Judi Kieffer receives accreditation for Green Globe!

We at KDG are pleased to announce that Judi Kieffer has received her accreditation as a certified Auditor and Consultant for Green Globe International. Green Globe is an organization that offers certification and other sustainable programs for the Lodging and Travel industry.

She joins 59 other consultants throughout the world, representing over 187 countries. She is the only professional Consultant for Green Globe in Idaho, and the Intermountain States, although able to certify properties nationally and internationally.

Green Globe Certification (GGC) is the premier internationally recognized brand for sustainable tourism, lodging, and entertainment industries, as well as related green businesses. Green Globe is also the only certification that is endorsed by the UNWTO (United Nations World Travel Organization) and the WTTC (World Travel and Tourism Council) certifying properties through a 3^rd party audit. Environmental, Conservation and Social responsibilities are benchmarked, completely online, against 248 standards.

The benefits for a certified business or property are:

*Lower operational & energy costs

*Higher employee retention and job ownership

*Immediate industry recognition and promotion locally, nationally and internationally through AAA and other medias.

*Social and Environmental responsibilities are enhanced

We are currently completing the certification process for our own building!

An informational webinar on the Green Globe Certification programs is being held at 10:30am, Tuesday, Dec. 1^st, 2009 for interested properties in the travel and lodging industry. If you are interested and would like to sign up, call us at 208-344-2680 or you can email judi@kiefferdesigngroup.com

-Kieffer Design Group

www.kiefferdesigngroup.com

National Philanthropy Day - Nov. 15th

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
- Theodore Roosevelt

I think deep down inside, everyone wants to make a difference in their community in one way or another. Yet, many times opportunities come up that are missed, whether it is due to being too busy, not enough funds to hand out, forgetfulness, or the belief that your ‘little’ amount or limited time will not make a difference anyway. Although these are real feelings and thoughts, they are part of our ‘limiting beliefs’ that hinder us from finding some real joyous moments and heartfelt feelings you get when you make that effort and give back.

Here are some suggestions for welcoming this 2009 National Philanthropy Day (Nov 15^th) and in return you will receive a “real return on your investment” with warm feelings and a happiness that money can’t buy!

• Decide this year to create your own charity savings. You can do this with the change in your pocket! Throw it into the jar and at the end of the month or annually, choose a deserving group that is related to something near and dear to you. Like women and children, conservation efforts, animals, homeless, hunger, the list goes on. (Just keep your fingers out of it for incidentals and keep it for its purpose. Then you will have funds when you want to give.) Here is a link to Idaho Charities for a quick reference: US City – Idaho Organizations or Idaho Non-Profits.

Here are my favorites:

• Chrysalis – Women’s Transitional Living
• Women’s & Children’s Alliance
• Idaho Women’s Charitable Foundation
• Idaho Conservation League
• Snowdon Wildlife Sanctuary
• Wilderness Land Trust
• Emerging Green Builders of Idaho
• USGBC Idaho
• Futures for Children


• In a bigger way, start your own Foundation as a family or in your business. It’s a tax write off and you choose ahead of time where and when you want to contribute out of the fund. This is called preplanned contributing. I started my Foundation 3 years ago and am blessed in watching what a difference it can make. I think Renaissance does a great job.


• Start a Social Responsibility program at the office or at home and choose a monthly or quarterly activity where as a group you can volunteer together in the community. I really like this link from Make Good that suggests ways to start a SR program, just adjust for your purposes.


• Join a Philanthropy group where they pool annual membership funds and give back to local qualified and deserving non-profits. One such group is Idaho Women’s Charity Foundation (IWCF). I joined the organization 2 years ago and last year they contributed 1 Million dollars! It is amazing what pooled funds can do!

Happy Giving!

-Kieffer Design Group

http://www.kiefferdesigngroup.com/

Biomimicry

Photo from the Biomimicry Institute

This term has been floating around now for a while in this era of sustainability. What does it really mean and why is it important? The Biomimicry Institute defines the term as:

“The science and art of emulating natures best biological ideas to solve human problems.”

Established by biologist Janine Benyus in 1990, it looks to the natural world for ideas and inspiration for all kinds of opportunities. The goal is to create sustainable products, processes and policies, and new ways of living that are able to endure just as nature does on its own. There are over 2100 amazing case studies and products that have been created by incorporating biomimicry. The Olympic swimsuit emulating a shark's skin, a sunscreen resembling the high UV protection as hippos do, and the lotus leaf that resulted in amazing fabric protection. Here are some examples:

• Otter Inspires dry, warm clothing that uses fewer chemicals, saves energy in manufacturing and can be recycled
• Dolphins inspire efficient flight
• Learning from Prairies How to Grow Food Sustainably

“How to Clean with out Cleaners” –Learning from the lotus plant!

The crevices of the rough texture (I bet you thought it was smooth!) of the lotus leaf traps air in which the water rolls off naturally cleaning the dirt off the surface. Biologists have learned from this phenomenon and created GreenShield, a protective fabric finish made by G3i. This consumer product is 8 times less harmful then other chemical treatments and provides excellent stain repellency. How wonderful is this!!

