Green Patina at www.japanese-home-gardens.com

Among the more creative touches to the spot is the atypical use of an old but elegant bird cage. “When we took over the space, we noticed that there was this large vintage bird cage,” Hernandez said. “We painted it black with a green patina and we nestled it right behind the barbecue. It masks the electrical panel” that controls the power for the entire house.

Through the exhibition and related programming, The Green House will explore developments in sustainability and will provide an informative overview of this dynamic design movement. This exhibition will take a look at some questions home-owners often ask when considering a green home or product, including: What makes a product green? How is a green home healthier, safer, and more comfortable? and How much does it cost to 'go green?'

Is it the patina of the past? Rome, Florence, Venice, Genoa, Palermo, Agrigento and a hundred other places are fairly bathed in the colors of a brilliant past.