Interior Designer arranging pillow on a bed

Designing with Purpose: Top Ethical and Sustainable Interior Designers

Written by: Kelsey O'Brien

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Time to read 18 min

Who says you can’t have style and save the planet at the same time? Gone are the days when interior design was all about what was on trend in the moment. Today’s leading designers are proving that style and sustainability can go hand in hand, crafting spaces that are as kind to the planet as they are beautiful.


In this article, we celebrate the pioneers of purpose-driven design and how they’re redefining what it means to live beautifully and responsibly. From incorporating eco-friendly materials to championing fair trade and reducing waste, ethical and sustainable interior designers are reshaping the industry. Whether you’re redesigning your home or simply curious about sustainable living, these intentional designers will show you how thoughtful design can make a world of difference.

Top Sustainable Interior Designers

We had the pleasure of interviewing three inspiring interior designers who are each making a difference in their communities in an impactful way. Each of them has been on a journey, following their hearts to bring sustainability to the forefront of their businesses and spreading awareness through their circles of influence. We hope you enjoy getting to know each of their stories as much as we did!

Andrea Lackie, Andrea Lackie Design

The first sustainable interior designer, or as she would phrase it, responsible interior designer, we will introduce is Andrea Lackie. After voyaging west from the East Coast and landing in beautiful Truckee, California, Andrea put roots down and started her design business in 2021. Andrea is passionate about helping foster the shift within the world of interior design towards "responsible" sourcing, focusing on the circular economy and product lifecycles. We hope you enjoy Andrea's insights, inspiring words about her hopes for the future and tips on how to get started on your own sustainable lifestyle journey. 

interior designer Andrea Lackie and styled table
Image Credit: James Furman. Design: Andrea Lackie Design

"I envision that our standards as a society have demanded that manufacturers and corporations have ethical and responsible practices and that these are now the status quo. I envision that people will stop wanting more and just want better."

Andrea Lackie

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey becoming an interior designer with a focus on sustainability.


My name is Andrea Lackie and I started Andrea Lackie Design in 2021. I’ve been interested in sustainability since I attended design school 15 years ago. A fellow design student and I actually wrote up a proposal as to why we should attend Greenbuild in 2009 and we got a scholarship to attend! Once I graduated I became a Green Associate through the USGBC but I didn’t really know what to do with this interest. Fast forward several years and I’m working in residential interior design. I realized that, unlike commercial design, there seemed to be little discussion around sustainability and meaningful certifications in the residential world. This was troubling to me as I was working in a high-end market where it seemed like whole homes were being gutted or demolished in order to build something new, furnishings were treated as disposable items, and the focus was on cost rather than impact. I decided that I needed to start my own firm with a focus on responsible design where specifying items designed for longevity and health were priority. 

How would you define sustainability in interior design? What are your goals as a sustainably-minded interior designer and why is this important?


I have recently been working to shift my language from sustainable design to responsible design, as the building industry has a huge impact on the planet and to be truly sustainable there would need to be a major shift towards circular and regenerative design, in addition to cutting consumption (which feels impossible at the moment!)


Therefore, I define responsible design as being informed about the true impacts of our industry and selecting products and brands that are meaningfully working to improve the status quo.


In the high-end residential market where I work, clients have robust budgets. My goal is to consciously use these budgets to champion brands and products that are:

  • designed for longevity rather than landfill

  • working to reduce their pollution, waste, and energy consumption

  • valuing craftsmanship and fair treatment of their employees


In addition, I am promoting quality natural fibers that do not negatively impact indoor air quality and human health and also avoid contributing to the microplastic problem.


This work is important to me because we are inundated with so much marketing that encourages us to consume while also telling us that we can buy “quality” for a low price tag. Rather than buying a lot of things that cost a little (and likely will wear out over time), what if we bought fewer things that might cost a little more but were designed for longevity? To me, in the high-end market where I work, this question is a no brainer.

living rooms designed by designer Andrea Lackie
Image Credit: James Furman. Design: Andrea Lackie Design

When did you become aware of and/or begin caring about sustainable and ethical practices in home furnishings and design?


When working at a residential design firm, I always wondered why we should be choosing one brand over another if they both seemingly provided a similar product. How could one cost X and one cost Y? I started to understand the difference between quality, artisan made items vs. mass market items and became even more curious about the impact of each practice. With so many products to choose from, and so many vendors wanting us to use their products, I thought that some must have more responsible practices than others.

How do you incorporate sustainability into your work?


I first work to understand how a client will use a space and I design to that function. A beautiful interior is not sustainable or responsible if it doesn’t align with a client's needs. I specify high quality materials that are durable and designed for longevity. I avoid trends and work to discover what clients truly love so they can cherish their space for a long, long time.


