Materials
Natural, low-toxicity and durable materials—wood, stone, clay, lime, wool, linen, natural oils and mineral finishes.
About
A different way of thinking about home.
The materials we choose to build and furnish our homes become part of the places we live, the air we breathe, the water that carries them away, and the bodies of the people we love.
I believe the health of our homes is inseparable from the health of the earth.
I work at the intersection of healthy materials, natural building, design and construction, helping homeowners, architects and designers make more thoughtful choices about what goes into a home—and ultimately, what comes back out into the world.
My path to this work has moved through construction management, interior styling, fashion, retail and the arts. Construction taught me how materials need to perform in the real world. Design taught me how they shape the experience of a space. My work as an artist—primarily pastel and oil—taught me to pay attention to color, texture, light and the quiet beauty of natural materials.
I’m particularly drawn to materials that come from the earth, require less processing, can be repaired rather than replaced, and become more beautiful with time.
For me, healthy design isn’t about perfection. It’s about paying attention.
- Healthy materials
- Parsons School of Design — Healthy Materials Lab
- Construction
- Project management + residential construction
- Design
- Interior styling + design
- Art
- Pastel + oil painting
The idea behind the work
Beauty and responsibility belong together.
Whitney helps clients navigate the increasingly complicated world of building and interior materials—with an emphasis on natural materials, healthier finishes, traditional methods, and enduring design.
Paints, finishes, flooring, adhesives, insulation, cabinetry, textiles and furnishings often contain synthetic chemicals and fossil-fuel-derived ingredients that persist long after a project is finished. Some affect indoor air. Others leave a longer trail in the soil and water.
Beauty
Timeless materials and thoughtful design. A healthy home can be warm, elegant, historic, modern or completely unconventional.
Longevity
Building choices meant to age well—materials that can be repaired rather than replaced, and look better with time.
The home is part of a larger ecosystem—and we have an opportunity to make that relationship a little healthier.
Orcas Island, Washington
Tell me about your project.
Not sure where to start? Send me what you’re building or renovating and I’ll help you figure out the right next step.