For more information on biomimicry and other case studies, go to the Biomimicry Institute.

-Kieffer Design Group

http://www.kiefferdesigngroup.com/

Color Trends 2010

Well, here it is, fall again. Yet another exciting time of year is the introduction to the color trends for 2010!

Sherwin Williams has done a great job presenting the Color Trends for 2010 and these schemes are featured in their magazine STIR. Jackie Jordan, director of color marketing at Sherwin Williams shares:

"Our color yearnings are now part of a deeper desire: to get back to basics, to re-evaluate and simplify complex lives, embrace what is important to us and let go of the rest."

You can get more details on why those chose the specific colors they did here.

So, without further adiue...

1. Rooted (mystery, enduring, natural) - Re-exploring the world's cultures: African, Aboriginal, and Native American.

Elements:

• Animal prints and skins
• Bone, feather and fringe accents
• Hammered finishes and aged metals
• Ombre, tie-dye and ethnic patterns

2. Simplified (transluscent, Sophisticated, Structure) - Artful; well tailored lines with clarity and integrity. Hues are calm and subtle with undertones as flexible as the space.

Elements:

• Tailored upholstery
• Translucent & transparent materials
• Soft matte & glazed finishes
• Mid-century modern, Scandanavian

3. Treasured (aged, layers, artisan) - From flea market finds to artisan pieces with imperfect character. The palette reflects weathered finishes and heirlooms, discovering untold stories in layers.

Elements:

• Loose threads
• Distressed textures
• Vintage patinas
• Weathered woods
• Oxidized metal

4. Refreshed (exuberant, fresh, optimism) - Happy spaces, bright colors and fresh florals bring a global twist. Cultural influences and motifs are used to create a bohemian like mosaic.

Elements:

• Nature inspired
• Floral patterns and prints
• High gloss finishes
• Light wood tones

Whichever palette speaks to you, be open to exploring your horizons. Paint is relatively inexpensive and can change a space incredibly fast. There is instantanious satisfaction!

We look forward to exploring with you in creating new re-freshed spaces this coming 2010!

-Kieffer Design Group

http://www.kiefferdesigngroup.com/

Sustainable Efforts

One of the prime actions that the interior design industry has been embracing is improving sustainable efforts. It is our job to be knowledgeable about new products and procedures so that when we are creating environments, we are specifying products and suggesting processes that will make less of a carbon footprint. Not only as designers, but as a community we can ALL do something for the environment.

Here are three major elements to consider when talking about sustainable design:

1. Environment/Energy - It doesn't require any degree or special training to start being energy efficient and environmentally respectful. There are several free online assistance websites that can get you started in the right direction. For example, you can use specific products to do your part:

*Ecomates - This company makes both ethosFR+ fuel treatment and ethosFR oil treatment for not only vehicles but any type of gasoline or diesel fuel machines (for example: lawn mowers, generators, atv's, etc.) This product increases overall gas mileage by 7-19%, reduces emissions by over 33%, and extends oil life by at least 200%. Check out these great products!

*Planet Green: How to Go Green - This site has a great 8 page informative tutorial that has everything to do with cleaners, ways to clean, and helpful links for further reading.

*US EPA - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - This is a government site that tells you about the benefits of recycling and tips on how to recycle. It also give you information on topics like composting and where to recycle your old computer or electronics.

*Green Peace - Energy Efficiency - This website is a "how to" on energy efficiency and clever ways to save energy, money and the planet. It is concentrated on residences.

*Visit the Carbon Offset website for a simple, fun and free calculation on your very own carbon footprint and opportunities for offsetting those 'terrible tons' of waste.

2. Social Responsibility - There are so many opportunities to give and to choose something can be overwhelming at times. Look at the following for ideas of events and activities to help our environment and community.

*Ecotourism - The International Ecotourism Society is a non-profit dedicated to promoting ecotourism. TIES has been in the forefront of the development of ecotourism, providing guidelines and standards, training, technical assistance, research, and publications. Their mission is to support "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well being of local people."

*Start small or go big - Volunteer Match strengthens communities by making it easier for good people and good causes to connect. It is a great tool to find local places to volunteer your time and efforts.

*10 ways to help your community in 30 minutes or less - This is an awesome list that might get your mind running on all sorts of things you can help to improve your community and surroundings.

3. Conservation

*Recycle, watch your water use, your food intake and what you eat and throw away.

*Those darn plastic bags! There are some really great reusable ones out there. Try and find a local company to purchase them through. There are some local ones here in Boise from Shop Wise Bags.

*Deny the 79 of the 80 phone books they love to leave at your office or home... or refuse them all and get your information online. If you really need them, you can look here to find some great suggestions for reuse or recycling - Green Eco Services.

*Tread lightly on back roads - Seriously stay on the trail...

*Join a local conservation group. Here in Idaho we have the Idaho Conservation League or one of the Idaho Master Naturalist programs put on by the Idaho Fish and Game Department – you can learn some great things outdoors, and volunteer at the same time! Click here.

-Kieffer Design Group

www.kiefferdesigngroup.com