KBB - October 2009 - (Page 50)

Favorites Nicole Facciuto’s Top Product Picks Demonstrating a talent for turning drab spaces into stylish, environmentally sustainable interiors, Nicole Facciuto, LEED AP, of HGTV’s Red Hot and Green, has inspired viewers and homeowners with her spirited on-camera presence and passion for green design. As founder and principal of her bi-coastal design ﬁrm, Nicole Facciuto Design, Facciuto strives to create beautiful, livable spaces that meet her clients’ aesthetic, functional and economic goals while respecting the environment. For Facciuto, embracing eco-friendly living began while growing up on an organic walnut farm in Northern California. “Green has always been close to my heart,” she said. Being aware of the surrounding environment is the most important step when choosing environmentally conscious products, according to Facciuto. “Take your time to ﬁnd products that ﬁt your needs and consider how they will impact the environment,” she said. “There’s so much to choose from; going green now spans all design styles.” One of her favorite products is Tiger Mountain Innovations’ Squak Mountain Stone countertops (2), which can take on the industrial look of concrete or the rustic appearance of slate, but are made from low-carbon cement, recycled paper and recycled glass. Facciuto also likes Coverings ETC’s Bio-Luminum tile (1), which is made from recycled airplane parts and offers an industrial ﬂair. “They’re ﬁnding new ways to repurpose and recycle material that at one point couldn't be recyclable,” she said. As for kitchen appliances, Energy Star-rated options that save homeowners money always catch Facciuto’s eye. “You’re getting the best bang for your buck,” she said. “I love appliances that make your life easier.” One of her favorite lines of energy-efﬁcient appliances comes from Electrolux. Its most recent offering is the French Door Refrigerator (3), which is 20 percent more efﬁcient than the Federal Energy Standard and, of course, Energy Star-rated. The refrigerator comes with a host of convenient features, including an energysaving vacation mode that uses the compressor less often when the user is away for extended periods. Applying the same resource-saving principles to choosing bath products, Facciuto favors low-ﬂow faucets and ﬁxtures by Kohler. Of particular interest are the company’s water-conserving 1.75-gpm shower sprays (5), available in Forte and Purist (shown) designs as showerheads and handshowers. Facciuto also applauds products that change how homeowners look at green. That’s why she’s a fan of American Clay Enterprises’ clay wall plasters (4), whose beauty is matched only by its eco-friendliness. With zero VOCs and no off-gassing, the plaster, which buffers humidity and inhibits mold in the bathroom, is made from clays, aggregates and natural pigments. “It’s an incredible product perfect for any interior,” she said. When not designing custom-tailored interiors, Facciuto shares her expertise in green design as an instructor and public speaker. Earlier this month, she was the keynote speaker for LuxeHome in Chicago, where she discussed her passion for green design. “I absolutely thrive when challenged to turn an ordinary home into something beautiful while being sensitive to the earth and to my client’s wallet,” she said. “I believe the greatest gift I can give my client is a stunning space at a price they can afford.” s —Matthew Marin + K BB October 2009 / www.kbbonline.com / The Ofﬁcial Sponsor of K/BIS www.kbis.com http://www.kbbonline.com http://www.kbis.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of KBB - October 2009

KBB - October 2009
Contents
Online Contents
Publisher’s Note
Trends
Products
Profile
Design
Model Behavior: A Southern Kitchen is Green All Over
Special Blend
Education
Editorial Index
Ad Index
Favorites

KBB - October 2009