Living authentically is living well
Waimea, Hawaii— Shirley Wagner ASID-NCIDQ, owner and principal of Fine Design Interiors, Inc. and her company Fine Design Interiors, Inc., were featured in two regional Hawaii publications this summer.
One of the best parts of our work is creating beautiful, local and sustainable furnishings for – and with – our clients. It’s an opportunity not only to create a custom piece, but also to share an experience and story that stays with us and our clients for many years. Pieces with character are conversation starters. They almost beg to tell a story.
The headboard of this gorgeous bed pictured above is a great example.
From the beginning, the wood itself really shaped the piece. When the client and our designer selected the wood slab at Kamuela Hardwoods their design concept immediately began to evolve. They chose monkey pod, the most widely available sustainable wood in Hawaii, and more durable and termite resistant than koa.
Inspired by the wood’s natural beauty, they worked closely with the fabricator to produce a unique piece. From the size and cut of the slab to the decorative butterfly (which helped to maintain the live, organic edge of the piece), the team collaborated to highlight the natural integrity of the wood. The result was a handsome headboard that distinctly reflects and respects the natural resources of our local environment.
Custom crafted pieces like this are actually more accessible than you might think. Our relationships with local artisans help us to get beautiful, affordable pieces with a four-week lead time. But it’s the artisans and wood workers themselves who make the materials available by sourcing locally sustainable wood, e.g., a variety of woods from fallen trees and older trees, pieces left over from other projects, and even broken pieces from other furniture.
Each time a piece of wood is re-used or repurposed, it generates an even more richly layered story. Something that combines the land and the people. And, for a home in Hawaii that feels just right.
When it comes to linens, everyone seems to have a favorite. And what makes it a favorite is highly personal – for some it’s quality and feel, for others it’s durability or easy care.
Personally, I love sliding into soft sheets and feeling the coziness of a plush towel while knowing I’ve made the healthiest choice possible. Good for me, good for the planet.
As you might imagine, as an interior designer I’ve seen dozens of great linens over the years, but Coyuchi, a northern California-based company that describes itself as a “home textile company with the greater good in mind,” remains at the top of my list. I love the quality of their products, the subtle colors, and the company’s unwavering commitment to sustainability.
Here’s Coyuchi’s “Five Reasons Why Organic Sheets are Better”:
1. Purchasing organic cotton supports more than just cotton, it affects the entire ecosystem of organic farming.
2. Organic farming creates 60% less output of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases than conventional cotton.
3. Organic cotton farming uses zero toxic pesticides ensuring a safe working environment for workers.
4. No use of toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, phthalates and endocrine disruptors.
5. Can be reused or recycled.
While we’re talking linens and bedding, I encourage you to look closely at the mattress under your sheets. To gain the full benefit of a healthy bedroom, you may want to change out your mattress for an eco-friendly, organic version that isn’t treated with flame retardants and made from petroleum-based nylon, polyester, press board, polyurethane foam or vinyl.
One of the brands I recommend is Naturepedic. They carry organic mattresses and bedding for the whole family – adults, kids, and babies (check out their organic crib mattresses). Their products are made to last a lifetime, with heirloom quality workmanship by Amish craftsmen. From their website: “We believe that removing chemicals from your sleep environment is essential for optimizing your body’s ability to rejuvenate itself”. I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Locally, on Hawaiʻi Island, you can find eco-friendly mattresses at Sleepland in Kona. If you’re not on our island, you can also find organic mattresses online through SavvyRest. [Read more…] about Loving those Luscious Linens
Following are some tips to help you create a perfect environment to support the best you as you move further along in your journey. We encourage you to use the guiding principle of “sustainable and maintainable”; and, to ponder design and décor choices that will transform your home into a place that is full of life.
As you ponder, consider the following:
Take a look around you – a good, long look – and notice the environment where you may be spending up to 90 percent of your time. Is it a healthy space? Do you know? Actually, that was a bit of a “trick question”. Fact is, most of us don’t know.
It’s likely that many of the items in your home could be hazardous to your health because of the toxic chemicals they contain. So, if you want to live in a healthier environment, consider making some changes.
Specifically, the mattress on your bed where you sleep for several hours every night. Depending on the materials it’s made from, it can degrade the air quality in your home by emitting fumes from toxic chemicals (“off gassing”), and/or turn into a breeding ground for bacteria and dust mites.
Basically it comes down to this: sustainable furnishings are made and distributed in ways that protect our planet…taking into consideration the impact on workers, communities, and the environment, as well as those living in the space (that’s you!).
[Read more…] about So… What Are Sustainable Furnishings?
