Going Green

Ah, those lazy, crazy, hazy days of summer! ... outdoor fun & games, picnics, backyard barbecues, beachside sunbathing, and neighborhood block parties.

Wait, that's not how your summer is going? Well ... sometimes our workloads don't always shift along with the temperatures, which leaves us little time to enjoy the summer sun. So, if you find yourself staring out your office window thinking summer has passed you by, it might be time to re-prioritize your schedule.

That's not to say you should suddenly become a beach bum, but if you incorporate some small changes into your work routine, you might find you're more productive (and happier).

Start with taking some time at lunch to go outside and enjoy a little sunshine (soak up some Vitamin D). Consider holding business meetings in pleasant locations like an outdoor café or park. Get up early to watch the sun rise. Whatever summer activities you enjoy, find the time to squeeze them into your day. Make it a priority to have a healthy work/life balance, and you will feel much more refreshed and ready to take on whatever the summer has to offer. (Remember, no one's ever had their epitaph read, "If only I had spent more time at work.")

In honor of summer, this month's newsletter features articles and photos on a variety of topics that relate to the nation's hottest topic: "going green". This can apply to recycling, home improvement, building products, landscaping, and so much more.

We've included a variety of informational snippets in all of these areas, as well as some humor, trivia, and organizing tips. . . . . Happy reading!

• Did You Know
• Eco-Friendly Corrugated Blocks
• DIY disasters
• Closet City Green Living
• Play "dress up"
• Growing Demand for Smaller, More Efficient Homes

DID YOU KNOW?

Lighting, refrigeration and cooking are responsible for 41 percent of a home's energy consumption, according to the US Department of Energy. And, a leak of only one drop of water per second wastes over 2,000 gallons of water per year, or the equivalent of running 160 full cycles on an automatic dishwasher.

• Paper products make up approximately 40 percent of our trash.
• Every day Americans recover more than 2 million pounds of paper.
• More than one third of all fiber used to make paper comes from recycled paper.
• The average American uses 650 pounds of paper per year.
• Each ton of recycled paper can save 17 trees, 380 gallons of oil, three cubic yards of landfill space, 4000 kilowatts of energy, and 7000 gallons of water.

(Wow! get your unwanted paper in the recycle bin NOW!)

In case you weren't aware, Closet City provides personalized storage solutions for every room (not just closets!) — including Murphy beds, wall units, and custom cabinetry.

We offer our clients the following:

• Lifetime guarantee
• High-quality, furniture-grade materials and hardware
• Vast assortment of accessories and organizational products
• Loaner racks available during closet transformations
• Paint and prep of existing closet prior to transformation
• Enviro-conscious, "green" NAUF and LEED certified materials available
• Typical one-day, professional installation by our own skilled craftsmen
• Newly updated website and renovated showroom!

Eco-Friendly Corrugated Blocks

The Murphy Bed company strives for better sustainable solutions...

Their current bed frame hardware is packaged in a corrugated, recyclable box and then protected inside the box by pre-cut polyethylene foam. Concerned about the synthetic material used for the inner packaging, Murphy Bed has decided to exchange the polyethylene foam with a new environmentally-friendly product.

This unique product is designed to provide an effective and protective inner packaging solution. The current foam fillers will be replaced with "Recycled Corrugated Blocks" which are produced with previously processed raw materials and a completely water soluble adhesive compound. Once the intended packaging function has been served by these blocks, they can be easily recycled or reprocessed again together with any other cardboard-type materials or products.

(Closet City is an authorized retailer of Murphy Beds and offers a variety of bed/storage/desk combinations)

DIY Disasters

As homeowners deal with economic pressure, many are trying to save money by doing jobs around the house themselves. Often, they end up with disastrous (and more expensive) results.

A recent poll of homeowners found 83% of respondents go the do-it-yourself route because they want to save money. However, one in five who attempted a DIY project still had to call in a pro to finish the job, and in many cases, undo the damage they had done.

One respondent explained that he installed his own deck, but a major problem came later, when he realized he installed the planks upside down. The wood began to warp and has become a tripping hazard. Needless to say, that homeowner is now calling in a professional to redo the job.

More than a few DIYers ended up in the ER, including one who nearly cut his fingers off with a table saw. In a turn of events worthy of a prime time sitcom, he ran to the bathroom, tripped and hit his head on the deck he was trying to build, ending up with a twisted ankle, three cut fingers and a concussion.

Remodeling professionals were also polled to see what DIY disasters they’ve remedied for homeowners. More than 88% of respondents said they’ve fixed at least one DIY disaster, and of those, 80% of respondents said the fix was more expensive than hiring a professional in the first place. Common issues that needed to be fixed were plumbing and electrical work, carpet installation, and painting, but problems also extended to pet grooming mishaps, tree removal, and stair installation.

Closet City Green Living

Sensitive to the environment and aware of the growing interest in "Green Living", Closet City now carries a number of products that help builders meet LEED point requirements and satisfy clients who are committed to user-friendly products for their living environment. Closet City also carries 7 unique finishes of furniture-grade laminate materials with no-added urea formaldehyde (NAUF) to satisfy those who are sensitive to chemicals.

Play "dress up"

Conquer clutter by shopping in your own closet! The next time you are putting laundry or dry cleaning away, grab a few clothes that you haven't worn since who-knows-when and try them on (preferably in front of a mirror).

For the items that you would absolutely purchase again, put them back where they belong and make a mental note to start wearing them again. What you keep must fit, still be in style, and not need any repairs or alterations. Don't let the fact that you paid a lot guilt you into keeping something -- remember, your closet is prime real estate!

For items you would NOT buy again or that don't fit anymore, immediately place them in a bag for donating to charity or sale at a thrift shop. Then the next time you go out, take the bag to its new home so you don't change your mind or second guess a decision. What doesn't fit YOU anymore will be a welcome blessing to someone else that it DOES fit.

An occasional half-hour of "dress up" will help you eliminate some clutter in your closet, will dispose of items no longer appealing to you, and will provide new wardrobe items to folks in need. Plus, you never know what long-lost treasure you'll discover and can re-introduce to your main wardrobe. Go shopping in your own closet!

Growing Demand for Smaller, More Efficient Homes

According to The American Institute of Architects' (AIA) first quarter 2009 "Home Design Trends Survey," demand for less living space and overall smaller-sized homes has increased in recent years. Homeowners also are showing a greater preference for lower ceilings and fewer two-story foyers than in past years. The costs of heating and cooling homes with high-volume living spaces and excess square footage have become onerous for many homeowners, particularly during the housing and economic downturn.

Architects report that interest in home improvements such as finished basements and attics and outdoor living features remain popular. As the housing boom has passed, there seems to be a renewed interest in investing in properties to make homes more livable, as opposed to real estate that can be resold quickly for a profit. Interest in enhancements that improve accessibility and enable homeowners to remain in their homes as their physical abilities change has remained high. Sixty-three percent of surveyed architects reported increased inquiries for in-home accessibility features; 49% said access into and out of homes were top concerns for homeowners. Respondents also indicated increased client interest in open layouts (50%) and more requests for single-floor plans (34 %).

Interest in outdoor living elements also remains high, although it decreased slightly from last year's reported numbers. Topping the list of outdoor living and landscaping trends are low-maintenance landscaping (67%), outdoor living space (60%), and blended indoor/outdoor living (51%).

Source: Custom Home Online, June 2009

So much more than Closets!

For information about how Closet City can help your remodeling project, de-cluttering your house or customizing while downsizing give us a call at 1-800-342-0070!

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