August 18, 2008 -
Long Island
Ahimsa Design, the first full-service interior design firm on Long Island to work exclusively with eco-friendly and non-toxic materials, is now open for business. The firm, which handles residential projects of all sizes, is committed to creating healthy, beautiful spaces for its clientele that won't raise the risk for illnesses including asthma, allergies, and cancers, which can arise from exposure to the unsafe ingredients commonly found in building materials and conventional furnishings.
"Ahimsa means non-harming, and this is the principle that guides our work," said KC Eisenberg, the firm's founder and lead designer. "We create warm, welcoming spaces that cater to our clients' varied tastes and styles. It's a given that all of the furniture, textiles, and everything else we specify is totally sustainable and non-toxic, or else we won't use those products."Â
Eisenberg says her firm's designs are perfect for families that are battling asthma and allergies, but says that green design is important for all people to adopt in order to reduce their risk of illness. Many home products contain unsafe chemicals that are known to contribute to a host of illnesses, from the stain repellents in the carpet underfoot to the VOCs that are slowly off-gassing from the paint on the ceiling, and everything in between.
"Green design is especially important in kids' rooms and nurseries, but it really matters in all areas of the house, for kids and adults alike," said Eisenberg, who is a member and committee chairwoman of the Long Island chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council.Â
The firm offers full interior design services, consultations, home stagings, and Healthy Home Assessments, a flat-rate service where a green design professional tours a home and offers a full report of recommendations to help make the space healthier for its inhabitants.