Unless you live in a cave, you’ve probably heard about the green craze. Just about every industry from graphic design to manufacturing is trying to do its part to protect the earth’s natural resources by adopting materials and processes that minimize waste and don’t harm the ecosphere. Interior design is riding the environmental wave, too, returning to natural and recycled materials for decorating – from wood floors and accents to nature-based wallcovering like grasscloth and silk. You, too, can have a home look that’s eco-friendly and stylish. Here are three ideas:
- Go wooden. A resurgence in wood furnishings, wall treatments, and accents is one of the hallmarks of green design. But note that it’s not just about having elements in your home that evoke nature – after all, a home design that uses wood taken from clear-cutting is hardly eco-friendly. Rather, the idea is to use materials from sustainable and renewable sources harvested in a way that doesn’t harm the environment, but ideally, helps it. Recycled wood, whether it comes from floors in other buildings or shipwrecks (as one inventive designer has found), makes for durable, beautiful home pieces. Or consider using bamboo, one of the most widely available, versatile plants found in nature. Because bamboo (actually a grass) grows better if it is regularly harvested, it makes a terrific renewable source of materials for everything from wallcovering to utensils.
- Natural wall coverings. Interior designers are turning more and more to wallpapers and wallcoverings made from natural, as opposed to synthetic, materials. Substances like silk, grasscloth, and cork are seeing a wide resurgence in popularity for both residential and commercial properties as a wall treatment. Because silk and grasscloth wallcovering come in a variety of colors and patterns, the possibilities for home decorating are wide. Natural wallcoverings aren’t suited for every room (for example, grasscloth wallcovering cannot be exposed to excessive moisture), but they make an elegant, ecologically responsible decorative statement.
- Recycled materials. Many designers are increasingly relying on recycled materials, which can be used for a variety of purposes, from floors to fixtures. Many substances, especially glass, plastic, and rubber, can be used over and over again in home décor. You can find any number of recycled pieces for your home at a wide range of prices. Because recycled items – especially furniture – tends to make a statement, you’ll have a great conversation starter for discussions about eco-friendly living the next time you have a dinner party.
If you want to do your part to save the earth with interior design, you don’t have to throw down tons of cash by hiring a professional firm. You can do your own ecologically responsible design with some planning, an open mind, and a firm commitment to protecting our precious resources.
Wolf-Gordon can supply all your grass cloth wallcovering and other home designing needs. Visit in person at one of the following showroom locations: Los Angeles Showroom Pacific Design Center at 8687 Melrose Ave., Suite BM5 Los Angeles, CA 90069; Chicago Showroom Merchandise Mart at #10-161 200 World Trade Center Chicago, IL 60654;