Date:  June 28, 2013  |   Styling: Mandy Keener  |   Producer: Tiffany Burgess Adams and Rosemary Hallmark  |  

Why She Built Green

“I made building green a priority for two main reasons: it will save energy costs in the long run and it’s the right thing to do. Most of the features that make the bath green are in the house as a whole. For instance, I oriented the house for passive solar gain in the winter, used energy-efficient windows and also positioned them for tons of natural light during the day (which was especially important to me in the bath) as well as maximum ventilation so I can get by with less air conditioning. I also used locally sourced materials whenever possible and kept the size of the house small to reduce my footprint.”  —Kristin Musgnug, Homeowner

How She Did It

While the house is relatively small—about 1,400 square feet—it was important to both the homeowner and the architect, Rich Brya of 3GD Inc. in Rogers, to make the space feel as large and luxurious as possible, especially when it came to the bath. As with most green builds the home was sited for optimal natural light and cross ventilation. Quality materials also played a large role in making the bath sustainable. Locally fabricated concrete countertops and solid oak cabinetry will last for years to come, while responsible selections including water-efficient faucets and a low-consumption flush toilet make good use of water resources.

Tips from the Pros

“When people think of green design and green products, they usually think it has to be boring. I always have to laugh a little when I hear that because some of the most cutting-edge, modern and unique materials are made of recycled glass, shells, quartz, paper and soda cans. One company that stands out in the green movement is Crossville Tile. They have 21 products that have recycled content and they are NOT boring. We also carry several attractive options for recycled countertops including Caesarstone®,  IceStone® and Silestone®.” —Leslie Tetrev, Inside-Effects

What Makes It Green 

Water-efficient faucets

Low-consumption flush toilet

Durable canvas shower curtain

Energy-efficient windows

Locally fabricated cabinetry and countertops