By Diana Mosher -- April is NKBA Sustainability Month, and we’re excited to feature NKBA Manhattan Chapter member Felicitas Oefelein, owner of F O DESIGN. Felicitas began her green journey as a child growing up in Germany, where there was talk about acid rain, and she first became concerned about the environment. “We often think of the transport, manufacturing of clothing, and animal agriculture sectors as being the culprits for global pollution,” says Felicitas. “But the building sector is one of the largest offenders. Being part of this industry, I see a great chance to make a difference and turn things around for the better.” Read the rest of our interview with Felicitas below.

What are some of the ways you’ve furthered sustainability?

This month, I attended Climate Reality Project leadership training in New York. It’s a program that was started by Al Gore in 2006, and I was very excited to participate. Since I have space in my home, I also hosted a few activists for the weekend. In 2020, while serving as NKBA Manhattan Chapter Treasurer, I applied for and received an ECO Grant from National NKBA. We used $1,000 as a donation for the organization Community Solidarity, and also our Chapter gave out the first-ever ECO awards to some of our sponsors. They had to fill out a questionnaire answering what their firms did in regard to sustainability.

Why did you become a designer? 

I knew early on that I wanted to be a designer. My Barbie dolls lived in a triplex penthouse in the bookcase, and my smaller stuffed animals inhabited shoebox condos. Being a teenager in a rather rustic parental home that did not exactly fit my own vision of a stylish interior was certainly not easy, and to this day, I am grateful that I actually get paid to do what I love most: designing beautiful homes for my clients.

Were there way fewer green product choices when you first became a designer?

Absolutely. Many renewable materials such as cork and bamboo have been around for a long time. But today we can purchase cabinet handles made from upcycled ocean plastic. How amazing is this! I just bought a wonderful rug made from recycled PET yarn for my own living room. I am not sure I want to call myself a green designer. It's a path at best. I strive to be “greener” and to make the best choices I can for my clients and also for myself. But I also acknowledge that at this point nothing is 100 percent and we have a long way to go yet.

Why did you join NKBA Manhattan Chapter?

Kent Brasloff recommended the NKBA to me. I attended a meeting and loved it from the start—the community of people and strong ties to the industry. Being a small business owner can sometimes be isolating, and it’s fun to get out and have the support of peers on an ongoing basis.

Tell us about your Industry City project.

I have teamed up with fellow NKBA Manhattan member Sami Kelmendi to create an ECO center in Brooklyn’s Industry City. Sami took on an amazing 4,000 sq. ft. loft space on the waterfront. We see the need for a space that is both a resource center for clients and also industry professionals as well as an event space. Think of it as "one stop shopping" for the eco-conscious consumer. Whether you are only looking for a material—or are looking for a full-on home renovation—this will be the place to find help.

You’re headed to Milan. Why is it important for designers to travel?

I find it extremely important to get out there to see what others are up to. I visit local places like the New York Botanical Gardens. I also visit Germany two to three times a year because my father lives there. In general, I feel that Europe has a more modern and contemporary approach to design and more of a focus on sustainability than the U.S. I can’t wait to see what products and innovations are available at Milan Design Week. Right afterwards I’m headed to Germany to visit my dad to celebrate his 92nd birthday!