Open Space News

By Jodi Peterson
Eagle Magazine, May 2008

With the growing emphasis on "going green," many Eagle residents are beginning to adopt lifestyle changes that will make a positive difference to our environment. A local interior designer has come up with a concept that embodies sound environmental practices while also supporting local charitable causes – and it's fun to boot. Nancy Grayson's "Re-Fab Home," featuring reused and repurposed furniture and dècor, will be showcased at this year's Idaho Green Expo in May.

Grayson has always gotten a buzz from yard sale, flea market, and thrift store finds. She loves to mix new furniture and decor with pieces from consignment and antique shops to create a unique look in her own home. So it seemed logical to share her ideas about greener ways to remodel, furnish and re-furnish a home with her clients and her community.

The Idaho Green Expo is the perfect venue for introducing Grayson's decorating ideas. Grayson recently attended the West Coast Green Residential Building Conference, and she returned to Idaho inspired to green up her life, her business, and to help others do the same. The ReFab Home idea was motivated in part by a community Idaho Green Expo meeting she attended. Grayson's vision was of expo attendees walking through a tastefully appointed home display, filled with reused, refinished, and repurposed green lifestyle ideas. "I wanted to show people just what they could do with reused elements,"” Grayson says. "I think a lot of people will be surprised by just how fabulous this decorating approach can be."

Grayson contacted The Idaho Youth Ranch to see if they would be interested in being a part of the Re-Fab Home project. They immediately agreed and gave Grayson the green light to shop at their thrift store locations. "By shopping at and donating to the Idaho Youth Ranch Thrift Stores, we help Idaho’s troubled youth and families who need services at a difficult time in their lives," she says.

"The Idaho Youth Ranch Outlet and as-is yard gave me a great start with reusable building materials; a picture window, sink, dishwasher as well as furniture," Grayson says. She also found décor and kitchen basics at the Youth Ranch stores. Scores of generous donors volunteered, providing professional upholstery, custom sewing, low VOC paint, and green cleaning products.

After the Idaho Green Expo Board of Directors gave approval, Grayson's Re-Fab Home idea became more than a dream. One of her first steps was to contact Matthew Jones of Hidden Spaces Residential Design and Construction in Eagle. Jones produced a computer CAD rendering of the home and offered to build the main frame. Grayson's green consultant was Sharon Patterson, founder of the OM your home^TM design philosophy, a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Professional.

On May 17 and 18, Grayson's ReFab Home will be shining with bright green ideas. If you're wondering how you can update your home's look while caring for the environment, visit the Idaho Green Expo.