I am constantly seeking out new products and vendors who have responsible practices and I keep a sample library with vendors that align with my goals. This allows me to have my favorite brands and products at my fingertips when designing for clients. I question brands and reps about a manufacturer's waste and pollution, ethical practices, and material selection. If a brand is working to make meaningful change or has a strong guiding principle I align with, I use their products. I also often include antiques, vintage items or second-hand items in my interiors. Essentially I say “no” to fast-furniture and cheap goods and I don’t put these options in front of my clients.

Do you ever have clients who may not care as deeply about sustainable and ethical home decor and furnishings and what is your experience like serving them?


Yes, quite often. Sometimes I don’t even discuss responsible design with all clients - I just specify products and materials that align with my standards. If a client asks for a cheap item they found, I will educate them on why another product is superior and how we can’t use price and aesthetics only as an indicator. Ultimately there are always compromises and nothing is perfect, so I try to focus on making meaningful selections on as many items in a home as I can. I also understand that everyone has a budget and there gets to a point in the project where even the wealthiest clients are done spending money. This is a challenging time if there are still purchases to be made, but if I’ve done my due diligence earlier in the project then I can be satisfied knowing I did my best with the bigger ticket items that have a larger impact.

Do you have any favorite sustainable / ethical home decor brands that you recommend?


Hangai Mountain Textiles makes fantastic throw blankets from Mongolian yak!

What would you say to someone who is just getting started in their journey to make their home more sustainable and who may be overwhelmed?


I would say…. This is a hard journey! It is so easy to be overwhelmed so it’s important to focus on small steps. Perhaps you first start with sourcing your local thrift stores first. Then you may decide to save up some money to buy one truly amazing handcrafted item that you LOVE instead of ordering cheap goods online every year. Be wary of marketing and being sucked deeper into our consumer culture. Read labels and ask questions. Buying a ton of “sustainable” products is not better, either, if you can instead use up or just enjoy what you already have.

What do you envision for the future of sustainable interior design and home decor?


I envision that “sustainable” no longer needs to be specifically called out! I envision that our standards as a society have demanded that manufacturers and corporations have ethical and responsible practices and that these are now the status quo. I envision that people will stop wanting more and just want better.

Do you have any closing remarks, additional thoughts or comments you would like to share?


This is a complicated topic and I thank you for asking my thoughts on it :)


I have found that developing a network of thoughtful and purpose-driven people has helped me stay the course, even when I feel discouraged. I highly encourage people interested in making changes in their consumption to develop their own network as you can share information and get support when needed. It really helps you to feel not alone!

Lydia Underwood, Aisthesis Studio

Next up, meet Lydia Underwood, a compassionate ethical and sustainable interior designer based out of Nashville, Tennessee. Lydia is driven by her calling to stand up for the oppressed - the people behind the industry supplying the resources to build homes, furniture and products. Her compassion for people shines through in this interview as well as her hope and vision for future generations. We are inspired by Lydia and how she channels her passion and outreach through her work as an interior designer.

Interior Designer Lydia Underwood, Aisthesis Studio
Image Credit: Nikayla Skolits Photography (@nskolitsphotography). Design: Aisthesis Studio

"While I believe that life is meant to be beautiful, I also believe that everyone should have the opportunity to earn a living wage; and we have a responsibility to preserve our planet for future generations."

Lydia Underwood

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey becoming an interior designer with a focus on sustainability.


My name is Lydia Underwood RID, ASID; and at the beginning of 2023 I launched Aisthesis Studio, a full-service interior design studio with a focus on ethical interiors based in Nashville, TN.


I was one of the lucky few that knew from an early age what I wanted to be when I grew up, but there were still plenty of obstacles to get there. But when I had realized my dream of becoming an indispensable part of a boutique design firm, a new idea began to form out of 3 experiences. First, my heart was deeply touched by the Fair-Trade movement, so I began altering my personal purchasing habits. Second, in the dozens of material and product presentations I attended, I began to wonder if the people who made the products were actually being paid a living wage. And third, working on both large and small scale projects, I realized how much buying power Interior Designers have; and I felt responsible for my part. I wanted to offer another way to create luxurious interior spaces, where the beauty would extend beyond the surface to the people and materials at the source.

How would you define sustainability in interior design? What are your goals as a sustainably-minded interior designer and why is this important?


