The 1,500 sq. ft. GO Home offers two story living with a combined kitchen/living/dining space on the main level and three bedrooms with full bath on the upper level. Amenities include covered entry porch, kitchen pantry, powder room, mud room and laundry closet. LEED Platinum certification; 1st Passive House–certified home in Maine, 12th certified in U.S.; USGBC Residential Project of the Year Award 2011; EcoHome Magazine Design Merit Award, 2011; TreeHugger, Best Passive House of the Year Award 2012 photo by Trent Bell

Interior Designer: MOTIV Interiors LLC Photographer: Sam Angel Photography Design Challenge: This 8 year-old boy and girl were outgrowing their existing setup and needed to update their rooms with a plan that would carry them forward into middle school and beyond. In addition to gaining storage and study areas, could these twins show off their big personalities? Absolutely, we said! MOTIV Interiors tackled the rooms of these youngsters living in Nashville's 12th South Neighborhood and created an environment where the dynamic duo can learn, create, and grow together for years to come. Design Solution: In her room, we wanted to create a fun-filled space that supports softball, sleepovers, science, and anything else a girl might want to get into. The star of the show is a beautiful hand-printed wallpaper by Brooklyn designer Aimee Wilder, whose FSC-certified papers contain no VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds). That means that in addition to packing a powerful visual punch, they meet our standard for excellent indoor air quality. We also love this wallpaper because it is composed of so many different neutral colors - this room can organically evolve over time without necessarily replacing the paper (which was installed with a no-VOC adhesive). We refreshed the remaining walls with a scrubbable no-VOC paint from Sherwin Williams (7008 Alabaster) and gave the carpets in both of the twins’ rooms a good cleaning and simple stretch as opposed to replacing them. In order to provide more functional light in her room, we incorporated a corner floor lamp for reading, a telescoping desk lamp for studying, and an eye-catching LED flower pendant on a dimmer switch sourced from Lightology. Custom window treatments in a linen/cotton blend emphasize the height of the room and bring in a little “bling” with antiqued gold hardware. Before we even thought about aesthetics, however, MOTIV Interiors got to work right away on increasing functionality. We added a spacious storage unit with plenty of baskets for all of our young client’s animal friends, and we made sure to include ample shelf space for books and hobbies as she finds new passions to explore down the road. We always prefer eco-friendly furnishings that are manufactured responsibly, made with sustainably harvested wood (FSC Certified), and use no glue or non-toxic glues and paints. The bedding in this project is 100% cotton and contains no synthetic fibers. When purchasing bedding, check for the GOTS Certification (Global Organic Textile Standard). The introduction of a desk and drawer unit created a calming space to study and reflect, or write a letter to a friend. Gold accents add a bit of warmth to the workspace, where she can display her memories, goals, and game plans for a bright future. We hope you enjoyed this project as much as we did! Each design challenge is an opportunity to push the envelope, by creating a new and exciting aesthetic or finding creative ways to incorporate sustainable design principles.

This whole house renovation done by Harry Braswell Inc. used Virginia Kitchen's design services (Erin Hoopes) and materials for the bathrooms, laundry and kitchens. The custom millwork was done to replicate the look of the cabinetry in the open concept family room. This completely custom renovation was eco-friend and is obtaining leed certification. Photo's courtesy Greg Hadley Construction: Harry Braswell Inc. Kitchen Design: Erin Hoopes under Virginia Kitchens

Michael Tavel Photographer
Contemporary exterior home idea in Atlanta

Vintage Tub & Bath supplied the farmhouse sink and brass bridge faucet. The window was recreated from vintage sashes found at Pasadena Architectural Salvage, which also supplied the brass cabinet hardware. Cabinets by Fernando's Building Materials in Cypress Park area of Los Angeles. Custom stain finish in Charcoal Blue.

