• Look for energy-star ratings on kitchen appliances. This is a quick way to know your appliances are going to last and are good for the environment
• Utilize natural fiber textiles on any dining chairs and barstools. We’re mostly going to focus on the appliances and building materials in this post, rather than the interior design, but if that is something that interests you, give this post a read here. 
• Once you’re all done designing your eco-friendly kitchen, you want to keep it that way! So be sure to make green swaps to the cleaners you’re using. For the best recommendations of eco-friendly cleaning products that won’t break the bank, give this post a read here. 

What Are the Best Eco-Friendly Kitchen Appliances?

Wolf (www.wolfappliance.com) manufacturing plants use renewable energy, recycle, source environmentally friendly material and supplies, and provide living wages to factory workers. Made in the United States, Wolf was behaving in a green way before it became a movement.

Bosch (www.bosch.com) has a corporate commitment to low-impact manufacturing and a global management system for environmental issues that maintains high standards for environmental responsibility in any place they operate. 

• Jennair (www.jennair.com) combines the best elements of their cooktops with induction heating for more efficient use of energy and faster cooking times
• GE’s Advantium oven (www.Geappliances.com) prepares meals up to eight times faster than a conventional oven while locking in moisture, and there’s no need to preheat.
• Viking (www.vikingrange.com) has married their professional performance with efficiency in their MagneQuick line. Using a preheating system and induction heating, the least amount of energy needed is used to power their cooktops and ovens.
• Because of its microwave and convection qualities, the Turbo Chef oven (www.turbochef.com) greatly reduces cooking time. It only takes forty minutes to cook a twelve-pound turkey. The oven comes in white, stainless, and three different vibrant, two-tone color combos.

For even more appliance recommendations, give this post a read here. 

What Are the Best Eco-Friendly Cabinets?

• Valcucine (www.valcucinena.com), the greenest of all European cabinets, went so far as to found a reforestation group, BioForest. Their cabinetry uses up to 80 percent less material than competing products. They are free of formaldehyde and use only nontoxic, citrus oil finishes. Their Invitrum line with  its glass doors, cabinets, and countertops make up the world’s first eco-friendly, zero-emission, 100 percent recyclable kitchen cabinets. The bases of the units are made with recycled aluminum and glass, which are assembled with mechanical joinery so no glue is needed. The glass panels are only 10 mm thick which replaces the need for double panels, resulting in fewer materials. The cabinets are made to last a lifetime, and at the end of their lifecycle, they are labeled for 100 percent recycling. 
• Italian Kitchen Design (www.ikdusa.com) features attractive and affordable Italian cabinets made with European environmental standards, imported top of the line veneers, and pressure laminates.
• The core materials of Humabuilt cabinets (www.humabuilt.com) are renewable and recyclable, manufactured without formaldehyde. They are also very careful about the adhesives they use and they have passed some of the most stringent air quality standards in the United States.
• Sleek, strong, and sustainable describe the flexible kitchen systems from Bazzèo (www.bazzeo.com). Customizable cabinets, drawers, and storage pieces are crafted from rapidly renewable and recycled materials, including wheatboard, aluminum, stainless steel, and certified woods finished with wood veneers, aluminum, or laminate panels, and low- to no-emission lacquers. Bazzèo says it transforms all manufacturing waste into new products and plants a tree for each new order. 
• Kirei (www.kireiusa.com) is a leader in green wheat-board. The Kirei product often exceeds the characteristics of commercially available MDF but it comes from a renewable source and uses nontoxic adhesives. When you use the Kirei wheatboard instead of conventional MDF you can earn LEED points for rapidly renewable material, recycled content, and indoor quality.
• Lyptus (www.lyptus.com) sells a species of wood developed for cabinetry. It grows in about half the time as other cabinet wood but has the same beneficial qualities, no formaldehyde binders, and is visually attractive.
• Cabinetmaker Tonusa (www.tonusa.com) has a green cabinet line and recognizes the need to care for our environment for the benefit of future generations. Tonusa uses environmentally responsible raw materials in its products such as wood boards that meet stringent European standards, imported premium laminates and veneers.
• Treefrog Veneer (www.treefrogveneer.com) carries a complete selection of forty-nine real wood veneer laminates, representing the most beautiful wood species in the world. A One Percent for the Planet member, they practice sustainable forestry, use water-based dyes and stains, which are free of chrome, and follow E1 European limits for formaldehyde emission. The production facility is located in Massachusetts.
• Brookside Veneers (www.veneers.com) has had a strong commitment to the environment for over thirty years, from the harvest and manufacturing processes to the recyclable paper products they purchase. The company has made substantial investments in state-of–the-art machinery to reduce dust and fumes to preserve air quality. Wastewater from dying vats is processed back into clean water and wood scraps are put back into production. Their veneers have achieved FSC certification and the company donates portions of their profits to organizations on promoting forest renewal and health. 

