house + home 40 www. n A PAVA L L E Y L I F Emagaz ine .com T he word “green” has been coined now for a number of years. What does it mean to be green? For me, it’s a term that aligns itself with a decision to be conscientious of product origins and a mindset to focus on harmony within our surroundings. In an increasingly rushed and chaotic world, I think there is a growing desire for a closer connection to the foods we consume and the products we amass. Large factories, many of them overseas, produce the bulk of what we purchase, which is why it’s refreshing to every now and then find a product made in this country, maybe even in California, or better yet the very town you live in. The less these goods have to travel, the smaller carbon footprint they have, and moreover there is a good feeling that comes from buying locally. Waste is an increasing problem. Discarded items, many of them made from plastic and other chemical-based materials, pile up in our landfills. Up-cycled materials save on waste, and many vintage items are made from materials that are less toxic, or have off-gassed to the point of being toxic-free. As a native Californian with roots in the small north coast town of Mendocino, I grew up with an appreciation for nature in its wonderfully pure, wild state. This is why I search for products, for both my home and my shop, which support a green life. We all know the saying, “The grass is greener on the other side,” but maybe in this case it really is. In this living area, a decorative frieze in Article and photos by indra fort ney Put the earth first with natural, re-purposed, sustainable décor White pottery pieces by local potter Nikki Ballere Callnan shopping
NVLife_SeptOct_2013
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