Michelle Kaufmann takes being green to a different level. She spends her days as an architect and founder of Michelle Kaufmann Designs, a firm on a mission to make sustainable homes accessible for everyone. I'm thankful Michelle is doing what she's doing — and it would be a dream to one day live in a prefab green home designed by her. She even wrote a fantastic book, prefab green, that I'll be sharing with you here tomorrow — a taste of what prefab green is all about. But first, read how Michelle's made green changes and enjoys her morning coffee.
1. three ways you've gone greener in your everyday life
+ At the beginning of a design project, I have recently been going back to sketching by hand more (designing without electricity.) I actually have missed the feeling of the pencil.
+ We have started composting. I am shocked how much this actually has reduced the volume of our trash.
+ I stopped drinking water out of plastic bottles. Completely.
2. last green purchase
locally grown organic strawberries from the farmers market this morning
{photograph by corfu}
3. one green initiative you'd like to see enacted in your community
I would LOVE to see gray water approved in our jurisdiction. It is beginning to happen, but it is still requiring some education. It makes so much sense, saves a ton of fresh water (our next scarce resource) and when installed and used properly, is perfectly safe.
[Check out this video Michelle made that explains gray water — and other simple ways to conserve water in your house. I think the gray water concept is so smart! ]
4. best green gift you've given, received, or coveted
I used to have this necklace made of recycled glass. It was my absolute favorite. Unfortunately, I left it in a hotel room somewhere. So, if any of my family members are reading this, and wanting to know what I want for my birthday, here it is!
5. hardest habit to break to be more eco-friendly
I am ashamed to admit this. But I am having a tough time making lattes
for myself in the morning, and not going to my neighborhood coffee
shop. I miss the smiling face of the coffee shop owner every morning,
the little design she does with the foamy milk, and her jokes about the
daily news. That just is not happening in my kitchen before I have my
caffeine. Ok, and if I am really honest, then I should tell you that I am in the coffee shop right now even. I
have finally realized that I might not ever be able to give up on this,
so I am trying to at least bring in my own cup each day.
+ our house is now 4 years old, and some of the CFL bulbs are starting
to burn out. When they need replacement, we are now replacing them with
LED.
+ plant my own vegetables and fruit (money saver – totally my motto for 2009)
Check out Michelle's blog for more ways to be green on the home + building front. A big thank you to Michelle for being a part of Green Swap — what a treat!
{green swap photograph by charlotte jenks lewis}
yesterday's q+a: sarah of pink of perfection
tomorrow's q+a: kate of kate quinn organics
what's green swap? find out more here
