Dominant themes in interior design today are about self-nurturing and protecting the environment. Furniture and décor manufacturers are creating new classics for your home by fabricating products that reduce their carbon footprint in the manufacture. They also promote recycling the product after a style changes. Think of it as eco-luxury with high-end comfort.
For a quick interior update, change your pillows. Buy new ones made from organic cotton, hemp, wool, silk, linen and even bamboo. Natural dyes allow for vibrant colors. Zippers add longevity as covers can be washed or spot-cleaned without damaging the pillow forms.
Breathe new life into your rooms with paint. Using no- or low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint, cover an accent wall or update furniture with warm neutrals that reflect earth hues or with the bright colors suggested by flowers.
Add LED (light-emitting diodes) fixtures for beautiful lighting while saving energy. Don’t forget the new compact fluorescent bulbs.
Thinking long-term investment? Start with a wood floor certified by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council). Bamboo flooring, available in an array of colors and cork, in a variety of patterns, also are an eco-friendly choice.
Purchase new furniture with soy foam instead of petroleum-based foam upholstery and cover it with natural fiber fabrics. Repurposing or refurbishing old furniture also is eco-friendly.
When redoing a kitchen or bath, use recycled materials for counters and backsplashes. Install a tank-less water heater, dual-flush toilets and low-flow showerheads and faucets.
When installing new lighting, motion sensors and dimmers provide significant savings and better aesthetics.
Going “green” creates stunning design, transforms the appearance of your home, saves money and has long-term benefit to the planet.
Lynn Wyndham Morris is an expert in kitchen and bath design with a specialty in eco-luxury, sustainable design and processes.