Modern Cape Cod green home earned LEED Gold certification for green features including solar electric, a green roof, and the use of sustainable materials. Construction by Cape Associates. Photos by Michael J Lee. Green architecture by ZeroEnergy Design. www.Zeroenergy.com

Ciro Coelho Photography
Contemporary beige one-story exterior home idea in Santa Barbara with a metal roof

Twins on 12th - HER ROOM - View the complete Photo Gallery and project details at motivinteriors.com/portfolio Design: MOTIV Interiors LLC Photography: Sam Angel Design Challenge: This 8 year-old boy and girl were outgrowing their existing setup and needed to update their rooms with a plan that would carry them forward into middle school and beyond. In addition to gaining storage and study areas, could these twins show off their big personalities? Absolutely, we said! MOTIV Interiors tackled the rooms of these youngsters living in Nashville's 12th South Neighborhood and created an environment where the dynamic duo can learn, create, and grow together for years to come. Design Solution: In her room, we wanted to create a fun-filled space that supports softball, sleepovers, science, and anything else a girl might want to get into. The star of the show is a beautiful hand-printed wallpaper by Brooklyn designer Aimee Wilder, whose FSC-certified papers contain no VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds). That means that in addition to packing a powerful visual punch, they meet our standard for excellent indoor air quality. We also love this wallpaper because it is composed of so many different neutral colors - this room can organically evolve over time without necessarily replacing the paper (which was installed with a no-VOC adhesive). We refreshed the remaining walls with a scrubbable no-VOC paint from Sherwin Williams (7008 Alabaster) and gave the carpets in both of the twins’ rooms a good cleaning and simple stretch as opposed to replacing them. In order to provide more functional light in her room, we incorporated a corner floor lamp for reading, a telescoping desk lamp for studying, and an eye-catching LED flower pendant on a dimmer switch sourced from Lightology. Custom window treatments in a linen/cotton blend emphasize the height of the room and bring in a little “bling” with antiqued gold hardware. Before we even thought about aesthetics, however, MOTIV Interiors got to work right away on increasing functionality. We added a spacious storage unit with plenty of baskets for all of our young client’s animal friends, and we made sure to include ample shelf space for books and hobbies as she finds new passions to explore down the road. We always prefer eco-friendly furnishings that are manufactured responsibly, made with sustainably harvested wood (FSC Certified), and use no glue or non-toxic glues and paints. The bedding in this project is 100% cotton and contains no synthetic fibers. When purchasing bedding, check for the GOTS Certification (Global Organic Textile Standard). The introduction of a desk and drawer unit created a calming space to study and reflect, or write a letter to a friend. Gold accents add a bit of warmth to the workspace, where she can display her memories, goals, and game plans for a bright future. We hope you enjoyed this project as much as we did! Each design challenge is an opportunity to push the envelope, by creating a new and exciting aesthetic or finding creative ways to incorporate sustainable design principles.

studio26 homes - Eastern PA's Award-Winning Leader in Luxury, Green, Custom Home Design & Construction - Pioneering a Greener Future. National Green Building Program Gold Certification

Master bath suite by Duravit. Greenport Passive House. Photos by Liz Glasgow.
Bathroom - large modern master bathroom idea in New York with flat-panel cabinets

Karuna Passive House designed by Holst Architecture and built by Hammer & Hand. This high performance home meets the world's most demanding green building certifications. Photo by Jeremy Bittermann.

