A reclaimed wood island at two heights is multifunctional.

Loads of glass and an open floor plan means this kitchen gets plenty of natural light, so less power is needed. A special window coating keeps heat in during the winter and out in the summer. The sleek, environmentally friendly kitchen island is made from reclaimed Douglas fir.

For more island inspiration, see our Kitchen Tables As Islands photo gallery and more eco-friendly ideas, see our Photo Gallery: Geen Design.

A double-galley-style kitchen provides plenty of room for a family of four.

A wall of energy-efficient windows floods this kitchen with natural light but cuts down on temperature shifts in the room. Bamboo was the obvious choice for new cabinetry. The honey tone adds warmth and complements the sleek modern hardware. Finishes and paints with low levels of VOCs were used throughout the kitchen — reducing odours and indoor air pollution.

See the “Before” photo in our Kitchen Makeovers gallery.

Design an environmentally friendly breakfast nook with green materials.

This kitchen eating corner features banquette cushions made from natural latex instead of petrochemical-based foam. The tabletop is PaperStone, a durable counter material made of recycled paper and natural resin.

This kitchen got an environmentally conscious makeover.

Homeowners Brian Phillips and Ed Scherer made some changes to their kitchen to allow for a more spacious, energy-efficient spot for cooking and entertaining. They replaced their old cabinets with custom-built cabinetry made from maple, an indigenous, renewable resource. Smaller, energy-efficient appliances were also added to the room, including a hot water on demand system that reduced electricity bills by 30 per cent. The back wall was replaced by beautiful insulated glass doors that flood the space with natural light and also retain heat.

See more eco-chic interiors in our photo gallery.

Reclaimed wood offers character and warmth.

Jacqueline and George Schmidt’s Brooklyn apartment was inspired by their woodsy Michigan country getaway. Equally eco-conscious and crafty, George put his carpentry skills to good use and built a hanging drawer unit from an old piece of particle board. Eames moulded plastic chairs surround the dining table, which was milled from a fallen cherry tree they found near their cottage.

See more interiors from Design*Sponge at Home in our photo gallery.

Designers and teachers Debbie Adams and Peter Fleming turned an industrial shell into a contemporary, earth-friendly space.

In the dining room, black and white artwork looks cohesive without being overly matchy. The owners repurposed a vintage Eames table by adding a new top. Large energy-efficient windows allow natural light to flood the space. Polished concrete flooring reflects the building’s industrial past.

See more incredible spaces from 2009 in our photo gallery. For more eco-friendly ideas, see our Photo Gallery: Green Design.

An airy, solar-powered living room.

The owners of this Eastern Ontario home wanted to build “a modern house with all the conveniences that was also an example of living sustainably.” A leather Eames chair, streamlined sofa and a wood, metal and glass coffee table are modern, minimalist touches in this living room. The wall of windows and massive beams emphasize height in the open-concept space while also providing a natural heat source. In the summer, an overhanging roof keeps the sun from overheating the space.

See more eco-chic interiors in our photo gallery.

A main floor made from re-purposed materials.

Reclaimed wood is used throughout the main floor of this playful, modern Toronto home. The cantilevered staircase is made from salvaged timbers, providing texture and enhancing the open look of the living-cum-dining space. Reclaimed hemlock was used for the kitchen floors and continues into the dining room for a cohesive look.

See more eco-chic interiors in our photo gallery.

Warm wood floors and white walls bounce natural light across the room.

Modular leather sofas flank a Niels Bendtsen glass coffee table in this sparsely furnished space. Vancouver architect Clinton Cuddington modified a prefab fireplace unit,
removing its faux-brick insert, to create the clean-lined wood-burning fireplace and its twin log storage cubby.

For more inspiration from western Canada, see our Photo Gallery: The Best Of The West.

Reclaimed and recycled furniture looks chic.

This modern living room has a green side — the wood stools are made of reclaimed wood and the leather and chrome armchairs are vintage finds that have been re-upholstered and renewed.

Modern patio chairs are an unexpected — yet comfortable — alternative to bulky armchairs.

A wood ceiling, tall ferns and a trendy Breton striped floor rug add to the seaside vibe of this living room. The wall-to-wall windows allow for expansive views to the lake, making you feel like you’re sitting on a beach.

For more beachy and nautical rooms, see our Seaside-Inspired Interiors photo gallery.

See more of this beautiful home in the May 2008 issue.

Texture enlivens this living room’s quiet palette.

In this stylishly subdued space, the furniture delivers a hit of personality and texture, from the chunky raw-wood coffee table to the woven seagrass chairs. A graphic painting of tree trunks enhances the organic motif of the decorating and the hide rug anchors the seating area.

For more eco-friendly ideas, see our Photo Gallery: Geen Design. For more eco-friendly ideas, see our Photo Gallery: Green Design.

Decorating with sustainable furniture, chic lamps and mirrors and organic bedding is stylish and good for planet.

It’s easy to go green in the bedroom: this sleek platform bed is made from salvaged maple and pine wood. The bedding is made from sustainable, organic cotton.

Shots of red add impact to a neutral, eco-friendly space.

The principal bedroom in architect Clinton Cuddington’s Vancouver home blends style with sustainability. A partial wall conceals the bathroom and walk-in closet but doesn’t separate the spaces, which allows for the free flow of air, light and heat. This is just one of many eco-friendly heating related elements in the home. The room also uses organic bedding, natural wool carpet and non-CFC underlay.

See more eco-chic interiors in our photo gallery.

An eclectic, low-impact space.

Every room in this sprawling rancher on Skaha Lake was built with the environment in mind. Renewable, durable materials take centre stage in the bedroom, like the cedar framed sliding glass panels. The panels retain heat in the winter and can be opened completely in the summer to allow for breezes to cool the house. This eliminates the need for air conditioning, which can account for 40 to 50 per cent of an Okanagan household’s energy consumption. A mix of old and new elements, like a modern bed and antique armoire, add character.

See more eco-chic interiors in our photo gallery.