logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2023
26m 46s

42\\ The Future of Interior Design: Sust...

Rebecca Ward, CID | Interior Designer, Interior Design Mentor, Designers Coach
About this episode

Did you know it doesn't take much to live an eco-friendly lifestyle? It all starts with consumer awareness. And who better to educate consumers than interior designers?

After working for years in various design firms and realizing how much waste the interior design industry generates, Leah Connolly, my special guest in this episode, started her own firm advocating for sustainable interior design.

Join us as we discuss how she started and her challenges when sourcing sustainably-focused brands. Leah also shares tips for finding non-toxic products for large surfaces that ensure a healthier living environment.

If you are an environmentally conscious interior designer, or if you considering a niche in sustainable interior design, tune in as we explore the exciting possibilities in sustainable interior design.

Featured Guest:

As an extrovert, Leah Connolly loves talking with clients and learning what they value most. After graduating from UC Davis, she worked for a few Sacramento interior designers. She is an award-winning interior designer, LEED Green Associate, and a Certified Interior Designer.

As the climate changes, she's looked closely at the design industry and the waste and chemicals it creates. Witnessing firsthand waste and harmful chemicals generated, she took a stand. Leah founded Studio Connolly in 2020 with a mission to lessen the environmental impact of design. Her priority is to partner with sustainably-focused brands to reduce waste at home and recycle as much as possible.

Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode:

  • Explore innovative sustainable interior design practices to transform your client's space
  • Discover the value of hands-on experience in business development
  • Find out why sustainable design is the future of interior design

Check out the show notes >>> The Future of Interior Design: Sustainable and Responsible Solutions With Leah Connolly

Special Offer exclusive to Design Curious listeners only!!!

Get FREE ACCESS to Ericka Saurit's The Brand Storytelling Masterclass - a step-by-step masterclass to get you to craft unforgettable brand narratives in just a few short hours.

Get Free Access in 3 easy steps:

Step 1: Listen to Episode 38: How Storytelling & Brand Marketing Will Level Up Your Interior Design Career With Ericka Saurit

Step 2: Leave Design Curious podcast a Star Rating and Review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser (if you're not an Apple user)

Step 3: Take a screenshot of your review and email it to podcast@rwarddesign.com OR post it to Instagram and tag me  @rwarddesign

This offer is good for the month of June only...

Connect With Me:

Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...

Up next
Nov 17
165 | From Dreaming to Designing Series #4: Key Systems Every Interior Designer Needs to Run a Professional Business
<p>Starting your interior design business can feel like pure chaos. You’re excited to finally design for real clients, but behind the scenes, you’re juggling endless tasks: client emails, project notes, contracts, invoices, and oh—remembering who said what about that sofa fabric. ... Show More
21m 39s
Nov 10
164 | Turning Remodel Problems Into Design Opportunities With Julie Stevens
We’ve all been there — you start a remodel excited and full of vision, and then reality hits. A wall isn’t where you thought it was, a material is delayed, or something totally unexpected pops up once construction begins. Suddenly, your dream design feels like it’s slipping away. ... Show More
22m 52s
Nov 3
163 | From Dreaming to Designing Series #3: Essential Steps to Set Up Your Design Business Legally
Does the business side of design intimidate you? Many creatives dream of launching their own interior design business but freeze when it comes to legal paperwork, contracts, licenses, or financial planning. It feels complicated—almost like a foreign language that wasn’t covered i ... Show More
25m 43s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 15
Episode 265: Samantha Peart, Hassell’s Global Head of Sustainability & Prue Pascoe, Associate Interior Designer at Hassell on Closing the Loop
<p><b>Samantha Peart </b>has worked across 20 different countries, involving sustainability strategies and multidisciplinary project delivery for commercial and residential buildings, healthcare facilities, retail developments, university campuses, large-scale infrastructure proj ... Show More
45m 35s
Sep 2024
🎙️Episode 10 - Interior Design Meets Architecture.🎙️
🎙️Episode 10 - Interior Design Meets Architecture🎙️In this lively episode, Hayley and Cheryl are joined by architect Pippa Jacobs to explore the intersection of architecture and interior design. Cheryl, with her background as a Part 1 architect turned interior designer, bridges ... Show More
1h 37m
Mar 2024
100 Strategies to Grow Your Design Business with Chris Do
<p>It&#39;s a milestone worth celebrating! The Profitable Graphic Designer Podcast is proud to announce its 100th episode! </p> <p>Over the past 100 episodes, we&#39;ve had the privilege of hosting some of the sharpest minds in the creative industry. Our guests have shared their ... Show More
1h 5m
Nov 11
#474 - William Pedersen, Founding Design Partner of Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF)
This week David and Marina of FAME Architecture & Design are joined by William Pedersen, founding design partner of Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF). The three discussed William's background and career influences, leaving hockey for architecture, career breakthrough, establishi ... Show More
1h 20m
Sep 1
134- Part 4: Let's Talk Profit Strategies, Follow the Profits, Not all Projects are Sexy
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2132732/open_sms">Send us a text</a></p><p><b>Welcome to the grand finale of our four-part Profitable Design Series with Laura Thornton!</b></p><p>In this essential episode, Laura helps you shift from jus ... Show More
13m 1s
Dec 2024
Chapter VIII: Interior Design (with Aerin Lauder and Alfredo Paredes)
“It’s so important to dream. And people always say, your life starts when your comfort level ends.” - Aerin Lauder In this chapter of Assouline’s Culture Lounge, we’re learning about interior design with the founder and creative director of global luxury lifestyle brand AERIN, Ae ... Show More
21m 39s
Oct 6
139 - Let's Talk About, Stop Undervaluing Our Industry: Building Wealth and Changing the Standards of Interior Design
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2132732/open_sms">Send us a text</a></p><p>Too often, interior designers fall into the trap of undervaluing themselves and, by extension, our entire industry. In today’s episode of <em>The Business of Bea ... Show More
14m 51s
Mar 2025
#436 - Walter Hood, Creative Director & Founder of HOOD Design Studio
<p dir="ltr">This week David and Marina of <a href= "https://www.famearchitects.com/">FAME Architecture & Design</a> are joined by Walter Hood, Creative Director & Founder of <a href="https://www.hooddesignstudio.com/">HOOD Design Studio</a>. The three discussed Walter's childhoo ... Show More
1h 13m
Feb 2025
#435 - Designing Fire-Resistant Homes in Los Angeles
<p>This week David and Marin<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">a of <a href="https://www.famearchitects.com/">FAME Architecture & Design</a></span> discuss strategies for creating a fire-resistant home. The two cover what causes wildfires to spread, the 3-layer approach to fire-r ... Show More
56m 43s
Oct 7
Fiverr Replacing Graphic Designers with AI and WHY Real Design Still Wins!
<p>Fiverr just fired 30% of its staff and announced it’s becoming an “AI-first company.” On paper, it sounds innovative. In reality, it’s poetic justice. The platform that devalued design and turned creativity into a $5 commodity just found a faster, cheaper replacement of its ow ... Show More
36m 40s