It's Free. And They Pick It Up.

Besides being a fire hazard, latex paint is one of the more toxic substances found in almost every home you'll enter. If you decide to make a low-VOX purchase for your next room re-do (Remember when the wall was "salmon" and it was so, so horrible?), you can leave your old toxic latex paint in front of your home and call (415) 355-3777 to schedule a pick-up. No need to even be there, and it's completely free. For other paint collection/drop-off services in San Francisco, visit http://www.sfenvironment.com/directories/paint.htm.

Starchitect of the Week: GBD Portland

The builders keep asking "What (green) projects should I be touring?" And the smart ones ask, "Who's designing the (green) projects I should be touring?" GBD Portland comes up almost in every instance, so it's time to officially call them out. Architects of Portland's South Waterfront District (whether you love it or wish the ole days were still here), they're also making a tiny carbon footprint in L.A., through The South Group's Evo, Luma, Jardin, and more...

Ipe in C.A.

Speaking of trekking materials in from a thousand miles away... we had the opportunity to check out Ipe samples the other day. The color and texture are absolutely gorgeous (The pics above don't do Ipe justice.) but it's probably one of the heaviest blocks of wood I've ever held. Call your structural engineer before attempting.

Your basics: "Ipe is... tropical hardwood rated by the US Forest Lab for many years, naturally resistant to fire (rated “Class A” by the NFPA and “Class 1” by the UBC)." This explains the weight: "3,640 Janka [Hardness] vs.1,260 Red Oak"

Ipe is harvested in Brazil according to sustainable practices established by the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO). It's mold resistant, fire resistant, and free of toxins, and needs to be cared for like any other hardwood (Seal it; know it will fade; expect it to last 15 years, etc.). And it's the perfect entree into a conversation about whether one should be importing sustainably-harvested wood, when reclaimed product is available closer to home. Discuss!

William Stranger's Reclaimed Credenza

Homework LA -- featured on Avenue Associates' blog as well today -- is one of our favorite showrooms, and we're happy to see William Stranger's work gettting top billing. The Pasadena designer is using local wood (always) and reclaimed wood and materials (mostly). And despite the inevitable exhaust involved in carting his work to the Hollywood showroom, it is far more sustainably-minded to purchase materials made within a 10-mile radius than to usurp a credenza's worth of barge fuel and unknown labor practices shipping something across the ponds.