I am beyond thrilled to announce that I have been selected as an Ambassador for the Sustainable Furnishings Council!
I have been a member of their organization for several years, and an unofficial supporter in many ways. I’m even certified through their GREENleaders course about sustainability in residential furnishings. But to have been chosen and recognized by them for my commitment to sustainability, and invited to partner in this way, is an incredible honor for me.
As Susan Inglis, Executive Director of the SFC puts it:
“Each of our new Ambassadors are SFC members and have made their own public, verifiable commitment to sustainability. Designers are in a significant position to push a sustainable agenda, because they interface with both consumers and manufacturers. They can inspire consumers to buy sustainably and pressure manufacturers to focus on making environmentally sound choices.”
A major aspect of what inspired me to enter the interior design profession is my profound commitment to helping protect our environment, and my vision for how the future of design can impact our global wellness. I am an outspoken advocate for the importance of wellness in design, both for the benefit of the people using the spaces I craft, and for the Earth at large. To me, there is no separating our personal wellness with that of the environment.
It is urgent that we, as human citizens, take on as much responsibility as possible to reduce the speed and effects of climate change, which also maximizes our own health and wellness as people.
The furnishings industry is in a particularly powerful position because we are a global manufacturing industry (which uses a lot of wood) and because we add the highest value to the wood resource.
Global warming is being caused by the proliferation of greenhouse gases, which comes in part from generating the electricity that is used to power furniture factories, and to transport materials and goods all around the globe, and by deforestation. The furniture industry is in an excellent position to promote preservation of existing forests and to encourage replanting which would greatly improve our environment. If we designers, in our unique position to guide and support furnishings decisions, succeed, we could lead on planting a trillion trees in the next century!
The Sustainable Furnishings Council’s mission is to help furnishings companies (including designers, retailers, manufacturers, suppliers, etc.) to reduce their environmental footprint, and guide consumers toward environmentally-safe furnishings. I love how convenient they make it for both professionals and consumers to understand the design and furnishing industry’s impact on the earth, and to learn what we can do to reduce that impact by moving toward sustainability and circularity in design as the norm.
As an SFC member with my design studio Laurence Carr Design, I can attest that the resources they provide industry professionals are invaluable. They offer guidance, resources, educational programming (like their monthly Sustainability Essentials webinar series that’s open to the public), networking, and marketing support.
For consumers, I’ve often directed clients to the site as well. SFC provides a handy Buying Guide and a FINDER where consumers (and industry professionals) can look for products offered by SFC member companies. It’s where I’ve found many of the sustainability furnishing companies with whom I work to bring my designs for eco-mindful clients to life.
I could go on for days about all the resources, offerings, and knowledge the Sustainable Furnishings Council provides both the professional and consumer sides of the interior and furnishing industries! (But you can learn more on their site.) But for now, I’ll just say, I am ecstatic and proud to partner with them in this program, to help bring more awareness to ways we can all positively impact our planet, while still living beautifully, comfortably, and peacefully.
