Organic Thanksgiving - kellyleeeagle.files.wordpress.com€¦ · It’s the first Thanksgiving for...
3
2/8/12 Organic Thanksgiving | Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles 1/3 www.atlantahomesmag.com/article/organic-thanksgiving Current Issue | Prev View Luxury Di Organic Thanksgiving Sitting in this Buckhead living room, I’m surrounded by the commotion of a family preparing for a big holiday meal. Mom is in the kitchen, putting the finishing touches on the centerpiece; Dad is upstairs changing into something more appropriate for a holiday feast; and the kids are scrambling about, hollering down the stairs in search of brown boots, an orange sweater and wondering if they can wear jeans. This could be a day in the life of any family across America, but it isn’t. It’s the first Thanksgiving for the Seydels—Atlanta’s “green family”—in their custom-built, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified home, EcoManor. Rutherford and Laura Turner Seydel have been eco-activists for years, but they really made waves when they began construction on EcoManor, the first LEED-certified home in Georgia, and one of the first in the entire country. The home is an anomaly of beauty and smart building with its soy-based insulation, low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint, recycled glass and tile, solar panels, and pressed wheat doors. Every day the Seydels make a conscious effort to “walk the talk,” and with their eco-friendly home, they are able to do it more efficiently than before. “The choices we make at home can have the biggest impact on the environment,” says Rutherford. “You don’t have to sacrifice comfort to live green.” Proof is in the stunning spread that has been laid out in the Seydels’ dining room for their Thanksgiving meal. It’s eco- friendly, all natural, and completely inspired by the colors of the fall outdoors. The table is set with the simplest of fabrics: burlap. Cut from a single piece, the tablecloth is raw and unfinished, but the juxtaposition of it with the elegant dinnerware is refreshing. Made with recycled glass and sturdy enough to use everyday, the dinnerware makes a statement in rich fall Browse Categories Search Luxury Coupons Search our Luxury Search top products & serv Begin your search by selec the Luxury Services and Pr Categories below Or enter a specific keyword AH&L. At Your Se Make the right choices to fit y style and budget. Design Resources Newsletter For the family’s first holiday in their eco-friendly home, the Seydels introduce a cornucopia of green traditions into their Thanksgiving celebration. Text: Kelly Kunkel Photos: Anthony-Masterson November 2007 1 2 345678 PHOTO GALLERY EMAIL FACEBOOK TWITTER SHARE THIS ARTICLE Environment “Sustainability is an investm quality, competence and ti for better life surroundings Marie Massaud, Creative... View Profile G.Taylor Roofing, LLC G.Taylor Roofing is a local, owned company with deep community we serve. Our f resided in the Atlanta... View Profile HOME RENOVATE & DECORATE STYLE & SHOPPING OUTDOOR LIVING ARTS & ENTERTAINING BLOG
Transcript of Organic Thanksgiving - kellyleeeagle.files.wordpress.com€¦ · It’s the first Thanksgiving for...
2/8/12 Organic Thanksgiving | Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles
1/3www.atlantahomesmag.com/article/organic-thanksgiving
Current Issue | Previous Issues
View Luxury Directory
Organic Thanksgiving
Sitting in this Buckhead living room, I’m surrounded by the commotion of a family preparing for a big holiday meal. Mom isin the kitchen, putting the finishing touches on the centerpiece; Dad is upstairs changing into something more appropriatefor a holiday feast; and the kids are scrambling about, hollering down the stairs in search of brown boots, an orangesweater and wondering if they can wear jeans.
This could be a day in the life of any family across America, but it isn’t. It’s the first Thanksgiving for the Seydels—Atlanta’s“green family”—in their custom-built, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified home, EcoManor.
Rutherford and Laura Turner Seydel have been eco-activists for years, but they really made waves when they beganconstruction on EcoManor, the first LEED-certified home in Georgia, and one of the first in the entire country. The home is ananomaly of beauty and smart building with its soy-based insulation, low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint, recycledglass and tile, solar panels, and pressed wheat doors.
Every day the Seydels make a conscious effort to “walk the talk,” and with their eco-friendly home, they are able to do itmore efficiently than before. “The choices we make at home can have the biggest impact on the environment,” saysRutherford. “You don’t have to sacrifice comfort to live green.”
Proof is in the stunning spread that has been laid out in the Seydels’ dining room for their Thanksgiving meal. It’s eco-friendly, all natural, and completely inspired by the colors of the fall outdoors. The table is set with the simplest of fabrics:burlap. Cut from a single piece, the tablecloth is raw and unfinished, but the juxtaposition of it with the elegant dinnerwareis refreshing. Made with recycled glass and sturdy enough to use everyday, the dinnerware makes a statement in rich fall
Browse Categories
Search Luxury Coupons Only
Search our Luxury DirectorySearch top products & services here
Begin your search by selecting one ofthe Luxury Services and ProductCategories below
Or enter a specific keyword or phrase
AH&L. At Your Service
Make the right choices to fit your personalstyle and budget.
Design Resources
Newsletter
For the family’s first holiday in their eco-friendly home, the Seydelsintroduce a cornucopia of green traditions into their Thanksgivingcelebration.
Text: Kelly KunkelPhotos: Anthony-MastersonNovember 2007
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
PHOTO GALLERY
EMAIL FACEBOOK
SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Environment
“Sustainability is an investment inquality, competence and timelessnessfor better life surroundings.” ~Jean-Marie Massaud, Creative...
View Profile
G.Taylor Roofing, LLC
G.Taylor Roofing is a local, family-owned company with deep roots in thecommunity we serve. Our family hasresided in the Atlanta...
