Sesshu Design, an Arizona-based interior design company, considers not only their clients’ visions and lifestyles, but also their wellness goals and environmental factors by using what they call an ‘Ecoluxe Design Process’.
The firm believes “style and luxury can and should meet environmental responsibility” by combining sustainable and aesthetic goals. Influenced by the US Southwestern desert-style which promotes the ideas of ‘rest, relaxation and fun’, Sesshu uses its network of suppliers to find sustainable and natural materials while still achieving a stylish look.
Led by Tanya Shively, the team designer and architect, Sesshu aims to create toxic-free homes which could otherwise cause health problems and damage the environment. For example, furniture emits substances into the air, known as ‘off-gassing’, and if synthetic substances have been used in the process of making or treating a piece, it can be incredibly harmful. So, Sesshu Design prioritises low-toxicity furniture, which is regulated by government standards.
The company also believes that furniture should be durable, which minimises its environmental footprint as each piece will last a long time – an investment for the client and the planet. Sesshu does this by using high quality finishes and performance fabrics including organic cotton and bamboo. They also repurpose materials such as wood, helping to reduce waste. Their philosophy is: if trees can take decades, or even centuries to fully grow, why is their average lifespan as furniture only 5-10 years?
Sesshu also offers eco-centric and biophilic design elements, such as outdoor-indoor living spaces, enhanced natural light which follows the path of the sun, and the inclusion of plants like Aloe Vera and Peace Lilies which help to purify the air. This once again, highlights how Sesshu Design believes that it is entirely possible to create luxury living spaces sustainably.
By finding innovative solutions to matters of sustainability in interior design, such as upcycling old furniture, using natural materials, and avoiding toxic finishes on pieces, Sesshu Design shows how it is entirely possible to have a stylish home without sacrificing the environment.
