Looking to Refresh Your Room and Save? Try My Eco-Friendly Design Tip!
Back in 2015, I got involved in a super-fun project to refurbish our friends’ kitchen.
Part of the space included a seating area, and more specifically, the nursing chair that the wife had used for all of their kids. It was a really comfy glider, and they definitely wanted to keep using it there. This endeared me to the chair, so I offered to spiff it up for them.
Downside was, many years of grime had accumulated on this beloved workhorse; hours of scrubbing revealed a beautiful wood frame, and I think the original fabric was blue, but I wouldn’t have bet on it.
After all of the scrubbing, I made basic patterns and sewed two fresh, clean covers for the cushions (I am not a professional upholsterer by any means!).
The family still uses that chair near the kitchen, and it’ll last them many more years.
During the transformation
My point is, when you save your treasured belongings, and you love saving money and the planet as well, you get a triple win when you choose to reinvest in furniture that’s well-made and personally meaningful to you.
Just like new
Here’s my version of the sustainability mantra: “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Reupholster”.
With every project, I ask my client if we can refinish, reupholster, or repaint certain pieces to extend their life. Can we consider second-hand items that fit into the new design, instead of buying everything new?
I like to keep the character of my clients’ homes, including heirlooms that hold a special place in their hearts.
Here’s my advice: when you feel the need for an update, take some time and look around your room; is there anything you’d love to see in a different fabric? Can you imagine what you’d love instead–colors, patterns, textures, moods? Is the structure of the piece still intact and sturdy, or could it be repaired and keep on serving you?
Interior design doesn’t have to mean draining your bank account.
To me, it means living in harmony with your home by adapting it to suit your lifestyle and your budget.
Be wary of adapting yourself to your surroundings–if something in your home doesn’t work for you, you have the power to change it.
Until Next Time,
Nan
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About Nan
I’m a holistic interior designer who’s devoted to functional & livable design. I’ve been working as a professional designer since 1995 and one thing I love about interior design is how it can evoke a mood and create whatever feeling you want in your space. In that way, it’s kind of magical.
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