Sustainable Interior Design: My Manifesto

Today, our planet and all of her ecosystems are in peril. As a designer, I pledge to do my part to inspire awareness of the issues, and create through my work responsible and sustainable design.

A good starting point is by educating our communities on the many ways to lower our own unique carbon footprint. We can continue on a grass roots level and all of us together will start to make a small impact on slowing climate change. Our homes are the first place we can easily make this change.

To do this, we must carefully consider the types of finish materials and home products we select. Not only do we need to look at clean, eco-friendly materials, we also need to look further and consider where they came from: how they were manufactured; what are their ingredients; are they durable for the long haul; can they be re-used, re-purposed, salvaged?

These questions and more will continue to play a role in sustainable interior design. By specifying responsibly, the environmental impact our shelters have on this earth will begin to diminish. By using eco-friendly materials, along with energy-efficient appliances, low or no VOC finishes, we will have much cleaner air, less exposure to chemicals, less dependency on oil, and our homes will be more comfortable as a result,

It is important to continue our education on this issue, and as a designer, I will help to pave the way for a more sustainable earth. One in which we all can co-exist with nature and live a sustainable healthful lifestyle.

Anna Cesario