TELLURIDE, July 26, 5:03 p.m. - Creativity meets functionality at the EcoSpaces showroom in Lawson Hill, where natural clay becomes earth-toned wall plaster, blue jeans are transformed into non-toxic insulation material, and old car tires find new life as durable roof shingles. On display are samples of wool carpet in a rainbow of different hues; 3-Form (a material made from recycled plastic and resin that looks like glass and can be used anywhere, from countertops to greenhouses); and reclaimed and sustainably-harvested wood flooring, from classic cherry to contemporary bamboo to innovative cork.

Owners Daniel and Joanna Kanow work from a desk made of paperstone, a hard-as-stone material made from recycled paper, and meet clients over a table crafted from reclaimed bowling alley flooring. The cozy showroom in the Society Turn Business Center was remodeled using 100 percent green practices, from the non-toxic stains and adhesives to the energy-efficient lighting.

The location has allowed the Kanows, who have been in the green building business for the past year-and-a-half, to “walk the talk” more than ever before, Joanna says. By choosing to build or remodel using green materials, “consumers can really make an impact with their dollar, while working toward a more sustainable culture overall,” she says.

The Kanows’ desire to make their own impact on the local environmental movement sparked their business idea of bringing green building options to the Telluride community. They started EcoSpaces, with employee David Allen, last December. Their upcoming Grand Opening of the Lawson Hill showroom on Aug. 1 marks another step toward the company’s ultimate goal of making sustainable building practices the norm, instead of the alternative.

“Telluride is already a great model of environmental consciousness for the rest of the country,” Allen says, “so this business is a great fit for the community. [The green building movement] has to start somewhere.”

EcoSpaces has assisted their clients in an array of different size jobs, from the almost completely green remodel of Honga’s Lotus Petal restaurant on main street to local homeowners’ small building projects.

“We’re a resource center as much as anything,” Daniel explains. “We want to help people with their choices, whether it’s redoing the floor throughout their entire house or just installing some water-saving faucets in their bathroom.”

EcoSpaces is an official dealer for more than 40 different national green building supply companies. Virtually anything needed for a remodel or new building project can be found through EcoSpaces, from interior design details like carpets, countertops and fixtures to exterior and structural building supplies such as roofing, siding, decking, and insulation. 

Choosing eco-conscious materials over more traditional ones has been a growing trend in the Telluride community.

“People are making the choice to go green because of the durability of the products, as well as because of their health consequences and their long-term environmental benefits,” Daniel says. Many of the products found at EcoSpaces are cost-comparable to similar, traditional high-end products; and as the green building movement continues to gather momentum, prices for those eco-conscious products will fall, says Joanna.

“People are building really tight, efficient houses,” she says, “and the last thing they want to do is lock themselves into their own toxic box. A home should be a healthy place for you and your family, and the materials you choose to build that home are important.”

The Kanows started EcoSpaces after they “flipped” two local properties, choosing to use green products in those remodels. Interest in their green building practices grew among local contractors, builders and realtors, and the Kanows realized they had discovered a niche.

The Kanows (who both boast a background in education) teamed up with Allen, whose interest in green building and background in economy and environmental studies made him an easy choice for the company’s first employee.

EcoSpaces specializes in assisting architects, designers and homeowners in selecting materials from their enormous library of samples to create a unique green palette. EcoSpaces can also act as a consultant on projects intended to become LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified, as well as provide guidance for those working with the green building codes for the Town of Telluride, Mountain Village and San Miguel County.

The community is invited to drop by for EcoSpaces for their official Grand Opening, Wednesday, Aug. 1 from noon to 7 p.m. The new showroom is located at 162 A Society Drive in Lawson Hill. Food and beverages will be provided throughout the day. For more information, call the EcoSpaces office at 728-1973.