26 Friday, October 15, 2010CITIZEN’S NEWS

Not too long ago, the “green”bathroom or kitchen conjuredimages of avocado appliances orsea foam colored toilets. Today,however, “green” takes on anentirely new connotation. Kitchens and baths that employ environ-

Create SustainableKitchens and Bathrooms

mentally conscious products andprocedures are growing in popu-larity.

Individuals inclined towardgreen spaces may wonder just how to achieve a sustainable kitchen or bath. The concept lies in roomsthat use less water and energythan traditional rooms.

Getting started could involvechoosing fixtures that require lesswater usage. Low-flow faucets and showerheads and reduced-capac-ity toilets can go a long way toward saving water. Additionally, usingthese conservation fixtures doesnot mean a homeowner has to sac-rifice creature comforts. New tech-nology means that despite reduced water use, the fixtures still provide ample pressure for showering and hand-washing and adequate flush-ing power. If a toilet was installedprior to 1994 it should be replacedfor a more efficient model.

Being sustainable means morethan just reducing water, however.

O t h e rchanges canbe em-ployed all atonce org r a d u a l l y.R e c y c l e dglass tile asa backsplash or in ashower sur-round is anidea. It util-izes glassthat hasbeen recy-cled and is asmart, eco-f r i e n d l yo p t i o n .C o n s i d e rflooring thatis madefrom recy-clable orsustainablem a t e r i a l s .B a m b o oquickly replenishes itself in thewild, making it a truly green item.However, vinyl flooring made fromcomposite recycled materials isalso practical.

In terms of saving energy,lower the thermostat on the waterheater. Not only will this reducethe chance of scalding, but it willsave energy on heating water aswell. Replacing inefficient lighting fixtures can go a long way towardsaving energy, too. Shop for attrac-tive, yet efficient, fixtures thatemploy CFL bulbs or even LEDs.

When shopping for bathroomand kitchen essentials, such astowels, toilet tissue and cosmeticproducts, be conscious of the waythese products are made andmanufactured. Choose recyclablepaper products whenever possible.Be sure to have a recycling pail inboth the kitchen and the bath tocollect items that shouldn’t betrashed, but recycled. This includes cardboard toilet paper tubes, plas-tic product bottles and more.

Green appliances call to mindenergy-efficient dishwashers andrefrigerators. But green can extend to the stove, too. Induction cook-tops provide faster heating timesand more efficient cooking thangas or electric alternatives.Induction enables 90 percent ofthe heat generated to go directlyinto the cooking vessel, comparedwith 75 percent for electric andabout 40 percent for gas. Plus,

induction cooktops work withmagnets, making them a saferchoice for families.

Creating sustainable kitchensand baths is easier than one maythink. A few changes over time cantransform a space.

Pantone is a global authorityon color for the design industryThe company has revealed itscolor picks for its PANTONE(R

VIEW home and interiors 2010,eight palettes of color for homeinteriors and additional tingedneutrals.

This year’s lineup includesGreenmarket, Resourceful,Transformations, Ambiance,Gatherings, Galaxy, HighDefinition, and Pastiche.

Here’s a look at the inspirationfor three of the palettes.

Greenmarket is inspired byartisanal and organic farmers’market foods.

Gatherings demonstrates theuniqueness of African regions,while Galaxy offers the best huesof the nocturnal sky.

Pantone color experts say thatobservation of the world aroundthem and trends in daily livinghelp dictate their color choiceseach year.

Pantone ColorsRevealed

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Ask any homeowner and he orshe is bound to have a to-do list oflittle chores around the house that need to get done. These tasks aremade much easier with the righttools.

Depending on individual skilllevel, many homeowners alreadyhave basic tools on hand, such ashammers and screwdrivers.Others may have a more extensive collection of tools available forprojects, such as saws, sanders and electric drills.

For homeowners who don’thave certain tools, there may be no need to purchase new ones forspecific projects. Many tools canbe rented, such as floor sanders,carpet cleaners, saws and others.Find out if items can be borrowedfrom friends or family members -- and whether they might want tohelp with certain tasks.

Before any project is started,homeowners should take inven-tory of what they have and whatthey will need to complete a pro-ject. Taking shortcuts can lead tofrustration and more money spentfixing mistakes. Make a list andhave all of the gear available andready for use.

Here are some common pro-jects and the tools that will beneeded.

• Gutter cleaning: Coolerweather means leaves and debriswill collect in gutters and downs-pouts. A sturdy ladder, gloves, gar-den hose, small shovel, and bucket

Use the Right Tools for Autumn To-Do Lists

will be needed to clear out thedebris. Be sure the ladder is placed so that it is on level ground.

• Cleaning siding: A rentedpower washer can make quickwork of cleaning grimy siding and hard-to-reach windows.

• Landscape clean-up: Nowmay be the time to pull out whith-ered plants and put away lawn fur-niture. Many homeowners like toprune shrubs and trees before thecold weather sets in. A hedge trim-mer can quickly shape shrubbery.An auger can help dig up deadannuals and clean out plantingbeds. Rent a wood chipper to make mulch out of felled tree branches.

• Painting: When coolerweather arrives, homeowners tend to look inside for projects. Painting is a popular way to spruce uprooms with little financial invest-ment. Rollers, brushes, paint trays,masking tape, edgers, and dropcloths will be needed for the task.

• Flooring: Perhaps installing a new floor is on the to-do list. Many laminate and vinyl products makeit easy for homeowners to do thework themselves. A more exten-sive project, such as installation oftile or hardwood, can be done by a contractor. Flooring needs mayrequire a power saw or razor forcutting the flooring -- dependingon the material. Other toolsinclude adhesive, spacers, meas-uring tape, knee pads, eye protec-tion, and clean-up materials.