House Tour: 1885 NYC Townhouse Goes Green

When architect Paul Gleicher and his wife, Lisa Sharkey, renovated their classic New York City townhouse, they started by replacing the original windows with wide banks that bathe the interior with natural light. Mullions keep the home's exterior in sync with surrounding 19th-century building.

Demonstrating that green design can also be cutting-edge, the stunning living room fireplace is framed by recycled glass and concrete slabs from the Brooklyn-based company IceStone. Formaldehyde-free pearwood covers the wall and mantel, imbuing the space with a warm yet fresh feeling.

One-of-a-kind wooden furniture appears throughout the house. Many pieces are made from responsibly harvested or reclaimed wood. Bringing their labor of love full circle, the homeowners donated the original 18-foot joists to a furniture maker.

The same formaldehyde-free pearwood and IceStone surfacing used in the living room also sets the tone in the kitchen. Green, blue, and white glass tiles alternate in the eye-catching backsplash for a tranquil but cheerful result.

In the cozy breakfast nook, sustainable upholstery adds a further layer of interest to a banquette built large enough to accommodate Gleicher and Sharkey's children and guests.

A serene blue shade of no-VOC paint on the walls combines with an organic, formaldehyde-free mattress on the bed to ensure sweet dreams in this environmentally friendly master bedroom.

In the master bath, recycled glass and concrete counters complement the water-saving toilet and faucets. And here's an idea to incorporate into your own bathroom: Heated towel racks can replace radiators when floor space is limited.

Gleicher and Sharkey chose to cover the walls of this cozy bath with alternating stripes of tiles made from recycled glass. The neutral earth tones chosen work to enhance, rather than overwhelm, the modestly proportioned room.

Few in New York City use their roof space, but Gleicher and Sharkey took full advantage of their own. A glass conservatory maximizes daylight in the house and provides an ideal counterpoint to the green roof outside.

Featuring a walkway of IceStone pavers set into a blanket of easy-care sedum, the enchanting green roof brings a little country to the big city.

If you are interested in more "green" living, consider:

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