INTERIOR DESIGN “GOING GREEN” WITH NEW PRODUCT OFFERINGS

Today it is getting easier “to be green” as manufacturers join with interior designers and builders to focus on materials that take the least toll on our environment and conserve natural resources.

“Conservation has in the past focused on energy saving appliances and energy saving materials for the construction of our homes,” said Debbie DeMaria, president of Vogue Interiors, a full-service design studio headquartered in Bonita Springs. “As interior designers we have long been drawn to natural materials that create a nurturing environment for our clients. Now manufacturers of furnishings, wall coverings and flooring are offering new options made from renewable resources and environmentally friendly materials.”

Malabar Fabrics, for example, make velvets from bamboo, a renewable resource. Barcode wall covering is hand-painted with recycled ink on acrylic-coated paper. BP Green uses palm trees due to be cut down because they are ending their biological cycle to create a glamorous credenza that also features pulls and legs of recycled aluminum and interior panels of formaldehyde-free recycled wood fiber.

On a larger scale, Restoration Timber offers reclaimed woods to add character to interiors and construction.

“The design industry as a whole is embracing the concepts of green building,” said Leslie Gebert, Allied Member ASID, with Vogue Interiors. “An entire issue of Interior Design magazine was devoted to the theme, focusing not only on new materials and new manufacturing techniques and standards but also recognizing projects worldwide that have employed innovative design concepts to achieve a green standard.”

A stand-out is a restaurant in Brooklyn – Cheryl’s global Soul – which features an array of ethnic dishes such as a Moroccan tagine and Thai coconut curry mussels. It isn’t the menu but the design that makes the restaurant remarkable. The interior, in which wooden walls and wooden ceiling are a main feature, is composed of recycled wooden pallets, a tribute to economy and creative recycling.

Locally, Gebert has made use of similarly innovative materials, such as a contemporary cocktail table made of split walnut shells selected for a client’s home. Information about such products, however, is not always widespread.

“We have long been focusing on energy-saving appliances and building materials,” Gebert said. “Low-e energy efficient glass and appliances that bear the Energy Star label are items that home owners have learned to look for, but when it comes to interior finishing, there is less information readily available to the public.”

There are a number of inconvenient realities that contradict the effectiveness of items purported to be environmentally friendly. Some of those “water-saving” toilets, for example, must be flushed several times to function properly, so the savings is lost to inefficiency. Some of the least expensive bamboo flooring may emit harmful fumes.

“It is important to know the details about a product,” Gebert said. “For example, certain flame retardants used in upholstery release a toxic emission. Paints may contain harmful compounds. Consumers should be certain that the particle board and plywood used in many products and built-ins is formaldehyde-free. Even some furnishings with beautiful veneers could emit formaldehyde from its particleboard underlayment. As professional designers, those are some of the issues that we investigate when we select materials for use in the home or office.”

Good design as well as careful material selection can, in effect, offset many of the potential problems.

“Prior to installation or use, it is a good idea to take off the plastic wrapping and packing materials and allow the material to be ventilated,” Gebert said. “Living plants in a room contribute to air quality. And of course, good ventilation is always an excellent idea for any room.”

DeMaria emphasizes the importance of product knowledge in striving for a “green” environment.

“The primary goal for going green isn’t just to achieve a vague satisfaction about the environment,” DeMaria notes. “The goal is to achieve an environment in our homes and offices that is not only beautiful but also healthy for the individuals who inhabit the space and that preserves as much of our natural resources as possible. That is our responsibility as professionals.”