Most people think of sustainability in the context of the environment. While that is a great place to start, there is so much more! The environment is important because people are important - people near and far, people alive today, and people not yet born. So if we keep the focus on the goal, which is the wellbeing of people, it follows that the manner in which products are made is equally important - if not more so - because injustice and poverty impact individuals, families, and communities for generations. My goal as an Interior Designer is to design beautiful spaces that do not harm another human (whether that be through the business practices or the environment). While I believe that life is meant to be beautiful, I also believe that everyone should have the opportunity to earn a living wage; and we have a responsibility to preserve our planet for future generations.

Aisthesis Studio styled rooms
Image Credit: Nikayla Skolits Photography (@nskolitsphotography). Design: Aisthesis Studio

When did you become aware of and/or begin caring about sustainable and ethical practices in home furnishings and design?


I first heard about the Fair-Trade movement and the horrifying reasons behind it while in college, but I pushed it out of my mind because it was all too overwhelming. About 4 years into my career, I was dumb struck by a principle I saw in the book of Amos - that something beautiful becomes ugly if it is made in a harmful way. So I began challenging myself to purchase my clothing from only Fair-Trade certified or secondhand sources. Then when my husband and I bought our first home, I extended that practice into the purchases for our home. And finally in 2023 I took the leap of expanding the practice into a business so I can help others invest in luxurious interior experiences that not only transforms their quality of life but also transforms the way interiors are constructed and furnished to positively impact the people behind the products.

How do you incorporate sustainability into your work?


First, I develop a partnership with my client. As their design agent, their goals have to be my goals in order for me to be able to deliver the finished space that they came to me for. I must be guided first by the client’s programming, performance, budget, and aesthetic / branding needs because the project will not succeed if those criteria are not met. Then I develop a custom design concept with a unique blend of old and new. Incorporating pre-existing materials and products is not only a more sustainable practice by keeping things out of landfills and minimizing the demand for new products, but it also has the added bonus of being more affordable, which helps to offset the cost of new Fair-Trade products. In selecting, specifying, and designing new products, I give priority to sources with labor certifications, local artisans, and countries of origin with better labor laws.

Do you ever have clients who may not care as deeply about sustainable and ethical home decor and furnishings and what is your experience like serving them?


Yes! They are the majority of my clients, actually. Generally speaking, everyone is open to fair labor and sustainability when it doesn’t negatively impact the bottom line. As their designer, I am still able to prioritize specifying ethical and sustainable products so long as they fit the client’s and the project’s criteria, which is essentially the same process as when clients do care about those things. The only difference is perhaps the way we discuss those selections – I might talk about the financial advantages before the social & environmental ones.

Do you have any favorite sustainable / ethical home decor brands that you recommend?


For new décor products: The Citizenry, Made Trade, and Jaipur Rugs exclusively offer products made with fair labor; and both Pottery Barn & West Elm have Fair-Trade options. I also like Etsy because the sellers are really responsive, and you can ask a lot of questions about the products. And let’s not forget Shelf Love! But you already knew about them because you’re here. 😉


For sustainable products: Facebook Marketplace, antique malls, and thrift stores. I highly recommend carving out some time to antique and thrift on vacations and trips because it is fun, you will see different things, and the tangible memories you will bring back will make your home more interesting and one-of-a-kind.

What would you say to someone who is just getting started in their journey to make their home more sustainable and who may be overwhelmed?


Just take it one step at a time, and continue taking the next right step. That is all you can do, but amazingly it is all that is needed to make a difference. Yes, it won’t be easy and it will take time, but you are doing courageous and important work because every change you are able to put into practice is significant. We can change the world one person, one purchase, and one project at time. Together we can positively impact local economies around the world by supporting ethical sources, thereby increasing the demand, and so improving the lives of underprivileged peoples around the world. 

What do you envision for the future of sustainable interior design and home decor?


I envision a world where it is easier to beautify our homes and spaces without unknowingly taking advantage of the world’s poor, where consumer demand for ethical products has so changed companies’ policies that it is normal for the people behind the products to be paid a living wage, provide for their families, and participate in the economy. I envision a world where products are either designed and made to last or made to be easily recyclable.

Do you have any closing remarks, additional thoughts or comments you would like to share?


Thank you for caring about this topic and being open to learning more about it! We are not alone; we are in the company of a significant number of people and businesses who share the same passion. It is a growing and evolving movement that we are all excited to see continue to develop. We are all blessed to have the opportunity to lend our small but significant voice, vote with our dollars, and so speak up for the oppressed and the needy.

