Is It Possible to Install a Truly Sustainable Kitchen Countertop?

It goes without saying that we here at the TD Fall Blog believe the kitchen to be the most popular room in a home (though we’ve said so many times). It is also fairly obvious that we are somewhat skeptical of the trend (fad?) toward sustainability (since human beings tend toward trendy ideas until they get hit in the wallet). Having said these things, however, trends must be recognized and, if possible, capitalized upon. This includes things like sustainable kitchen countertop materials.

A recent article at Houzz.com offers guidance in this category, with 5 Sustainable Kitchen Countertop Materials to Consider. Though largely intended for consumers, author Barbara Milner offers insight into the world of manufacturing countertops with “sustainability and health in mind”.

We’ve chosen to feature two of the more unique types of sustainable countertop manufacturers, with another that we find intriguing.

Sustainable Countertop Manufacturers

A brand that was not mentioned in the article is Caesarstone. Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, the company manufactures premium quartz surfaces, which are used in both residential and commercial projects as countertops, vanities, wall cladding, floors, and other interior surfaces.

“Caesarstone combines beauty with outstanding performance, enabling you to bring your design imagination to life.”

Coastal Grey Sustainable Kitchen Countertop by Caesarstone

As they say at their website, “We are consistently trying to improve. Just meeting current industry standards isn’t enough – we’re always trying to exceed them and push our industry to adopt more sustainable practices and better eco-efficiency.”

Perhaps one of the most innovative options in the sustainable countertop category is Richlite paper-based countertops. The product is made from 65% FSC-certified recycled paper and 35% resin, and can withstand heat up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. It is fire resistant and durable in high-traffic areas.

Richlite will show scratches and patina over time, much like stainless, wood or copper countertops. However, the scratches can be sanded and the material can be resealed to restore its smooth finish.

Richlite Sustainable Paper Countertops

From their website: “A cost-effective, long-lasting and earth-friendly alternative to natural or manufactured stone, Richlite countertops bring a warm and natural touch to any interior environment.”

IceStone Recycled Glass Kitchen Countertops

Another interesting line of countertops comes from a Brooklyn-based company named IceStone. Manufactured from recycled glass, as well as nontoxic pigments and Portland cement, IceStone offers a terrazzo look and feel. It works well for kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, desks and fireplace surrounds.

From their website: “IceStone began in 2003 with a simple concept; transform waste glass into something beautiful. Every IceStone slab is made in our 55,000-square-foot repurposed facility in the Brooklyn Navy Yard in Brooklyn, New York that dates back to the early 1900’s.”

Whether you believe sustainable design is a passing fad or a solid, lasting trend, being aware of alternatives makes sense to a sharp designer. Being “in the know” about sustainable kitchen countertop products and designs will keep you ahead of your competition.

Looking for more tips on sustainable design trends, designer marketing tips, and product ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.

Interior Design Trends – Stylish Sustainable Design Solutions That Work

In a previous post we asked the question, Is sustainability a sustainable design choice? While we expressed some skepticism at the time, sustainable solutions remain a huge interior design trend. So, how can you approach this particular niche in your own market?

In a recent article at BusinessOfHome.com, editor at large Robyn Smith presents 19 brands that turn trash into treasure as proof that sustainable design is not only possible but, with a bit of creativity, can also be stylish.

As she enthusiastically assures us, “Upcycling isn’t just for Pinterest crafters anymore. We found 19 home brands that transform previously used materials – think tires, engine coils, fishing nets, and chalkboards – to construct new, beautiful objects for the home.”

Sustainable Home Furnishings

Is it really possible to create quality home furnishings from recycled trash?

Lovesac – Claiming to be builders of “The World’s Most Adaptable Couch™”, this modular Sactional sofa has upholstery that is made from recycled plastic bottles and cushions that are filled with shredded scrap foam from the sofa industry.

Ethnicraft – Specializing in “creating authentic, contemporary and timeless furniture from solid wood”, this piece offers shapes that adorn the Graphic sideboard’s doors that are composed of leftover wood scrap from the company’s factory, which would otherwise be too small for furniture.

