Discovering Green Design
As an Interior Designer, people often ask me where do I begin in creating the design of a space; how do I choose what colors to use, what materials to use for flooring, counters and cabinets, what furniture items to incorporate and then, how best to place it in the room. What light fixtures, carpet colors...? If you’re not used to making all those decisions it can be a pretty overwhelming and daunting task, luckily I’m incredibly decisive!
My process truthfully begins with my clients. I ask them what colors do you love? What colors do you hate? Do you entertain, what are your hobbies, what was your favorite vacation? Are there kids, pets, frequent houseguests? I find out about their lifestyles, passions and pursuits and then start crafting a space that’s uniquely theirs, nothing cookie cutter, but something that will have their signature all over it. I want them to walk into their home and feel completely at ease, it should be warm and inviting as well as announce their personal style!
In addition to the HGTV show I’m on, Small Space, Big Style I’ve been fortunate enough to design a restaurant as well as a clothing store in New York City, a golf shop in the Hamptons and private residences for clients all over the country from Rhode Island to Dallas to Florida. The main goal for me with all my clients, whether it’s a commercial or residential job, is that they are happy and that they really love their home, I definitely aim to please!
When I got the opportunity to design the Better Homes and Garden’s/Green Works Living Green Exhibit I jumped at it, I thought: What a fun project to be a part of!
The challenge for me was that I hadn’t had a lot of experience with “Green” Design or eco-friendly building material. I saw this as an exciting chance to start to learn more about what really makes something green and how to incorporate it, in a chic way, to your home and everyday life.
I sat back and thought about who my clients really where for this exhibit and what would they want to see. Then it hit me who my client was, it was a tiny bit overwhelming and daunting, I realized my client was Planet Earth. If the planet could talk to me what would it say? What would it want to see? What signature style and message would it want me to portray? What materials would it want me to use? What message would the planet want the people who’d be walking through the exhibit to leave with? And so my fascinating process of learning about green design, and how beautiful it can be, began.
I’m thrilled to be able to share with you how and why I designed the Living Green exhibit the way I did as well as some gorgeous materials, innovative tips and inexpensive ideas you can use in the design of your own home that will be stylish, functional and earth-friendly. We’ve all been hired by the planet earth and I’m going to show you some neat ways we can keep our client happy!
I went online and started to look up Green Building Supply, Green Home Design, Green Interior Design and I was amazed at how many products and materials are readily available and comparably priced.
First, lets take a look at the kitchen.
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