Wondering where kitchen design is trending? We wrote all about the top custom kitchen remodeling trends for 2020 here.

Where to Shop Eco-Friendly Range Hoods?

• Zephyr (www.zephyronline.com) has included a new energy-efficient range hood that is Energy Star rated for its high performance ventilation and low energy consumption.
• Fisher and Paykel Fisher & Paykel (fisherpaykel.com) is not only committed to sustainable production and waste methods, they have owned a recycling plant for decades. Their “take back” program” collects refrigerators to be recycled instead of thrown away. 
• AGA.(aga-ranges.com) – AGA ranges not only look chic, with their brilliantly hued enamel, their cookers are made of 70% recycled material. 
• Meile- (mieleusa.com)-  This company lives and breathes sustainability and includes elements of energy efficiency, longevity, recyclability, waste management and social responsibility in all of their product lines.  Their Extractor unit completely recesses into the ceiling, illustrating how green design is also gorgeous design. 

We recently completed for Vegan chefs who founded the plant-based brand Forks Over Knives. Because they don’t cook with oils, we didn’t need a range hood at all. What could be healthier and more eco than that?

Where to Shop for Eco-Friendly Countertops?

• Enviroglas (enviroglasproducts.com) is an American company at the forefront of design and recycling. Granite comes from far away. It’s heavy and requires a lot of energy to mine it, shape it, and get it from places like Turkey to your project. Synthetic, recycled countertops utilize broken glass and porcelain, suspended in a resin, to create gorgeous, durable surfaces perfect for cooking, eating, and living. They are installed and work just like granite, but greener. 
• Caesar Stone (caesarstoneus.com) was the first solid surface company to make an environmental commitment back in 1987. The Greenguard-certified product uses recycled content and recycles industrial raw material and 97 percent of water used in processing. They avoid using hazardous substances and the counter tops are impervious to mold and microbes. 
• The ECO brand (ecobyconsentino.com) is both Cradle to Cradle and Greenguard certified, is a durable surface made of 75 percent recycled content composed of post-industrial or post-consumer materials, and is bound by an environmentally friendly resin which comes in part from corn oil. ECO is an ideal substitute for natural or engineered stone. 
• EnviroPLANK and EnviroSLAB terrazzo tiles and slabs (enviroglasproducts.com) are made of post-consumer and post-industrial recycled glass. The product is made from 75 percent recycled glass from local recycling programs for minimal transportation impact. The product is resistant to chips, stains, burns, and chemicals and has zero VOCs and virtually no emissions. Maintenance of the product requires only water, mild cleaner, and no wax. It is designed to last a lifetime, but can be ground up for a new floor if desired.  
• In addition to recycled content slabs and environmentally conscious practices in their manufacturing plants, Consentino, Silestone’s parent company (silestoneusa.com), cooperates with the quarries they mine to restore the environment to its original landscape. 
• The Ice Stone brand (ecospectile.com) is Cradle to Cradle certified and made from 100 percent recycled glass. The glass countertop is mixed with cement for a concrete surface. It’s free from VOCs, plastics, resins, and you can earn up to 6 LEED points by using it.
• Coverings Etc.’s Bio-Glass countertops (coveringsetc.com) are made from 100 percent recycled and recyclable glass bottles and stemware. The product has Cradle to Cradle Silver Tier certification.

