TUCSON, Ariz. – Green design begins with an idea: to create a living space that’s beautiful, functional and, most importantly, environmentally friendly. There are two major aspects to green interior design: the health of the planet and the health of the people.

This philosophy is one shared by interior designer Pamela Portwood, owner of Greener Lives LLC, a green design firm in Tucson.

Environmental friendliness can start in the home, and steps promoting environmental as well as human health more often than not march in line together, Portwood said.

For Portwood, the inspiration to launch a green design firm came from her passion for design and her sense of social consciousness for the environment, she said.

“I love doing interior design, and specializing in green interior design is a way for me to 
personally help preserve the environment and to help other people live healthier, greener lives,” Portwood said. “I really wanted to fulfill that through my work.”

Interior design is a second career for Portwood, a University of Arizona alumna who graduated with a degree in creative writing and worked as a writer for more than 15 years.

She has been working as a designer for nearly four years since returning to college and earning a degree in interior design.

"Renovation Nation" project

Portwood recently worked with television host Steve Thomas from Planet Green's Renovation Nation and Tucson homeowners Amber and Mike Schwartz on a green home renovation project.

The Schwartz’s home renovation in late January included an addition to their house, including a green nursery featuring cork floors, low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint and an eco-friendly crib.

“With the birth of our second son and having a two-year-old son as well, we 
wanted to not only keep the design as healthy as possible for them, but to also
 set a good example for how design can be earth friendly,” Amber said.

Some of the key features in the Schwartz’s home include newly replaced windows, more insulation and an energy-efficient ceramic coating painted on the roof. They also recycled materials such as lumber, brick and electrical wiring to reduce waste and costs.

“We used natural, renewable materials wherever possible,” Amber said.

The Schwartzes selected a crib made of bamboo veneer and hardwood approved by the Forest Stewardship Council and glued with water-based adhesives.

“My husband and I feel it is important to make decisions that are best for the 
health of our family and our planet,” Amber said. “We try to be as green as possible in our 
daily lives, so when the renovation project began it was important for us to also be green whenever possible, as long as our budget permitted.”

The Schwartzes made every effort to make their entire project a green one.

“We tried to get as many materials as possible within a 500-mile radius to Tucson,” Amber said. “If materials were available locally, they were sourced locally."

Chemicals and compounds

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, interior air inside an average home is three times more polluted than outdoor air because of interior paints and other chemicals used in daily life.

Volatile organic compounds are a major component of indoor and outdoor air pollution and are bad for human health, according to the EPA.

VOCs exist in furniture, flooring and paint and can "off-gas" for years.

Using VOC-free products is one of the most important things consumers can do, Portwood said.

Formaldehyde can be found in recycled polyester, pressed wood board and other building materials.

Additionally, nonorganic cotton can contain pesticides and insecticides, according to the Sustainable Cotton Project in California.

An organic cotton sofa can cost as much as $3,000 and a normal sofa as little as $400, but the fabric in the low-cost sofa would contain formaldehyde, Portwood said.

However, efforts are being made to cut down on formaldehyde as regulations are being set in certain states, according to the EPA's Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics.

Green designers often choose to work with bamboo, which contains no formaldehyde and is a renewable resource.

Also, cork is a green product, Portwood said, because it comes from shaved tree bark that naturally rejuvenates and doesn’t "off-gas."

Cork is also a popular home item because of its acoustic properties. It drowns out noise and has a spongy finish, she said.

Interior designers usually charge either a fixed fee based on the project or an hourly rate, ranging from $40 to $300 hourly, depending on the designer. Portwood charges $85 hourly.

The cost of a green design versus a traditional design can be significant, but is often comparable, she said.

“I think it’s worth it,” Portwood said.