Southern Living Idea House Earns LEED Gold Rating

Southern Living's 2008 Idea House in North Carolina is more than just a pretty face; it recently earned LEED Gold certification from the US Green Building Council. The USGBC cited a few key factors that helped the home earn its green cred, and many of them are ideas that could be implemented anywhere, from a rental apartment to a newly built home...

Native Landscaping: The yard is filled with native plants, which cut down on the amount of water needed to irrigate the yard by 80 percent. Even if you don't have a yard, containers filled with native plants can absorb CO2 and, if you have a deck, attract birds and butterflies.

Energy-Star Appliances and Lighting: Appliances that carry the government-certified Energy Star label use up to 50 percent less electricity than standard electronics. And we all know that LEDs and CFLs are big energy-savers as well.

Air Quality: The home regulates air quality with low-VOC paints and a HEPA air filter. Natural fiber textiles like linen and wool minimize off-gassing, as do reclaimed wood furnishings.

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>Photos: Laurey Glenn for Southern Living

That home is really, really gorgeous. Can anyone ID the sofa in the living room? It looks like I'd never, ever get up from it!

posted by RedEngine88 on December 5th 2008 at 10:30am
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Ps: I swear I tried to help myself first! I went to the website and looked and looked for a resources page but I couldn't find one. Thanks!

posted by RedEngine88 on December 5th 2008 at 10:31am
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Beautiful and light-filled!

posted by SherryBinNH on December 5th 2008 at 11:12am
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Spelling alert: The USGBC cited -- with a C -- factors in its decision. The house itself is sited -- with an S -- to cut down on fuel costs.

posted by LisaG on December 5th 2008 at 12:21pm
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Thanks, Lisa. Fixed the error.

posted by sarah c on December 5th 2008 at 12:39pm
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