Luxe decor and fabulous furnishings make this green house — called Greenhaven — a model home.
Step through its pebble-strewn Zen garden, complete with a reflecting bench and trickling water feature, and up onto the enormous wrap-around porch overlooking lush landscaping designed by HGTV hunk Justin Cave.
Greenhaven appears to be a typical, albeit beautiful, Southern home. But somewhere beneath its stately gray exterior walls and soft spa-palette interiors lies the secret of its double life.
Built by Pace Homebuilders, Greenhaven is an eco-friendly suburban show house. A model for green building and sustainable living, the project is a mix of celebrated Atlanta-area interior designers and the most efficient, of the moment eco-friendly products and fixtures.
The purpose is to inspire those considering greener pastures by offering eco-friendly practices in a number of price points and degrees of commitment, Pace Homebuilders’ Richard Feis said.
“This house is meant to be a menu,” he explains. “Someone interested in painting a kid’s bedroom can come in and check out the paint we use. You won’t have to fumigate the room just because of that toxic smell. You can move back in that night. Same thing with the carpets and the wood floors. Even if you’re doing a landscape project or a do-it-yourself project.”
Feis is no stranger to what he calls “greenovation,” having used Earth-friendly practices in his remodeling and building projects for more than a decade.
In addition to sustaining the Earth, going green also sustains the homes. “These [eco] products are better for the homeowner,” Feis said.
“They’re going to make the house last longer ... to make the house healthier. And a lot of the components are going to make the house more energy- efficient, so it costs less money to operate your home.”
Greenhaven is in Chelsea Landing, east Cobb County’s first eco-friendly community, and open for free tours through Aug. 9.
Eco show house: Greenhaven
9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays. Through Aug. 9. Free. 2380 Chelsea Landing Way, Marietta. 404-432-0356, www.greenhavenhome.com.
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