Want to know how to protect your wood flooring in wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms? We got you covered. Give this post a read here.

Where to Shop the Best Eco-Friendly Hardware?

• Emtek (emtek.com/sustainability),  and the ASSA ABLOY group brands are signatories to the United Nations Global Compact and are committed to updating their sustainability practices on an ongoing basis. Their products are made from non-hazardous materials and pass strict oversight when it comes to manufacturing in factories overseas. They’re truly uncompromising when it comes to acting green!
• Sun Valley Bronze (www.sunvalleybronze.com), manufactured in Sun Valley, Idaho, practices environmental responsibility by using green sand technology in the casting process. It participates in metal scrap and office recycling programs and provides healthy working conditions for its employees. It uses 90 –95 percent recycled content materials in its white bronze and silicon bronze products. Bronze also has natural antimicrobial and self-decontaminating properties.
• Rocky Mountain Hardware (www.rockymountainhardware.com), a family-owned and operated business located in Sun Valley, Idaho, uses 90 percent pre-consumer and 50 percent post-consumer recycled material to create all of their products. The company headquarters are housed in a LEED certified building. They practice conservation in their daily business activities including: recycled water, waste recycling, and naturally lit working spaces.
• Green Sage (www.greensage.com) offers styles ranging from bamboo designs to 100 percent recycled glass knobs and lead-free pewter knobs, pulls, and bathroom accessories.
• Anna Sova (www.annasova.com) sells drapery hardware made in the United States from 100 percent post-consumer recycled aluminum and recycled glass, and is finished with no VOC products. Hardware is shipped in minimal packaging.

Further Reading for Green Interior Design and Home Building Resources:

• Want to delve deeper? Be sure to pre-order your copy of the updated 2nd edition of Green Interior Design here on amazon!
• Making Southern California Homes Eco-Friendly

Learn How to Build Your Own Granny Flat at the Maxable 101 Expo in Downtown LA

Interested in learning more and getting 101 advice on how to maximize your property with a granny flat? Come out to the Maxable 101 Expo in Downtown Los Angeles this weekend where you can learn from panels of experts. Find tickets, parking information, and RSVP here on Eventbrite.

How Much Does it Cost to Build a Granny Flat? And Is It Worth It?

Depending on how large and what materials you want to use, how much is preassembled, etc your budget for building a granny flat can vary greatly. There are start-ups specializing in pre-fab homes that claim to take just four hours and cost under $10k to build and install a granny flat (compared to the normal 4-8 weeks), but if you want a fully functional rental unit with all the bells and whistles needed to really be competitive in the rental market, expect to spend upwards of $100k. But the return is well worth it! The important thing is to plan to own the property for a long time.

Granny flats cost a little more per square foot than a regular home because they are essentially mini homes with all the same inclusions like plumbing, energy, AC, etc. So they may be tiny homes, but they include all the ‘expensive’ square footage in a normal-size home. The video from Maxable, posted above, details further.

Things to Keep in Mind When Building a Granny Flat on Your Property

• Design requirements: Your city ordinance may require height, size, and other specifications. Be sure you’re in compliance before you start on a costly project!
• There may be city fees and parking requirements for your unit.
• You need to get permitted, but it’s generally not difficult to do so long as you’re up-to-code when it comes to health and safety
• Title 24 requirements in California state that all new construction needs to meet energy-neutral guidelines. That means it’s time to install those solar panels!
• The time it takes to build your granny flat can range from a few weeks to a few months depending upon how many pieces are prefabricated or being built from scratch.
• When it comes to designing the space, having lots of windows and ample light is crucial so it doesn’t feel like a stuffy box. Also, since it’s small and space is at a premium, verticality is imperative — anyone who’s dwelled in small urban environments can tell you that – install window treatments from where the wall meets the ceiling above windows, think tall, narrow bookshelves, small-scale furniture that serves multiple functions (pull out couches, etc)

We recently completed a home for celebrity vegan chefs – founders of the renowned plant-based diet brand Forks Over Knives. In doing so, we paid extra attention to customizing the kitchen. Because they don’t cook with oil and need a really great system to steam and saute, their kitchen required more cooktop burners than the average household.

