Good day, bloggers.

Thank you for the positive feedback on my sleuthing skills and videos. I am on a mission to provide you with the information you seek concerning HGTV Green Home. With that said, let’s get to your questions and answers.

Q. I love the owl prints in the HGTV Green Home 2010 laundry room. Does anyone know where I can purchase them?
A. The Owl Giclee prints are from Ballard Designs.

Q. I would like to know about the ceilings, which look like beadwork wainscoting. And those beams: How did they make those?
A. The coffered ceilings are one of my favorite architectural details! The main floor ceiling area measures plus or minus 27’ x 27’. The beams, constructed from a green product, were equally spaced and centered on the fireplace. The bead board, constructed from ½-inch-thick, 4’ x 9’ MDF sheets, was laid inside the beams.

Q. Is the house Internet-ready with ethernet cords going to the rooms or some type of lines?
A. Yes, the home is wired for phones, cable TV and wireless Internet access.

Q. How much above sea level is this home? Or is it under?
A. HGTV Green Home 2010 is above sea level.

Q. I have a question about the yellow table in the hall wall that is so cute: Where did Linda find that?
A. The demilune table was custom-built for the space by HGTV Green Home carpenter David Brown. It was painted in Sherwin-Williams’ Gold Crest paint.

Q. Where is the door to the basement located?
A. The door is right off the kitchen. I’ve attached a photo so you can see it clearly.

Q. What about refuse collection? Is that covered by association fees?
A. Refuse is collected weekly and covered in the association fee.

Q. What is the directional orientation of the house (N/S/E/W)?
A. The front porch/door faces south.

Q. I really like the painting on the mantel in the living room. Could you please tell me who the artist is? I would like to purchase this painting for my own home. Thank you!
A. The artist of Big Yellow is Richard Knudsen from Provincetown, Mass. See our artwork slideshow for details on pieces featured in the home.

Q. Shades/blinds in all the rooms: What is the material and are they “green” and dust free?
A. The blinds are Everwood 2-inch faux-wood blinds from Hunter Douglas. Visit Hunterdouglas.com for more information about these wood-alternative window treatments.

Q. Are there electrical outlets on the kitchen island?
A. Yes, indeed. Each end of the island features an electrical outlet.

Your Super Fan,
Gail

Good day, bloggers.

You guys keep me busy – I eat, sleep and investigate all things HGTV Green Home these days. I even had a dream last night that my husband and I opened a store called “Refills.” The store featured four aisles stocked with lotion- and detergent-filled barrels. Consumers brought in and filled their own bottles. Just think of all the containers this concept would save. I guess you could say I am obsessed with recycling!

Here are answers to some of your questions:

•The basement is a full-size (not just a crawl) space, with eight-foot ceilings and three windows. It mirrors the square footage of the first floor (about 1,000 square feet). The basement houses the home’s mechanical systems, so about 480 square feet could be used for other purposes.

•Interior designer Linda Woodrum chose the cotton-linen Number Pillow for the living room sofa as a way to celebrate HGTV’s third Green Home.

•HGTV Green Home is built on a 5,013-square-foot, or basically a 50′ x 100′, lot.

•There is no chute that connects the second floor to the laundry room. But I love that idea and will mention it to Linda and Jack. Who knows, they may incorporate the concept into next year’s plan!

Your Super Fan,
Gail

Good day, bloggers.

Earth Day is upon us. Today, I am serving as a cleanup volunteer at one of our local parks. Green living has been top of mind at my home lately. I am getting a huge kick out of my three-year-old son, who frequently asks if the trash he generates gets composted or recycled. My daughter’s school has launched a huge green initiative – trash cans are labeled “landfill” rather than “trash” to encourage sustainable living. It does make one pause and think before pitching out every single item.

So tell me: What green programs impress you the most? And how do you plan to spend this glorious Earth Day 2010?

I am happy that you enjoyed the HGTV Green Home 2010 special. Sabrina, Jamie and the production team did such a great job. Their passion for this home shines through.

