Sustaining the green theme

South West Eco-Homes is celebrating the completion of its new 'green' show home at Great Bow Yard in Langport.

South West Eco-Homes (SWEH), a company set up in 2002 by the Somerset Trust for Sustainable Development (STSD), is celebrating the completion of its new 'green' show home at Great Bow Yard in Langport.

The show home, in one of the 12 stunning properties, is seen as an ideal representation of how homes can not only be built sustainably, but also furnished with sustainably sourced timber furniture and surfaces, organic fabrics, low energy lighting, natural flooring and eco-friendly paints.

Charles Couzens, Chief Executive of the STSD explains, "During the planning stage of the interior of the show home, it was fundamental to the team at SWEH to reflect sustainable principles inside the home".

"It was also very important that the materials were sourced locally and, on finishing the project, we are delighted that as much as 30% of the products are from within county".

"The show home is light and spacious, and very relaxing to be in - we are extremely pleased with the result and welcome people to visit!".

Natural flooring has been laid throughout the show home, by specialist company, Disney Flooring, based in Somerset.

Ceramic tiles, sourced sustainably from the Midlands, make a bold entrance lobby, and Sisal, a natural plant fibre woven into hard wearing carpet is used throughout the high-traffic areas of the house.

The bedroom floors are covered with 100% wool carpet, sourced entirely from within Britain, and the bathroom and kitchen floors have natural marmoleum flooring, a mix of chalk powder, linseed oil and jute.

The show home is decorated in neutral tones using natural, award winning, 'breathable' paints, from The Green Shop, Gloucestershire.

Green Paints base its products on a resin made from Soya bean oils, water and renewable raw materials, avoiding the use of petroleum solvents, vinyl and other toxic components.

Due to the natural ingredients, Green Paints creates a safer environment for children and allergy sufferers.

Hand-made, individually designed iron beds from Nights in Iron, a family business run from a beautifully converted dairy farm on the Dorset Somerset border, feature in the two show home bedrooms, with bed linen made from 100% organic cotton, sourced from Green Fibres in Totnes, Devon.

The mattresses on the beds, also from Green Fibres, are made from coconut fibre, organic wool and cotton, and natural latex.

Wood in the show home originates from a sustainable source, from the beech and pine cabinets and work surfaces in the kitchen, fitted by a local Somerset company, to the ash pole banisters and dining room chairs and table.

The sofas and armchairs in the lounge were created by Arbor Vetum, a company that specialises in the designing and production of furniture from eco-friendly reclaimed teak, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

The completion of the show home at Great Bow Yard is aptly timed, ready for New Homes Week 2006 (20 - 26 March 2006), a campaign run by the New Homes Marketing Board to showcase Britain's new homes.

On Thursday 23 March New Homes Week will focus on new build properties, and the advantages they present to owners.

The development at Great Bow Yard aims to set the standard for eco-homes and sustainable building.

All the properties have significantly lower running costs than conventional houses, and are insulated and soundproofed far above normal standards for UK construction.

Built complete with renewable energy sources and energy-saving devices, Great Bow Yard demonstrates how people can leave a smaller footprint on the earth.

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