The EPA has estimated that architectural coatings account for almost 9% of the voc emissions from all consumer and commercial products. VOC is the amount of material coming from the paint as it dries. New technology brings low and no voc (volatile organic compounds) formulas to latex paint. However, synthetic dyes add voc’s back into the paint. Latex paint also peels and bubbles in heat and over time. Clay paints are natural, non-toxic, dry quickly, resist dust, and sand to a soft, smooth finish.

A wonderful local NJ green paint supplier is Smart Little House in Roseland. They carry paints, plasters and sealers that are clay based and tinted w/ mineral pigments. When choosing a paint product keep these basic standards in mind: healthful paints and plasters should be derived from healthy, natural materials like clay or soy; make sure that the ingredients are listed and the additives are simple—synthesized molecules tend not to break down easily in the environment; use mineral or earth pigments whenever possible—they are colorfast and do not add voc’s to your paint or plaster.

For homemade paints, wonderful techniques and products can be found in ancient art. Distemper paints made from water, vegetable glue/or eggs, and ground pigments, have been applied in decorative artwork for thousands of years. Lime-based paints and plasters have covered large surfaces for centuries, and have made a comeback due to their rich texture and durability. Casein paints are a combination of milk and ground pigments, providing durability and excellent color for furniture and wood floors.

Whether you use homemade or readymade paints please choose environmentally friendly products. They are better for your health and for the environment. The health benefits are long-term—from application to a healthier interior atmosphere.  Clay paints are made in indoor and outdoor varieties. They are durable and long-lasting which will reduce the cycle of repainting over many years. This will save you money, time and effort. I hope you enjoy using the green faux finish recipe that is included below.

All the best in your green decorating endeavors!
Tobi Indyke www.periwinkleskies.net

Faux Limewash

Creating a beautiful faux limewash simply requires careful peripheral vision and a proper colorwash technique. Four colors are employed to produce this lightly textured Mediterranean finish. Prepare the walls with 2 coats of soy or clay based paint with an eggshell finish in a creamy hue. After the basecoat is cured, apply glaze mixture as a colorwash in a wedgewood blue hue covering 95% of the wall. After the first coat of glaze is dry, colorwash the second coat of glaze mixture in a raw sienna hue covering 70% of the wall. The 3^rd color is a mixture of venetian red, glaze and water which is fly-specked to 5% of the wall with an old toothbrush—touch up any drips with a dampened cheesecloth. The final coat of the glaze mixture is applied as an overall colorwash in a burnt umber hue. This finish dries quickly and is quite durable.

Limewash Glaze recipe:
Mix 1 quart water-based glaze, 3 cups water-based wallpaper paste, 1 cup finely textured natural sand, and 2 teaspoons of dry pigment. Mix thoroughly and re-stir often.

‘Green’ paint and plaster resources:
milkpaint.com, greenerbuilding.org, bioshieldpaint.com, afmsafecoat.com, earthpaint.net, smartlittlehouse.com

Repurposing is a fantastic way to conserve! Reduce waste. Save money. Use environmentally-friendly materials to further your repurposing efforts.

This mirror has been repurposed with new decorative molding, appliqués, and painted finish.

Here are some tips to resuscitate a second-hand piece of furniture from Periwinkle Skies, LLC (www.periwinkleskies.net)

Work with a piece that you already own or purchase a second-hand piece from Habitat Restore, Goodwill, second-hand store or consignment shop. You can save money and perhaps support a worthy cause.

It is important to begin with a well-designed piece of furniture or one that has good design potential. Is it in good condition? Make sure that there are no signs of rot or decay by checking for disintegrating wood fibers. Can the piece be easily tightened and repaired?

Does the piece need physical enhancing? Is it necessary to add an appliqué, crown molding, legs, feet, or columns? All of these items are available online and in local lumber stores. Reclaimed items can also be found online.

When updating hardware, measure center-to-center of holes for changing handles. Hinges generally peel when painted from the constant open-close motion. If the doors are at least ¾ inch thick, hidden hinges can be used. This allows enough depth for routing on the inside. If the piece is older in style, a butterfly style hinge looks well.

If the item needs reupholstering, make sure that it fits your budget. Consider the cost of labor and fabric. Earth-friendly fabrics and filler are available online and in some local fabric stores.

Be conservative when choosing your color and finish. The color should reflect items in your design space and adjoining rooms. The finish should also connect with elements in your design space. Remember that contrast makes the piece of furniture stand out, while a subtle color will blend it in. Decide carefully what your space needs visually.

When preparing your piece of furniture, sand with the grain using 220 grit sandpaper to lightly score the surface. Wear gloves, mask and eye protection. Do not wear contact lenses when sanding. If the cabinet interiors are in good shape it is not necessary to refinish them.

Casein (milk-based) paint is excellent for furniture. It dries quickly, sands beautifully, and has a natural, matte finish. One can also use a good quality clay, soy or acrylic paint for a water clean-up. Latex paint is not recommended for furniture as it rolls up when sanded. When using casein, the first coat needs to contain bonding medium. For clay, soy or acrylic, begin with a good quality primer.

Allow for dry time between coats. Remember to sand between each coat with 400 grit sandpaper, sanding with the grain. For an antiqued look, sand the edges and corners bare and use a thin antiquing glaze especially in the crevices. Finish with beeswax to seal the finish and add a patina. Buff w/ a soft rag or chamois cloth. It is not necessary to seal a casein paint finish. Enjoy your beautifully repurposed furniture!

Enliven your professional profile. Motivate your staff! Increase camaraderie. Address local concerns. Share your volunteer success stories. Feel great!

All this is possible when you reach out to your community by donating your time and energy to a local build. Sign your biz up to volunteer at a local Habitat for Humanity or Homes for Our Troops project. Let the chapter office know how many employees will be volunteering and what their skills are. Try to work in groups to increase the camaraderie. It’s a great time! It feels good to be a part of a build for someone who really needs and deserves a decent place to live. Some of the best times I’ve ever had have been at builds.

One of my favorite build experiences was putting in 2 tile floors with a family member of a Habitat house recipient. We were so proud to have planned, cut, and laid the tiles so well! The whole family worked together with volunteers to put in their required hours. I had the privilege of attending the ribbon cutting ceremony when the family received the key and deed to their new home. It was an amazing experience to witness the joy that the family felt in having a decent home of their own that they had helped to build.

Carpentry, plumbing and electrical skills are an asset…but not a requirement. For those without specialized skills, there is always a need for rolling paint and primer, spackling nail holes, onsite clean-up, and nailing in subfloors. Project managers are always willing to teach volunteers new skills. Through builds I’ve learned to cut tiles on a wet saw, plan and lay tile floors. I’ve learned to trowel and mesh exterior walls, install insulation, reinforce stairs, and prepare a foundation.

For those who are able to help in a different capacity, there are committees for architectural planning, land acquisition, marketing and publicity, accounting, fundraising development, family nurturing, and human resources. You and your staff’s special talents can be put to great use! Volunteering can be long term or short term. Just a warning…’habititus’ can keep everyone wanting to come back and help again!

At the end of the day, you and your employees will reap the rewards of sharing in a great experience and learning to work together in a whole new way. It’s great for building communication within your business. It’s a fantastic way to become more connected with your community. The good feelings that you and your staff share with your community will be reflected positively in your business.

For more information on chapters in your vicinity visit www.habitatforhumanity.org and www.homesforourtroops.org Remember to share your build experiences on social media (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube for example).

Wishing you all the best in your business success from www.periwinkleskies.net