| Determine the Project Scope | | | | obtained regionally generally will have a smaller |
| The scope of the project you are undertaking will | | | | environmental impact from a transportation standpoint. |
| affect the decisions you make about Green Design. | | | | The added benefit is that they generally are delivered |
| We generally look at the scope of a project as being | | | | quicker and support the local economy. |
| one of three types in ascending complexity. | | | | - Look for vintage pieces. No new energy will go into |
| - Redecorate - Re-designing an existing room with no | | | | the production of something that has already been |
| new construction will be the least intensive. The option | | | | made (aside from transport). |
| of re-use is generally greater with existing spaces. | | | | - Pay attention to what new items are made from. If it |
| - Re-model - Re-models often open up living areas | | | | is an item made from wood, ask where the wood |
| and require more "net new" materials, however the | | | | came from. Ideally the item will be made from FSC |
| potential for re-use is still an option. | | | | (Forest Stewardship Certified), reclaimed woods, or |
| - New Home - Designing a new home will most likely | | | | urban hardwoods (trees felled as a result of storm or |
| require more "net new" materials than a remodel or | | | | other natural reasons). If these are not available look |
| redecoration. This "clean slate" offers opportunities to | | | | for abundant native wood species which tend to be |
| incorporate more sustainable design elements but the | | | | grown in a sustainable manner. |
| potential for higher environmental impact is also greater | | | | - Although carpet companies have made great strides |
| if not managed. | | | | in the last few years to become "green" they still don't |
| Determine Project Goals | | | | match the age old natural wool rug. Look for all wool |
| Once you have determined the general scope of a | | | | rugs, preferably handmade. Unfortunately few |
| project the next step would be to decide what the | | | | handmade rugs are woven locally which means that |
| primary goal of your green project is. Goals will vary | | | | they must travel distances to get here, but wool is |
| from project to project but can generally be broken | | | | rapidly renewable, anti microbial, naturally resistant to |
| into one of two categories: | | | | mold mildew and bacteria. If maintained properly a well |
| - Reduce the overall environmental impact that your | | | | made handwoven rug will also last a lifetime. |
| home has. i.e. reduce the environmental footprint. | | | | Tips for Healthy Living Environment Focused Design |
| - Create a healthy living environment, free of potential | | | | When designing a space with a focus on healthy living |
| toxins. | | | | a few more considerations may come into play. The |
| It is important to note that these two are not | | | | designer must first take note if the client has any |
| necessarily mutually exclusive. However, when | | | | special allergies or chemical sensitivities that will affect |
| deciding between the pros and cons of multiple | | | | the design. Below are some general tips to consider: |
| product choices it is helpful to keep in mind the ultimate | | | | - Use organic wherever possible. Where chemical |
| goal. | | | | sensitivity, allergies or other health issues are |
| An example of this trade off may occur when | | | | concerned it is always best to use natural product |
| redecorating a living room. If your goal is to design for | | | | components. Today there are organic options available |
| a healthy living environment it may be necessary to | | | | for most home furnishing products. |
| replace the old sofa, which is most likely made using | | | | - Again we would recommend wool area rugs, unless |
| toxic glues and cushions. However, replacing old item | | | | there is an allergy involved. As noted above wool rugs |
| with new items is not always the "greenest" thing to | | | | are anti microbial, and naturally resistant to mold mildew |
| do, as it creates more waste. A similar project with an | | | | and bacteria. They also have the added benefit of |
| environmental impact focus may opt to have the | | | | being able to be removed and thoroughly cleaned to |
| existing piece re-upholstered. Depending on the budget | | | | remove dust and dirt. |
| and needs of the project this process may | | | | - Using low VOC paints is recommended any time |
| encompass the use of organic fabrics as well as | | | | recovering a wall is required. Most major paint |
| re-stuffing of the frame to capture some healthy living | | | | companies offer these now. When possible use |
| environment benefits or it may stay strictly focused on | | | | premixed low VOC colors as VOC's tend to be |
| environmental impact and use a fabric made from | | | | added as tints are injected to the base. |
| recycled materials. | | | | - Look for furniture assembled with water based glues. |
| Tips for Environmental Impact Focused Design | | | | Most manufactures are making the switch but the |
| A good starting point for any Environmental Impact | | | | alternative is a formaldehyde base which becomes a |
| Focused Design is to take stock of what you already | | | | gas at room temperature and can "off gas" in your |
| have. The more that you can Re-use or Re-purpose | | | | home for years. |
| the less new material you will have to buy, this will both | | | | - Where dyes are used in fabrics and rugs, look for |
| save money and reduce the impact of making new | | | | low impact (or no) chrome dyes or natural dyes. Also |
| goods. Some basic ideas to consider would include: | | | | referred as Swiss Dyes low impact dyes are made |
| - Have kitchen cabinets faux painted to give them a | | | | with high absorption rates to readily bond with the fiber |
| new look. Replace pulls with unique salvaged pieces or | | | | requiring less dye and minimizing the use of heavy |
| items made from recycled material. | | | | metals. Vegetable dyes on the other hand are 100% |
| - Consider having countertops veneered instead of | | | | natural to the point where they are bonded with the |
| replaced. | | | | rug. There is some debate over the "green-ness" of |
| - Reupholster pieces that are not completely thread | | | | vegetable dyes but in all they are better than standard |
| bare or talk to a good upholsterer about altering the | | | | chrome dyes. |
| lines of a piece. | | | | Getting rid of the old |
| - Repurpose old rugs. Old kilim and other rug | | | | If you are buying some new items you are most likely |
| fragments can often be washed and cut down to | | | | doing away with some old pieces as well. The |
| make great pillow covers or even use as upholstery | | | | question then becomes what to do with your old |
| fabric. | | | | pieces. If they are still useful try one of the following: |
| - Re-use old fabric. If you are having a sofa | | | | - Donating them to the salvation army (who will come |
| recovered, consider trying to use portions of the old | | | | and get them in many cases). |
| fabric if possible on smaller projects. | | | | - Post them on Freecycle.org if you wish to give them |
| After going through everything that you can re-use | | | | away |
| inevitably there will be some new pieces that you will | | | | - Sell them locally on Craiglist |
| need to buy in order to complete your decor. Below | | | | - Contact a vintage furniture store or consignment |
| are some considerations when buying new items. | | | | shop to see if they are interested in buying or taking |
| - Look for local first. Items that are produced or | | | | the piece in on consignment. |