Sweeping Views ! White Water , Main Beach , North Coast , Hillside & City Lights !
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DECEMBER 8 , 2023 COASTALREALESTATEGUIDE . COM
Healing Homes
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are a priority ,” she says . ( One way to avoid purchasing toxic furniture is by looking for pieces that are Greenguard certified by UL Solutions , which means items have been screened for certain chemicals and VOCs , meeting a stricter set of safety standards ).
Notably , in May , Duffek opened the doors to her north Laguna showroom , Pure Design House , which does this research and legwork for clients and shoppers , featuring sustainable furniture in addition to other mindful building materials and furnishings . Each piece in this showroom at 427 N . Coast Highway , is displayed with a card that offers details about the item , who designed it and where it came from ; much of the furniture is Scandinavian . Anyone may visit without an appointment to get ideas for creating a healthier home .
“ Everything in our showroom is sourced responsibly and vetted to make sure that it is made from all nontoxic , clean and sustainable materials . … We work with industry experts to help us with our vetting and sourcing of nontoxic building materials and furnishings . We look at pollutants , like off-gassing , and everything from how things are manufactured to what glues they use ,” Duffek says .
DETOX IN THE DETAILS Of course , a complete renovation or furniture overhaul isn ’ t feasible for many . “ Paint is one of the easiest changes to implement . Plus , you can change any home with [ new ] paint color ,” says Duffek , who recommends nontoxic limewash paint , common in European homes for hundreds of years and which she opted for in her own home . Limewash , made by crushing and heating limestone and mixing it with water and natural pigments , is brush-applied and not only creates a unique texture and aesthetic , but it ’ s also about as natural and eco-friendly as it gets : It contains zero VOCs and its high pH level means it can
even help fight mildew and bacteria . Duffek also likes American Clay ’ s sustainable clay plasters , a nontoxic alternative for interior walls .
Berman and her clients , too , opt to look well beyond aesthetics when it comes to deciding what ’ s going to decorate their walls and floors . “ Paints and wallpapers with low- VOC content are becoming increasingly available , offering a healthier alternative to conventional options ,” Berman says , adding that carpets and rugs made from natural fibers or those with low-VOC emissions are gaining popularity and are an easy-to-implement switch . “ Natural fiber rugs … [ made from ] materials like jute , sisal or wool , which are sustainable and emit fewer chemicals compared to synthetic options ,” Berman adds .
All three designers agree that bedding is both a highly accessible and critical area to consider when it comes to purifying and detoxing . “ We spend a lot of time in bed sleeping and want those restorative hours to be as healthy as possible . So , our mattress and bedding selections become an important part of providing a nontoxic home ,” McDennon says .
Simply swapping out conventional mattresses , many of which are laden with toxic materials , for one made with organic materials like latex , cotton or wool , has a big impact . Berman ’ s clients , too , are reaching for bedding made from organic cotton , bamboo and other natural fibers . “ These materials are hypoallergenic , breathable and free from harmful chemicals commonly found in traditional bedding ,” Berman says .
McDennon adds the following advice : “ When shopping on your own , it ’ s important to carefully read labels and make sure your bedding is all natural . Just because it feels soft does not mean it ’ s all natural and without chemicals . Look for certified organic labels and stay away from linens treated with fire retardants , as those are the worst offenders .”
Even the smallest decorative items can make an impact on lowering the number of toxins in your home . “ Incorporating interesting indoor plants not only
Natural elements in this room , with interior design by Lisa McDennon , include a limestone feature wall , modern chairs upholstered with premium organic linen fabric and more .
enhances aesthetics but also improves indoor air quality and reduces stress ,” Berman suggests . Meanwhile , McDennon loves a good nontoxic candle : Nuance ’ s Kobo candles , which are made with 100 percent sustainably sourced , non-GMO wax and boast lead-free wicks and phthalate-free fragrances that smell great , are among the shop ’ s bestselling items .
With countless options available and endless opportunities to detox or replace what you have with something cleaner , it ’ s easy to feel overwhelmed . But Duffek says that starting somewhere — making just one small change — is what matters . “ And it doesn ’ t mean it has to be more expensive ,” she says . “ It ’ s really just about educating ourselves .”
Sweeping Views ! White Water , Main Beach , North Coast , Hillside & City Lights !
Gary
Gary Boisen Realtor ® | 949.274.2236 gary . boisen @ compass . com DRE 01332242
In Escrow
1325 La Mirada St ., Laguna Beach 3 Bed | 2 Bath | $ 2,249,000
Compass is a licensed real estate broker ( 01991628 ) in the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws . All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only . Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors , omissions , changes in price , condition , sale , or withdraw without notice . To reach the Compass main office call 310.230.5478 .