Making the Hearth of the Home Healthier for the Family

Decorati is excited to introduce guest blogger Robin Wilson. Robin Wilson is a nationally recognized eco-friendly and healthy home interior designer focused on the four principles: sustainable, reusable, recyclable and non-toxic. She is currently designing the interiors for the private residence of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and is the first woman to license her name for custom kitchen cabinetry.

The kitchen is the hearth of the home - yet few people think of the health of their family when designing their kitchen. One of the key components of any kitchen involves the cabinetry; consumers should evaluate not only value and style, but also sustainability and non-toxic qualities.

Cabinetry, using hardwoods, should come from forests that are managed in a sustainable way—thus, for every tree cut down, at least one or two new trees are panted. Also, certain materials are naturally sustainable such as bamboo and reconstituted veneers, and have become more common in cabinet construction.

Most consumers design kitchens solely based on price and are unaware of toxins they are breathing, which is called ‘off-gassing.’ Think about the number of temperature and humidity fluctuations in a kitchen… so make sure that all cabinets use low-to-no-voc paints and stains, and insist on non-formaldehyde adhesives.

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There is also a variety of countertop materials including paperstone, icestone, concrete, and bamboo which use a variety of sustainable and renewable materials. At the same time, backsplash materials are pushing the envelope for design style including the use of reclaimed glass, stainless, plyboo, or 3-Form resin panels.

Eco-friendly can be beautiful, and it is a fantastic time for consumers to also learn about the multitude of eco-healthy materials available on the market.

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