What is green design?

Much as we bandy the words “green” and “sustainable” about these days, truly sustainable design is almost impossible to achieve.  Subsistence farmers live sustainable lives - hard lives of physical labor, making or bartering almost everything they need.  We do not.  However, if we carry an intention to do as little harm as possible, each of us can have a positive impact on the world.  Sustainable design respects the entire planet and it’s inhabitants, and includes:

1. •renewable, sustainable, low environmental-impact materials and processes
   

2. •low-toxic or low-VOC paints and finishes
   

3. •low impact manufacturing, processing, transportation and disposal
   

4. •organic fabrics and materials - read more
   

5. •consideration of the life-cycle of goods
   

6. •socially just and fair trade business practices.
   

The green-collar economy

Modern urban dwellers are finally understanding something that those who live off the land can never forget - that we are part of nature, a product of our environment, and custodians of it.  This awareness is going to change the way we live and the way we do business. In the coming years, low environmental-impact products and services will help restore our environment, and green-collar jobs will restore social justice for our poorest citizens and invigorate our economy.  If you are looking for a committed green designer to help you with your remodel, please contact me.  Let’s tread lightly on the earth as we work together.  Read more about working with me...or how to go green without any help!

Why the Rumi quote on the home page?

Because my passion for green design has a spiritual fire beneath it, and Rumi’s poem expresses my commitment to going forth in a new way, to stepping through the door into a new relationship with the world.  The earth isn’t an infinite resource to be mined for our pleasure and comfort. We’re part of the web of life, dependent upon it, and powerfully influential over it.  To the greatest extent possible, I want to do no harm to that web.  Not in my daily life, and not in my work.  Green design is new design for this new, compassionate world view, in step with a new, green economy!  Let’s not go back to the old ways.  Don’t go back to sleep!