"The Distinctive Life" presented by the Distinctive Collection

LUXURY INTERIOR DESIGN

you already adore the piece. This approach simply allows you tomake it sing again without all of the additional environmental costs. WORKWITH ARTISANSTOCREATE CUSTOMDESIGNS An approach that Southern Living's editors adore is choosing a craftspersonwho can build your desired furniture piece out of materials that have a history. Louisiana’s Alex Gernier caught themagazine’s eye whenhe created the perfect headboard for his bedroom– no small feat given that it was going into an 1880s apartment located inNewOrleans. His approach, according to Southern Living : “The very first piece hemadewas an antique headboard for his room, which came fromanold growth Cypress tree. The significance of this beautiful piece is that he carved it froma five- panel door that was salvaged froma house that floodedduringHurricaneKatrina.” Smaller pieces can alsohelp transforma spacewhile being sustainably sourced. Designer and artist Rochelle Porter has put sustainablemanufacturing at the heart of her business. The experts rave about “everything frompillows andwallpaper to activewear for adults and kids” using “her prints, all handdrawn and translateddirectly fromher artwork, often take inspiration from her global travels andGuyanese roots.” REUSEVINTAGE PIECES INNEWWAYS No rule says that the vintage dresser sitting in your attic only has tobe used in your

bedroomor dressing room. Beautiful lacquered, curvedpieces fromthe 1920s are being repurposed for dining roomstorage to rave reviews. Bar carts are always indemand for socializing, but they can alsobecome lovely pieces for home offices andwalk-in closets. And, of course, antique dressers under the hands of a skilled craftsperson canbe easily used “as a vanity in the powder room,” amuch-loved sustainable design tip recommendedby Rachel Halvorson to Southern Living . REMODELWITH SUSTAINABLE, ECO- FRIENDLYPRODUCTS Every roomthat you remodel will face a different set of challenges. Among the best sustainable design tips for kitchens is the simple stepof installing “Energy Star appliances, whichuse 10%-50%less energy than standardmodels,” according to experts at Better Homes &Gardens . Once youhave your appliances sorted, consider thematerials youmight use in your flooring and countertops. Both surfaces require durable and easy-to-cleanmaterials, whichhas often led todesign choices that didn’t have the ecological advantages that are now readily available. For example, Better Homes &Gardens' designers love using eco-friendly solid cork flooring to elevate the look of luxury kitchens. Why? The magazine explains: It’s adurable, natural material that’s easy on the feet—and the environment…while other trees can take decades to regenerate, cork trees regenerate every nine years.” It alsohas the advantage of being exquisite – don’t be surprised if it sparks a fair share of remodel-envy.

Countertops have long presenteda quandary in luxury redesigns. Youmay want something that looks elegant and eye-catching but blanch at how it is produced. “Many popular countertop materials aremanufacturedusing non- renewable resources and sealedwith potentially harmful chemicals,” according to Better Homes &Gardens' experts. Today, themagazine recommends taking this sustainable design tip: Use bamboo. The magazine raves: “Bamboo is a rapidly growing, renewable resource thatmakes an excellent eco-friendly countertopmaterial. Although it’s technically a grass, bamboo looks and functions similarly towood.” Of course, your options aren’t limited toonly bamboo. Better Homes &Gardens' editors also recommendusing reclaimedwood in kitchens thatmight benefit fromthe look of distressedmaterials, stainless steel made fromup to 100%recycled content, or recycled glass. In fact, recycled glass is a sustainable design tip that is taking off for countertops andfindingmuch love for backsplashes. Why is recycled glass getting somuch attention? Better Homes &Gardens explains: “These eco-friendly countertops look similar tonatural stone and are equally durable…material such as Terrazzo is available in awide range of colors, can last for several decades, doesn’t need tobe sealed, and is nonporous andheat resistant.”While it ismost certainlymore expensive than granite andoftenmore difficult to source, once the project is completed, youwill have a stunning, environmentally friendly countertop that you adore.

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Volume 10