Habitations helps remodelers stay green Interior design entrepreneur uses recycled materials to give homes a facelift

Susan Schell

Jul. 23, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Alinda Morris' remodeled kitchen gained the distinction of Natural Home Magazine's Kitchen of the Year in 2007 and will continue its reign until the 2008 award is announced later this year.

Morris designed the kitchen herself through her company, Habitations Sustainable Interior Design, using recycled materials.

"This kitchen is certifiably green," she said. "We re-used everything and reduced the amount of waste by 80 percent. My husband calls it 'manic organic.' "

There is a reason behind the designer's organic calling. Several years ago, while she was renting a house, she suffered from Epstein-Barr syndrome caused by a compromised immune system.

"Everything made me sick," she said. "I started doing research and found out that, with the products we use every day, we are aging ourselves."

She found synthetic materials used to make carpet can emit off-gases for 11 years. Pigment in most wall paint is toxic, and so is glue used to hold kitchen cabinets together.

"I thought to myself, 'Why are we making our homes so toxic?' " she said.

Morris set about incorporating non-toxic and recycled materials into her design projects, and she eventually set up her own home-based company.

A former project manager for a remodeling and design firm, Morris said many people confuse the roles of interior designers and interior decorators -- but the two are different.

"An interior designer comes up with the basic concept," she said. "I can say, 'This wall needs to be removed to open up the space.' I ask a person what it is they want and come up with a conceptual design. I like to do big things."

Morris' own home is a work in progress. After re-designing her kitchen, she is now working on the living room and foyer. All of the work is being remodeled with recycled material, but one wouldn't know to look at it: The floors are beautiful hard wood and everything looks top-quality.

"We bought the house with the intention of remodeling the whole thing," she said. "No one else wanted this house. It's great to test stuff out on."

Peek-a-boo sections of the house's former self show through -- avocado and beige plastic flooring, dull orange tile. The differences between the old and new are stunning visual proof of how a remodel can breathe life into an old, worn-out dwelling.

"When I visit clients' homes and they tell me they don't like being in this space, I say, 'I'll tell you why.' I have the expertise to look at a place and see what's wrong. I can tell a client, 'Let me show you something you've never seen before within your budget.' "

Morris designs a new project from the ground up. She drafts a rendering for the client with the colors and patterns so the client can see exactly what the end result will look like.

She chooses materials for cabinets, flooring, tiles and countertops and offers samples to her clients.

"Most people are so overwhelmed, they don't know where to start," she said. "Sometimes I act as mediator between a husband and wife to bring their design styles together to reflect their individual personalities. I hold their hand and walk them through the project."

Morris said people are opening up to the idea of using recycled products because of the desire to save money. They also have an increased awareness of the amount of waste that ends up at landfills.

"People used to think of it as very granola," she said. "Now people are seeing that old cabinets, countertops and floors can be recycled into something beautiful. They are becoming more aware of indoor air quality and what kind of chemicals they're bringing into their homes."

Recycling during a home remodel not only cuts down on waste but cost, Morris said.

"If you can eliminate hauling away four or five truckloads of stuff, that will save a few hundred dollars," she said. "It's about cost versus value. Plus, if you create a house that you love, that's a huge return on your investment."

The designer said finding non-toxic materials is becoming easier. Places like Ecohouse, the Environmental Home Center and Home Depot (NYSE:HD) are offering eco-friendly products, such as non-toxic paint.

"When you use paint with toxins, it makes your sinuses work extra hard," Morris said. "I wanted to do something that changed the way people live in their houses."

And with that, Morris' clients can breathe a little easier.

Reach reporter Susan Schell at 253-853-9240 or by e-mail at susan.schell@gateline.com.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0276-26881305