CLIMATE CHANGE—be part of the solution

DISCUSSION ABOUNDS on climate change but the simple questions are often overlooked. What does it actually mean, how will it affect you and how can we help combat the negative effects?

Essentially observed long term change in weather patterns ranging from decades to many years, climate change may occur in an particular region or across the entire planet.

It’s effects can be seen in:
· Solar radiation
· Deviations in Earth’s orbit
· Greenhouse gas emissions
Simple earth-saving solutions for your home include:

· Install energy efficient light bulbs, LED and compact flurouscentnts
· Install a water tank
· Instead of air-conditioning implement cross-ventilation
What to know how our global government representatives, business leaders and civil society are acting on Climate Change? They will discuss how to build positive momentum for climate negotiations and how business can be part of the solution. Follow the United Nations Leadership Forum on Climate Change coming up on 22 September in New York.

LIGHT INTERIORS: & how to create them

AIRY, CLEAN, FRESH and bright. There are few things more refreshing than a brilliantly fresh room.

Start with the walls
A fresh coat of paint in a fresh white colour, eg DULUX Whisper White or White on White, (without creamy/yellow tinge)

Then the floors
Strip back carpet and replace with natural timber colour such as Style Plantation StyleBoard, natural or conventional bamboo, such as natural vertical or horizontal.

If you have tiles, choose a pale, natural, stone colour, like limestone or a porcelain colour. Fofi recommends www.trendgroupusa.com and www.improntacprontaceramica.com for tiles made from 45 % recycled body mixes in a range of colours and styles.

Any of these choices provide excellent stamina, pale natural colour and suits a casual, relaxing theme.
Then there’s furniture
Creams, pales and whites should be the dominant colours. Making the space more spacious these colours and calming and easy on the eye

Regardless of style you’ll still achieve an atmosphere of tranquillity if you maintain a common colour throughout.

For added light introduce a mirror (maybe instead of large artwork). Mirrors reflect light from the sun as it streams through the window or as it bounces off other adjacent walls and surfaces, like your white furniture. This has the effect of creating an illusion of more space and more light, contributing to the ‘airiness’ of the room.

And to finish, accessorise
This is where you can introduce an accent colour like pale blues, greens and turquoises in cushions, throws, vases, glassware.

Avoid more vibrant shades of reds and pinks which can arouse the senses.

Blues and greens are cool and calming adding to the sense of ‘lightness’ in the room.

Or just maintain the use of whites. Consider using metallic for their shimmer, another light reflecting tool and a touch of glamour. Eg seashells (natural and organic) or sequins, beading and achromatic sheeting. (for a glam look).

WWF: adopt your own member of an unique species & help take care of the planet

Make a bigger difference to the planet and ‘adopt’ a vulnerable species from around the globe. With WWF Australia you can adopt a panda, tiger, polar bear or even a penguin!
The money you donate will go towards protecting these species and their unique habitats. Go to WWF Australia for more information.

Solar energy

SOARING ENERGY prices make solar electricity even more of a smart investment. Yet despite being the sunniest continent on earth, Australia is falling behind the rest of the world in our use of solar panels.
Grid connect solar system
Solar panels are connected to the main electricity grid through power inverters. Solar cells (photovoltaic cells) are made of thin wafers of silicon covered by a strong glass coating, protecting these cells from the elements.
As the light falls on the panels it knocks electrons about and electricity is produced. A group of these cells make up a module which make up a solar panel.
Solar panels then absorb light (photons) and produce electricity, similar to how photosynthesis works in leaves and trees—absorbing light, making the plant grow.
A solar panel is similar as the panels of the roof absorb light to produce electricity. The panels create DC electricity, like the electricity in car batteries and is not the sort used in households.
· A small box (the inverter) converts this DC electricity into AC240vac for your home to be used straight away.
· No change is required to your power outlets for solar power to be used in your home
· You don’t always need the sun. Solar power doesn’t work on heat absorption, just light. Energy is produced even on cloudy days.
· When you are not generating solar power, like at night, you can supplement the power with electricity off your main power grid.
Visit Solarshop & Solarswitch
SolarBrick solar paving light
A UNIQUE SOLUTION for illuminating your landscaped areas, the solar brick paving light is fantastic for the environment.
Self contained, waterproof and easy to install. The light source is a LED that turns on automatically and is able to stay on for more than 12 hours from a fully charged ultracapicator.
Available in a range of colours and sizes and has many benefits. Eg, lasts more than 10 years and UV protected and scratch resistant, no expensive wiring required, super strong polycarbonate housing. For more information visit Hotbeam
Important Footnote
According to the recent edition of Choice magazine, changes to the federal government’s rebate for solar panels are likely to increase the cost of installing a solar PV system. Week feed-in tariff schemes discourage the uptake of solar panels.

Turning Japanese By Gaby, Great Divide

TASTEFULLY evolved over centuries, there is nothing new about Japanese interior design features. Even though western influences are increasingly noticeable, improvements in materials and processes are being made, the basics have been graciously preserved.
Very much in line with less is more, Japanese styling is all about quality over quantity.
· Designs are very simple, functional and clutter free.
· Furniture is grouped or placed towards the centre.
· Walls are an important. Perhaps an alcove to display an important collectable piece or to maximize impact.
· Neutral colours, taking hues from nature accentuate the look of orderliness. Off whites and blacks do not clash.
· Use vivid colours sparingly

Some Japanese textures and materials that immediately come to mind are cedar, rice paper, maple, bamboo, stone, and woven wicker. One might also think of textured silk, tatami floor mats, and the elaborate needlework of kimonos and obi’s.

As a focal point, like for example, red lacquer on a single bamboo post or column.

As with colour, when decorating aim for a balance of opposites. Interior finishes can be highly opposing and contrasting, and yet achieve balance.

· Highly polished floors with heavily textured mats, a lacquered box displayed on top of a rough wooden table, or white pebbles on a polished black granite ledge around a tub.
· A long grained cedar wood table or bench with a perfectly crafted, shining lacquered box. Floors of engineered bamboo hardwood surrounded by a single slab of quarry stone or polished concrete.
· Heavy texture of natural fiber mat with stretched taunt leather seating.

Making your garden more sustainable

It’s so easy to be so busy concentrating on the inside of your home, you forget about styling the garden.
A recent study in Britain showed that gardening can help offset the growing effects of global warming.
Here are some of the ways you can do it yourself:
· Swap your petrol lawnmower for a manual and cut emissions by 36kg of CO2 every year.
· Buy garden furniture made from sustainable products.
· Join a local gardening group
· Use a watering can instead of a sprinkler (sprinklers use 138 litres more of water).
· If you have a large garden dig in a low volume irrigation system with a timer.