911 W. 50th St., Minneapolis, 612-353-4401, casaverde.com
Green has gone from hippie to hip. We sip from BPA-free water bottles; we dress ourselves in organic-cotton denim; we drape our beds with bamboo blankets—all without sacrificing style. Casa Verde, the new south Minneapolis kitchen-and-bath design studio and retail shop, epitomizes just how luxurious green can be. Founders Rosemary Merrill, Susan Brunn, and Susan Jacobs are as likely to gush about the “gorgeous” grain of a rustic farm table as they are about the fact that the wood was reclaimed from a 150-year-old Finnish cabin. At Casa Verde, the women bring their penchant for good design and commitment to sustainability to the masses. Unlike most interior-design studios, Casa Verde is open to the public. The down-to-earth approach means that customers can pop in for inspiration on their home-interior projects, or work with an in-house designer to create an “eco-luxe” kitchen or bath. The shop is outfitted with energy efficient Sub-Zero appliances, locally made custom cabinets, and furniture fashioned from biodegradable textiles and sustainably harvested wood. While furnishings and fixtures are often made-to-order, Casa Verde’s collection of home accessories offers instant gratification.
