Feb 12, 2010 Author: Carrie Moore
My husband and I recently took a trip to Beyu Caffe which just opened in the heart of downtown Durham in the historic art deco Snow Building on Main Street. The space was designed by Raleigh architect and interior design firm Hager Smith along with Beyu owner Dorian Bolden. The evening we ventured out was a cold, rainy February night and when we got to Beyu it was a relief to be in a space that was warm, cozy, and inviting.
The art deco style of the building has been carried through the interior with rich paint and fabric colors, bold and curvy shapes in furniture and lighting, and exotic finishes. The centerpiece of the cafe is the bar, which is made of Plyboo Neopolitan architectural plywood (available through CaraGreen). Neopolitan is made from 100% rapidly renewable bamboo, making it a sustainable choice, and it is available in Plyboo Pure (no added formaldehyde). Another green design feature at Beyu is the vintage furniture used in the space amongst new pieces; keeping furniture in use keeps it out of the landfill and reduces the need for new furniture, which saves valuable raw materials and energy that go into manufacturing. Beyu also focuses on supporting the local community. Artwork in the shop is from LabourLove Gallery, and depicts various scenes from the Bull City. And, much of their food is locally sourced.
Beyu offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with an extensive drink and dessert menu and live jazz music. For more info, visit Beyu's website. Pics from our evening at Beyu are below:
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Feb 08, 2010 Author: Lisa Feldman
It’s finally starting to happen. As LEED becomes more and more a part of construction projects across the country, the International Code Council, or ICC, has announced it is putting the finishing touches on the first International Green Construction Code. With its scheduled release in March of this year, this code will be an integrated green code for traditional and high- performance commercial buildings. The ICC pulled together multiple groups, such as the AIA, ASTM, and USGBC, just to name a few, to draft this code, which is designed to fully integrate with the existing ICC codes already in place in all 50 states. Although it will be 2012 before it’s gone through all of the reviews and public comment sessions and can be incorporated into the ICC Family of Codes, this is the first step towards making green building something we have to do, and not just want to do. California has started the trend with its recent adoption of CALGREEN, the first statewide green building code, which will go into effect January 1, 2011. With the IGCC’s release, it is only a matter of time before all states have adopted some sort of green building code. While this may add some responsibilit to the code inspector’s job, it will ultimately be a positive development and something that will benefit the building owner’s, tenants, and the employees who work in these buildings. Energy savings, water savings, and clean indoor air are always a good thing!
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Jan 19, 2010 Author: Carrie Moore
Join CaraGreen and participate in the Nature Conservancy’s Plant A Billion Trees program in 2010. CaraGreen’s goal is to plant 1,000 trees to help their effort to save the Atlantic Forest of Brazil.
This forest is one of the world’s most endangered tropical forests, with only 7% of its original area remaining. Coastal development, urban expansion, agriculture, exotic plantations, ranching, and illegal logging have all contributed to the degradation of this once vast and lush landscape.
Tropical forests are the lungs of the earth, storing enormous amounts of carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen in a never-ending cycle of life. The Atlantic Forest helps regulate the atmosphere and stabilize global climate. And, forests support 1 billion people on earth - their livelihoods, water supplies, energy and cultures. Plus, the Atlantic Forest is home to 23 species of primates, 1,000 species of birds, and over 20,000 species of plants, many of which are found nowhere else on earth.
The Conservancy is working to restore 2.5 million acres of land and planting 1 billion trees over the next 7 years. This reforestation effort will remove 10 million tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year, which is comparable to taking 2 million cars off the road. The ecological and economical effects of the Plant A Billion Trees campaign will be felt locally and globally.
At just $1 a tree, there’s never been a conservation project of this scale that's been so within the world's reach. To get the campaign started, CaraGreen is planting 400 trees in honor of our best customers in 2009. We hope you’ll join in to help ensure even more lasting results for the earth’s last great places. Just click the image to get started!
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Dec 15, 2009 Author: Carrie Moore
Sitzer Spuria Studios recently used White Diamond Bio-Glass for the vanity top in a master bath they designed. They selected the material because of its beauty (inside and out). The clients fell in love with the material as soon as they saw it. One of the designers on the project, Beverly Dawson, remarked that the glass is the color of water, so it beckons to be used in a bathroom. The material has a rare luminosity and clarity that make it a showpiece. And, they love it's story - the fact that the material is 100% recycled adds to its beauty. Custom Stone and Marble in Durham, NC fabricated and installed the glass top. The backspash tile selected to complement the Bio-Glass top is MW Glass Mosaic in Satin Grey Mix and the cabinets are a light washed oak.
Here are a few tips from Sitzer Spuria Studios for designing with Bio-Glass:
-Bio-Glass should be supported with a substrate, so designing this layer into the cabinet is essential to a successful installation.
-The lighter colors of Bio-Glass (White Diamond and Oriental Jade) take on the color of the substrate they are placed on. The substrate should be a uniform color, which can be achieved by painting the substrate. Sitzer Spuria Studios recommends Sherwin Williams White Mint for the White Diamond Bio-Glass and Greening for the Oriental Jade Bio-Glass.
- Instruct the installer to use a modest amount of clear adhesive around the edges of the top for a flawless installation.
-Sink options to consider, other than undermount, are drop-in sinks and vessel sinks which would work beautifully with the material.
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