Maria Fager is a multi -talented interior designer who prefers to plan and carry out ecological renovations that respect the environment and the health of the residents. What does ecological renovation or internal construction mean in practice?
Ecological internal construction and renovation pay attention to the life cycle of the whole and its different elements and materials: how and where materials are made, transported, how they can be repaired and edited, how long they will be served and how they are destroyed at the end of their life cycle. Defining an ecological entity may not be easy, and in any case, it requires long -minded thinking. The environmental footprint is defined at the design table.
Construction and demolition waste in Finland's second largest source of waste
Hiring an interior designer for a construction or renovation project may seem like an expensive luxury, but in the long run it can play a central role not only in the ecology of renovation, it can also save you clear money. Ecologically designed and organic materials and principles may be more expensive than the materials used in current construction, but higher initial bets will pay off in longevity. A well -planned ecological living space also has lower operating costs, easy to maintain and update, and modify as life situations change.
Of course, the principles of ecological renovation include preserving as much of the old as possible and that the new one replaces only the necessary and absolutely necessary. The designer is able to vision how to update the space with the light as possible, without having to tear off all the old and start the beginning. The amount of waste from renovation is significantly burdened by the environment; According to the Environment Center, construction and demolition waste is the second largest type of waste in Finland.
With natural materials for continuity over generations
As a child, Maria Fager dreamed of a construction or interior architect. He did not end up being an architect, but has studied and worked in a variety of surface treatment industry, not only as a designer but also as a hardware store salesman, as a wallpaper, a wallpaper. My company Farger Design was born a few years ago.
Nature has always been important to Mary and from there he also draws inspiration for eco-focused interior design and interior design. "Natural materials are better not only for the environment but also for the health of the residents. In addition to safety, I am fascinated by the simplicity of natural materials. They seem quite different from artificial materials, yes, in the garment you will notice. Natural materials are beautifully patinated, can be repaired and maintained and often last from generation to generation.
Ecological renovation begins with observation
The ecological renovation of the house buying the house starts with buying a house whose style and era are basically pleasing to new residents. The more the existing one can be preserved, the better. In this case, the historical nature of the house leads the plan, not the latest interior trends. "It's worth finding out what kind of style it fits into the building and its era, and what you like your own eye. Then you can't go wrong when you closely follow the style of the era," Mary advises.
There may be elements in the house or apartment that first horrifys and make you want to tear away immediately. Organic gardening planning recommends one year's observation time before making major changes, and the same rule will help you plan the renovation, even if you do not expect a year. When you have lived in the house for a while, you can see better what to change and how.
An interior designer can help you notice how those horrible elements can be updated with light edits. Only doors can be changed to the kitchen cabinets, or they can be painted and changed with new pulls. Painting and wallpapering are also ecologically light for updating the look, especially if the paint is plastic and the wallpaper from paper. Lighting also has a major impact on the interior and the atmosphere of the space.
"If the furniture has to be completely renewed, the genuine wooden kitchen made by a local carpenter is a very durable and ecological option.
Time is a wise consultant
The concept of time is an interesting way in ecological renovation and interior design. The farther we can look at the changes as we consider changes, the more aware we are about the effects of our choices and the more ecological choices are likely to be. Instead of focusing only on our current needs, it is good to think about life and home for ten, twenty or thirty years ahead.
On the other hand, when making aesthetic choices, it is helpful to look back in time: what kind of style, what shades have you liked for a long time? Although the pink sofa looks delightfully delicious in the interior magazine, it may get bored quickly, and it may not feel its own, if you have never felt at home, for example in pink -colored clothes.
Slowing down time and stretching decisions prevents impulse purchases and false solutions. If you are able to renovate in the long run, although room at a time, you will avoid the crash of costs as a one -on -one, which may end up making annoying compromises.
