Bill Barnes has taken big steps toward reducing the size of his carbon footprint.

For the kitchen of his new riverfront transitional home on Cherokee Road, Barnes purchased cabinetry, countertops, appliances and flooring that qualify as "green."

The environmentally correct space wasn't a directive to his designer, KDW Home.

"I just wanted the perfect kitchen for myself," said Barnes, who owns 10 McDonald's franchises in the Chesterfield County area.

"What I wound up with -- being green -- is a byproduct of what they do and where they get their stuff."

"No one has yet walked in and said they want a green kitchen," said Marvin Daniel, president of KDW Home.

"We do get energy questions. Everybody seems to understand the water bill, gas bill or electric bill.

"But we're not there yet in terms of materials. They might like a bamboo floor because it's beautiful and feels good under their feet. When you tell them it's a renewable resource, they say, 'Oh, that's great.' We have to teach consumers."

Barnes' kitchen was a high-end installation, although KDW wouldn't quote prices. In general, however, eco-friendly products have been slow to catch on with homeowners because they cost significantly more than their mainstream counterparts.

But experts said the gap is narrowing. Transportation costs for both are the same. The cost of oil, found in many lower-end home materials but not usually in green products, also has leveled the field.

Contact Julie Young at (804) 649-6732 or jyoung@timesdispatch.com.

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