Here are answers to your recently posted questions:

Q. Does the attic hatch feature pull-down stairs or a sliding ladder for access to the attic?
A. The attic hatch on the second floor is for access by code only. It is not built or designed as a storage area. The basement area has been designed to accommodate homeowner storage.

Q. In the Master Bath, I understand there are two different showerheads: the removable pulsating hand shower and the rain-can showerhead. Is there a lever to run both or can you only use one at a time?
A. The hand shower and showerhead can be operated independently or simultaneously. A diverter controls the flow of water between the two.

Q. Where is the closest shopping area?
A. The Pinehills features its own grocery store. The Market is a two-minute walk from the home. There are also plenty of cute shops in downtown Plymouth.

Q. Why were vegetable, herb and fruit (other than blueberry) gardens omitted from the landscape design?
A. They were not omitted from the landscape design. Keep in mind that HGTV Green Home 2010 is located in the Northeast where the growing season is short. Landscape beds were planted in October, after completion of the home. Vegetables and herbs can be grown in a small garden or in container gardens that one can place on the porch or patio.

Q. Are pets allowed at the Pinehills?
A. Pets are allowed at the Pinehills. Homeowners are often spotted walking their dogs along the community’s miles of walking trails. Be aware that Plymouth does enforce a leash law.

Your Super Fan,
Gail

Good morning, bloggers.

I see that you have been busy bees checking out all the facts about HGTV Green Home 2010. I have also been busy tracking down answers to your questions.

SID, the size of the lot is 5,012 square feet.

Mary Parker, Beach Bum, Angela and others who have asked about a closet in the Kid’s Bedroom: Linda designed an open-style closet with shelving and hanging rods to the right
of the sink. I know, I know, it is a small, tight space. I am wondering where I might put all of my children’s things – I haven’t really figured that out yet. But, I do know that
I would love to sleep in one of those bunk beds!

BBSteve, thank you for your insight about the home that neighbors HGTV Green Home. Many have wondered about HGTV Green Home’s proximity to other properties. One side of the home faces a community walking trail and open space. The other side faces a home, with a 14-foot buffer between properties and a 10-foot buffer between garages. The Pinehills architectural review committee must approve all houses and locations within the lot.

Joseph, you had some questions about the home’s windows. There are three ventilating “awning windows” that crank open in both the Tower Room and the Master Bathroom.

And, yes, there is a homeowners’ association fee, but maintenance of the yard is the responsibility of the home owner.

Thank you for your questions. I look forward to finding out more answers for you.

Your Super Fan,
Gail

Good afternoon, bloggers!

We are getting close to the end of the Green Home Giveaway entry phase (June 5 at 5 p.m. ET to be exact). Do I have to remind you to get your entries in? I doubt it

In the meantime, I’ve gathered more information on your favorite Green Home accessories:

*Katydid, Ballard Designs carries the ruffled Atoll mirror in the fabulous guest bathroom.

*The striped fabric that covers the daybed in the children’s bedroom is called Kittery Point Woven Stripe Azalea fabric from Brunschwig & Fils Fabrics.

*Barbara, Mecox Gardens carries the pillows that rest atop the sherbet chaises in the lounge.

Happy shopping everyone!

Your Super Fan,
Gail

Good morning, bloggers!

Thank you all for the well wishes on my vacation. Believe it or not, we were enjoying the beautiful Florida weather. Sadly, we weren’t in Port St. Lucie, we were in Naples (on the Gulf side) visiting Nana and Papa. We had a wonderful time. Don’t worry — I didn’t let my vacation stop me from sleuthing.

Drum roll, please …

Marie Miller, the sunburst mirror is by Bungalow 5 and the official name is “Calista.” It’s made of hand-carved oak with a rubbed white finish.
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So many of you have asked “What makes the glass tiles used throughout the house green?” Here’s what the folks at Shaw have to say: “The glass tiles are made from silica sand, a natural material in abundant supply. They are a great choice in home decor with the permanent nature of installation. Should the decision arise to change decor, glass is a recyclable product. These tiles simulate the natural beauty of land and water in an eco-fabulous way.”

