Claudia Josephine Design provides eco-friendly design services for residences in our area. She cautions that due to improved insulation of homes built in recent years, people are exposed to more indoor air pollution. Some of the top offenders include vinyl flooring and wallcoverings, shelving and furniture built from medium-density fireboard, candles, air fresheners, wall-to-wall carpeting, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by paint and furniture stain, and flame retardants added to fabrics and foam inserts for furniture.

“According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the air inside your home is likely more polluted than even the most industrialized cities,” she says.  

To improve indoor air quality, the company recommends using the following: zero-VOC paint; wallcoverings made of paper or natural materials (such as hemp instead of vinyl); formaldehyde free-plywood and/or solid hardwoods for building projects; hand-knotted wool rugs (which are hypoallergenic); exhaust fans when cooking; eco-friendly cleaning products (consider using distilled vinegar and water); and furnishings made from solid hardwoods and flame-retardant-free foams. Airing out your home by opening windows (if outdoor pollutants don’t trigger sensitivities), especially after painting or installing new furnishings, is also an excellent idea.

Owner Claudia Ricciardone, a Maria Killam-Certified True Color Expert, is also actively involved in wellness design communities, which support interior designers in eco-friendly design.

 

For more information or to make an appointment, call 860-796-3415, email [email protected] or visit ClaudiaJosephineDesign.com