Green and sustainable construction gained credibility when the US Green Building Council started the LEED Certification Program. It’s been growing like a weed since then (pun totally intended). Architects, engineers, and scientists continue to find ways to make buildings more environmentally friendly. Here are 5 green construction trends to watch this year. Some are simply … Read more
What will you resolve to update in 2023? Interior design trends change through the years just like hemlines. The floating shelves and oversized light fixtures found all over in 2022 are headed to the curb in 2023. They are definitely out. What’s taking their place? Let’s take a look at the interior design trends that … Read more
Endless home improvement options await those looking to increase the value and appeal of their house. Just pinpointing where to begin the journey presents a challenge. Some renovations increase the value of a home and a portion can be recovered at a sale. Sustainability may be just the edge you need when selling your home. … Read more
Historic architecture is important to maintain because of its cultural value. Some of these buildings, however, are not entirely fit for modern standards of sustainability. Such historical buildings include houses that must be retrofit before they can be lived in again. Do they have centralized air conditioning or heating? Are there unsealed doors and windows … Read more
If the old American dream was homeownership, the new dream is owning a sustainable home. Whether you are considering building from the ground up or want to retrofit your existing home to be more eco-friendly, the options for green building continue to grow and improve. While it is true that there was a time in … Read more
There’s no denying that 2020 changed the way we live our lives. Many people found themselves spending significantly more time at home, often crowded into spaces that felt a lot smaller when populated by significant others, children, and pets! The forced move to remote work and schooling left many families scrambling to upgrade to larger … Read more
Believe it or not, basic building construction hasn’t changed that much in the last 100 years. Consequently, builders still frame, dry-in, do electrical and plumbing in pretty much the same order they did in 1920 (yes, people had electricity and indoor plumbing). But, what has changed are the tools and materials they use to do … Read more
Home. Spending much time there lately? Don’t let being home stress you out. Home should be a place of refuge. Your own private sanctuary. Transform any house into a stress-less sanctuary without stressing the planet by using these eco-friendly tips. Lighting LEDs, CFLs, white lights, blue lights, light before bedtime. It’s enough to stress anyone … Read more
Look around and it’s easy to see that tiny houses are the next big thing. Does that mean that lovers of living large should feel guilty about the carbon footprint their more spacious homes create? Do big families have to choose between an eco-friendly lifestyle or comfort? Are claustrophobic people relegated to green living purgatory, … Read more
We love when people try to recycle or reuse plants, materials, textiles, anything. At Ambient we’re often asked: Can I sell or donate the bamboo growing in my backyard? While we support recycling and re-use, unfortunately, the answer is no. There are many different reasons for this – the key one being that the Moso … Read more