Sunday, October 11, 2009

Eco-Green is Gorgeous: A Personal Tour of the CharityWorks GreenHouse

The CharityWorks Greenhouse proves that Green is the new Gorgeous, in so many ways. I'm sure the following statement will seem archaic in 10 years, but unless someone told you this was eco-conscious green design you wouldn't know. I would like to thank Annette Hannon of Annette Hannon Interior Design for giving me a personal 2 hour tour and for spending as much time providing insights into all the rooms as much as her own. Annette's beautiful petite suite is only 115 square feet and it envelopes you in a sense of calm refinement. A central feature is the custom built-in bed and bookcases that completely conceal the fact that the window placement is off-center. A pitched ceiling was changed to 10 feet to also deemphasize the small footprint. The mattress, from a Virginia based firm, is organic, eco-smart and vegan friendly. I think this type of mattress would be especially interesting to parents seeking a healthy sleeping environment for their children.
Annette is well know for her attention to details. Notice the micro-pleats along the top of the valance, they mirror those on the bolsters (first pic). The curtains are made from sustainable linen from Pollack Associates that exceed LEED requirements and the pillows were fabricated by Bella Studios.
Another element of green design is the use of furniture that already exists - in this case a Swedish antique chair and desk. The walls are painted with Farrow & Ball paint, which exceeds all European environmental standards, and then finished over with a naturally eco-friendly Milk Paint from PA to create a crackle finish.
At first glance, the walls appear to be wallpapered but they are coverd in an Elizabeth Eakins fabric that is woven in CT and utilizes natural vegetable dyes. A rose pink gimp ribbon trims out the walls - one more detail that makes a lovely impact.
Doesn't this vignette make you want to settle in and write some letters? - check out this vintage stationary!. The bracelet is vintage too, found at the Big DC Flea.
Annette also designed this very pretty bathroom with the found sea shell mirror. The walls are painted in Farrow & Ball Pink Ground and the photos to the left are by photographer, Angie Seckinger.
Annette had the patterned roman shade interlined in pink fabric which creates a lovely effect with the sunlight.
The shower is tiled with recyled glass and the shower curtains with valance are custom embroidered in her own design. The towels are bamboo and vintage linen.

The stone floors were sealed in a water based finish as opposed to a higher VOC product.

I will be featuring more elements of the Charity Works GreenHouse in future posts. Hopefully just enough to convince you not to miss out on this must-see showhouse! Located in McLean, VA, it is open now until October 30th - click here to buy tickets and for additional info.

More good news - the money raised from this Showhouse will benefit the Friendship Public Charter School, Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, and the McLean Project for the Arts. Go here to read more about these worthy charities - (I will be posting more about each charity in subsequents post on the showhouse)

17 comments:

the.neo.lifestyle said...

hello,

what a nice interior, she really has an eye for detail :-)


David

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Wow...that was a beautiful place. Love all the details. And your photos were huge and sumptuous!

Thanks!

Lauren said...

oh can't wait to see this in person!! (my mom & i are going) beautiful beautiful!!!

xoxo

Champagne on Tuesdays said...

Beautiful. Lots of shelf inspiration, too.

Developing Designs said...

Wow.....beautiful! She was able to make a huge statement in such a small space(s)...She really nailed it with every detail. This DEFINITELY has me yearning for more and looking forward to seeing the house. Thank you for sharing all the wonderful images.

pve design said...

I love spaces that exude a calm, yet warm ambiance.
The level of restraint, in an eco-green way has proved a personal yet worldly spot! The restraint, the details, the simplicity is all lovely.
Bravo!
pve

Renée Finberg said...

she's is GOOD!
i love built in beds... and the shelving is faboo.
but, best of all is WALLPAPER or wall covering.
i can't help it, i love a beautifully wallpapered room.
xx

LindsB said...

What a great eco-friendly space, I'm really loving the glass tile in the shower!

Rex said...

We were honored to have our CozyPure® EcoVegan mattress featured in the CharityWorks GreenHouse. We know that even though our organic mattress was covered, there was careful consideration in the selection of our mattress; that all variables were evaluated in order to select the best, purest mattress available. Thanks again!

AnneHH said...

I have to give a special shout out to Annette Hannon. I worked with her four years ago to create a master bedroom/bathroom retreat for my husband and me and she was wonderful. In fact, I loved the process so much, I said goodbye to my legal career and started my own interior design company with two friends. But, I always say, it all started with Annette and her ability to make the process so much fun. Congrats on a beautiful room in the Greenhouse!
Michele, thanks for doing such a wonderful job capturing the rooms with your beautiful photos.

MEADE DESIGN GROUP said...

Great interiors! Elegant and relax - the best combo ever!

Verdigris Vie said...

Wow - i can't beleive that is fabric.. I think it's beautiful. And gorgeous vintage linens..
Definitely looking forward to more.

Windlost said...

Gosh, everything is so lovely. It is such a pretty collection of spaces, with a collected-over-time quality that I adore.

Love love!

Terri xo

Vespamom said...

I know it's hard to imagine, but Annettes' room is even dreamier "in person" - like being inside a jewel box!
Vespamom.

Clooncundra Home said...

Michele,
I can't thank you enough for the wonderful coverage of the showhouse! Your attention to each designer's details is just amazing and one thing (of many) that sets your blog in a much beloved stratosphere among design aficionados. And to our fantastic client Anne - don't kid yourself...if we didn't have clients like you be such willing participants in the design journey or such knowledgeable & trusted trade professionals to work with we wouldn't be nearly as fun!

All the best,
Annette

Megan said...

I wish I could have seen this in person, I'm blown away by the details and attention to eco-friendly design. What a wonderful space!

Anonymous said...

The 'green' movement has its influence in home decorations and designs. I really liked the different materials that was used in the Charity Works Greenhouse. I exceptionally like the recycled tiles. We used glazed recycled tile flooring (tampa) when we renovated our bathroom. It was a god design idea since light colored glass can make the room luminescent.

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