From start to finish and everywhere in-between, this designer is about how not to hurt the environment.

There’s a reason why Tracey Stephen’s tagline is EcoSmart Kitchen & Bath Designs. It’s because she truly believes in pursuing sustainable design that will help her clients live happier, healthier and (she hopes) zero waste lives. NKBA interviewed her recently to understand how she tackles Green Design.

NKBA: When you talk about Green Design, what exactly do you mean?

Tracey Stephens: Well, it’s a mindset. It’s a philosophy and it guides the scope of the project, the procedures, the material selection.  It’s something you start at the beginning, it’s not an afterthought. For kitchen and bath, it’s a lot about remodeling best practices. I’m a big fan of the tiny house movement. I’m really committed to working within an existing footprint. I’m pretty much opposed to bumping out. Quite often, I’m meeting with people that have a very small, awkward space and the have met with someone who has told them the only way to get a great kitchen is to have an addition. I feel like that’s really lazy because by using smart space planning, you can utilize existing space in the house that’s not being used. The formal dining room, or you annex a closet. Or you rearrange the space to make it more functional. So that you’re not creating a bigger project than it has to be, using more resources to heat and cool, more materials, and costing the client more money. People are often relieved that they don’t have to spend all this extra money, go through all this extra work to get what they want. They’re still going to get a beautiful kitchen and it’s going to tick off everything on the wish list.

NKBA: Seriously, how important is sustainability to your clients? Do they come to you specifically for this?

TS:  Well, some people do come to me for sustainable design. Many more don’t, they just like my work. But when I’m interviewing with people, I start to talk about [sustainability] and they get very excited. Because they want to do better, live healthier. They just need guidance. One of the things they get most excited about is that at the beginning of the project we donate everything we can. We usually partner with Habitat for Humanity, the ReStore.  I’m always thinking “How can I make this more sustainable? What’s the best products or process?”. [My clients] aren’t necessarily asking for it. But I’m telling them about it, and they are happy about it. That’s why it’s so important that I educate myself and educate them.

NKBA: Can you give an example of how you help clients be more sustainable … even if they aren’t necessarily asking for it?

TS: Here’s an easy way that I help clients be more sustainable in the kitchen. For every kitchen I add a water filter faucet. Because I want to get them away from single-use plastic water bottles. So, it encourages them to have healthy drinking water that they refill at home. And it’s such a simple thing, but I think it does change habits. I don’t tell them necessarily why I’m doing it, but I point out the benefit. More and more companies are including sustainability as a goal and as a practice. So, it’s pretty easy today to  get tile with recycled content. To get insulation that’s not fiberglass with formaldehyde added to it. Or cabinets that are made with sustainably harvested wood. I do try to give detail on all these different things to my clients because I want it to have a ripple effect out into their circle.

NKBA: What advice would you give a designer looking to focus on Green Design? 

TS: Well, first get educated. Educate yourself so you can educate your clients. Incorporate sustainability into the design philosophy from the beginning. Not as an afterthought. When searching for products, for example, select plumbing that is WaterSense rated. Appliances that are Energy Star rated. You want paint and countertops that are Greenguard certified as that relates to indoor air quality. And another big part of sustainability is buying quality, durable products that are going to last so you’re not just buying a cheap thing made in China that’s not going to last. Even if it’s made from bamboo. That’s not sustainable.

NKBA: Any last words about sustainability?

TS: Happy Earth Day! It’s been 50 years now. It’s come a long way and I hope it keeps evolving and getting to the root cause. I’m just very inspired by how active and committed younger people are today. Like everyone knows Greta Thunberg, of course. But there’s also Sunrise Movement, those are also young activists. And Extinction Rebellion.  We need these kinds of people to keep talking about the issues and holding people accountable.

Tracey’s Recommended Resources for Sustainable Design

Evergreen Recycling Solutions (Your dumpster debris is converted into alternative fuel.)

Java’s Compost (They come by, pick up your food scraps and you get nutrient-rich soil in return.)

Good Bottle Refill Shop (Refill your bottles for low waste living.)

Fireclay Tile (Focused on sustainable practices and a Certified B Corporation.)

IceStone Countertops (Eco-friendly, made from 100% recycled glass and cement.)

Habitat ReStores (Home improvement stores that accept donations of home goods.)