Green Investments: Sustainable Design
Instead of buying a new sofa, Martin Young Design reupholstered their client's heirloom settee. Photo: Jose Manuel Alorda.
The discussion of sustainability and supporting eco-friendly efforts is everywhere. A variety of industries have begun to address how to improve their environmental impact and achieve more innovative, sustainable solutions. Several companies are putting sustainability at the forefront of their business. It’s essential to know which brands are designing sustainably and which are inaccurately claiming the title. Once familiar with the noteworthy, eco-friendly vendors, then it could be beneficial to incorporate into your work and advise clients to invest.
Lotus Bleu repurposed a vintage cotton suzani from Samarkand, by covering an ottoman it for their Istanbul Market Collection
Sustainable design is a vague term that encompasses a variety of types of environmentally friendly processes. They range from ethical manufacturing to transparent sourcing to buying vintage and antique pieces. Discovering what matters most to you as a designer will then narrow down what your brands you should be using and why. Visit Business of Home to reference an extensive list of brands they recommend that are successfully achieving a sustainable design in every facet.
Isolina Mallon Interiors worked with the rug manufacturer Scott Group Studio, who is transparent about their sourcing. Photo: Konstrukt Photo
It can be a challenge to convince your clients that you will need them to invest more money into sourcing ethical, green resources for their projects. At first glance, it will always seem easier to move forward with the more affordable option. It’s essential to convey the value of these investments to your clients and the contribution it makes to improving the environmental crisis we currently are facing. Intentional design goes a long way and keeping the environment at the forefront of our design processes, and consumer decisions are not only recommended but vital.
