Given the state of the economy and the constantly fluctuating fuel prices, more and more people are switching over to “green” or environmentally friendly lifestyles; hybrid cars are selling quickly and organic foods are becoming more popular. Now, the green trend has moved from the kitchen and garage to home décor.
According to Ellie Himmelson, a home decorator from Short Hills, New Jersey, more and more clients are looking to environmentally friendly products to cut down on heating and cooling costs.
“Bamboo is becoming more and more popular among clients lately,” Himmelson said. “Because it’s a sustainable resource it is cheap but is also beautiful and versatile.”
In fact, despite the invasive nature of the plant itself, bamboo is quickly becoming a go-to material for everything from sheets to cabinets to floors.
“The wood is smooth and beautiful,” Himmelson said. “It is also extremely durable and easy to clean. Many of my clients are choosing to install bamboo floors in areas of high wear and tear.”
One such client is Nancy Mertz of Montville, New Jersey.
“We’ve opted to go with bamboo flooring and cabinetry in our condo at the beach,” Mertz said. “From what I’ve seen it can withstand high foot traffic and the dog’s nails won’t easily scratch it.”
Because bamboo is so easily acquired, it is being used for more and more purposes. Stores such as buildingforhealth.com and bluehouse.com exclusively sell bamboo and organic products from planters to furniture to children’s clothing and toys.
While Himmelson does caution that the use of bamboo can sometimes be limiting with regards to style, she does concede that its popularity among younger and more modern homeowners is remarkable.
“I’m seeing a whole new wave of clients right now,” Himmelson said. “An influx of people who are buying homes but want to think ahead to the future, and many of them are opting for bamboo products to do that.”
She is also seeing a shift in the involvement of clients when it comes to selecting things as simple as showerheads.
“Money is tight for a lot of Americans,” Himmelson said. “Many people are becoming more conscious of the efficiency of all appliances like washers and dryers and showerheads. People are looking to keep costs down, and bamboo is clearly becoming a forerunner in the swarm of eco-friendly products.”
Another of Himmelson’s clients, Jane Martin of Essex Fells, New Jersey, is an expecting mother who is doing her nursery in bamboo and organic products.
“Using products that are going to be good for the baby is my main concern,” Martin said. “You can’t go wrong using something that is naturally antibacterial in a nursery, especially with all the germs out there right now.”
Himmelson, as of late, has found herself spending more and more time scouring the Web and stores to find bamboo and organic draperies, pillows, sheets, dolls, stuffed animals, floors and cabinets in various colors and forms.
“it’s amazing,” she said. “Right now, bamboo is the new black.”
Here are some links to stores that specialize in Bamboo and organic products:
http://www.modernecohomes.com/
http://www.ecomall.com/biz/furn.htm
http://www.furniturehomedesign.com/eco-design/the-benefits-of-bamboo-furniture/
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