Groundwork Home – Repurposed surfaces are standard fare for the Philadelphia-based custom furniture manufacturer, which counts old paving stones, school chalkboards, marble shower stall dividers, and factory machine bases among the materials it upcycles for its hand-crafted, hand-finished furniture.

Meso Goods – This “ethically crafted” furnishings brand uses organic Guatemalan wool sourced in Quetzaltenango for its area rugs, wall hangings, and furniture; it also recycles post-consumer bottles into glassware.

Slash Objects – The line integrates the use of an industrial material made of post-consumer recycled rubber to create innovative objects and furniture. Here, recycled tire rubber and salvaged marble from across the U.S. are combined to create the Coexist standing mirror.

For a sharp interior designer, home furnishings from companies like these present an opportunity to integrate sustainable home furnishings into your projects for clients who are truly committed to finding sustainable interior design solutions.

Looking for more tips on interior design trends, designer marketing tips, and product ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.

Interior Design Trends – Is sustainability a sustainable design choice?

Not to burst anyone’s bubble here but, in the world of interior design trends, many things come and go – and often disappear before many realize they’ve been and gone. Thus, we have the question: Is sustainability a sustainable design choice?While it can certainly be argued that less is more, the trend toward what has become known as “sustainable solutions” may be unsustainable; a passing fad that could create more problems than it solves.Sustainability is the process of people maintaining change in a balanced environment. It is the idea that the exploitation of resources, the direction of investments, the orientation of technological development and institutional change are all in harmony and enhance both current and future potential to meet human needs and aspirations. (GlobalFootprints.org)And yet, this begs the question of exactly what both “balance” and “harmony” mean, relative to “human needs and aspirations”.It must be said that, to some extent, the idea of sustainable interior design may have its foundation in the “woke” generation of PC millennials; as well as others who enjoy displaying their “consciousness” as a virtue, rather than as a real commitment.Is Sustainable Interior Design Really a Thing?Having said that, as a sharp interior designer, it makes sense to be aware of the impulse in your clients, millennials, and others, toward sustainable interior design.From sustainable architecture to sustainable interior design and even landscaping, homeowners are increasingly looking to create a living environment that is energy efficient, requires few resources, and which has minimal impact on the environment.Also known as “green design”, and according to AllArtSchools.com, sustainable interior design tends to focus on:

• Maximize the efficient use of space – Efficiently used interior spaces can keep the size of a building and, therefore, the use of construction materials and other resources to a minimum. Micro-housing developments, or “apodments,” serve as one solution in cities with quickly growing populations. They typically are 300-square feet or less and feature built-in amenities such as a refrigerator and microwave. Some developments are LEED-certified.
• Use energy-wise construction and design materials – Interior designers can work with windows and doors that maximize energy efficiency, wood flooring that comes from rapidly renewable sources like bamboo, water-saving toilets, and other environmentally responsible materials.
• Use materials produced in a socially responsible manner – Use furniture and products from sources that promote safe manufacturing processes and socially just business practices. When possible, use local sources.
• Reduce waste by using reclaimed or recycled materials – Fortunately, antique and vintage décor is an option for interior designers. Furniture and decorative items can be repurposed, refinished or otherwise refurbished to give them new life. For the truly environmentally conscious, tiles, carpeting, fabrics, even sinks and counters, can be made from recycled materials.
• Plan for energy-efficient lighting – Clever interior design can incorporate windows and skylights to maximize the use of daylight and minimize artificial light. When artificial lighting is needed, LEDs, halogen bulbs, and compact fluorescent light bulbs save energy and last longer.
• Use non-toxic and non-polluting products – An increasing variety of safe and chemical-free products are available, from organic, hypoallergenic paint to fibers and woods that haven’t been treated with pesticides.

