Oct 12 2006
American Clay – The Original Earth Plaster – is proud to be part of a new and unique home renovation called "Your Green House," presented by Good Housekeeping, which boasts one of the highest circulations in the publishing industry. American Clay, the award-winning natural finish for interior walls and ceilings, covers the central stairwell in the New York City project, which will set a standard for sustainable, environmentally responsible home-building. The transformation of a 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 (7,000,000) and is also available on www.goodhousekeeping.com.
Paul Gleicher of Gleicher Design Group is 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 this Fall. 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.
"American Clay fits so easily into our New York City home, while making us feel as though we are truly living in a Tuscan villa or adobe house in the year 2006," says Gleicher. "The product shimmers, soothes, adds warmth and color, and to top it all off.... does not allow little fingerprints to ruin the look of the space. American Clay is one product that I’d use again in an instant. And did I mention, it’s all natural and non-toxic!"
The company’s super-smooth Porcelina – in the color Tucson Gold – covers the central stairwell, which extends up the center of the house from the entryway to the sunroom. John Sharp, co-owner of Croydon Finishing and applicator for the project, says, "I’ve found American Clay applies so easily – like butter! – and provides the quality of a high end Venetian plaster. It really brings such wonderful depth to the walls."
American Clay – recommended for restorations as well as new construction – contains no VOCs, is non-flammable, gives additional masonry mass in rooms, resists mold growth, absorbs sound, provides humidity buffering, and is easily repairable. There is no off-gassing or inherent waste on-site. The product was selected as a Best Product in 2005 by Architectural Record and BUILDERnews Magazine, adding to its 2004 Outstanding New Green Product Award from the NAHB. It is on display through June 2007 in the National Building Museum’s exhibition "The Green House: New Directions in Sustainable Architecture and Design" in Washington D.C., and has been featured in this year’s Southern Living Idea House, and in winning Parade homes across the U.S.
Gleicher concludes that he and his wife are providing a "model 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."