Stuart Wade, Envision Web If you are looking for a lifestyle change, whether it is retirement or just a new way of life, Clarkesville is the perfect location. Recently named "The Friendliest Town" by Blue Ridge Country Magazine, Clarkesville prides itself on its rich hospitality. A lively and friendly small town nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains; Clarkesville is a thriving small town like the ones you remember from your childhood. Clarkesville is a place where you can escape the hustle and bustle and become part of a friendly community. Come for a visit and you may never want to leave! Unique shops, art galleries, cafes and restaurants are all within walking distance on Washington Street's tree lined brick sidewalks in Downtown Clarkesville... Our historic buildings, relaxing benches and quaint charm make Clarkesville a thoroughly enjoyable place to live and visit. Numerous popular events and festivals take place downtown throughout the year. The heart of Appalachian culture and heritage, Clarkesville annually hosts the Mountain Laurel Festival - the oldest festival of its type in Georgia. From golfing to bird watching, Clarkesville's outdoor recreation includes two award-winning championship golf courses; the picturesque Sam Pitts Park and Mary Street Park, the Clarkesville Greenways Trail, hiking, biking and fishing. The scenic Soque River plays a unique role, as it is the only river in the state to begin and end in the same county. Stocked with trophy trout, the Soque River has been touted "The best fly-fishing east of the Mississippi" by fly fishing enthusiasts. Brigadoon Lodge and Blackhawk Fly Fishing have played host to visitors from all over the country- including celebrities! Arts and music abound in Downtown! Catch a live show at our Historic Habersham Community Theater, located downtown, which has been providing entertainment to our community for nearly 75 years. Dance the night away at the Grant Street Music Room, the live music venue located at the Old Clarkesville Mill, or grab a bite from our downtown restaurants and enjoy the live music offered weekly! If history is your passion, Clarkesville is certainly the place for you! With a rich and notable past spanning hundreds of years, Clarkesville is unique because of its historic homes and significant architecture. The Historic Mauldin House serves as the Visitors Center and is an example of the once common, now rare, Victorian cottages in Clarkesville. The small farmhouse, adjacent to downtown, includes a historic millinery shop and Big Holly Cabin, a one-room, hand-hewn cabin built in the early 19th century. One block away is the Old Clarkesville Cemetery, an outdoor museum recording Clarkesville history. Guided evening tours with theatrical reenactments are held on the third Friday of each month from April - November. For education, Clarkesville sits proudly in the middle of two colleges: Piedmont College and North Georgia Technical College. Founded in 1897, Piedmont College is a comprehensive liberal arts institution and also offers a variety of career-oriented majors, including education, business and nursing. Total enrollment is approximately 2,800 students on campuses in Demorest and Athens. North Georgia Technical College is a public, residential, multi-campus, two-year technical college whose mission is to provide quality technical education, adult education, continuing education, and business and industry training to individuals who can benefit from these programs and services. These efforts improve the quality of life of individuals by preparing them to succeed as literate and technically competent members of the workforce and by promoting the economic growth and development of the Northeast Georgia region. The college offers both traditional and distance learning courses that lead to the certificate, the diploma, and the associate degree.

WHAT MAKES VILLA TERRA GREEN? 1. Rammed Earth and PISE Walls Beyond it’s beautiful qualities and “Old World” look, the rammed earth and PISE walls (pneumatically impacted stabilized earth) drastically reduce the use of trees for the initial wall framing lumber. And because this “Earth Structure” will far outlast any wood frame building, trees are again saved many times over, creating the foundation for the true model of sustainability. We have created a house that will essentially last forever, instead of having to be rebuilt every 50 to 75 years. The 18” thick PISE walls and concrete floors also provide thermal mass, an integral part of the passive solar design of the house. These features help keep the house naturally cooler in summer and retaining heat in winter, greatly reducing the heating and cooling loads and energy use. 2. High Content Fly Ash Concrete Foundation Use of high content (25%) fly ash (industrial waste byproduct) in place of Portland Cement results in reduction of energy consumption and green house gas emissions associated with Portland cement production (second only to petroleum in terms of carbon dioxide emissions). 3. Reclaimed Plumbing Fixtures All lavatory sinks and tubs were bought from salvage yards (tub is reportedly from the Jack Benny house in Hollywood). Reclaimed Carrara marble fountain has been made into the powder room sink. 4. Natural Daylighting Use of numerous skylights and high transom windows to reduce electrical lighting loads during the day. Natural daylighting also has documented benefits on mood, productivity, and enjoyment of the space. 5. Photo Voltaic Solar Panels Use of PV solar electric generation system to reduce electrical grid consumption, and bi-directional meter sends power back to the grid when it is needed most, on hot summer afternoons. 6. Hydronic Radiant Heat Floor Use of hydronic radiant floor heating system saves energy, is more efficient for residential heating, is more comfortable for inhabitants, and promotes superior indoor air quality over forced air systems. 7. Natural/Passive Ventilation Use of operable skylights operable high windows and ceiling fans, creates a natural convection current, thereby eliminating the need for an air conditioning system. 8. Passive Solar Design Use of extensive east and south facing glass, proper overhangs, high interior mass, deciduous grape vines on appropriately placed trellises, to passively heat the home in winter, and protect the house from unnecessary heat gain in summer. 9. Reclaimed Lumber - Douglas fir ceiling beams reclaimed from the Town & Country Village Shopping Center (now Santana Row) in San Jose. - Douglas fir ceiling decking reclaimed from the 118 year old Notre Dame High School in downtown San Jose. TJI joists reclaimed from the “Millenium Man” movie set in Alameda used for floor and roof framing. Redwood ceiling beams reclaimed from a Los Altos cabana/trellis. 10. Extensive Use of Other Reclaimed Materials Two antique reclaimed European stone fireplace mantles grace the family room and master bedroom fireplaces. Interior doors with glass knobs reclaimed from the original house located at the property. Two large terraces utilize used brick salvaged from at least 15 different locations. Courtyard fountain is tiled using recycled and restored ceramic tiles from a 1928 California Colonial house in Los Altos. Cabinet lumber from original house used for closet shelving. Plywood from crates that the windows and doors were delivered in were used to create garage shear walls. Foundation forms were salvaged and rip cut for use as interior stud walls. Garage doors were salvaged from a remodel project in Mountain View. 11. Ground Source Heat Pump - Ground source heat pump uses geothermal energy to heat the house and domestic water, greatly reducing natural gas and fossil fuel consumption. 12. Low VOC Paint Clay Plaster Wall Finishes VOC-free interior paint and stain finishes promotes healthy indoor air quality, reduces exacerbation of respiratory ailments such as asthma and lung cancer. Extensive use of American Clay Plaster integral color wall finish eliminates need for painted walls. 13. High Efficiency Windows Use of energy efficient dual pane thermal glazing with “Low e” coating at all doors and windows reduces heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter, cutting energy use. 14. Engineered Structural Lumber Extensive use of engineered lumber for structural framing and sheathing reduces cutting of old growth forests, and encourages use of “crop lumber”. 15. FSC Certified Mill Work Extensive use of FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified sustainable lumber products for cabinetry, hardwood flooring, trim, etc. further protects the environment through third party monitoring and certification of the entire supply chain. 16. Cotton Insulation Formaldehyde-free cotton insulation made from recycled blue jeans used extensively for attic insulation. photography by Frank Paul Perez

