Driveway
strips :
Does a driveway really need all that concrete? We didn't think
so, so we cut the amount of material needed by about 50% by pouring
only 2' strips. The sides and middle were later filled with recyled
concrete gravel. The parking pad at the end of the driveway was
made completely out of the recycled concrete gravel, creating
a pervious surface that facilitates better drainage into the back
yard.
The
most important room in the house: Always
enjoyed billiards, and now I can practice anytime. There's nothing
energy efficient or particularly environmentally friendsly about
this feature, but this room is going to provide many, many evenings
of fun. Now, if I can only figure out how to get Jeanette
Lee to provide some personal lessons....
Very cool bathtub: Hunter-Reising
found this bathtub in the basement of another home they had bought
and renovated. A little work, chrome paint and new hardware, and
its the best plumbing fixture in the house. The map on the wall
is a great product from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources,
detailing the Georgia coastline - and our lightly developed barrier
islands. It gives lots of good cultural and natural history of
places like Cumberland and Sapelo Islands, Darien, Savannah and
more. They were only $5, and you can get your own at their website
or at (912) 264-7218.
Built-in
entertainment center: The
built-in serves as an entertainment center from this side, and
as a serving buffet for the dining area on the other side. As
often as possible we tried to design this house with rooms, built-ins,
and features that played more than one role - hopefully making
the overall layout of the house more efficient and useful. The
wiring for the stereo components can be reached from an access
door hidden inside the closet behind the left side of the entertainment
center. The other major service it provides to this open space
layout is to act as a visual dividing line between the varied
uses of the room. A Not
So Big House concept.
Kayak
storage : Craig
Reising was able to use some leftover 2"x4" to build
this kayak storage rack. The actual cradles were bought from Talic
Industries, but the rest of the framing is salvaged.
Basement
built-ins : Some
of the construction workers thought the extra Shaw
tiles did a really great job of covering the hardwoods and
keeping their muddy shoes off of it. Of course, they were supposed
to be replacement tiles for when the ones in the house needed
replacing. But I cleaned them up and created this little area
for a home gym - which will be that when I get around to buying
things like a bench and dumbells. The workbench on the left is
made out of scrap pieces from the framing and the recycled deck.
That thing in the middle of the floor is the nest of snakes I
keep in the basement for security.
Master
bedroom : The
carpet in the bedrooms is also a Shaw product, this time made
out of recycled Coke bottles. The pad underneath is also made
out of recycled materials.
Energy
Star washer and dryer:
A
front loading washer is amazingly energy efficient both in water
use and energy. They are price competitive now with more conventional
models, and will usually pay for themselves in very short order.
And they are gentler on your clothes, extending their life as
well. To learn more about energy efficient appliances, visit the
website for the
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. The house
also has an Energy Start dishwasher (Asko)
and refrigerator (Amana).
