Inspirational Insight

SLHL asked our Living Green Showhouse designers the same two questions about their green design inspiration: What piece inspired your design? How did it evolve into your green space?

Photos: study.tif
October 2008

Marcia Herrmann
Connie Novotny
The Final Touch

FRONT VESTIBULE: We chose Island Stone for the vestibule because it has a unique appearance and is a natural “raw material.” Because Island Stone owns its own factories, it maintains a high-quality finished product that beautifies and enhances any living environment.

Marcia Herrmann
Connie Novotny
The Final Touch

FRONT VESTIBULE: We chose Island Stone for the vestibule because it has a unique appearance and is a natural “raw material.” Because Island Stone owns its own factories, it maintains a high-quality finished product that beautifies and enhances any living environment.

Victoria Dreste, Allied ASID
Victoria Dreste Designs

FOYER: The design of the entry establishes the palette and flow of the house. Using a two-drawer chest made from alder wood – a fast-growing renewable resource that is indigenous to the northwestern U.S. – the foyer's overall design is layered in texture.

Diane Breckenridge, Allied ASID
Colleen Ertl, Allied ASID
Cindy Hermann Saladin, Allied ASID
Keli Nelson, Allied ASID
Maureen Schulte
Diane Breckenridge Interiors

STUDY: This sleek “Athens” desk chair from Kravet inspired our study design with its clean lines and unique shape. Its green construction, with recycled steel springs and lumber from non-rainforest plantations, was perfect for this project. 

Pamela Calvert, Allied ASID
Lawrence Group/NICHE

DINING ROOM: Approximately 100 years old, this stained glass window was taken from a historic church in Illinois. The timeless Gothic style features various shades of brown, pink, green and gold. We found it at Bill Fellenz Architectural Artifacts on Euclid in the Central West End.

Kara Osthoff, Allied ASID
Kara Osthoff Design

FAMILY FOYER: The custom artwork was an integral part of the green design plan. It is something to be treasured and can be passed down through generations, becoming part of the family's history. Green design is a great way to learn how to edit a space while improving the quality of life for an environmentally conscious family.

Laura Treiber, Allied ASID
Diane Wynn, Allied ASID
Paige Gilbertson
Williams-Sonoma Home

POWDER ROOM: Our inspiration lies within our Green Collection of organic, recycled, reclaimed or sustainable products debuting this fall. In our powder room, one can experience the luxurious softness of our organic towels, triple-milled Scottish soaps and sustainably harvested teak accessories.

Deb Bokamper, ASID
Interiors by Decorating Den

LAUNDRY ROOM: The revolutionary wave of new technology and eco-friendly awareness has been a top priority for designers. The Electrolux front-load washer and dryer are ENERGY STAR®-rated. The washer uses 53% less water than standard washers and has an incredibly fast wash time, while the dryer has a capacity of 7.5 cubic feet.

Kris Keller, Allied ASID
Cyndi Schmidt
Doug Ong, Student Member ASID
The Design Source, Ltd.

KITCHEN/BUTLER'S PANTRY: IceStone inspired our design with its beautiful natural glow and durability. Its amazing reflective colors add an element of surprise to the space, and it coordinates beautifully with the finishes used throughout the kitchen. This product is made with 100% recycled glass, and its mother-of-pearl chips are sustainably harvested and post-industrial recycled.

Barb Slavkin, Allied ASID
Ellen Wortham
June Roesslein Interiors

BREAKFAST ROOM: Because we wanted to showcase the incredible view from the breakfast room's windows, the Hartman & Forbes window treatments inspired our design. The shades are made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper and are printed with soy-based inks. Environmentally friendly, they allow for the shading of natural light without giving up the colorful view.

Michelle Triplett, ASID
CJ Knapp, Allied ASID
Edwin Pepper interiors

GREAT ROOM: A Century Furniture sofa from the High Point Market is made from 100% hemp, linen and fabrics from recycled soda bottles. The cushions consist of soy-based foam and natural goose down feathers. The frame is made from sustainable hardwoods and 50% recycled springs, and it is made in the USA.

Mim Phillips
Mim Phillips Interiors

UPPER LEVEL DECK/MAIN PATIO: The  Loloi rug inspired me to create a scheme that evokes warmth and comfort with a slight edge, and the Summer Classics Provence Collection furniture with an ancient earth finish completes the fundamental design with a fresh, earthy, timeless style.

Angie Antonas, Allied ASID
Farida Ameen 
Plunkett Home Furnishings

MASTER BEDROOM: We loved the idea of eco-friendly products with sophisticated styling. Our classic yet modern Four Hands Aluminum Wine Table is sand-cast in handmade molds. Its clean lines and metallic, mirror-like finish were the inspiration for the look of the space.

