Elements of Design Expands Environmentally Friendly, Green Design Practices Through Strategic...

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Elements of Design, a full-service interior design studio based in Scottsdale, Ariz. with one of the largest product showrooms in the state, today announced a strategic partnership with AKA Green, a Scottsdale-based eco-friendly building supply firm that has been a driving

force in the Arizona green movement. In keeping with their business model of continually evaluating and offering fresh, new products and ideas to their customers, Elements of Design plans to implement environmentally friendly, "green" product alternatives into their design practices. Elements of Design is the first luxury residential design studio to partner with AKA Green.

"Incorporating green elements into a home is much easier than it used to be, thanks to the plethora of new products that continually enter the market. From furniture to paint, the options have greatly evolved since the initial wave of early adoption, prototypical products," says Lina Quintero, Elements of Design owner and lead designer. "Whether it is something as fundamental as lighting, or a design element such as flooring or countertops, a green home will appear just as sophisticated and stylish as a home designed with non-sustainable, environmentally harmful products. How can any responsible studio elect NOT to integrate green products when it is so easy?"

"We are delighted to partner with Elements of Design. The green movement is here to stay and Lina and her staff have the foresight and commitment to help it mature in our market," says Jeff Frost, co-founder of AKA Green. "Going green doesn't mean you have to go to extremes. It is just common sense and being aware of what is available, so you can make intelligent choices when products dovetail within your design or construction goals."

Quintero recently installed CFL (compact fluorescent lights) into her 7,000-square-foot showroom, reducing electric consumption more than 75% while quadrupling the overall life (hours) of the bulbs. While it was done to be eco-friendly in nature, the installation is rapidly paying for itself with a savings of over $200 monthly. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, if every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year - more than $600 million in annual energy costs - and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.

In addition to energy efficient lighting fixtures, other green products that will be available for viewing in the Elements of Design showroom include:

* Tile and countertops made from recycled glass and other materials

* Carpet, rugs and furniture free of harsh chemical emissions

* Renewable flooring materials such as cork or bamboo

* Furniture and fabrics that use green products and/or manufacturing guidelines

About Elements of Design

Founded in 1992, Elements of Design is a full-service, residential interior design firm located in Scottsdale, Ariz. The studio, which caters to high-end properties nationwide, features one of the largest showrooms in Arizona with an impressive inventory ranging from upholstered goods to accessories. For more information, visit www.eodinteriordesigners.com or call 480.443-9646.

About AKA Green

AKA Green's mission is to be a catalyst for the widespread adoption of green building practices in Arizona through carefully screened products, services and education for both businesses and consumers. For more information, visit www.akagreen.com or call 480-946-9600.