Sustainability
Finding Long-Term Happiness in the Design of Your Home
I didn’t marry him for his furniture, but the fact that this guy already owned a sleek, Scandinavian teak and leather sofa might have been a good sign we could build a life together.
Thirty years, three sons and a golden retriever later, that same sofa is featured in our newly redone empty nester living room.
Who knew the Scandinavian mid century vibe would be so hip when it came time for a refresh?!
Sorry, this blog offers no advice on finding a mate, but I am going to talk about one of the hottest design topics and offer key advice on designing your bedroom and every other room in your house.
Three words: DO IT SUSTAINABLY
Sustainability is hot, but what does it have to do with your home’s design? How might it effect your choices for furniture and décor? The paint on the walls? Or yet, the roof overhead? I know, I know...just one more thing to think about. Sustainability adds yet another layer to the already complicated and expensive formula of creating a home. Isn’t life crazy busy enough? Who has the bandwidth?
But what if the opposite were true? What if doing it sustainably increased the enjoyment of your home and made it a healthier place to live? What if keeping sustainability in the forefront of your mind actually revealed new and exciting design possibilities of your home?
Sustainability is nothing to be afraid of
In fact, a sustainable approach to designing your home has many advantages, both personal and global.
On a personal front, sustainable design reduces your exposure to toxic chemicals. Avoiding VOC’s and flame retardants commonly used in foam are substances with known links to cancer and other serious health problems.
On a global front, sustainable design assures that your wood furniture comes from certified, responsibly managed forests -thus preventing deforestation.
Sustainably issues are weighty, but resist the temptation to get overwhelmed. All decisions and purchases you make with sustainability in mind will make a difference! Slowly start familiarizing yourself with sustainable practices.
The Sustainable Furnishings Council is a great place to start. What I love about the SFC is their non-judgmental and inviting approach to sustainability. Check out their Quick Buying Guide for questions to ask about things you’re consider purchasing for your home.
What are my tips on entering the world of sustainability?
Know where things come from, not just how fast you can get them.
Consider quality, not just price.
Unlock the design potential of what you already have and commit to personal style instead of following trends.
Sustainable values are neither difficult nor foreign to me. In fact, they underpin my whole approach to design. My genetics and upbringing are to blame here: I’ve been thoroughly steeped in an American Swedish immigrant culture of creative resourcefulness and making-do with what you have. My parents made certain that wilderness adventure was part of life education. Our family canoe trips in the BWCA gave me intimate exposure to the natural world with all it’s beauty and complexity. I learned how to make a home there.
So it’s no wonder why I’m at home with sustainability and the design challenges it presents. From my designer’s perspective, it forms a natural foundation for every project.
What happened to that teak and leather sofa, you ask?
The dozen of candidates I considered to replace it lacked a design element that was essential to us: our story. Our lives had a seat on this sofa for the past 25 years. So instead of replacing it, I ordered a few new hides of beautiful leather and entrusted it to my talented upholsterer for renewal. The leather came from Studioart, a great company whose founding aspect just happens to be sustainability.
Helping clients create a sustainable style that frees them from the tyranny of trends is one way I practice sustainability in my business. I believe an investment in design and quality furnishings should serve you for many years to come. Sustainable design can evolve with your life. It tells your story. Sustainable design is design for keeps.
If you’re curious about creating your own sustainable style and want to know more I’d welcome the chance to connect! Just fill out my contact form and I’ll be in touch!