Maui Interior Designer Valorie Spence of Interior Design Solutions believes you should create a green design remodel that is ecologically sound, beautiful, and cost effective for the owners.

Her company, IDS, took a deluxe spacious two bedrooms, two bath villa on Kapalua Bay Golf Course, built in 1977; the gracious unit was ready for a renovation. IDS specified green products when possible and reupholstered sound furniture pieces instead of discarding.

The clients’ cost goals worked with their green perspective in many ways:

• Flooring is 18” natural limestone, very durable and long life expectancy-decades, even centuries, eliminating replacement and amortizing client’s costs over a long time period. Stone has no emissions profile, does not off-gas and a low VOC sealer was specified.
• Royalty Carpet was used combining cost effectiveness and environmentally responsible manufacturing because each of their products is certified as safe under the CRI Green Label program.
• Wall treatment is Sherwin William Harmony interior paint, low-odor, contains less solvents, zero-VOC's.
• Recycled glass mosaics from Walker Zanger. Kitchen backsplash: Sonoma Tilemakers recycled Tantrum tiles.
• Twice the natural light now floods into the bedroom via the entry doors which were made with 3-Form eco-resin panel insets.
• Plumbing selections are low flow water use without sacrificing the showering experience. Toilets specified with 1.28 gpf, and the Kohler Water Tiles conserve with a luxurious, spa-type atmosphere. The Water Tiles Hand-held showers have built-in water restricting devices. Separate thermo balance/volume controls eliminate water waste when turning on/off.
• Energy efficient dimmable low voltage Xenon and recessed lighting is used throughout for ambient and focal lighting. Ultra long life and energy efficient LED under cabinet lighting was specified. Bathroom lights are on adjustable motion sensors saving energy and increasing safety.
• Existing furniture was refinished and reupholstered when possible. Several pieces of custom furniture were made for the project. It is a good feeling to know we kept many pieces out of the landfill.
• The window treatments are woven woods and grass weaves renewable, sustainable materials. The textures add a great island feel in a very subtle way
• Cherry cabinets used throughout are formaldehyde free, renewable, plentiful, and sustainable. We extended the dining room three feet, which gave us an amazing kitchen re-design.

Owners and designer are thrilled with the outcome. We hope you are all encouraged to work towards greener designed homes.