Saving the Planet, One Room at a Time
It was a chilly morning, and I found myself shoulder-to-shoulder with my client, both of us gripping steaming cups of coffee. The scene before us was dark, filthy, and bone-cold – certainly not what we had envisioned when starting this eco-friendly interior design project.
You see, my clients had tasked me with gut-renovating their 1780s farmhouse, creating a stylish-yet-sustainable sanctuary. They wanted a dream kitchen, an airy sunroom, and a cozy family room – all while minimizing the project’s environmental impact. A tall order, to be sure, but I was determined to make it happen.
As we surveyed the mess, the contractor called with some rather unsettling news. Turns out, when we had removed the tile and the floor underneath, we had uncovered a long-forgotten open water well. No foundation. Yikes. Apparently, back in the 1700s, kitchens were intentionally disconnected from the living quarters as a fire precaution. Over the years, a breezeway had been constructed to brave the elements, which had then become a proper room. But the lack of a proper foundation had been concealed by the layers of time.
Luckily, my clients were on board to restore this beautiful historic home in an eco-friendly way – and they kept their cool while we retrofitted the structure to modern standards. Together, we worked to incorporate beautiful, sustainable design choices throughout the space. And let me tell you, the end result was nothing short of breathtaking.
Upcycling and Repurposing: Giving New Life to Old Treasures
One of the keys to creating an eco-friendly interior is to focus on recycling, repurposing, and upcycling wherever possible. After all, reusing existing materials is a far more sustainable approach than constantly sourcing new ones.
As interior designer Jillian Pritchard Cooke says, “Buying secondhand items is inherently green. Always ask if there is an existing item that can be used and kept out of the landfill.”
In this project, we scoured local architectural salvage yards and antique markets, hunting for hidden gems that could be given new life. A vintage potting table added tons of character to the sunroom addition, while a pair of antique laundry room doors and hardware made a major statement. Even the heating grates throughout the home were sourced from salvage yards – proof that you don’t need shiny new materials to create something truly special.
And the best part? Recycling the old and making it new is much more eco-friendly than sourcing brand-new materials. It’s a win-win for the planet and for the overall aesthetic of the space.
Responsible Material Selection: Choosing Eco-Friendly Alternatives
Of course, not every element of the renovation could be sourced secondhand. When it came to selecting new materials, my clients and I were laser-focused on finding the most sustainable options available.
For the kitchen countertops, we opted for soapstone – a natural stone that was sourced locally on the East Coast. As the House of Funk blog explains, “It’s not easy getting stone out of the earth, so when sourcing materials, find ones that are sourced close to you as that leaves a smaller carbon footprint.”
In the powder room, we used a stone remnant for the vintage wash stand counter, minimizing waste. And the wallpaper? That came from Farrow & Ball, a brand known for its water-based paints and FSC-certified paper.
Even the kitchen flooring was made from reclaimed wood, with a radiant heating system installed underneath for efficient, consistent warmth. And in the sunroom, we incorporated solar roller shades to help contain and reduce heat transfer.
The key was to constantly ask ourselves: “Could this be more efficient? Could that be having a second life? Could this be recycled? Could that be a better, more eco-friendly material?” By keeping those questions front of mind, we were able to create a stunning interior while prioritizing sustainability.
Greening Up the Indoor Environment
Of course, eco-friendly design isn’t just about the materials we use – it’s also about creating a healthier indoor environment for our clients to thrive in. And that’s where natural air purifiers, like houseplants, come into play.
As the House of Funk blog suggests, “Aloe Vera is great in the kitchen as it can clear formaldehyde and benzene, which are often byproducts of chemical-based cleaners or paint.” Meanwhile, the Peace Lily is a “flowering triple threat” known for removing three of the most common volatile organic compounds (VOCs): formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene.
Beyond the plants, we also incorporated UV window film to help keep the home cool in the summer and retain heat in the winter. Energy efficiency and minimizing the home’s carbon footprint were always top of mind.
And when it came to finishes like carpets, rugs, and paints, we made sure to opt for low- or no-VOC options. After all, why would we want to introduce unnecessary toxic chemicals into our clients’ living space?
A Holistic Approach to Sustainable Design
Ultimately, creating an eco-friendly interior isn’t about perfection – it’s about taking meaningful steps in the right direction. As Jillian Pritchard Cooke of Wellness Within Your Walls so eloquently puts it, “We’re not unrealistic. Scrapping everything isn’t sustainable.”
Instead, it’s about adopting a holistic mindset and making thoughtful choices throughout the design process. From sourcing vintage furnishings to selecting eco-friendly materials, every decision counts. And by working closely with my clients, we were able to create a space that was not only beautiful, but also kind to the planet.
So, if you’re looking to design a home that’s good for your health and the environment, I encourage you to start small. Swap in some LED light bulbs, invest in natural cleaning products, or bring in some air-purifying houseplants. Every little bit makes a difference when it comes to creating an eco-friendly interior.
And who knows – you might just uncover a few hidden gems (both figuratively and literally) along the way. After all, that’s half the fun of sustainable design. So why not get started on your own green home transformation today? Plug N’ Save Energy Products is here to help you every step of the way.