Interior Design’s Role in the Environment
Did you know that 569 million tons of construction & demolition debris were generated in the United States in 2017, according to the EPA? And in the same year, an additional 17.4 million tons of waste came in the form of old appliances and furniture. Altogether, that’s the equivalent of 1,600 Empire State Buildings. In 2017 alone. We can do better.
As an interior design studio, it’s our job to select the furniture, decor, countertops, tile, faucets, and other materials you’ll be using in your home. And all of these are items that could end up in the numbers listed above.
With that in mind, we have a responsibility to our planet. At Studio Connolly, we’re actively contradicting the idea that the design and construction industry must always generate excessive waste. We implement three sustainable design principles in each of our projects: create efficient homes, use better materials, and give old items new life.
Creating Efficient Homes
Our homes run on systems. Plumbing, mechanical, HVAC, electrical…and all of these systems have plenty of room for improvement. We’re making an effort to increase efficiency in as many home systems as we can, both for the environment and for your pocket!
Solar panels are a great option if budget allows. But installing energy efficient windows and doors will also reduce the total amount of energy you’ll need to use in order to heat or cool your home. Adding an area rug and drapes in your bedroom or living room will improve insulation even further! And we specify LED light fixtures whenever possible, so that your home can be well-lit without using excess energy.
When it comes to water, more efficient toilets, shower heads, and faucets are a great way to reduce waste. Plus, with the latest water pressure technology, you won’t be able to tell the difference when it comes to functionality. It’s a win-win for you and the environment. And if it’s time for a new water heater or HVAC unit, our go-to contractors can help us find the perfect, most efficient unit for your space.
Using Better Materials
High quality furniture and materials last longer, period. We’ve developed relationships with some of the best furniture manufacturers and suppliers in the business, who value quality above all. Solid wood furniture, natural rugs, and organic fabrics add a high end feel to each space we design.
As a bonus, those higher end materials won’t off-gas as many Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which are harmful chemicals that don’t belong in the environment, let alone your own home. Rugs made of wool and jute, and fabrics made of linen and cotton are better for you, all around. And when it comes to upholstery, we use natural latex foam from rubber trees wrapped in wool when possible. Did you know that wool is naturally fire retardant? No need for chemicals here!
Solid wood furniture uses fewer harmful adhesives than MDF furniture, because the furniture makers can use traditional wood joinery techniques. These items also tend to be easier to clean than their less expensive counterparts, which means less time spent and resources wasted on cleaning. Additionally, at Studio Connolly, we are always on the lookout to make sure that our wood furniture and materials are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which tells us that the wood was harvested sustainably.
Giving Old Items New Life
When it comes to construction and demolition, waste is hard to avoid. However, we’ve found some great companies that are helping us divert a large amount of that waste from the landfill. For large pieces of furniture and appliances, we schedule on-site pick-ups from Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Capital City Haul, who can make sure to give the pieces a new home. And for unbroken tiles, plumbing fixtures, hardware, and lighting, our contractors use Greenwaste – a sister company to the Florin-Perkins recycling center. They salvage and resell it all, and even pulverize drywall to use in gardening mulch!
As for furniture, we request blanket-wrapped shipments for as many orders as possible, to reduce packaging waste while protecting your furniture from damage. We also love to incorporate vintage pieces whenever possible! We have access to several online vintage furniture vendors, which we source from regularly. It’s a great way to add some style, character, and a good story to your space, while giving an old item some new life.
And there’s something to be said for flexible spaces, too. Designing a room to allow for future changes in layout will reduce the need to throw things away down the line. Rather than installing a built-in desk in your spare bedroom, we might suggest a freestanding desk to allow for the room to easily be repurposed later on, without the need for demolition.
A Lot to Consider
If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by all of these sustainable design considerations, don’t worry – we take care of everything! We’ve already built relationships with environmentally conscious vendors and suppliers here in Sacramento. We coordinate it all with them so you don’t have to give it a second thought. You’ll be enjoying a happy, healthy, environmentally conscious space in no time.
Ready to get started on your eco-friendly interior design project? Contact us today!
