"The Distinctive Life" Vol. 8 presented by the Distinctive Collection

EMPLOY NATURAL TEXTURES Consider designing your space using natural textures like organic linen, wood from sustainably managed forests, vintage beams, and reclaimed leather. If you do, you’ll find yourself creating a layered room from ceiling to floor that is both versatile and calming. Offering enviable durability, sustainable, natural fiber rugs bring a luxurious feel and work with nearly any design aesthetic. Southern Living raves: “Whether it’s jute, sea grass, or sisal, incorporating woven materials into your décor connects the indoors with the outdoors,” bringing casual refinement to beach houses and serenity and lush texture to even the most modern homes. Do you love the visual interest that comes from wallpaper but want to avoid a pattern clash with your other décor? The sustainable design experts at Southern Living have the answer: grasscloth, a fast-growing, organic material. The magazine reveals that “the subtle, elegant texture adds that extra bit of decorating oomph, without overwhelming a soothing sea-inspired space.”

SELECT HANDCRAFTED FURNITURE Handcrafted furniture pieces made using organic and sustainably sourced materials offer opportunities for customization along with undeniable comfort. Vincent Van Duysen, a Belgian architect and product and interior designer, strives to bring simplicity and a timeless quality to everything he designs. He explains his approach to sustainable design to Departures : “I work with very pure and natural materials like desaturated oak woods, lime- washed brickwork. Really pale nuances and toned-down touches,” says Van Duysen. “It’s in line with the calm and serene atmospheres I create.” Carl Hansen & Son, the famed Danish furniture maker, agrees that craftsmanship, comfort, and beauty go hand-in-hand with sustainable design. Known for their meticulous work, they take equal care in using organic or sustainably sourced materials. In business since 1908, they take wood from sustainably managed forests, only use sawmills that are part of the responsible milling movement, and recycle what small pieces are not used for heating. Their business motto is “every piece comes with a story” whether it is one of their iconic chairs made from “sculpted wood and a woven paper-cord seat” that is showcased in Departures or their thoroughly modern “Sideways Sofa.”

15 bhgrecollection.com |