March 2008 IFSG Connections -- Green Design

We are thrilled to announce the winner of the Rename the Grapevine contest as Betty Perkins!

What a difficult decision! The creative spirit of the Guild was alive and well as many of our IFSG members submitted fantastic suggestions for the new name of the IFSG E-zine! That's what made this so tough!

But it was important to us that we find a name that embraces our content, direction, and intent of the IFSG E-zine. This publication goes to over 2,000 subscribers which includes IFSG members. Not all subscribers are Feng Shui practitioners, but we all share a passion for Feng Shui!

So, after working through the nearly 30 suggestions, the IFSG Board of Directors brought the list down to 4 which were then voted on by IFSG members this past week. In a very tight race between two fan favorites, one name narrowly edged out the other by just a few votes. We love the name, and hope you do too, because it really speaks to the intention and energy that makes this organization so amazing for our members and the public. We shortened the name from The Guild Connection to Connections as the "IFSG" was already part of the name.

Thank you so much to those who participated in both the creative process and the down-to-the-minute voting! It was fun to receive email after email from so many of you -- your voice is important to us! Many of you wrote how you liked the idea of connecting around the world, making Connections a fantastic choice! Our look will continue to evolve over the next few months, so check your in-box on the first of each month for the latest and greatest tips, news, and articles about Feng Shui around the world!

As the winner, Betty will be spotlighted in the IFSG member E-newsletter, the Quarterly; on the International Feng Shui Guild web site; and in the newly-named E-zine, Connections. Betty will also receive a free three-month full banner ad in the E-zine.

Congratulations Betty and welcome to the new

International Feng Shui Guild
presents
Connections
A free monthly publication full of articles and tips for today's lifestyle!

Have you visited the new IFSG Bookstore?

It's a truly special experience where you can find all the products and books by IFSG members available for sale at Amazon.com. We searched all of Amazon for all of our members and all of their products, a labor of love, to provide you with one stop shopping for some of the best resources available.

Search by category including Prosperity, Real Estate, Children and Teens, and even Foreign Language. We even have a special Feng Shui mystery category for an enjoyable fictional read. Who knew our members had such incredible talent? We did, and we want the world to know!

You can also search other books and products through Amazon by clicking on the "powered by Amazon" icon at the top right.

Don't wait! Start Shopping Today for the best Feng Shui resources you have been thinking about buying!

By Piper Salogga

As Feng Shui practitioners, we help our clients make interior design choices that are restorative and promote positive energy. Green design also creates positive energy for our clients, and the earth. Green choices include using materials that are recycled, biodegradable, and chemical-free, as well as items that are built to last longer, if not your lifetime. Locally produced materials also support the cause by using less energy to get to your door.

Feng Shui is rooted in the earth and its energies. When we choose green design to support the bagua elements (wood, metal, water, fire, or earth), we foster a richer connection to nature, to our bodies, and to our spirits.

Here are a few ways to integrate green design into your home or workplace:

· Recycle the clutter: Familiarize yourself with your municipality's recycling programs. Clothing and household items can go to your local Goodwill or charity. Many communities have stores that refurbish appliances and household fixtures. Encourage clients to donate or sell unwanted items before they consider sending them to a landfill.

· Paint: Improve the air's quality by using low-VOC paints. Similarly, latex-based stains are becoming increasingly sophisticated for home exteriors, as an alternative to oil-based paint. Consumer Reports has tested paints and stains and many low-VOC choices make the grade.

· Flooring: Before buying new flooring, consider bamboo, reclaimed or FSC-certified wood plank flooring. Cork, rubber and Marmoleum are other good choices, depending on the design and location. And when carpet is the right choice, consider rugs made of natural fibers such as wool with jute or low- chemical content backing. FYI, you can now ask big box stores to install carpets using non-toxic adhesives.  

Photo by Jaqui Ossenfort
· Furnishings: Choose items that are handcrafted, locally produced, or reclaimed. There are many more options today than there were just two years ago. Consider reupholstering a chair or mending a pillow instead of buying new. Going green does not mean losing style either. There are great, affordable modern, industrial and Asian-inspired designs in antique or second-hand stores, as well as new ones created from sustainable materials.

· Appliances: Buy energy-efficient appliances. Popular in Europe and Asia, tank-less water heaters have finally taken off in America. Your local appliance store can educate you about efficient, high-performance household appliances.

· Lighting: Just like sprinkler systems, a proper lighting plan can save you money on your electric bill by encouraging you to use only what you need. Low-watt bulbs and Smart Strips also support the cause. When remodeling, carefully placed skylights can help use natural light to its fullest advantage; vibrant daylight in a kitchen, bath, rec-room or office is definitely "good Feng Shui."

