Three business partners created Wild Rose Timberworks over 15 years ago based upon shared values. Dealing directly with clients and doing nearly all the work themselves — by hand — became central tenets of the business. Wild Rose provides a truly handcrafted product at a reasonable price. The team has been able to accomplish this by remaining small, by tackling only one project at a time, by emphasizing skilled labor rather than expensive machines, and by discovering new ways to grow the business without increasing size or volume.

Mother Earth News' green homes editor discusses eco-friendly insulation options, and explains why some are greener than others.

Using energy from the sun to heat buildings is great for the environment and can cut your heating and cooling bills in half. With no pipes, pumps or motors, this method of heating and cooling is almost maintenance free, too. Better design and new technology make passive solar a wise choice for home heating and cooling. Read what three experts have to say about passive solar heating.

It takes a lot of energy to produce concrete, so when possible, it's good to look for substitute building materials. Here are a couple of options that might be good choices for a garage.

Mother Earth News' green homes editor offers remodeling advice for home owners interested in reducing their environmental footprint.

From building green to green remodeling, with solar design and natural options.

On-demand water heaters provide an “endless supply” of hot water, but are they really “green”? There’s no need to keep 40 gallons of water hot if it won’t be used for hours. If you choose the right “tankless” water heater, it will be a good financial investment and you’ll reduce your carbon footprint at the same time.

Concrete countertops have some big benefits: They're inexpensive and easy to install yourself. Check out the details here.

Thinking of building a home from scratch rather than remodeling? Architects Carol Venolia and Kelly Lerner provide compelling reasons for working with an existing building instead. Natural Remodeling for the Not-So-Green House describes ways to “bring your home into harmony with nature.” The book is beautifully organized and contains abundant photographs and diagrams, valuable data and insights, personal experiences of the authors, and detailed case studies to further illustrate the benefits experienced by actual homeowners.