A Healthy Home | Sustainable Accessories

Finding Sustainable Finishing Touches

The finishing touches to any design project are the most exciting part of any design project. The accessories are what take the space to the next level. 

So let’s talk about how to be sustainable in your choices for these final elements. I’ve decided to group plumbing in here (I know that’s an odd choice) because they are like the jewelry of your kitchen and bathroom (I’m also running out of days!)

So let’s tackle plumbing first.

Plumbing

Project Fulton

When we talk about plumbing and sustainability people are often referring to the idea of water scarcity. You want your toilets and faucets to use as little water as possible. This is so commonly talked about that I won’t spend any time on this here. I would like to talk about the other elements that make plumbing sustainable. Firstly we always try to specify plumbing that is actually made here in Canada, or the USA. Not only is the carbon footprint minimal but the quality control is often far greater and you're keeping people employed! 

Project Mount Royal

Our top Canadian plumbing companies that we like to use are Riobel (based in Quebec) and Rubinet (based here in Toronto). At Rubinet all products are made custom to order. So you have to wait a little longer but it’s always worth it.

Project Fulton

When you choose a local company you are also more likely to get that needed support years later if you ever need a replacement part! 

The Construction Element

Project Howland

When you work with a plumber you will want to ensure that he/she uses LEAD-FREE brass fittings. This is again not something that is done unless you ask and is pennies more.  Also, have a look at the type of piping they intend to use. The most common product is PVC, because it is inexpensive, light, and familiar to trades. But PVC has significant impacts throughout its life cycle. Make sure you do your research here.

Ok now let’s talk about the pretty stuff..

Accessories!

It will come as no surprise that I love to use items I find at antique markets and consignment stores. There’s no carbon footprint (it’s already been made) There’s no off-gassing (this has already happened) and these items will seem one of a kind in your home. I am not a fan of grabbing a bunch of inexpensive products at big box stores. They are often poorly made and end up in a landfill sooner than any of us would like to admit. 

Look for items that speak to you to create a more curated look. Thrift shops are a great place to hunt for very inexpensive items or invest in high quality items from a beautiful store. Less is more when it comes to accessories!

Well there you have it - that wraps up Day 10 of our 10 days to a Healthy Home. Let us know if you learned anything new and what topics interest you the most! If we can all just do a little bit we can help our planet a LOT and by focusing on a healthy home we can ensure our families get that much needed sanctuary they deserve.