And that big shell above the bathtub? Linda sourced that treasure at a cool shop called Mecox Garden. She opted for a resin accessory rather than a real oyster or clam shell that would have been harvested solely for decorative purposes.

Your Super Fan,
Gail

Good morning, bloggers!

Did you enjoy the HGTV Green Home special? I know that I did. I just love to watch the rooms come together from beginning to end. We have already had some great questions generated by the special. Here is what I have found so far:

Renee, there are a few plants that pets and kids should avoid: philodendron and the ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia), and to a lesser extent, snake plant and aloe (the sap can cause stomach distress). There is no known species of orchid that is poisonous, so no fears there.

Kevin, the gorgeous kitchen backsplash tiles are provided by one of the HGTV Green Home 2009 sponsors. Visit Shawflooring.com for more details.

Deryck, thank you for the question on sustainability of the furnishings in HGTV Green Home 2009. To elaborate, sustainable means that furnishings are crafted from materials that grow back quickly (bamboo, for instance) or are crafted from recycled or reclaimed materials (old tree stumps, waste material that would otherwise be cast off, etc.).

Your Super Fan,
Gail

Good morning, bloggers!

There are so many things to discuss today. First, congratulations to our fabulous team of designers, planners, contractors and builders for achieving the Platinum LEED Certification. This is the highest level of green certification available, and the whole team worked diligently to make this happen.

Second, I am so happy that you are all enjoying the video room tours. I had so much fun hosting each and every one of them and tried to point out items and home features that personally caught my eye.

Now, let’s answer some of your tour-inspired questions:

•Kim M, don’t worry. The garage easily accommodates two big trucks and has some built-in storage along the walls.

•Charlotte, you will discover the master bedroom closets as you stroll down the hallway that leads from the master bedroom to the master bathroom. His and hers closets — camouflaged by linen drapes — run the length of this corridor. (For those of you with other privacy concerns, the master bathroom toilet is tucked away in its own water closet.)

•NancySz, HGTV Green Home 2009 does not presently feature a mailbox. The winner of the home will have the honors of picking out his or her own design and placing it in the perfect spot.

Thank you, as always, for your great questions and support.

Your Super Fan,
Gail

Gail’s up and vlogging again. Today she’s talking about green materials and that lovely gourmet kitchen. Don’t forget to post your questions about HGTV Green Home 2009.

Good morning, bloggers!

First off, don’t you just love the online tour? Don’t forget to check out the photo galleries and articles while you are clicking through each room – you’ll find a lot of behind-the-scenes info and design details there.

In my mind, the tubular skylights are one of the coolest green features of the HGTV Green Home 2009. You would never know as you walk underneath them that they are skylights. I remember being in the home and finally looking up on day two and being pleasantly surprised. Elizabeth asked me for more information about them, so I thought I’d share some details.

A tubular skylight has a roof-mounted light collector that typically consists of an acrylic lens set in a metal frame. A reflective sun scoop in the rooftop assembly directs sunlight into a metal or plastic tube, which has a highly reflective interior coating. The reflective tube guides the sunlight to a diffuser lens, which is mounted on the interior ceiling surface and spreads light evenly throughout the room. The shape of the scoop is generally parabolic to reflect sunlight into the home regardless of the sun’s angle in the sky. To provide light both day and night, some tubular skylights have integrated electrical lights; others have integrated baffles.

To answer Linda’s question, the rain barrel on the roof is just one of several barrels. But, contrary to what folks have reported on this blog, the barrels used to store whiskey, not wine.

And Seelie, there are solar panels incorporated into the HGTV Green Home; one of the panels is instrumental in helping you feed your family healthy food. Take a look at the garden photo gallery to learn more.

Thank you to Show Me The Green for revealing DBCoop … I (along with some other savvy bloggers) thought that might be you.

Your Super Fan,
Gail