NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 13, 2006--Good Housekeeping today announced a new and unique home renovation project, "Your Green House," that will set a standard for sustainable, environmentally responsible home-building. The transformation of one family's historic Manhattan brownstone into a true "green" house will be documented in a November special supplement called Your Good House, which is circulated to Good Housekeeping's highest-income subscribers, reaching a total of seven million readers as well as those visiting goodhousekeeping.com. The majority of the products used in the home will have a green element and include the latest in environmentally-friendly technology, designs and materials.

"Good Housekeeping is thrilled to be involved with a home renovation project that is so forward-thinking," said Ellen Levine, editor-in-chief of Good Housekeeping. "We hope that by sharing the transformation of this townhouse with the readers of Your Good House, we can positively affect the perception of what an environmentally friendly home means. The products that have been chosen, from the beams to the bedspreads, reflect this family's commitment to making the planet a safer place to live."

Paul Gleicher of Gleicher Design Group has been the architect and driving force behind this project, and with his wife, Lisa Sharkey, president of Al Roker Productions, and their three children, will reside in the Upper West Side home once it is completed in early fall of 2006. The home will be a chic, urban example of the newest lifestyle trends and family-friendly home design, all styled in an environmentally responsible way.

"My husband and I are concerned citizens, especially when it comes to the environment. We hope this house is not just a statement of our own personal space, but is also an example for others so that everyone can learn the benefits of eliminating toxins from their homes, conserving energy and giving the world some much-needed support on environmental cleanliness and sustainability," said Sharkey.

Her husband, the project architect, Paul Gleicher, added, "What we're accomplishing is basically turning a destroyed piece of real estate into a model for others of how to go green, and show how so many new technologies and options are now available, without having to sacrifice style, quality or performance. The products we're using are not only green, but are up to some of the highest standards any home could want."

Your Good House worked with the Gleichers to secure partners to help with the overhaul of the infrastructure, which includes Weyerhaeuser's Microllam LVL Wood Joists; Timberstrand Wood Studs; Lyptus wood flooring; low-odor, zero- or low-VOC paints by Sherwin Williams; GAF roofing; American Clay Natural Earth Plaster; CertainTeed Insulation; and Forbo Flooring Marmoleum natural linoleum.

The Gleichers will also enjoy state of the art Energy Star-compliant appliances by Bosch, Weil McLain's High Efficiency Gas Boiler and Myson radiant heat fixtures; Hunter Douglas window treatments; an EcoWater whole-house water purification system; and a dazzling rooftop glass conservatory by Four Seasons Sunrooms (EasyHeat radiant heating will keep ice from clogging the conservatory gutters). California Closets (using eco-friendly Roseburg Forest wood), Beam central vacuum, Broan ventilation systems, Bellfires Chimneys, and Columbia Forest Product woods in the custom Neil Kelly cabinetry also contribute to the eco-friendly home environment. Todd Oldham for La-Z-Boy, Desiron and Furnature provide eco-friendly furnishings; IceStone donated the recycled glass and concrete counters; and Xero Floor America created the green lawn on the roof of the home.
BainUltra whirlpool bath has anti-mold and mildew functionality; Lefroy Brooks bathroom fixtures prevent scalding and save water, as do the Toto toilets. An ADT system secures the home and provides smoke and carbon monoxide alerts. Exterior lighting is from Murray Fleiss. For a complete list of products used in the home visit www.goodhousekeeping.com.

Your Good House reaches an unduplicated audience when compared to shelter publications, and all copies of the issue featuring "Your Green House" will reach a paid circulation of more than 1,000,000 subscribers.

ABOUT GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

Founded in 1885, Good Housekeeping reaches 25 million readers a month. The Good Housekeeping Institute is the consumer product evaluation laboratory of Good Housekeeping magazine. Founded in 1900 for the purpose of improving the lives of consumers and their families through education and product evaluation, the Good Housekeeping Institute continues in this key role today. Only products evaluated by the Good Housekeeping Institute can be accepted for advertising in the magazine, and thereby become eligible to display the famous Good Housekeeping Seal.

Copyright Business Wire 2006

Good Housekeeping

Good Housekeeping

More from Good Housekeeping