Photo provided by Shari Stein This West Bloomfield kitchen is an example of green interior design as conducted by designer Shari Stein. Simplicity, cleanliness and efficiency are the main goals of her approach.

By Eric Czarnik
C & G Staff Writer

To Shari Stein, green interior design has nothing to do with painting rooms in a shade of sea foam.

As a principal of Partners in Design Inc. and an interior designer for more than 20 years, the West Bloomfield woman tries to decorate homes in ways that hurt the environment as little as possible. And she says that she refined her approach long before the “green” catchphrase took off.

“Keeping it clean and simple is keeping it green,” Stein said.

As many businesses are increasingly stressing their commitment to the environment, some interior designers are following suit. The U.S. Green Building Council is pushing a trend of eco-friendly building through Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications and accreditations. This group is teaching architects, contractors and designers how to follow the guidelines, Stein said.

“This is really creating a standard in the industry,” she said. “Hopefully, this will force manufacturers to change the way they do business.”

According to Stein, eco-friendly rooms tend to use fewer materials, and whatever is used is more environmentally sustainable. This is especially important since a lot of waste ends up in a landfill after a home or apartment is renovated, she said.

Green interior design can also produce health benefits, Stein said, adding that she researches manufacturers and tries to avoid carpeting, wallpaper and paint that contain or emit toxins.

She also tries to use materials that are produced closer to home. “If you’re getting an exotic wood from Africa, they would take more embodied energy to bring it here,” she said. “You want to find things that are local to the area.”

Partners in Design also makes waste prevention a strong priority. When it worked on Miriam Goldberg’s West Bloomfield home, it managed to re-grout and preserve some of the flooring while reusing kitchen cabinetry in the basement.

Goldberg said she was happy with Stein’s resourceful approach. “It makes our whole family feel good that we were working on the project in this manner, and we love our home the way it looks now,” she said.

Mary Lujan, owner of Hepplewhite’s Interiors in Rochester, said her approach to green design takes everything from floors to recycling bins into account. “Mostly it’s about using window coverings and draperies that hold in more heat,” she said.

Lujan also suggests using compact fluorescent light bulbs to homeowners because they are more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs. While some people don’t care for fluorescent lighting’s appearance, Lujan said they could still be used in places like closets where the quality of the light is not as important.

But sometimes it can be tough to make all aspects of interior design green. One area that Lujan said she couldn’t control as much is wooden furniture like desks, chairs and tables.

“Ninety percent of it is produced in China and India, so we don’t have any control on their emissions,” she said. “All the upholstery lines that we use are made here in America, and they are trying to make changes.”

Both designers said their clients often don’t ask for eco-conscious techniques. But Stein said she often uses her special knowledge without being asked. “We’re trying to educate the client to do this,” she said.

Unless a homeowner wants strict compliance to LEED guidelines, Stein said green decorating doesn’t have to cost more than traditional interior design.

“It really depends on the situation,” she said. “If you’re working within a set budget, and the designer is aware of the green products … you can do it and have clients that are budget-conscious.”

To reach Partners in Design Inc., call (248) 538-1503. For more information about Hepplewhite’s Interiors, call (248) 651-4710.

You can reach Staff Writer Eric Czarnik at eczarnik@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1058.