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UNLIMITED OPTIONS. EXPERT ADVICE Carpet. Flooring. Area Rugs. Ceramic Tile. Window Coverings . Custom Drapery. Painting. Color Consultation. Closet Systems. Cabinetry , Home Automation. Home Theatre. Multi-room Sound Systems.. And so much more

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Flooring Division

Love Your Planet. Love Your Home. Going green in your home no longer means sacrificing your personal style -- introducing Green Home by My Decorator.

Our eco-friendly interior design experts will open your eyes to a new world of possibilities to conserve energy and live lightly while looking stylish. With our FREE in-home green design review, you'll learn how easy it is to incorporate eco-friendly and stylish products into your home décor.

Whatever your personal style -- from traditional to transitional to modern -- our green home designers will incorporate your existing decor into a new earth-friendly design for every room of your home.

.

Love Your Planet. Love Your Home

You don't have to choose between being a trendsetter and a tree hugger. With simple and stylish green updates, you're on your way to an eco-friendly and fabulously fashionable home!

The Green Home Collection by My Decorator makes it easy with stylish, natural choices for every room of your home that won't break the bank or the planet.

Our eco-friendly interior design experts will open your eyes to a new world of possibilities to conserve energy and live lightly while looking great.

You'll learn how easy it is to incorporate sustainable and stylish products into your home decor.

Love your planet. Love your home. Love the possibilities.

The Green Home Collection by

My Decorator.

Call My Decorator today for a FREE design consultation, FREE financing for a year,

and $100 dollars off your purchase!

offer code: GO GREEN


Green Home A Commitment to Sustainability The Shaw Green Edge

Green. It’s something we never forget


Green Home

Flooring Division

Going green doesn’t mean sacrificing sophistication and style. With flooring products from My Decorator, you get sustainable- and beautiful– flooring. Our product s just aren’t good for your home there’re good for the environment. .

Tile and stone products from My Decorator provide easy ways to get creative with your home and are the perfect choice for kitchens, bathrooms and en-try-ways—resisting moisture, stains and bacteria. They come in a range of ceramic, porcelain and stone tile with a variety of accents and grout col-ors —allowing for countless deign possibilities.

Tile and Stone

Epic Hardwood Flooring Epic Hardwood flooring features EnviroCore™, a high density fiber core derived from recycled wood fiber which means fewer trees are used with less waste. Epic 3/8" hardwood uses 50% less harvested wood than comparable engineered wood flooring and it comes from managed forests. The hardwood is not only friendly to the environment but fashionable and available in a variety of species, shades and finishes.

Wall to Wall Carpeting My Decorator’s carpet options are packed with innovative features making it softer, tougher and more stain-resistant than ever before. It is made from Anso® Nylon which contains recycled content and is available in a variety of styles making it not only responsible—but fashionable..

Carpet insulates up to 17 times better than other flooring.

Carpet can lower your energy bills.

And, as every dog knows, carpet just feels warmer.

The warm comfort that carpet provides is not just your imagina-tion. Unlike other types of flooring, carpet is a natural insulator, providing additional warmth in cold seasons.

The use of carpet in a wall-to-wall application actually increases the R-value, or insulation level, of the carpet area, potentially sav-ing homeowners like you utility costs while reducing energy use. The R-value (thermal resistance) measures how much a ma-terial resists the movement of heat through a ceiling, wall, or floor in a building. The higher the number, the more effective the insu-lation.

Recently, tests carried out at the Johns Manville Technical Center Thermal Labs, one of the most sophisticated laboratories of its kind in the world, confirm carpet and pad significantly increase R-value compared to other flooring materials. Results varied according to the carpet's construction, with heavier products generally provid-ing higher R– value. Carpets were tested with and without cush-ion, and the combination maximized the R-value. Carpet really is warmer.

Test results from the different carpet constructions were compared to three hard surface products - ceramic tile, laminate, and engi-neered hardwood - and the differences were dramatic:

Carpet vs. engineered hardwood: From 3 to 7 times the R-value. Carpet vs. laminate: From 4 to 8 times the R-value. Carpet vs. ceramic tile: From 8 to 17 times the R-value

Carpet with cushion represents a clear advantage in insulation

capability over hard surface flooring. Of course, potential energy

cost savings by using carpet and cushion in lieu of hard surfaces

will vary widely. The type of floor construction, local energy costs,

climate, and carpet/cushion type all affect how significant these

savings could be.