Photo: Bonnie McCarthy © 2015 Houzz
Entryway - contemporary entryway idea in Los Angeles

S.W.A.T. Roofing & Contracting is a nationally recognized storm restoration company and continues to set many of the standards in the industry. We are abreast of the latest technologies in the restoration industry and our members have been trained by the manufacturers to learn the most up to date installation procedures the industry has to offer. Our team will gladly provide you proof of our certifications with the manufacturers. The owner of S.W.A.T. Roofing & Contracting has the distinguished honor of being part of the Professional Roofers Advisory Council. This organization is comprised of the leaders in the roofing industry. You cannot pay to become a member of this organization, you must be invited by the manufacturer. Our elite team of restoration specialist have also been trained on the latest Exactimate software. This is the most extensive estimating software program in the restoration industry and is used by the vast majority of the insurance companies including all of the major ones (State Farm, Allstate, Farmers, Nationwide, Liberty Mutual). With this program, we are able to know exactly what the cost is to repair the damage to your property no matter how extensive it may be. Our team understands how important it is to be precise with our estimates so that our clients and the insurance companies can resolved the matters at hand as quickly as possible. Our goal at S.W.A.T. Roofing & Contracting is to put your property back to the way it was prior to the damage you incurred in a timely manner with as little disruption to your schedule as possible.

S.W.A.T. Roofing & Contracting is a nationally recognized storm restoration company and continues to set many of the standards in the industry. We are abreast of the latest technologies in the restoration industry and our members have been trained by the manufacturers to learn the most up to date installation procedures the industry has to offer. Our team will gladly provide you proof of our certifications with the manufacturers. The owner of S.W.A.T. Roofing & Contracting has the distinguished honor of being part of the Professional Roofers Advisory Council. This organization is comprised of the leaders in the roofing industry. You cannot pay to become a member of this organization, you must be invited by the manufacturer. Our elite team of restoration specialist have also been trained on the latest Exactimate software. This is the most extensive estimating software program in the restoration industry and is used by the vast majority of the insurance companies including all of the major ones (State Farm, Allstate, Farmers, Nationwide, Liberty Mutual). With this program, we are able to know exactly what the cost is to repair the damage to your property no matter how extensive it may be. Our team understands how important it is to be precise with our estimates so that our clients and the insurance companies can resolved the matters at hand as quickly as possible. Our goal at S.W.A.T. Roofing & Contracting is to put your property back to the way it was prior to the damage you incurred in a timely manner with as little disruption to your schedule as possible.

Home design - modern home design idea in San Francisco

Elegant Bathrooms and just plain squeaky clean functional bathrooms help to stage houses that are listed for sale. Learn how to have a successful and rewarding career as a Home Stager with my inexpensive, high design, fun and beautiful course. Why spend thousands when you can learn everything you need to know about starting a home staging business for $297!