The style of green

Freeport Show House brings a natural touch
2008-03-27
Derek Davis
Derek Davis
Derek Davis
Designer show houses are nothing new — each year seems to bring a new crop of them to Maine. But the LEED Show House opening to the public tomorrow, March 28, certainly is different from any of the ones you’ve toured before. Located just off Wolfe’s Neck Road in Freeport, the LEED Show House not only features clever decorating touches, it boasts the highest certification rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Maine’s first-ever green show house was built by Wright-Ryan Construction and decorated by more than a dozen local designers and artisans. The home features solar panels, high-efficiency faucets, cabinets made from sunflower seed husks, recycled glass countertops and formaldehyde-free interior doors made mostly from wheat. Designers and furniture makers who have decorated the space rely on environmentally-friendly new furnishings and resource-conserving antiques.

“We want people to learn about sustainability, energy-saving products and green design,” says Susan Miller, who serves on the house’s design team.

The downstairs features an open plan with Thos. Moser furniture in the living room and dining room, a library decorated by Pillars Antiques and kitchen finishes added by Keys to the Kitchen and Georgetown Pottery. In a covered outside nook, furniture comes from Finest Hearth & Home and Penobscot Bay Porch Swings.

Upstairs, Ritter Furniture decorated the landing area, while Judy Pascal Antiques designed the look of the master bedroom. Across the hall, L.L. Bean created a colorful, campy feel in the boy’s room and Furniturea provided a bright, modern space in the girl’s room. The guest room is decorated by Dwellings and the family room by Cottage Road.

Not only will the home give you great decorating ideas, it will offer up many ways to cut your home’s energy bill and improve your indoor air quality. It’s only natural that you’d want to check it out.

— Avery Yale Kamila