bathrooms, garden rooms and bedroom retreats.

You can find wallpaper with bamboo motifs large and small, bamboo stalks alone or with leaves. I have painted this popular motif on bathroom walls, and it would suit a kitchen, too. It’s not difficult. Draw and cut out three or four stencils of bamboo stalks; check the Internet for pictures of bamboo so that you can copy the stalks, ridges and markings. Leaves can be filled in freehand. Choose a medium brown for the stalks, and pale green for the leaves. Divide the paint, adding white paint and glazing liquid to make two or three shades of each color. To get the right scale for your room, draw the wall on a piece of paper and fill in what looks like a good balance of stalks, having some cross over each other. Transfer to the wall using chalk lines as a guide for your stencils.

Debbie Travis is a columnist for King Features Syndicate. E-mail questions to her at house2home@debbietravis.com.