View Profile
HOME RENOVATE & DECORATE STYLE & SHOPPING OUTDOOR LIVING ARTS & ENTERTAINING BLOG
2/8/12 Organic Thanksgiving | Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles
2/3www.atlantahomesmag.com/article/organic-thanksgiving
colors, set off by the dark brown placemat beneath it. The thread that ties the table together, though, is the centerpiece,which is completely edible: Colorful squash, cabbage, carrots, artichokes, parsley and flowers have been artfully arrangedas the table’s focal point and they serve a dual purpose as they can be used again, this time as the next day’s meal.
“I’m thankful for so much in my life, but now we have the peace of mind knowing we live in a healthier home,” says Laura.
Every member of the Seydel family takes an active approach to educating those around them about our impact on theEarth. This holiday season, do the same and add at least one green-tradition to your holiday celebration.
Pass it on.
The Seydels offer eco-friendly tips to turn your holidays green.The Seydels offer eco-friendly tips to turn your holidays green.
Recycle.Recycle. It sounds simple, but not everyone does it. Laura says, “It’s easy to do if you create a space for all of the bins;mine pull out from my kitchen island.”
Cook with organic produce and meats.Cook with organic produce and meats. “There’s more and more competition in the organic food market, and almostevery store has an organic section—even Wal-Mart,” says Laura.
Compost.Compost. Create an area outdoors where you can compost fruit and vegetable scraps, in addition to yard clippings, leavesand biodegradable paper products to mix into your soil.
Use all natural linens on your tables.Use all natural linens on your tables. And if you must use paper plates and napkins, use ones made from recycledcontents and without dyes, then compost them.
Think about earth-friendly centerpieces.Think about earth-friendly centerpieces. It takes a lot of energy to get cut flowers to your local store, plus they onlylast a few days. “Use potted plants as a centerpiece,” suggests Laura, then plant them outdoors. Or like the centerpiece atthis Thanksgiving celebration, create one that is completely edible and made with colorful fruits and vegetables, lettuces andkales.
Clean smart.Clean smart. Most of the popular cleaning products on the market release incredibly toxic fumes but there are otheroptions, Laura says. Check your local grocery store, you’re sure to find alternatives. Also, if you burn candles, use those thatare soy-based with natural essential oils. “Oil is toxic to breathe anyway, and then you’re burning it,” says Laura aboutcandles with artificial fragrances.
Breathe freely … in your home and outdoors. Breathe freely … in your home and outdoors. Paint your house with low-VOC paints, so the inside of your home willhave cleaner, healthier air. And carpool, says John R., 14. Fewer cars on the road means less pollution in the air; it’s thatsimple.
Click here for Chef Steve Hewins' Organic Turkey recipeClick here for Chef Steve Hewins' Organic mushroom risotto with baby arugula and dried cherries recipe
Stay up to date on the latest trends andoffers. » Sign up
More Preferred Resources
Luxury ListingsRl GoinsRl GoinsRaymond Goins high end line offurnishings and accessories features...(404) 835-2579http://www.raymondgoins.com
ANGORA Rug CoutureANGORA Rug CoutureAngora Rug Couture, located in MiamiCircle, is a premier source of...(404) 467-2200
Photo Galleries
Organic ThanksgivingOrganic Thanksgiving8 images
Please click on the thumbnail to view the entire gallery
2/8/12 Organic Thanksgiving | Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles
3/3www.atlantahomesmag.com/article/organic-thanksgiving
About Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles Advertising Information Reprints Contact Us Digital Editions Customer Service My Account Privacy Policy
Real Estate Apartments Real Estate Portal Luxury Real EstateRetirement Living Assisted Living New Homes Commercial Real EstateHome Design Home Improvement Relocating Social Media Services
Select from the NCI Interactive Suite of SitesSelect from the NCI Interactive Suite of Sites Atlanta Homes & LifestylesAtlanta Homes & Lifestyles1100 Johnson Ferry Rd., NE, Suite 595Atlanta, GA 30342
Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All measurements are approximate. Copyright 2007 - 2012 Network Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
User loginLogin
SubscribeRenew SubscriptionGift SubscriptionAddress ChangeCustomer ServicePay Your Bill
Subscribe FacebookGet updates and specialoffers when you friendAtlanta Homes & Lifestyleson Facebook
TwitterThis week, we'll beintroducing you to thedesigners participating inAH&L's High Style High RiseHome Tour....http://t.co/zPojWYuG
Happy Friday!http://t.co/RQUWYQRU
Get all the details on AHL'sReader Day at ADAC in thisweek's enewsletter! Plus, aspecial promotion at theHigh...http://t.co/6UX4H2mU
http://www.angorarug.com
Leigh Nunnery Interiors, AlliedLeigh Nunnery Interiors, AlliedASID; Assoc. IIDAASID; Assoc. IIDALeigh Nunnery focuses on high-enddesign of large, elaborate homes....(770) 650-0770
White Oak Landscape Company,White Oak Landscape Company,Inc.Inc.White Oak Landscape is an awardwinning firm that has been serving...(770) 427-0524http://whiteoaklandscapeco.com
White OakLandscape, Inc.White Oak Landscape isAtlanta’s premierlandscaping sourcespecializing in all your needsto enhanc
Marcia Weber -Gardens to LoveMarcia Weber Gardens toLove is an award-winninglandscape design firm. Learnmore about us!
Collier Constructionand ConsultingSpecializing in qualityarchitecture, structuralintegrity, constructionprocesses and finishes.
AH&L Recommends
See All Sponsors