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When we first started working with Brian Wendell of Forks Over Knives, we were designing his costal bachelor pad overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica. Fast forward and now we’re designing his family home in Mar Vista for him and his live in partner is Darshana Thacker, the head chef for FOK, complete with an indoor outdoor edible garden. Understanding where our clients are at different phases of their lives greatly informs design decisions. See more on the blog at SoCalContractor.com

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We were able to skip a bulky ventilation system, usually seen hanging over the cooktop, because she doesn’t use oils, and therefore there’s not as much noxious smoke coming back into the environment. Which is a great bonus! It’s most steam exhaust. So streamline vent hoods on either side of the burners work sufficiently and work beautifully with an open design plan to the dining and living room areas. 

Large and Double Islands

The biggest complaint in the traditional default kitchen design? Not enough prep space! So when it comes to designing custom kitchens, the more counter space the better. We’re seeing extra large and double islands in high demand in 2020.

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⚡️The Calm Before The Storm⚡️ We love to see everyones beautiful thanksgiving tables + decor. We also love to learn about your family recipes and traditions 💛tell us what your cooking tomorrow…. @hw.interiors || 📸 @jessglynnphoto || #cypressislandhw . . . . . . . . #kitchendesign #kitchensofinstagram #design #thanksgiving #foodporn #kitchendecor #finditstyleit #moderninteriors #moderndesign #smmakelifebeautiful #finditstyleit #houseenvy #myhousebeautiful #luxuryliving #palmbeachdesigner #luxuryhomes #wellingtondesigner

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Gorgeous Glam Chandeliers and Pendants

Those big beautiful kitchen counter slabs call for some fabulous statement lighting overhead to match! We’re seeing lots of golden chandeliers and glass pendants with exposed bulbs. Lighting is one of our favorite elements of a space and we know a good architectural lighting fixture can elevate a kitchen to the next level!

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There is a reason zen is often synonymous with modern design. Part of creating more zen in your life is designing a sustainable, easily maintainable space. One of the ways we do that is in our choice of materials and finishes that are easy to clean and need less maintenance – large, hard, flat, natural surfaces and knobs and pulls with less curve and traditional detail will cut back on the overwhelm of maintenance. Head to the #BuildBlog at SoCalContractor.com for more design advice.

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Modern and Contemporary Usurp Modern Farmhouse (Finally!)

Stylistically, it would seem demand for modern farmhouse style kitchens peaked last year, according to the houzz community 2020 kitchen trends study. We couldn’t be more excited! While the farmhouse trend is dying down, the demand for modern and contemporary kitchens is surging and this just so happens to be a specialty of ours.

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In contemporary kitchens, materials are chosen with cleanliness and maintainability in mind – everything should be easy to keep tidy year round with a simple wipe down after each meal-prep. Generally color palettes are pretty neutral as well. More on designing contemporary kitchens ln the latest #BuildBlog. Link in the bio.

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Contrasting and Bright Colors

The bright white kitchen that’s been dominating Pinterest pages the past decade? It’s on its way out. While white shaker cabinets are still trending strong, we’re seeing homeowners going bold with backsplashes opting for exciting colors and patterns and installing from the counter all the way up to the ceiling. 

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Watch an all new #RenovationInspiration presented by @LampsPlus to see how we started from scratch with nothing but a blank wall in this kitchen! We just finished renovating this new #losangeles AirBnb. I love how the kitchen came together with leather pulls on white cabinets for a touch of luxe and @VillaLagoon ceramic Ikat tile infuse the space with signature #GlobalStyle.