Dr. Alan Hedge, professor of Department of Design and Environ-

mental Analysis at Cornell University, also cites thermal comfort as

another of carpet's advantages. "Carpet feels warmer to the touch

than other floor coverings because the air at room temperature is

trapped by the carpet fibers which acts as an insulator, and carpet

has a low thermal diffusivity compared to other floor materials that

have higher thermal diffusivities and that conduct heat away from

the body more rapidly, resulting in a lower skin temperature,

Flooring Division

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Window Covering Division


Home Technologies Division


Color Consultation & Paint Division


Indoor air is three times more polluted than outdoor air, and according to the EPA, is considered one of the top 5 hazards to human health. Paints and finishes are among the leading causes. Paints and finishes release low level toxic emissions into the air for years after application. The source of these toxins is a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which, until recently, were es-sential to the performance of the paint

New environmental regulations, and consumer demand, have led to the development of low-VOC and zero-VOC paints and finishes. Most paint manufacturers now produce one or more non-VOC vari-ety of paint. These new paints are durable, cost-effective and less harmful to human and environmental health.

Benefits Health. Reduced toxins benefit everyone, including those with allergies and chemical sensitivities. Environment. Reduces landfill, groundwater and ozone depleting contaminants. Effective. Low-VOC products perform well in terms of coverage, scrubability and hideability (covering flaws on previous coats). Water-Based. Easy cleanup with soap and warm water. Little or No Hazardous Fumes. Low odor during application; no odor once cured. No off-gassing. Painted areas can be occupied sooner, with no odor complaints. Not Deemed Hazardous Waste. Cleanup and disposal greatly simplified.

Types of Non-Toxic Paints and Finishes

The term "non-toxic" is used here in its broadest sense. With paints and finishes, it's more a mat-ter of degree. Even Zero-VOC formulations contain some small amounts of toxins. Here are three general categories of non-toxic (or low-toxic) paints: Natural Paints, Zero VOC, and Low VOC

Natural Paints and Finishes - These are paints made from natural raw ingredients such as water, plant oils and resins, plant dyes and essential oils; natural minerals such as clay, chalk and tal-cum; milk casein, natural latex, bees' wax, earth and mineral dyes. Water-based natural paints give off almost no smell. The oil-based natural paints usually have a pleasant fragrance of citrus or essential oils. Allergies and sensitivities to these paints is uncommon. These paints are the safest for your health and for

The Real Milk Paint Company - non-toxic paint made with milk protein, lime, clay and earth pigments. Www.realmilkpaint.com Aglaia - plant-based natural paints and finishes for many applications. Available throughout the UK. No US distribution. (www.aglaiapaint.com) Livos - organic paint, stains, oils and waxes made using all natural ingredients. Coatings are linseed oil and citrus oil based, non toxic, low VOC and are designed primarily for wood. (www.livos.us) Auro - solvent-free, water-based natural paints and primers, finishes, stains and adhesives. Ships to US and Canada. (www.auro.ca) EcoDesign's BioShield - line of natural paints and finishes. (www.bioshieldpaint.com) Weather-Bos - line of natural stains, finishes and paints. Blends of natural oils and resins designed to adhere to the wood, forming a monolithic bond. (www.weatherbos.com) SoyGuard - soy-based exterior stains, water repellants and sealers for wood surfaces. (www.soyguard.com) Silacote - made from natural mineral compounds, for use on masonry, concrete and wallboard; interior/exterior. (www.silacote.com) Anna Sova - natural paints from milk casein, titanium dioxide and food-grade ingredients. (www.annasova.com) Green Planet Paints - high performance natural paints for interiors based on plants and minerals.



