Last updated: August 27, 2024
I recently moved to Maine and purchased a fixer-upper home. the goal? Sustainable home restoration and interior design choices.
I wanted to create something timeless and stay true to the home’s nearly 200-year-old heritage. It’s an old-fashioned beauty!
I was worried that I would no longer feel connected to our home, but I have fallen in love with this place. The renovation took a lot of effort, but it was well worth the effort.
Our kitchen started out as a weird yellow and brown color, but now it’s green. We removed a lot of wallpaper and replaced the carpet on the stairs. I acquired a lot of used furniture for my house. We have come a long way.
The challenge was to keep the renovation as sustainable as possible. Home renovations generate a lot of waste. I spent months removing wallpaper and filling up tons of trash bags.
But we are making decisions that are more timeless and will prevent even more waste in the future.
For example, I recently repaired the chairs at my dining room table. In the past, I was hesitant to buy wood glue because it came in a plastic bottle. But now we’re focusing more on repairing items to ensure key items don’t end up in landfills.
If you’re thinking about restoring your home and would like to learn more about my process, you’re in luck! I’d like to thank Maddy Kozoyed, interior designer and owner of Whatsoever Things Are Lovely (WTL), for helping me design my new-found space. I interviewed you. Here’s what she had to say:
What is the difference between renovation and restoration?
The difference between renovation and restoration is: Renovation repairs and updates an area, whereas restoration returns a space to its original state (often using original materials).
“As a sustainable (interior) designer, when I think of renovation, I usually think of the huge amount of waste that is created to make a space brand new,” says Kozoed.
“I believe that in restoration, the focus is on preservation, which means using what you have and updating what needs to be changed by replacing rather than renewing. Especially in your area/neighborhood, restoration and renovation I think the term probably has a different nuance than others in the industry if there are specific historical requirements for it.”
In a way, I think I did a little bit of both at home. I had to update a few rooms (mainly the kitchen) because I just couldn’t avoid the weird yellow and brown cabinet situation.
However, there are some areas that we are focused on restoring to our former glory. At the very least, it pays homage to nearly 200 years of history. For example, I definitely used paint given to me by the original home owner to touch up various parts of the house.
“I think the goal of every home modification, no matter what we call it, should be to achieve a vision while keeping the planet in mind,” Kozoed continued. Masu.
What does home restoration mean?
Kozoyed says, “When you think of the term home restoration, I think the focus is on preservation: using what you have and updating what needs to be changed through replacement rather than renewal.” For historic homes, this usually means preserving or rebuilding certain features and features in the original style. ”
Fundamentally, we want to preserve the tradition and rich culture of our home through the highest possible level of authenticity and reproduction.
What’s the first thing you do when restoring a house?
The first and biggest step to repairing your home? Talking to the right people.
Kozoed says: “When we start a home project, we always take time to discuss things. The contractor measures twice and cuts once, and I design twice and cut once! I work with the designer to create the design plan. Whether you’re working on it or going it alone, it’s a great place to start with your home project.
In other words, you need to create a clear vision of what you want to achieve and discuss it with the right people, such as trusted architects and contractors.
“My design philosophy is to start with the ideal feeling you want to experience in a space. That becomes the north star for every decision, both functionally and stylistically.”
“We all think we like a certain style, but style is really just a combination of stylistic and functional elements put together to create a feeling. First, identify the feeling you want. By starting with this, you can easily make good, consistent decisions about the function and appearance of your space, and reduce the cost of making bad decisions along the way.”
For example, if you want your home to feel cool and peaceful, you might choose cooler shades like blue, green, and purple.
Which sustainable furniture companies do you recommend?
The most sustainable furniture is the furniture you already own.
“The most important thing is to shop in your own home,” says Kozoyed, but if that’s not an option, “look for local second-hand items at thrift stores, second-hand markets/apps, and Buy Nothing Groups!” says.
“But if I’m buying new stuff, my favorite sneakily sustainable brands are West Elm and Pottery Barn! I feel like a lot of people aren’t aware of this, so[they’re]sneaky.” They label their Fair Trade certified products, many of which make up their Classic Furniture line, as well as items made from recycled and sustainable materials, as well as FSC, Greengaurd, and OEKO-TEX. We also label all other certifications such as ”.
Look for brands that use recycled, organic, and fair trade materials. Transparency is key when it comes to where materials come from and how they are made, so be sure to do your research before buying anything new.
