– written by Beth Haley

Sustainable/Green Design? You see and hear theses terms (I hope) but do you understand their meaning? As a design professional, I have been inundated with these terms for several years. It has also taken me several years to try to understand the subject and how I can best influence and support the issues.

Sustainable according to Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, means, “of, relating to or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged.” “Green” is a figure of speech that relates to the earth or environment. The educational seminars I attended in the early years of the movement spent so much time defining the terms and giving statistics that there was little time to explore the effect Interior Designers could affect and achieve. I would leave with a sense of frustration, wishing I had received a checklist to follow in addition to the terms and statistics. I am good at working a checklist. Give me my options and I will make a good decision. So, two years ago, I decided my design firm, Beth Haley Design, was going to find the answers, educate ourselves, create a system, and educate our clients and community, which leads me right to this article.

Since making this commitment, we have created check-lists, systems for design processes, letters for our clients to educate them on our philosophy, specifications for our work and compiled mounds of samples. Sourcing products has been challenging but has become easier month-to-month. With publicity that the subject has received, manufacturers are increasingly evaluating how they can enter the market. Believe it or not we still have mountains to climb! Not all manufacturers’ claims are what they seem.

This article has a six-week plan that includes this introduction, a brief overview of what the movement’s goals are, with follow-up on how to achieve or effect those goals within the confines of Interior Design.

Sustainable issues evolve around water conservation, energy conservation, indoor air quality (IAQ), landfill waste, reuse or recycle. Addressing these issues create a healthy comfortable, durable, energy efficient environmentally responsible home. Consumer benefits are; healthier environment, more comfortable, more durable, 30-50% more energy-efficient, and being more environmentally responsible.

There are several organizations with guidelines and criteria for measuring or evaluating achievement, along with levels of achievement. They all concentrate on these core issues. I will introduce you to those agencies through our series. As we go through the months we will discuss the steps you can take during the renovation/remodel of your existing home or construction of a new home. We will cover plumbing, lighting, appliances, flooring, countertops, cabinetry, tile, paint and wall treatments, upholstery and textiles.

If waiting is not your strong suite let me recommend these publications or organizations for your own research: Green Build Magazine,  Natural Home Magazine,  ASID’s book on Sustainable Interiors, by Kari Foster, Annette Stelmack, ASID and Debbie Hindman. and Green Remodeling, by David Johnston and Kim Master, LEED AP.  www.usgbc.org

I look forward to this journey with you. While I am not an expert, I am one person who believes small steps gain momentum towards bringing about change. I hope you will join me in making the concerted effort towards becoming  aware, making educated conscious decisions and sharing that knowledge with others. See you in the coming months!