Zero VOC - Any paint with VOC's in the range of 5 grams/litre or less can be called "Zero VOC", according to the EPA Reference Test Method 24. Some manufacturers may claim "Zero-VOC's", but these paints may still use colorants, biocides and fungicides with some VOC's. Adding a color tint usually brings the VOC level up to 10 grams/liter, which is still quite low.

AFM Safecoat - Flat interior latex; semi-gloss interior enamel. www.afmsafecoat.com (800-239-0321) ICI Lifemaster 2000 - Flat, Eggshell, semi-gloss interior; primer.(800 984-5444) Best Paint Company - Zero-VOC Interior paints, primers and specialty products (faux glaze, varnish replacement, etc) and Low-VOC Exterior paints and primers. (www.bestpaintco.com) ICI Decra-Shield - exterior zero-VOC paints. (800 984-5444) Kelly-Moore Enviro-Cote - ENVIRO-COTE line of paints are zero-VOC. (916 921-0165) Devoe Wonder Pure - odor-free interior acrylic latex paints. (www.devoepaint.com) Ecoshield- Zero-VOC, low odor, ethylene glycol-free interior paints. Primer, flat, low-sheen, and semi-gloss. Manufactured by Dunn-Edwards. (www.dunnedwards.com) American Pride - Zero-VOC interior latex and acrylic enamel paints. (www.americanpridepaint.com) Sherwin Williams - new HARMONY line of zero-VOC low-odor latex interior paints. Flat, eggshell, semi-gloss and primer. (www.sherwin.com) Frazee Paint EnviroKote - line of interior zero-VOC paints: semi-gloss, flat, and primer. Allied PhotoChemical - supplies zero-VOC, UV-curable paints, inks and coatings to manufacturers. (www.alliedphotochemical.com) Olympic Paint and Stain - Zero-VOC Olympic Premium interior line. Yolo Colorhouse - Zero-VOC, low-odor, premium interior paint. (yolocolorhouse.com) Green Planet Paints - Zero-VOC, clay-based interior paints. (greenplanetpaints.com) Benjamin Moore Pristine EcoSpec - Zero-VOC, under 1 gram/liter. Flat, eggshell, semi-gloss finishes and a primer. Mythic Paints - Zero-VOC, interior and exterior paints, primers. (mythicpaint.com) Homestead Paints - Zero-VOC, flat and low-sheen interior paints. (homesteadhouse.ca) EarthSafePaints - Zero- and Low-VOC line of craft paints and finishes, marine finishes, home decor paints. (earthsafefinishes.com)

Low VOC - Low VOC paints, stains and varnishes use water as a carrier instead of petroleum-based solvents. As such, the levels of harmful emissions are lower than solvent-borne surface coatings.

These certified coatings also contain no, or very low levels, of heavy metals and formaldehyde. The amount of VOC's varies among different "low-VOC" products, and is listed on the paint can or MSDS. Paints and stains, to meet EPA standards. must not contain VOCs in excess of 200 grams per litre. Varnishes must not contain VOCs in excess of 300 grams per liter.

As a general rule, low VOC paints marketed by reputable paint manufacturers usually meet the 50 g/L VOC threshold. Paints with the Green Seal Standard (GS-11) mark are certified lower than 50 g/L (for flat sheen) or 150 g/L (for non-flat sheen).

Low VOC paints will still emit an odor until dry. If you are particularly sensitive, make sure the paint you buy contains fewer than 25 grams/liter of VOC's.

Benjamin Moore Aura - Low VOC, covers most surfaces in a single coat, durable, scrubbable. (www.myaurapaints.com) Benjamin Moore Saman - Water-based wood stains Cloverdale Horizon - Flat, Eggshell, Semi-Gloss interior enamels Cloverdale EcoLogic - Low VOC, under 10 grams/liter. Flat, Eggshell, Semi-Gloss interior. Miller Paint - Acro solvent-free interior acrylic line Vista Paint - Carefree Earth Coat line PPG Architectural Finishes - Pittsburgh Paints Pure Performance line OIKOS Paints - Interior and exterior paints, low voc, solvent-free. (www.oikos-paint.com) Timber Ox Green - vegetable oil based, low voc wood stain and preservatives. (www.timberoxinfo.com)

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Ethylene Glycol - a solvent used in latex paints, is listed as a hazardous substance and a toxic air contaminant under many federal and state regulations.