Ellen Kurtz, Allied ASID
Ellen Kurtz interiors

MASTER BATH: The master bath takes its inspiration from a round moon-like window surrounded by recycled glass tiles that are inspired by the sea and sky. Custom, contemporary, suspended cabinetry is enhanced by an illuminated glass top.

Caryn Burstein, Allied ASID
CLB Interiors

UPSTAIRS HALLWAY: Two of the features that inspired CLB Interiors to use natural elements in the upper hallway are a Nayer Kazimi wall fountain and a unique trough of bamboo stalks. The fountain is hand-made in the U.S. by a skilled artisan, reducing the amount of energy in the manufacturing/ shipping process. CLB Interiors completes the hallway with green leaf artwork to complement its serenity, while emphasizing the “green” aspect in the design.

Nancy Barrett, ASID
Interiors by Decorating Den

BEDROOM 3: My goal was to design a beautiful bedroom that incorporated healthy and sustainable products.  The room features the Serenity Mattress by Savvy Rest. It is a natural latex mattress complemented by organic bedding, draperies, an upholstered headboard and recycled carpet. Guests may never want to leave!

Julie Baum, ASID
BaumHouse Design

HALL BATH: Jadecor Wallcovering is beautiful and elegant yet highly durable. It is a mix of natural cotton, plant fibers and minerals. Additional components include mica and silk, and metallics infuse a color variant. Every other material in the bathroom was chosen to complement this gorgeous wallcovering.

Wendy Noory, Allied ASID
Atom

BEDROOM 2: My inspiration for our green design came from the Bloom organic duvet cover, our first selection. The organic plant design in a bold color makes a beautiful focal point and introduces the plum accent color used within the room's design. The duvet print inspired us to have an artist create a mural that would incorporate the pattern on the walls for continuity. 

Joyce Cockrell, Allied ASID
Joyce Cockrell Designs

FAMILY ROOM/BAR: My inspiration for this ideal gathering space came from the earth's natural elements. The earth element is suggested in the owner's reclaimed Missouri walnut. The water and sky elements are seen in the paint colors that I selected. All the hues will be found in furnishings throughout the room.

M. Kay Hagan, ASID
Hagan Associates, Inc.

THEATER ROOM: A beautiful, naturally dyed, hand-knotted wool area rug in warm earth tones was the inspiration for the relaxing home theatre. This renewable, biodegradable fiber has a wonderful look and feel and adds texture and acoustical control to the environment. Its natural crimp and protective outer layer allow it to retain its newness much longer than synthetic fibers.

Melissa Rozell, ASID
Kari Skull
Directions in Design

LOWER LEVEL BEDROOM: The inspiration for our room comes from nature. We used earth-friendly Kravet fabrics to create our bedding, pillows and window treatment.  They add softness to the room and work well with the room's focal point: the twig and river rock headboard – our literal interpretation of “green.”

Carole Hiatt, ASID
Michelle Rogers, Allied ASID
Carole Hiatt Design Associates

LOWER LEVEL BATH: Our favorite green product is Cambria natural quartz, which is produced in the USA. Cambria is non-porous, which means no sealing or polishing is required.  It is GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified, GREENGUARD certified for children and schools, and it qualifies for 1 LEED point.

Diane Rosen, Allied ASID
Cathy Perry
Designs Of The Interior

GUEST SUITE: The Vanguard Abacus table inspired my design.  Made of abacus rope and shown in its natural shade, the table sets the tone for the lower-level guest suite and can be used as either a coffee table or bench. I want everyone who enters this room to feel a sense of comfort in the peaceful environment.

Patrice Munden, Allied ASID
Patrice Munden Interior Designs

GUEST SUITE BATH: The Kohler® Clermont vanity is our space's most inspiring feature. It is made of wood from the ailanthus tree, which has become widely used for cabinets and millwork because of its strength and pale yellow patina. Our ability to use wood from a tree that has largely changed environmental perception inspired us throughout the design of the entire room.

Cary Baumann, Allied ASID
Joyce Mathis, Allied ASID
Cary and Company/ MJM Design Co.

GUEST SUITE SITTING AREA: We took our inspiration directly from nature.  Intrigued by the integrity of an abandoned bird's nest that withstands the pounding rain, we felt that it deserved further exploration.  Because the study of birds and plants has inspired many to be better stewards of the planet, we've made these studies the prime feature of our space.

Robert Payne Newton, ASID
Robert Payne Newton & Associates, INC.

LOWER LEVEL PATIO: The landscape design includes a unique cistern, and I love the concept of conserving water for future use. Contrasting nicely with the flatter stone of the terrace, the texture of rounded river rocks is very organic and will naturally complement a large sculpture made from recycled and reclaimed metal pieces.