Deconstructing the . . . Green Kitchen

Matt Hoots of The Hoots Group says he had been sitting on plans for a “green” kitchen for nearly two years before these Alpharetta homeowners contacted his firm about doing a “green” renovation of their existing builder’s grade white kitchen. The husband, an environmental lawyer, was concerned about the effects of toxins released during construction on the health of their family. Architect Jimmy Carrion used sustainable woods and chemical-free materials, mitigating the invasiveness of the project and providing an environment with improved air quality, plenty of natural light, and little “off-gassing.”

Cabinets  The cabinets are made from sustainable woods and certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which equates to responsibly forested materials. Green woods are insurance for the family’s future, as they are formaldehyde-free with no toxic glues. The stains are low-VOC (volatile organic chemicals), eliminating the strong, toxic fumes. Columbia pure-bond plywood, manufactured at Timber Mountain Fine Cabinetry.

Tile backsplash  The tiles are nonporous porcelain, a material that is water-, allergy- and bacteria-resistant, making the back splash low-maintenance but durable.

Countertops  The countertops are Cambria quartz, a natural stone product. Cambria meets GREENGUARD indoor air quality standards, and its nonporous surface prevents absorption of harmful bacteria. It doesn’t require sealing or maintenance to protect the surface. cambriausa.com.

Flooring  The homeowners chose to reuse the floors from their previous kitchen, so The Hoots Group stripped away the old high-VOC finishes and applied a clear coat of water-based, low-VOC stain, which dries in about four to six hours and carries very little odor, which goes away as it dries.

Appliances  The homeowners elected to keep their refrigerators, ovens and microwave from their old kitchen. The cooktop and hood, bought new, are Energy Star-approved Kenmore Elite.

Paint  The paints are Benjamin Moore Eco-Spec, a low-VOC product. All paint has an M1 additive to help protect against mold growth. benjaminmoore.com.

Lighting  All the lighting is Energy Star-approved and from Masterpiece Lighting, (404) 897-9977.

INSIDE INFORMATION

Recycling and Reusing  Cabinets from the preexisting kitchen were given to homeowners who could reuse them, saving them from landfills. Built-in recycling bins and compost storage reduce consumer waste.

Plumbing  The faucets are lead-free and run through an existing filtration system.

Adhesives and Caulking  All contain either low- or no-VOCs.

DESIGN DETAILS
The Hoots Group
(404) 474-7379
thehootsgroup.com