AHHHHHH...... you know that feeling when you are on vacation at a dreamy hotel or resort? Those feelings of total bliss, relaxation, and rejuvenation, where all the noise of your busy life seems to fade away? We want to help you bring that feeling into your home.....and create your own retreat!

As an Interior Design and Décor firm, our end goal for you is to create a beautifully appointed home. A home full of warmth and comfort that reflects your lifestyle, and personality and where your family can relax, play and enjoy spending their time. More importantly, though, our mission is to create an environment, a stress-free, sanctuary, an oasis that supports your health and well-being devoid of harmful toxins and chemicals. 

What is the point of living in a gorgeous Instagram-worthy home that is negatively affecting your health and well-being? 

Not to be the bearer of bad news but here are the facts - Did you know that research shows that we spend approximately 90% of our time inside our homes? That is an extremely high percentage don’t you think? This same research revealed that there are over 500 pollutants in the materials used to construct our homes and products, making the inside of our homes up to 5 times more contaminated than being outdoors. Shocking but true!

Unfortunately, most people are not aware that their home is a cesspool of toxic chemicals. In most cases, they are breathing in a plethora of contaminants.  These contaminants can worsen asthma, allergies, and other health conditions.  They can also affect your level of happiness, productivity, emotions, and relationships. 

Based on this information, wouldn’t you agree that it is important to concentrate on our built environment and the products that we are bringing into our homes? This is probably not something you think about very much but honestly, you really should for the sake of yours and your family's health.

Sustainable Design with Your Earth, Health + Wellness Lifestyle in Mind

Soulier Design Studio FUSES Interior Design with Wellness, offering the latest solutions in Eco-friendly design.  We carefully choose the products introduced to ensure a positive impact on the indoor air quality and environment of your home, cottage, or office space while also introducing you to Biophilia - a connection with nature, natural daylighting, and specific light fixtures that enhance your health and sleep, energy-saving building materials and naturally organic, non-toxic design materials.   

Non-toxic, Allergy-free & Organic Products/Materials will be Emphasized”

Eco-Friendly, Non-toxic / Green Design 101

Here are some eco-friendly/green design terms and tips to help you navigate when looking for furnishings for your spaces and embark on your wellness journey toward living a greener lifestyle.

VOC – Volatile Organic Compounds 

We are quite sure you already know what VOCs are but you probably do not even realize it! 

Remember that new carpet or freshly painted room smell? How about that new car smell? Do you suffer from ailments such as headaches, do you feel light-headed or sick to your stomach often while at home or in your office? Or maybe you just brought home a memory foam mattress, unwrapped the plastic, and WOAH!!…the strong smell knocked you off your feet! Oh yes, in all these examples you are experiencing chemicals off-gassing into the air you breathe. These add to the ill health of your space and many have long-term side and health effects.  

Paint Brands We Prefer  

Graphenstone is the only paint that we recommend. "Graphenstone is the ultimate ecological range of products, composed of natural elements that purify the air we breathe inside our homes. It is suitable for people suffering from chemical intolerance and recommended for indoor enclosures, hospitals, nurseries, retirement homes, hotels, environments, or rooms for infants and children.

The health benefits resulting from the use of Graphenstone materials for individuals living in eco-sustainable homes are: Improves air quality of indoor environments, limits pathogens derived from sick building syndrome (SBS), prevents mould growth, fungi, and bacteria, guarantees safe domestic environments and increases comfort and quality of life."

Non-toxic Healthy Design

Everybody is talking about Eco-design (Earth-Friendly) which is obviously very important but not all eco-friendly products are non-toxic and health-friendly.  They are not one and the same!!!! Soulier Design Studio ensures that your designs include both these very important elements.

Green/Eco-Friendly Design  

Green Design is an earth-friendly design that is not harmful to the environment.  It focuses on sustainability, products that contribute to green living, that do not negatively impact the air, water, or land, that reduce our carbon footprint, and help conserve our valuable resources like water and energy. 

Green Washing (Please Read Carefully) This is a REAL  Thing!

Buyer be VERY, VERY AWARE!! Greenwashing - when companies make misleading or unsubstantiated claims about the environmental benefits of their products, services, or technology. 

We bet that you have been out shopping and have come across products claiming to be eco-friendly or green. Companies are advertising this way because they know that this is exactly what consumers want to hear as they shop for more environmentally conscious product options. Some of these products are, but the reality is many of these products are not truly green at all. They may be “GREENER” than their counterparts but not “GREEN”.   

Floor Coverings

Man-made, synthetic rugs, which are quite flammable, are generally treated with chemicals to help reduce their flammability.  Again, these chemicals have high VOCs and off-gas toxic fumes into your home. As an alternative, opt for rugs made with wool, organic cotton, and natural fibers.  

Upholstery

This one drives us crazy!! Let us explain why!  

• Most of the upholstery on couches and chairs has been treated with flame retardants. (chemicals) 
• Practically all cushions/padding on these couches and chairs are constructed of polyurethane foam and dacron. Man-made as well as petroleum-based.  
• Both these products are highly flammable and treated with flame-retardant chemicals.
• Research on flame retardants indicates that they cause a whole host of health issues such as IQ and developmental problems in children and impaired fertility.
• There is a TON of greenwashing (See Above) out there when it comes to buying home furnishings.  Example – Eco-Friendly soy foam in chairs, couches, mattresses, etc. 
• Consumers are falling prey to this – the reality is the foam in these furnishings is mainly polyurethane foam (Petroleum) made with small amounts of soy-based materials.
• This type of foam is still toxic and carcinogenic, relies on oil production, and is NO-WAY eco-friendly
• What is the answer – boycott the flame retardants, go organic, buy only furnishings made with latex and wool?
• Problem – At the moment, these furnishings are more expensive than traditionally constructed furniture. Since these pieces are typically custom-made to each customer's specifications and extremely well-constructed, they become investment heirloom pieces that can be passed down in your family.  Now this is sustainability at its best!! The bottom line here is that it is all about quality vs quantity.
• As more and more consumers request eco-friendly, non-toxic, and healthy furniture the cost will be driven down.
• Soulier Design Studio works with local Artisans to construct custom-designed eco-friendly, non-toxic furnishings for our clients.  

Optimal Wood Furniture Choices 

Again, when looking for sustainable, eco-friendly wood furnishings for your home, whether it be cabinets, tables, etc. it is best to purchase solid woods – maple, oak, teak, walnut, etc.  

Try to stay away from furniture made of MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) also known as particleboard. It is a mixture of wood shavings or sawdust held together by extremely toxic binders and glues.  Formaldehyde is one of them known to cause all sorts of ailments such as allergic reactions, nausea, and asthma wheezing to name a few.

Soulier Design Collection Catalogue and Design Concierge - (Launching August 2024) A one-stop destination for sustainable design carefully curated with environment-friendly, beautiful non-toxic products for personal use and your home that will nourish and support your health. Products that we can be very proud of and will aid us on our journey toward holistic living.

We only partner with suppliers that share that same mantra and commitment to change for the better!