“When Adam from Gardenology was choosing plants for our landscaping, he looked around in the neighboring forest and chose nature plants that he saw. So we’ve required very little watering. Native plants usually need much less care in order to thrive,” says Amy.
A Beaverdam Valley abode that’s both stylish and sustainable.
White oak adorns the windowsills, while matching shelving and white oak tractor stools tie the wooden elements together. The home gets its dinnerware from the East Fork Pottery collection, which includes older hand-thrown pieces and a 12-piece dining setting.
The tongue-and-groove ceiling on the main floor is made of poplar that Jade Mountain Builders cut down at a separate project site. The exterior walls are also a bit thicker to make room for extra insulation.
The couple had to axe a few trees in order to open up that southern-facing solar window, and kept the spoils to be used in their wood-powered stove; three years later, they’re still using the leftover wood.
The couple selected a slab of black walnut, from which woodworker Cris Bifaro created a custom headboard and frame for the primary bedroom. Bifaro, who also owns Lavoro Lighting, built the kitchen and bathroom cabinets as well, and crafted the three pendants over the kitchen island from white oak. All tiles in the bathroom and kitchen are porcelain, which is one of the most ecologically-friendly option because of its recyclability and durability.
The amount of energy that the two-story home can provide depends on the weather. The home’s record is 54 kWh but a cloudy day might mean pulling from the grid.
The Ende’s deck is made from the black locust tree, a native species to our region. Its wooden planks are noted for their durability in outdoor conditions. The siding is white oak, which is extremely resilient and insect resistant. It holds up well over time and doesn’t require a lot of maintenance.