Anna McGary, MOTIV Interiors

Our final sustainably-minded interior designer we have the pleasure of introducing is Anna McGary, also based out of Nashville, Tennessee. Anna was inspired by nature's raw beauty growing up in Montana, so it was only natural that she brought that passion and connection into her work as an interior designer. Anna has a very mindful approach to the sustainable sourcing of materials and products for her clients including an emphasis on buying local. We suspect she may interrogate the manufacturers as much as we do here at Shelf Love Collective! Enjoy learning about Anna's approach and decision making process as she forges ahead to help reshape the direction of sustainable interiors.

Anna McGary, MOTIV Interiors

"I think trends are becoming less important as homeowners seek designs with lasting authenticity and that share their unique story in engaging ways."

Anna McGary

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey becoming an interior designer with a focus on sustainability.


My name is Anna McGary and I founded MOTIV Interiors in 2016. I was born in Tennessee and grew up in Montana, where I was both in love with and amazed by nature as a child. When I began my design degree, I wanted to learn how to help make an impact in the construction industry through beautifully designed spaces that support both humans and the environment - all while fostering a connection and appreciation of nature, art, and design within the home.

How would you define sustainability in interior design? What are your goals as a sustainably-minded interior designer and why is this important?


One of our biggest sustainable strategies is getting our sourcing and specifying right. It’s essential to educate homeowners on the options available that will work within their design vision and goals and offer the best solutions for their specific project and location. We want to of course create beautiful, functional, sustainable spaces - I believe we will see more homeowners considering local and regional challenges when it comes to climate change and resiliency. This could look like additional erosion protection or fire protection outdoors with landscaping and exterior finishes, or choosing furniture and other products from vendors and artisans with a similarly mindful approach to the their work. We’ve been building our vendor library and refining our practices for a decade now and there are so many wonderful options available.

MOTIV Interiors styled rooms
Design: MOTIV Interiors

When did you become aware of and/or begin caring about sustainable and ethical practices in home furnishings and design?


Immediately when I entered the profession and saw so much opportunity for improvement in the construction and home furnishing industries. It’s a really exciting time globally - especially in the design world which is always full of innovation and just celebrating culture and that vital life force energy. We are globally becoming more aware of one another and learning to embrace and support each other, and I feel like our industry is making progress but we still have a lot to learn. 

How do you incorporate sustainability into your work?


There are too many factors we consider to list, but the big ones we focus on are: indoor air quality, deforestation and materiality. You can make a big impact by focusing on those 3 things. With indoor air quality it’s about selecting finishes and products that are healthy for you and the environment. We also want to make sure we’re selecting wood products that have been made from responsibly managed forests, and finally with materiality - that just means with every product that goes into your home we’re asking questions. Questions like what is it made of? What happens at the end of this product's life cycle? How long will it last? Can it be recycled?

Do you ever have clients who may not care as deeply about sustainable and ethical home decor and furnishings and what is your experience like serving them?


Of course - and it all comes down to education and values. If you can determine your clients key values that are motivating their design decisions, that can be a bridge to help them understand why these choices are important. Sustainability is about more than just the environment - it’s about wellbeing and comfort too.

Do you have any favorite sustainable / ethical home decor brands that you recommend?


Since we do a lot of custom work, many of our sources are to-the-trade only, but you can find great options at West Elm and some of the larger retailers as well. I’d recommend visiting SFC.org (sustainable furnishings council) for a list of top sustainable furniture retailers.

What would you say to someone who is just getting started in their journey to make their home more sustainable and who may be overwhelmed?


Work with an interior designer! If you’re overwhelmed, dip your toes in with a consultation and have someone local get eyes on your project. Sometimes breaking a project down into phases, or simply having an understanding of the investment can bring clarity and motivation to move forward. Having an expert help you is worth every penny of the investment - just like having a custom tailored suit made especially for you, your home should fit you like a glove.

What do you envision for the future of sustainable interior design and home decor?


I would love to see more regional and local production that utilizes local materials - in general not shipping things all over the place and in disappointing packaging. I think trends are becoming less important as homeowners seek designs with lasting authenticity and that share their unique story in engaging ways.

Do you have any closing remarks, additional thoughts or comments you would like to share?


Thank you for letting us share our passion for sustainability! We work with clients looking to build, buy or renovate and we love Feng Shui too :)

Our homes can tell a deeper story.


We were moved by each one of these remarkable sustainable interior designers, the impactful work they do, and their dedication to their values.  Each of these designers reminds us that the choices we make for our homes matter, not just for how they look, but for the impact they create. The choices we make for our homes can tell a deeper story—one of fair wages, honored traditions, and a respect for our planet.  It all starts with which brands we choose to spend our money on and making small changes, one purchase at a time.  It is with these intentional design choices that each of us has the power to shape a more thoughtful future. 


And remember - "Maybe we can change the world if we start with our s[h]elf."