At Sustainable Home, we're committed to making sustainability a natural part of good interior design. To build homes with quality materials and create beautiful spaces with real life in mind.
Because it's not always about the latest products.
And it doesn't have to be all or nothing.
Oftentimes, sustainability is about:
- selecting hand-crafted, responsibly sourced, and locally made items over mass-produced furnishings.
- knowing the environmental effects of each item you select, so you can make an informed choice.
- sourcing quality vintage pieces and giving them new life.
- avoiding materials that have negative health effects.
- building relationships with local craftmasters - upholsterers, makers, builders, and artists - who are equally committed to sustainability.
And when you approach sustainable interior design this way, you get more.
- Higher quality.
- Increased durability.
- Beloved pieces that stand the test of time.
- Unique items, that you know were created with integrity.
- A healthier home for you and your family
Furniture that you can pass down from generation to generation, instead of sending them to the landfill.
"Even as Kirsten brings great creative ideas and her informed opinions to the discussion, it feels like she is helping us find and develop our style, not just imposing someone else's."
Richard M., Santa Clara, CA
All these years later, I still feel a sense of urgency. But it's different now.
We have a responsibility to our planet, our neighbors, and ourselves to make more sustainable choices. And there's no time to waste.
I know interior design and sustainability can be difficult to navigate. It feels like there's conflicting - or simply too much - information. That's why I'm honored to take on the role of educator and guide throughout the design process. To answer your questions and help you make informed, empowered, value-aligned decisions that are right for you and your home.
And there's another sense of urgency, too.
After losing my beloved sister to ALS, it was a wake up call to the reality that time moves fast. And life is short.
We don't have forever to live the life we want. To put it off for "someday".
The actions that matter most are the ones we take right now.
That's why - when I'm not designing client spaces or studying up on the latest green materials - I'm spending quality time with loved ones. Savoring my morning coffee and reading the paper with my husband. Hosting dinner parties and holiday gatherings, served on beloved sets of vintage mid-century china. It's also why we routinely transform our backyard into an outdoor theater. Bringing our people together for snacks, cocktails, and screenings of vintage classics or Wes Anderson films.
Our homes aren't just buildings. They nurture our lives. We do our most important work inside their walls.
A well-designed home helps you live the way you dream of living. And when we build homes with quality goods and sustainable interior design at the forefront, we create spaces that bring out our best, beautiful, healthiest selves. Spaces that foster our richest relationships and play host to our most treasured memories.
Meet Kirsten,
sustainable interior design expert and lover of layered, eclectic, livable homes.
When I began my journey into the world of sustainable interior design over two decades ago, I felt like I needed to hurry. To carve out my spot in a niche that would surely explode over the years to come.
Yet, 20 years later, we're still deeply entrenched in the world of fast fashion, fast food, and fast furniture. And while green interior design has gained some momentum, it's still largely a specialty niche. Mostly foreign to the average consumer and homeowner.
I'm determined to change that. To bring healthy, sustainable interior design to as many doorsteps as I can.
Meet the Team
Cristina Vega
I live in Santa Cruz, between the redwoods and the ocean. I work as a design assistant, either from home or at Kirsten’s office, in Palo Alto. Before becoming an interior designer, I studied Environmental Sciences, so I’m grateful to work for a company that cares about sustainability. I love getting to know our clients and creating meaningful designs for them. When I am not working, I enjoy watching sunsets on the beach, hiking, and dancing to any music, anywhere.
Maya Trivino
As one of the team’s remote members, working from sunny Palm Springs, I am surrounded by eclectic architecture and design. Being part of Sustainable Home has taught me that it is possible to have both unique design ideas and sustainable choices. And as our team’s resident drafter, I love bringing those ideas to life so that you can imagine just what your beautiful space could become.
Lindsay Avellino
Another one of the team's remote members working from the Mile High City - Denver, CO! For the past 3 years I've been with Sustainable Home, operating as office manager and design associate. I'm passionate about sustainable design, vintage + antiques, and crafting the perfect design for all of our clients. In my free time, I'm doing yoga, picking up a new craft hobby, or playing with my two dogs, Bonzo and Auggie.
"While end results matter, the process of getting there matters a lot, too. Kirsten is easy to work with and flexible. She is passionate about the power and impact of design, and she has a genuine commitment to helping clients make sustainable choices."
Tammy G., Ground-up remodel, Los Altos, CA
I'm determined to demystify the process. To bring sustainable interior design to as many homes as I can.
"We used Kirsten for our kitchen remodel. Every penny we paid her was worth it, as the functionality is incredible, the space looks amazing, and the vast majority of materials are green.
Kirsten also helped us decide when it was worth the money (and our health) to go green, and when the payoffs might not be worth it. I always felt like Kirsten listened to what both my husband and I were saying, so it really does reflect our desires, not her vision. I won't even consider looking elsewhere for our next home remodel project."
Kristen M., Sunnyvale, CA
Looking for a sustainable interior design expert in the Bay Area?
I'd love to hear more about your home, your design goals, and how I can help you achieve them.
Curious to learn more about sustainability in the world of interior design?
Follow along on Instagram to see new products, projects, and design inspiration.
Or explore my blog, where I dive deeper into sustainable interiors.
Here, you'll find my top 5 reasons I believe it's worth it to invest in quality furnishings.
You can also explore my research on dangerous chemicals home industries don't want you to know about.