It's important to choose products that are built to last. A well-designed, green kitchen should last at least 30 years. Handmade cabinetry and other details will last even longer. Familiarize yourself with product options at eco-friendly design centers in your region.

As you can see, plants, chimes, and mirrors are no longer the only "cures" to a home needing an energy shift. Making green choices for your home or office can last a lifetime, connect you with nature, and lift the spirit.

By Susan Haifleigh

Green Design is one hot topic and continues to get hotter. With the advent of films like "An Inconvenient Truth" with Al Gore and daily news stories about the arctic ice cap melting, even the general public has become aware of our ongoing environmental challenges. If you haven't been paying attention to this trend, it's time to begin. There are many issues involved in addressing green design - from energy savings to use of materials. Daylighting, green roofs, water efficient appliances and locally procured materials are just some of the strategies that are being incorporated into both existing and new design projects. In addition, many design professionals are seeking out new education and using new tools that have been developed to analyze environments from a green perspective including Life Cycle assessments, the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system, and sustainable business practices.

I first began to take notice about ten years ago when I was trained in Healthy Homes through my certification in Denise Linn's Interior Alignment Program. In this program the focus on earth alignments, healthy materials, and clean air were emphasized as foundational factors to consider before making any adjustments to the environment. This was a huge wake up call for me, having practiced architectural design for decades I had never taken any of this into consideration.

It is obvious that this topic is a huge one. The possible areas that can be explored are vast. My advice to those of you who are just entering the "Green World" is to take one step at a time. There is a wealth of information available - for instance - on healthy materials. This area is relatively easy to learn and can be incorporated with ease into all aspects of your life.

A great way to get involved and get educated is to join your local chapter of one of the organizations promoting green and sustainable design practices. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGB) has chapters in every major metropolitan area. Almost every state has a program through their individual Departments of Energy. Sign up for newsletters and put yourself on email lists for announcements of conferences and courses through these agencies. It truly is a whole new ballgame, and I encourage you to see where you fit in. Even our small steps in this arena will make a difference, whether we're influencing the decisions on a multi-billion dollar project or the everyday life of a family with small children, these new ideas will come together to create a better way.

What is the Feng Shui Word of the Month?

Wood, also called mu

One of the Five Elements. Wood is associated with the directions East, and Southeast. The associated color is GREEN, numbers are three and four. Its movement is upward, expansive, symbolizing growth. Its shape is columnar.

Why go Green?

Of course it's chic to be GREEN! Celebrities around the world are telling us to do the "right thing" for the environment. But there are even more and better reasons to go GREEN!

Green products reduce exposure to air pollutants providing healthier, more enriching lives. Paints and wood preservatives emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which have short and long-term health effects, including symptoms ranging from eye, nose and throat irritation to cancer. Reducing VOCs in products reduces those health hazards for everyone and may improve the air quality in your home.

And green products are just plain good for the earth.

Here are some tips from the simple to the more complex to consider when thinking GREEN.

Maximize Natural Light
Using natural light in every room lowers energy costs and creates bright, peaceful, and healthy spaces.

Reduce Waste
Recycle newspapers, metal, glass, plastics, and other items whenever possible. Reduce dependence on fast food and other food storage that creates a lot of waste. Reuse and recycle plastic bags or better yet, use cloth or reusable bags. Find more information at www.recycle.com/.

Save Simply at Home
Try biodegradable soaps and cleaners. Use copier and fax paper with high recycled content. Reuse packing and shipping materials.

Save Energy
Use compact fluorescent light bulbs. Run dishwasher and clothes washer only when full. Turn your thermostat down in the winter and up in the summer saving approximately 4% on energy costs for every degree. Use ceiling fans year round to circulate air. Unplug electronics when they aren't in use, as they drain power even when not in use or turned off including chargers and power adapters. Use power strips to control multiple units. Use caulk and weather stripping and improve your home's insulation from leaks and drafts.

Look for the Energy Star Label
Look for Energy Star certification when shopping for appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, clothes washers, water heaters and many home electronics. Go to www.energystar.gov/ for more information.

Use Sustainable Products
Use green materials. Cork flooring is becoming more popular with its stylish look but also it's natural insulation abilities. Tropical hardwoods are great products and stand up to the elements for a long time. When choosing decking materials, choose wood harvested using sustainable methods, helping the environment and preserving endangered rainforests.

Go Low-Flow
Low-flow water fixtures including showerheads, faucets, and toilets reduce water use and heating costs by as much as 50 percent. Their often sleek design is a welcome addition to any new or remodeled space and their efficiency pays for itself in no time.

Sources:
Carter Oosterhouse's Efficiency Tips, HGTV's Red, Hot and Green special presentation
HGTV Green Kitchen Design
US Green Building Council: Green Ideas for Your Next Home Renovation

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