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Because the Danes have such long periods of the year that are chilly, the cozy and warm part is extra important and it’s why we tend to become interested in hygge style across the pond in America during the Winter months. 

Without further ado, here’s how to hygge your home for the holidays (and beyond) in 5 simple steps: 

1 Warmth and Well-Scented

Hygge style emphasizes full immersion – it’s not just about styling a trendy room for a photoshoot, it is about how the experience of being in it. That’s why candles, fireplaces, and other home scents are essential in the hygge home. Prioritize and invest in your sel-fcare with sustainable, healthy, high-quality candles and detoxifying bath soaks.

2 Swaddled in Cozy Fabrics

Hygge means always keeping something soft underfoot, be it a sheepskin rug or fuzzy house slippers. 

And it means keeping your body cozy in blankets, robes, or these on-trend cashmere joggers, we can’t get enough of!

3 Organized and Uncluttered

Organization boxes, simply said. The hygge home is clear of clutter. Any little thing that contributes to the calm! We love these simple, monochromatic canvas organization boxes from Target to keep everything uncluttered and uniform.

4 Libations Made with Care

Warm up with tea in the morning or wind down with whiskey by the fire at night. Taking time and care in the process of procuring libations for guests and carefully selecting the serving ware is nearly as important as the beverage itself. Hygge lifestyle is all about quality of experience. 

5 Emphasis on the Tactile

Give yourself a break from intrusive technology we’ve all become dependent on. Skip the flat screen TV on the wall and put away the phones. Hygge-ing your home means emphasizing physical media and tactile experiences and community. We love to hygge a space with photo boxes, bookshelves full of literary adventures, and board games. 

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Shop All of Our Favorite Hygge Home Essentials Here:

Take cues from your favorite hotel rooms and think of your guest bedroom in five zones: Entryway, bed, closet, bathroom, and breakfast nook/snack & coffee bar.

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Thank you so much to @houzz and writer Rashmi Haralalka for featuring this bedroom from our Lake Sherwood project in your round up of the Dreamiest Bedrooms! 💙

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• Guest House Entryway:

Welcome to The Neighborhood

Give guests a warm welcome from the moment they walk in with guide books to your city or neighborhood. This is one of our favorites! It’s also a lot of fun to make your own from your unique local’s perspective. 

Home is where the wifi is…

We love the inclusion of a wifi password as wall art. Place it in a super visible, can’t-miss-it space like near the entry or over a desk. 

And extra phone chargers and a designated charging station always make for a comfortable stay.

Mini Mudroom

Since it’s the Winter, you might be faced with more inclement weather than usual which can mean snowy or muddy shoes – designate a mini mudroom in your guest house entryway near the door with a shoe and coat rack and an extra umbrella or two.

• The Bed Part of the Guest Bedroom

Mattress & Bedding

Of course, the bed is going to be the centerpiece and the most important aspect of the guest bedroom. We tend to keep a neutral palette in the guest bedroom, and like fabrics that are easy to clean. Though for Winter, perhaps something more festive and warm is in order! And extra blankets and pillows are always appreciated. Appreciating a good night’s sleep, we stan a good mattress. Keep your guests comfy in your guest bedroom by always doing your research and buying to last.  

• Guest Room Closet Organization

A Set of Hangers

Regardless of the size of the closet, or even if it’s just an armoire, it’s a great idea to include a set of empty hangers. These are our favorite space-saving sets:

Robes & Slippers

This is where taking cues from hospitality venues comes into play… One of our favorite parts of a luxury hotel stay are the plush, complimentary robes and slippers. 

Luggage Rack

Take the hotel-vibes one step further by including a luxe luggage rack. We love the chic, modern design of this one from Horchow:

• Guest Bathroom Essentials

Travel Toiletries

We like to keep apothecary jars full of travel-sized toiletries sorted by type (shampoo, conditioner, ets) that we accumulate through our travels and shopping in the guest bathroom cabinet.