“I also love Made Trade, which is a one-stop shop for sustainable furniture and home goods. And the new brand has grown into multiple lines, including my favorite Thuma for beds, sustainable sofas and living room products. Floyd and Sabai for the must-haves, Clare for the prettiest paint, Our Place for the kitchen, and more.”
Related: 12 of the Best Sustainable Furniture Companies
How can building materials such as wood, paint, and tiles be sourced sustainably?
According to Kozoed, “Making the time and space to salvage materials for your own home and look for local second-hand items can help minimize the impact of a housing project.” I love looking for overstock at tile and paint stores. Additionally, architectural salvage stores like Habitat Restore and Buy Nothing Group are overflowing with scrap materials. ”
One of the rooms in my house has blue walls, a gray door, green tiles, and a cream-colored closet. I’m thinking of repainting the walls because the colors are a bit inconsistent. I have a local restoration that has a recycled paint section so I’m thinking sage green might work well.
Be sure to check to see if there is a local thrift store near you. Reuse stores may stock building materials at discounted prices to help you with your next home project.
“When shopping for new products, choose brands that are sustainable and align with your values, such as FireClay, a handcrafted tile brand that is B-Corp and Climate Neutral certified, or Clare, which has zero VOCs, and Greengaurd Gold certified paint. Please look for it.”
What are some easy and sustainable interior design tips that anyone can do?
Kozoyed shares two big tips to make sustainable interior design easy.
Her first journey follows the Triple F design framework, which calls for ideal feel, functional details, and form.
“I am a big believer in my Triple F design framework because it is suitable for any space, any project size, and any budget. Start planning with an ideal feel and then work out the functional details. Think about it, and finally decide on the style.Think about the feel, think about the function, and create the form!
“This framework will help you find what you really love. There’s a whole industry of photo stylists, content creators, designers, architects, etc., with style ambitions that you see online, in magazines, and in person. It’s your job to curate a glimpse of what’s going on. There are so many variables to consider that blindly adopting a particular style like “traditional,” “coastal,” or “modern” can be costly. It can lead to expensive and wasteful decisions. ”
Her second tip? Instead of rushing, create a plan for designing your space.
“It’s almost always better to wait to invest in something you really like. If you try to design it too quickly without planning, you end up replacing what you really want with a cheaper, more available alternative. .”
“I find that my clients often end up going back to their original dream pieces, scrambling them to replace them in landfills and overflowing thrift stores. So, trust your instincts and, if you can, Keep waiting for your dream creation! It’s so powerful to be physically surrounded by items that bring you inspiration, peace, and joy.”
What do you like most about sustainable interior design?
“The best part of my job is making my clients feel like I understand them and physically bringing their vision to life in a way that aligns with their goals, habits, values, and earth.” Kathryn gave me the best compliment I’ve ever received, saying that working with her was “like therapy for our family!” Mission completed! ”
What is the most difficult part of sustainable interior design?
“Anyone trying to make more sustainable decisions at a personal level feels the pressure of comparison and wonders whether their actions will make a difference in the face of governments and businesses that resist change. (Hello, it’s me. I feel the same way!).
“It’s easy to find cheap plastic disposable household items on Amazon and other big online retailers. They’re so readily available that it’s easy to find alternatives that better align with your values. However, I believe that investing in pieces and styles that you love will reduce your expenses and waste over time.
Heavy-duty furniture is quickly emerging as a problem clogging up landfills. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans alone threw away more than 12 million tons of furniture and fixtures in 2018 (up from 2.2 million tons in 1960), with more than 80% of that thrown away as furniture and fixtures. Abandoned. It ended up going to a landfill. Let’s not forget the carbon emissions caused by manufacturing and transportation.
Therefore, it is important to choose one that can be used for a long time. Even better if it’s durable and easy to clean and repair.
“…taking action is said to be the antidote to anxiety, but aligning your personal consumption decisions with your values can help you face your environmental fears every day. I did.”
What do you recommend everyone do before starting an eco-friendly home renovation?
“Know yourself and your space!” Kozoed says, “Think long-term. If you’re going to stay for a fun long time, think about where you want to be in the next 5-10 years. That way, your investments in physical space will have the greatest impact and help you get there.”
If you want to learn more about sustainable interior design, be sure to check out Maddy Kozoyed’s website Whatsoever Things Are Lovely (WTL). If you’re thinking about making eco-friendly home repairs or renovations, consider talking to her for more personalized tips.