Time is also intertwined with renovation and construction through generations. The houses were built between the family or the community, and the skills and knowledge gained together, making more experienced novices. "Before, information went from one generation to the next, the model was obtained from there. When doing hand -making was part of the central activity of the home, when much was done, we knew what was done and how." Indeed, Maria has accompanied an interesting service alongside design and surface treatment: she offers her clients guidance and training in renovation from the hand, step by step, allowing her customers to make a empowering experience that can be moved to a younger generation.
A timeless style is ecological
When considering time during renovation, each style is a mirror image of its era, and an interesting and valuable, but ecological sense, the most environmentally friendly style is timeless. “The characteristics of timeless style are the simplicity, tranquility and unity of large surfaces. When considering shades, look out the window and bring the tones of nearby nature to the inside, creates a sense of continuity and space. Wood, stone and sand are timeless, actually all broken, natural colors lasting well. They are matching, ”Maria advises.
However, timeless does not mean bland, but to break away from momentary trends and mainstream, and to listen to your own nature, your personal ecosystem, and the realization of your own style and character.
The interior design starts from one shade
The home of Mary and her family is surrounded by a pine forest, which she has brought indoors in the form of a moss green sofa. "It fits so beautifully in the landscape outside," Maria sighs with a smile and glances out of the window. We talk through the video call and behind Mary on the screen shows textile art that combines moss color with geometric beige and gray shades. "You can start with a sofa or a table of you can pick up shades and use them elsewhere in the interior. If there is only one output, you can search for and combine other suitable colors. The main thing is that there is a color shade that starts."
In the case of a bigger renovation, it is good to start with large surfaces, ie choosing floor, roof, tiles and fixed furniture, and then the surface materials on the walls, for example, there are a lot of paint shades. This ensures that the larger entities will surely find a favorite paint or wallpaper.
If you are unsure about your own color or style, it is a good idea to look at the ready-made Mood Boards on the web or assemble one yourself, use the template model colors or ask for a tips from the designer.
Clay plastering breathable natural surface treatment
In Estonia's common, and recently widespread in Finland, surface treatment technology is a clay plaster, which is also one of Mary's skills. "The oldest buildings in the world are made of clay. It is 100% natural product, all ingredients come from nature: clay, fibers, sand and water. When dealing with many mortars, gloves must be used because they can harm the skin, but the clay can be immersed in the clay.
Clay plastering is suitable for log and front houses and can be done directly on the log or board surface. The fibreboard and brick are also suitable for it. When constructing new houses, clay plaster may be planned for surface treatment of the olike structures. "Clay plastering creates a very unique warm atmosphere in the space that is difficult to describe, it has to be experienced by itself."
The plaster can be obtained as the desired color by painting it with clay paint, which can also be made from natural pigments itself, clay and homemade wheat flour binder. Uula has a wide selection of natural pigments . Clay plastering and painting are skills that can be easily learned, but they require some patient training, so it is a good idea to hire a professional like Mary or take a clay plaster course.
Healthy living space with plastic -free materials
Clay plastering is a breathable material, in other words, it allows moisture to pass through the structures, thus balancing the indoor humidity peaks and keeps the indoor air clean. Maria pays special attention to plasticlessness and breathability of structures when designing a house with no mechanical ventilation or no ventilation interval under the lining, which is typical of front houses. It is essential for the breathability of the structure that all layers of the structure are plastic, including exterior and interior paint
Plastic -free materials provide not only a healthy living space, and their use has a broader impact on the environment. Reducing materials containing fossil-based raw materials is one way of working for the environment. Designers, such as Maria, are constantly looking for information and gaining experience in functional and cost -effective ecological materials and building technologies. This saves the designer saves time and pays back in the long run.
In addition to surface work and design, Maria refurbishes furniture and makes art. "Working at hand is relaxing, as well as moving around in the wild. From there, I shoot ideas for the interior, and earthy, broken colors have always been dear to me. Home is an important place for me too, and I spend a lot of time with my family."
Finns are spending more and more time at home, whether it is work or leisure. Let the home be the heart of everything, and let us make our home with a big heart.
Photos: Maria Fager
Before and after, images are the objects designed and implemented by Mary.
