I purchased an older home that ended up being a disaster. The subfloors and hardwood floors were rotton. The floors had been painted yellow and the discoveries were not found until we tried to re-finish the floors.
Since the house required way more than just the cosmetics we were thinking it needed, I decided to try and make it as environmentally friendly as possible.
We first had to tear out the old maple flooring (it was beyond saving). We saved much of this wood to use for trim around the house. Then the subflooring had to go. We replaced some joyces and installed a new subfloor and oak flooring. All of the nailing was done by hand along with the sanding of the new floor. To minimize waste, we used boards that may have been discarded and performed the manual work to make them useable. The wood was disposed of at a site that uses it for energy. All of the lighting was purchased from Thrift stores (recycled) and energy saving bulbs are used. The living/dining room remodel cost us $2700.00
Secondly, the floors had to be ripped out upstairs also (and replaced)...we purchased utility grade maple that stated there would be a 30% unusable product. Instead of purchasing 30% extra, we went with what we needed. Only about 30% was good and we put in many hours of additional manual labor to utilize all of the product (to minimize waste). The floors were then polyed w/ waterbase and no stain was used. We built inset bookshelving with recycled wood from the old floors. There had been an old partical board cabinet that was junk in the house, so I took that and refurbished it into a storage chest for sweaters w/seating and lined it with cedar for moth control. I also took an old metal tv stand (along with some old wood from the floors) and converted it into a frame holder. This remodel cost us $500.00.
We built inset shelving with recycled wood from the old floors throughout the house.
Then, we remodeled the down stairs bathroom. The old partical board cabinet was water damaged and there was mold behind it on the wall. We took used drywall from an area that we had built a shelf, and replaced the damaged drywall with that. We disposed of the cabinet. I purchased an old cabinet for 99 cents from the salvation army and refinished it with a watercolor and waterbase poly. I used the hinges from the old cabinet and bought an antique pull for a handle. I also purchase a light from the thrift store (1.50) and a mirror (7.00). We took out the bad vinyl flooring and replaced the subfloor that was also waterdamaged. We put in Porcelin tiles, and replaced the toilet tank hardware to use less water. The entire remodel was 150.00.
The upstairs bathroom also needed work. I refinished the vanity with a nice india ink and waterbase poly, re-furbished the light and installed a ventilation fan. Took out the partical board cabinet and purchased an old sewing cabinet from the 50's. I refinished the sewing cabinet and cut a bigger hole in the top to set the sink into. The vinyl floors were replaced with eco-friendly rubber flooring. It is absoulutely great and all cost less than 350.00.
We still have the kitchen to start, which we plan on restoring the cabinets and replacing the vinyl flooring with cork. All carpet has been removed and replaced with natural wood. We also furnished our entire home by purchasing old beat-up furniture from thrift stores and refinishing them. It cost us less than 400.00 to furnish our entire home (minus a bed). One great thing I did for storage and to maximize space was the purchase of many old chests/suitcases that I relined, which is great because they look cool and can be in any room (not like the plastic tubs that are ugly and typically go into basements or closets.
Our house did not have gutters, so I improved the grade around the house and planted rain gardens.
I also have rain collectors that I water other gardens with when it hasn't mysteriously dissapeared(my neighbors are always emptying it after a rain when I am at work?????????). I planted many varieties of native plants including raspberries, blackberries and strawberries - which the birds love. This spring I plan to plant trees that will save energy by diverting wind contact from the house.
This is a project in the works, but I think we are moving in the right direction.