With new green building materials and increased environmental awareness, it's easier than ever to create a chic, eco-friendly bathroom. Environmentalist interior designer Patricia Gaylor, whose work and eco-conscious design philosophy has been featured in Renovation Style Magazine and on Good Morning America, shows us how it's done with her remodel of a New Jersey Craftsman-style home. Through the use of sustainable materials and energy and water perservation, she proves that an earth-conscious transformation is not only as affordable as a standard overhaul, but also a guaranteed way to reduce your carbon footprint, save money in the long run, and showcase stunning yet thoughtful style.--Amy Copperman


BEFORE
Before green design the bathroom had peeling wall paper, harsh lighting, and uninspiring, non-recycled surfaces.






AFTER
Recycled materials, a fresh coat of non-toxic paint, and beautiful, more efficient lighting to create a brand-new look.






REMODEL DETAILS
Just what makes this bathroom green? Consider the materials used:

Gaylor replaced the cabinetry with wood used from the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) certified forests, which ensures that the material hails from a protected source and has not contributed to clear-cutting of forests. This particular cabinets are from Terra Cabinets, a Union, NJ based company that makes eco-friendly products.

Her plywood selection contains no formaldehyde, a suspected carcinogen that can decrease the air quality of your home.

When re-painting, finishing wood, or using glue, Gaylor recommends selecting products that have low amounts of harsh drying chemicals, called volatile organic compounds (VOC). The paint in this particular bathroom is from Benjamin Moore's Aura Paint Collection, which contains no VOCs.

To save water, Gaylor installed a low-flow shower head and a dual flush toilet. She promises, "You can save thousands of gallons of water a year by using a toilet that has both a regular 1.6 gallon flush and a 0.9 gallon feature for liquid flushes. Dual flush toilets are available nationwide." The toilet featured here is an Aquia toilet, listed at the bargain price of $400.

Using flourescent CFL bulbs for the lighting is also a money and energy-saver, as the bulbs last three-times longer than regular bulbs. The lightfixtures are from Rejuvenation Lighting in Portland, Oregon.




This countertop (showcased below) is made from recycled glass and concrete from Icestone, a Brooklyn, NY-based company. The glass tile border, also included in the shower, is also made from recycled materials.





Who knew faux slate could look so good? This porcelain variety is made from 40% pre-consumer recycled material. Both the floor tile and the white subway tile come from Dal Tile, a nationwide company.

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