CONSCIOUS LIVING + DESIGN WITH LAURA BAROSS
Laura Baross
Laura Baross is a creative unlike any other. As an interior designer, design studio founder and social media maven, Laura does it all, while staying focused on her primary objective of leading a sustainability-minded lifestyle and inspiring others to do the same. We (Zoom) chatted with Laura to discuss her design philosophy, quarantine rituals and advice on working towards a low-impact lifestyle.
01 Tell us more about your sustainable design philosophy, what elements do you consider when starting a new project?
Can anything we do in the 21st century even be considered sustainable? Sustainability isn’t a direct ticket to glory. It isn’t an endpoint that we reach simply by buying second-hand items or eating consciously. In an ideal world where people are committed to sustainable practices, we are all doing better for the environment. However, the approach can vary, the issues to tackle can be very specific and many times there is no single ‘Good Solution’ that solves it all. In my creative studio - Design with Care - we aspire to work with like-minded eco-conscious brands to help amplify sustainable & ethical commitments. In interior projects, we reuse what has already been created via secondhand & vintage decor, and we consider the true cost of every element that comes into the equation when sourcing furniture & finishes: the location, materials used, production, packaging – and of course all this has to fit in the client’s budget & style preferences. In addition to design & decor, we make space for starting conversations with our clients about how they can implement sustainable practices into their new space and their lives. Some projects can be considered more sustainable than others but that doesn’t discourage our efforts to try our best.
“a good teacher who is dedicated to their craft can touch your life forever.”
02 What ritual have you discovered during quarantine that brings you joy and comfort amongst the chaos?
When experiencing life through the lens of a photographer, every golden hour feels like pure magic. I cherish the light quality that touches the soul and offers a delightful color palette that can only be captured twice a day. Early rising hasn’t been my forte, so for many years, I’ve been working with what the setting sun has to offer. However, during quarantine, I’ve felt the need to connect with nature’s sensations and discovered the beauty of rising with the sun. In my early mornings, I’ve found the space for much needed “me time” that, along with morning yoga and meditation, provided a calming foundation throughout the confusing days. I wish I could say I’ve maintained this habit, but with the world awakening and life ramping back up to speed, I’m finding less time for my early morning rituals – but I will always be appreciative of the time we were given to slow down.
03
What advice would you give to someone looking to implement a 0 waste lifestyle?
It is a privilege to be in a place in your life where you can experiment with low impact living. That said, if you’re in this position, I consider it an act of ignorance to turn a blind-eye to the resources available to you. Many times it’s as simple as saying NO to things that are trying to enter your life. When you begin the journey my best advice is to:
- be gentle with yourself – changing habits take time and chances are that you’ll never reach that ‘zero’ but that shouldn’t stop you from trying.
- make small commitments to start out with, such as not using single-use plastics, BYO grocery/produce bags when shopping, eating less animal produce and so on. A ‘low(er) waste’ lifestyle is already a great step towards conscious consumerism.
- aside from packaging, look into the production & ingredients - some of the products you may be using can be very harmful to the environment & humankind. (things like palm oil, carbon footprint, monocropping, systems of oppression, etc.)
04 What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone looking to start their career in interior design and architecture?
A good teacher who is dedicated to their craft can touch your life forever. Finding a good mentor or studying an idols work can go a long way. Be curious, keep creating, and don’t underestimate old books as a source for unique ideas that haven’t been overshared yet. You can get a degree or take online classes to get familiar with the basics, but the work continues outside of the curriculum with lots of self-development and networking. And most importantly, don’t forget that you CAN create something meaningful.