Extra Towels

For guest bath towels, we like to keep it basic with sets of white linens. What can we say? We like a clean, classic aesthetic in the guest bath. 

• Breakfast Nook

Bar Cart, Snack Station, and Coffee Makers

Even if you don’t have a full kitchenette in a guest house, including a barcart with a coffee and tea station and some light breakfast snacks is a great way to give your guests the opportunity to ease into their day. 

What Sets Our Beach House Style Apart?

Manhattan Beach is one of the most inspiring places to work because of it’s eclectic architectural aesthetics and indoor-outdoor lifestyle. We love the mixture of modern residences, bohemian coffee shops, and sense of community that beach towns like Manhattan Beach cultivate. Here are some of the features we love to include in our beach houses that set us apart:

1. Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Design

Large windows and doors, flooring and natural, textural materials that carry through the spaces, indoors and out. We like to do everything we can to emphasize indoor-outdoor living, which gives our projects a modern, airy feel and makes them great spaces for entertaining. (More on that in a minute!)

2. Well-Edited Interiors

When you build at the beach, it’s impossible to forget about the beautiful landscape. We seek to emphasize that as much as possible by not distracting from the beautiful ocean views with ocean artwork, for example. We keep the interiors clean and let the understated, but upscale interior architecture do the talking.

3. Party Pads!

Many of our clients, especially by the beach, are single men looking to glam up their bachelor pads and transform them into fabulous entertaining spaces. That’s why we’re fans of an open floor plan with great flow. We like to make the kitchen, pool, or lounges central focal points in the home.

Welcome to Bond at the Beach

Our designer Lori Dennis gives a talk-through of one of our favorite beach projects in this video. It’s come to be known as “James Bond at the Beach” and is full of clean lines, and well-crafted monochromatic custom furnishings. Just an absolute dream! Watch now:

Green Interior Design

Today on the blog, step inside our greenest interior design projects as we share with you the 5 major sustainability initiatives they all have in common:

Hardwood and Tile Flooring

As a rule, we steer clear of specifying any wall to wall carpeting in our projects. Tile and Wood floors are not only more beautiful but they’re easier to keep clean. When selecting area rugs for high-traffic areas, we select rugs that are made in environmentally and socially responsible ways, are created from renewable materials, or are antiques. 

Controllable, LED Lighting

Lighting schemes always feature LED bulbs and are on dimmers. Not only does a moody and customizable lighting scheme contribute to the design aesthetic of a home, it also reduces energy usage – win-win! LED’s are a great high-efficiency, sustainable choice to lower your energy bill and may even be required by your local build-codes.

Efficient Windows & Doors

The less AC you use, the better for your health, the environment, and your wallet! In Southern California, we have the luxury of wonderful weather nearly year round – so harness that to your advantage with energy-efficient windows and doors. Milgard Windows were just name the #1Best Vinyl Window by BUILDER Magazine. To celebrate, they’re passing savings and rebates along to YOU. Ranging from $10-$75 per window or door. You have through Nov. 4th to take advantage of this spectacular deal – If you’re in the area, give our friends at LionWindowsAndDoors.com a call to get started.

Healthy Furniture

Most conventional furniture and accessories on the market today is made overseas with little regard for the raw materials that are wastefully excavated, the pollution that is created during manufacturing, packaging and transport, or the unfair wages and working conditions many factory employees endure. Some ways to ensure against these conditions include: shopping local, repurposing old furniture by refinishing or recovering, and shopping antiques. 

Grey Water Plumbing and Dual-Flush or Composting Toilets

Composting toilets have been around since the 1930s in Scandinavian countries. They require no water, are cost effective, and require less maintenance than conventional septic tank or sewer line toilet systems. Using greywater has many benefits including reducing consumption of water, lessening the loads on municipal water systems and treatment plants, reducing energy usage, and allowing the water tables to recharge.