It must be noted that the phrase “socially responsible” is usually subjective and can easily lead to disagreements based on personal opinions. Try to avoid challenging such expressions of “wokeness” when possible, to keep the business relationship intact.The key here for an intelligent interior designer is to be willing to genuinely pursue sustainable design solutions while not being mislead by clients and potential clients who are merely virtue signaling their desire, without a genuine commitment to sustainable interior design. Otherwise, you may find yourself in a non-sustainable business relationship that could become quite costly, and which could pollute your reputation.Looking for more tips on interior design trends, designer marketing tips, and product ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.

Interior Design Market Trends [INFOGRAPHIC]

There are some very positive trends taking place in the marketplace for interior designers, manufacturers, and suppliers.According to a June 29^th article at WoodworkingNetwork.com, “The business of interior design has been quite good over the past 12 months, and American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) expects that to continue. Last year’s State of the Industry report showed that interior design had fully recovered to pre-recession levels, and the momentum carried through this year, with only slight moderation. With all indicators showing robust growth, this is a good time to be in the interior design business."Further, the report from ASID shows strong and consistent growth in the interior design business, with the number of designers up nearly 12%, and with design firms growing by 6% in the past year. Check out the infographic below for more of these exciting interior design market trends…Even better, with new home construction (up 8% to 35% for multi-family) and business/commercial building (up some 9% nationwide) on the rebound, the factors that influence and drive growth in the design profession, included competition, costs and profitability, industry economy, pace of change, perceived lack of value, regulation and liability, sustainability, and time factors show no signs of slowing down these current trends in the marketplace.Design Elements that are Spurring Interior Design GrowthWhy is this happening, you may ask. Well, as we’ve discussed in two previous blog posts within the past year, sustainability and technology have become critically important elements in the marketplace, both of which are helping to drive these upward trends. Other elements that are being incorporated into interior design projects, and that are having a powerful influence on growth in the industry, most often include health, innovation, science and tech, and security.For more on how technology and sustainability are driving market trends in interior design, check out these two posts:Interior Design Tips – Yes, Sustainability is a ThingKnow Your Marketplace – Millennials Influencing Interior Design TrendsHave you seen an uptick in design projects during the past 12 months? Which design elements seem to be driving growth in your marketplace this year? Share your comments below.

Interior Design Tips – Yes, Sustainability is a Thing

As mentioned in a previous post, Know Your Marketplace - Millennials Influencing Interior Design Trends, the influence of millennials is growing, in many ways shifting the focus and goals of the interior design industry. Of the many ways in which this demographic is influencing our market, sustainability may be the most important – and enduring – as it become ever more important to other age groups and market influencers.As explained by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), sustainable design encompasses more than simply “thinking green”. Sustainable design goes beyond being just efficient, attractive, on time and on budget. It is a design that cares about how such goals are achieved, about its effect on people and on the environment. An environmentally responsible professional makes a commitment to constantly try to find ways to diminish design's impact on the world around us. It is also a smart way of doing business: sustainable design is the fastest growing segment of our industry.Green Design PracticesRather, sustainable design reflects an all-inclusive approach to a designer’s professional responsibilities, by employing:

• Integrated building design developed by collaborative multi-disciplinary teams
• Indoor environments that support occupant well-being and productivity
• Resource and energy efficiency
• Social equity at local and global levels
• Protection of the natural environment
• Positive economic impact of optimized operational and maintenance practices, and life-cycle cost assessments

Whether the ultimate design goal is decoration, renovation or architectural detailing, all interior designers must stay abreast of current trends in the field.In the design industry, today’s fastest-growing segment is the incorporation of sustainable, or “green”, interior design. From the use of rain water collection to supplement waste water needs, to using sustainable materials such as bamboo, innovation is high when it comes to designing a sustainable space.ASID offers a series of reports on sustainable design practices, materials, and products. To learn more, click on the links below:

• The Sustainable Suite (PDF download)
• Interior Design and Global Impact Series (PDF downloads)
• Part 1 - Environmentally Preferable Coverings (453 KB)
• Part 2 - Environmentally Preferable Coverings (481 KB)
• Part 3 - Environmentally Preferable Coverings (342 KB)

Have you begun to see this trend? Is sustainability a thing in your marketplace? How have you responded?