DALLAS, N.C. -- In the rural fields of Gaston County, These truly are "green acres".

Clarence and Luba Penticuff bought this 90-year-old farm in Dallas two years ago, and made a commitment to renovate the home in harmony with the countryside.

They designed their addition to go around existing trees. Instead of throwing construction waste into the garbage, they used left over boards, blocks and even a telephone pole to build an organic garden and a shed.

"You reuse it and it's a great product and it doesn’t go to the landfill,"

And while the plants soak up the Carolina sun, the house reflects more of its heat, thanks to ceramic crystals in the paint, and better insulation.

“[It’s] equivalent to 8 inches of fiber glass insulation,” Clarence said. “It will increase the radiant value another 30 percent which makes a total of 60 percent radiant value in the house.”

They saved old wood beams, and the original wood floors, all to avoid waste.

Born in Ukraine, Luba says recycling and conserving resources was always a way of life for her.

“You can see it in Europe and the world, and you have it in North Carolina now,” she said.

And it's a lifestyle she and her husband have continued, as they renovate a home from the past, while keeping an eye on the future.