A clear, colorless, odorless liquid, ethylene glycol and its vapor can be toxic to humans. Exposure may cause irritation to the skin, eyes, nose, throat and lungs, and allergic reactions are possible. Overexposure could lead to nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, coma, and respiratory failure. Repeated overexposure can per-manently damage the kidneys. Among the major latex paint brands, the full line of Dunn Edwards paints is ethylene glycol-free.

Eartheasy.com © 2000 - 2009

Tips ~ Read the label and product literature: Besides general information, look for: VOC Content: Usually listed in grams per liter, this can range from 5 to 200. Using a product with the low-est VOC content will yield the lowest overall health risk. Solids Content: Solids, or pigments, can range in concentration from 25% to 45% by volume. The higher the percent solids, the less volatiles in the paint. EPA, OSHA, DOT Registrations: When a product has an EPA, OHSA or DOT registration number, this means that it contains toxic ingredients which must be monitored. One way to ensure that you are using a product that is safe both for the environment and the applicator is to seek out products which are not reg-istered with these agencies. ~ Buy the right amount of paint for the job. Before you begin a painting project, measure the area first. Calculate the area to be painted (height x width = total square feet). One gallon covers about 400 square feet. ~ Re-use Turpentine and Paint Thinners. Simply allow used thinner or turpentine to stand in a closed, labeled container until paint or dirt particles settle to the bottom. Pour off the clear liquid and reuse. ~ Natural Brush Cleaner. Turpentine, made from the resin of coniferous trees, is an environmentally-friendly solvent. It is excellent for cleaning brushes used with oil-based paints, and for cleaning up small drips. Use a short glass jar, filled no higher than the bristles. Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid. After cleaning the brush, rinse with water. ~ Circulate. To reduce the impact of indoor air pollutants, circulate fresh air through your house as often as possible. Avoid the use of spray paints altogether. When painting ceilings, especially, be sure to provide cross-ventilation to remove paint fumes. Fumes rise as paint dries, and so with ceilings the fumes dissipate more slowly since there's no air above the paint. You can reduce fresh paint odors by placing a small dish of white vinegar in the room. ~ Beware Old Lead Paint. Paint manufactured before the 70's contains lead, which has harmful effects on health and development. If the paint is still in good shape, you can paint over it, or leave it be - lead is only poisonous if ingested or inhaled. If paint must be removed in small areas, wet the surface and scrape carefully. Never sand dry lead paint. Clean up with trisodium phosphate (TSP). For large areas, call in a professional certified in lead abatement. ~ Store partially full cans upside down. Leftover paint can be saved for months if stored properly. Make sure the lids are well sealed, then store the cans upside down. This prevents air from getting insed the can and causing the paint to thicken and dry. ~ Remember the BUD rule. BUY no more product than you need. Ask your retailer for help in assessing the quantity you need. USE up all the product you buy. Give leftovers to a neighbor or community organi-zation. DISPOSE of leftovers in a safe, responsible manner.



Benjamin Moore Natura Paint Your family will breathe easy with Natura Natura premium interior waterborne paint is a zero VOC, virtually odorless formula that doesn't compro-mise on performance. It dries fast, has excellent adhe-sion and provides a durable finish with an unlimited color selection.

Natura features our Green Promise designation, so you can breathe easy knowing that you've used the very best for your environmentally sensitive projects

With all the information out there surrounding VOC’s, and air quality, the question is, who is defining green for paint?

The coatings industry is filled with third-party organizations like U.S. Green Building Council (LEED), Master Painter’s Institute (MPI), Greenguard, California’s Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) and Green Seal that are trying to define what green means for coatings as well as other consumer products. Some, like Green Seal and MPI, focus on what is in the paint while others, like CHPS and Green Guard are more focused on what is emitted from paint. While we applaud the goals of these organizations, (Benjamin Moore has products certified by them), the net result of so many competing standards is a confused and sometimes frustrated consumer.

