A Guide to Slow Design Practices
How to Curate a Meaningful & Sustainable Interior
I’m guessing you’ve heard of fast fashion – the rapid production of trendy, inexpensive clothing to keep up with the trends that now evolve faster than ever. You may have also heard of its more sustainable counterpart: slow fashion! But what about slow design?
Slow design emphasizes sustainability, mindfulness, and meaningful, lasting products. It also emerged as a counter-movement to contemporary design and consumption's fast-paced, often disposable nature. As an interior designer and vintage enthusiast, I naturally gravitate toward pieces I know I’ll cherish for years to come – not those that fit into typical, trendy design categories (although, the two don’t have to be mutually exclusive!).
But why is following slow design important?
The furniture industry is responsible for ~1.3 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions yearly.
Luckily, slow design encompasses…
Minimizing your home’s carbon footprint → With slow design, you can choose items made from environmentally friendly materials and processes that reduce waste.
Quality over quantity & pieces you’ll treasure → Slow design emphasizes high-quality, durable items over mass-produced, cheap, short-lived products. This often means items were crafted by hand or using traditional techniques that ensure longevity, making them that much more special!
Supporting local artisans & communities → Slow design supports local artisans and communities, a much better alternative to fast design that often isn’t made in ideal conditions (more on this later).
Timelessness > trendiness → By following slow design, you can embrace timeless pieces that do not always embody transient trends, but how you authentically express yourself through your living space.
Slow design is about acquiring meaningful pieces for your home that last a lifetime, tell a story, and have a connection to you!
We’re in the age of massive consumerism. People want instant gratification and products delivered instantly to quickly make a “home.” But within a week, month, or year, who knows how you’ll feel about that purchase? I believe each part of your interior is an investment, not just in your living space, but your overall well-being. Your home is the embodiment of YOU (or at least it should be)! It impacts how you feel day-to-day and how you feel about yourself. I encourage you not to rush the process of curating a space you love. You deserve a place you’re proud to call home.
Finding your design style and which environments make you feel your best takes time and inner reflection, especially if you’re used to following trends and not knowing what your dream home (I’m talking about one you would love to live in for decades) would look like!
To embrace slow design, you must first know how you want to interact with your living space. That way, you’ll know what to look for when it comes to picking the right pieces. After all, homes aren’t just lived in and looked at, they’re interacted with! To brainstorm, ask yourself the following:
How do I want my space to function?
Think about the purpose each room will serve. For instance, a sunroom may be best for work or reading due to the constant flood of natural light. Make a list of what you love about your home and what you’d like to change. This will influence what you buy to make improvements!
What can I buy that will serve this function?
Are you adding things you already own from another space? Are you bringing in heirlooms? Are you shopping for new items? Make a list of how you can bring that space to its full potential based on its purpose!
When I help my clients reimagine their space, I often do one of my favorite reflection exercises with them. Ask yourself what you currently own that’s sacred to you. Why do you value these pieces so much? From clothing items to paintings, identify anything that means something to you – this is all about creating meaningful living spaces. Put a few in a special box or display them so that they’re always visible to you. They will inspire you as you design your home and bring in even more pieces you cherish! The more you bring in that you love, the more you’ll love living there.
As you continue to reflect on what your dream space would entail, ask yourself:
What colors are you drawn to? (P.S., If you ever need a color consult, you know where to find me.)
How can you support the exterior of your home?
How would you describe your home’s surroundings and the community?
How do you want your interior space to reflect these surroundings?
Your home, as well as your surroundings, environment, and entire community, impact how you feel daily. Curating a space that brings you joy often involves more than decorating just one room. Design an entire atmosphere that you never want to leave!
Another thing I love about embracing slow design is supporting local artisans and collecting one-of-a-kind vintage pieces…
Top Tips to Find the Perfect Pieces for Your Home
Even if you’re new to the vintage scene, consider going to local antique malls or flea markets and exploring what you are drawn to. Make sure to touch the pieces you love. Look for markings on the piece or signage by an artist. You can also attend art fairs in your community! Ask yourself if there’s art that makes you feel excited, calm, or simply intrigued. Anything you’re drawn to is worth considering!
Rugs are also a great way to start the design process and set the foundation for your space.
Photo: Women’s Exchange Resale Shop, Sarasota FL
*PRO TIP: Make the living room rug, or the room you occupy the most, your first purchase.
While shopping for rugs, look at the materials. Far too often, rugs are produced just like fast fashion. If it’s made with viscose or synthetic materials, take a pass. Rugs should be hand-loomed with wool, jute, or natural materials. No need to worry – sustainable rugs can be affordable! I always recommend revivalrugs.com, eBay, or Etsy to my clients when they want to find rugs that are both natural and affordable. (Another pro tip – if you have pets, bamboo rugs are super durable!)
Once you have a rug that serves as the foundation, start to collect the smaller pieces and low-hanging fruit that you’d like to see in your space. Choose pieces with patterns, color palettes, and shapes that contribute to the feel that you’re aiming for. For instance, if you already found a rug you love that establishes a romantic, vintage vibe, select items with floral patterns, a palette of soft pastels like blush, mint, and lavender, and rounded, organic shapes.
To stay in line with slow design and choose sustainable pieces, figure out:
What materials are the items made from?
How are the working conditions of the factory workers who made the pieces?
Although everything seems to be about finding pieces with quick delivery, I encourage you to step into slow design, and that doesn’t have to mean sacrificing affordable, unique pieces you’ll love for a lifetime.
So, if you’re ready to step into slow design & curate a space that’s meaningful AND timeless, here’s how I can help…
And if we haven’t met yet, it’s nice to virtually meet you – I’m Kat, an interior designer and founder of Urban Lark. I turn spaces into statements and I’d love to do that for you. Here’s how we can connect:
Browse my services. From total home makeovers to slow design mood boards, I help clients of all kinds create spaces they love. Hopefully, your home is next!
Find out which design style suits you best. Of course, nobody fits in perfectly to any category, but this quiz will give you insight into how you can start finding the right slow design pieces.
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To get in touch directly, shoot me a message or connect with me on Instagram!