Our Green Promise designation is Benjamin Moore’s assurance that its environmentally friendly coatings meet and exceed the strictest industry standards, while also delivering the performance you expect from Benjamin Moore

The following product currently carries the Green Promise Designation:

Natura— Recycling, buying organic, using energy-efficient products – these are just a few of the choices made every day to help the environment. With Natura paint, you have an environmentally friendly option when it comes to painting the interior of your home, and you can count on the beauty and quality you expect from Benjamin Moore.

Aura— See color like you've never seen it before - discernibly truer, richer hues that bring a new dimension of beauty to your home. Experience premium performance in a paint with incredible hide, and fade and color rub-off resistance, all while being environmentally friendly.


LEED Rating Systems What is LEED®?

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ encour-

ages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices

through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and perform-

ance criteria.

LEED is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction

and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need

to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance. LEED promotes a whole-building

approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sus-

tainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

Who uses LEED? Architects, real estate professionals, facility managers, engineers, interior designers, landscape archi-

tects, construction managers, lenders and government officials all use LEED to help transform the

built environment to sustainability. State and local governments across the country are adopting

LEED for public-owned and public-funded buildings; there are LEED initiatives in federal agencies,

including the Departments of Defense, Agriculture, Energy, and State; and LEED projects are in pro-

gress in 41 different countries, including Canada, Brazil, Mexico and India.

2008 U.S. Green Building Council.


LEED Rating Systems

How is LEED Developed? LEED Rating Systems are developed through an open, consensus-based process led by LEDD committees. Each volunteer committee is composed of a diverse group of practitioners and experts representing a cross-section of the building and construction industry. The key elements of USGBC's consensus process include a balanced and transparent committee structure, technical advisory groups that ensure scientific consistency and rigor, opportunities for stakeholder comment and review, member ballot of new rating systems, and a fair and open appeals process.


LEED Rating Systems New Construction

LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations is designed to guide and distinguish high-

performance commercial and institutional projects.

Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance

LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance provides a benchmark for building own-

ers and operators to measure operations, improvements and maintenance.

Commercial Interiors

LEED for Commercial Interiors is a benchmark for the tenant improvement market that gives

the power to make sustainable choices to tenants and designers.

Core & Shell

LEED for Core & Shell aids designers, builders, developers and new building owners in imple-

menting sustainable design for new core and shell construction.

Schools

LEED for Schools recognizes the unique nature of the design and construction of K-12 schools

and addresses the specific needs of school spaces.

Retail

LEED for Retail recognizes the unique nature of retail design and construction projects and ad-

dresses the specific needs of retail spaces.

Healthcare

LEED for Healthcare promotes sustainable planning, design and construction for high-

performance healthcare facilities.

Homes

LEED for Homes promotes the design and construction of high-performance green homes.

Neighborhood Development

LEED for Neighborhood Development integrates the principles of smart growth, urbanism and

green building into the first national program for neighborhood design.


LEED for Homes


LEED for Homes is a rating system that promotes the design and construction of high-performance

green homes. A green home uses less energy, water and natural resources; creates less waste; and

is healthier and more comfortable for the occupants. Benefits of a LEED home include lower energy

and water bills; reduced greenhouse gas emissions; and less exposure to mold, mildew and other

indoor toxins. The net cost of owning a LEED home is comparable to that of owning a conventional

LEED for Commercial Interiors

LEED for Commercial Interiors is the green benchmark for the tenant improvement market. It is the

recognized system for certifying high-performance green interiors that are healthy, productive places

to work; are less costly to operate and maintain; and have a reduced environmental footprint. LEED

for Commercial Interiors gives the power to make sustainable choices to tenants and designers, who

do not always have control over whole building operations.

The LEED for Schools Rating System recognizes the unique nature of the design and construction of

K-12 schools. Based on the LEED for new construction, it addresses issues such as classroom acous-

tics, master planning, mold prevention and environmental site assessment.

By addressing the uniqueness of school spaces and children’s health issues, LEED for Schools pro-

vides a unique, comprehensive tool for schools that wish to build green, with measurable results.

LEED for Schools is the recognized third-party standard for high-performance schools that are

healthy for students, comfortable for teachers, and cost-effective.

LEED for Schools

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