FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

​

​

1. Where can I go to find eco-friendly suppliers?

Sustainable Furnishings Council website has a great list of resources from suppliers to contractors who can help you with your wellness design needs.

​

2. Books / resources I recommend?

   a. Clean Design: Wellness for your Lifestyle by Robin Wilson

    b. Sustainable Residential Interiors by Annette Stelmack and   

       Associates III

    c. WELL Building Standard

​

3. What is your process of designing a healthy space?

We like to start by spending time with you in your existing space to get a sense of you as an individual and understand your healthy design needs. Every client has a unique design scope and understanding that scope as well as aesthetic, budget and timing are all imperative to a successful job.

​

The full design process usually involves an initial consultation, proposal for the works, schematic design, approval and permits, design development, selections and materials, contractor bidding and construction administration.  Pip + Pencil also offer interior design services to help you select non-toxic furniture and finishes.

​

4. What makes a space 'healthy'?

Our indoor air can be up to 5x more polluted than the outside air, that is due to factors such as furniture and material off-gassing, pet dander, dust, cleaning products, cooking vapors, glues & adhesives in cabinetry as well as many other sources.

​

When we design from a position of wellness, we think about each and every item entering the space. From the water supply, indoor and outdoor air, construction materials all the way through to fixtures, fittings and furnishings. Some basic wellness design checklist items are:

​

• Ensuring all rugs are 100% natural materials, like organic NZ wool

• Ensuring furniture is solid wood construction

• Wood cornices and moldings made from formaldehyde free ply

• All adhesives are non-toxic

• Window treatments are made from natural materials and blinds are solid wood

• Where possible, maximizing natural daylight

• Wood flooring is from a certified forestry and responsibly-harvested

• Lighting is designed to mimic natural daylight patterns with temperature and volume control

• Specifying energy efficient and water saving fixtures

• Natural ventilation as preferred source of fresh air, backed by a HVAC system with job specific air filters

• Water filtration systems both whole home and at potable fixtures

• Aromatherapy and infused shower heads

• Antique and recycled (solid wood) furnishings

• No-VOC paints and non-toxic primers

• Non-toxic adhesives and finishes

• Indoor plants for air purification

• Energy efficient lighting and appliances

​

5. Will I have to compromise on aesthetic?

No! In our experience, finding beautiful eco-friendly, organic, non-toxic fixtures, finishes, furnishings and materials may be a little more work, but the outcome is always one of client satisfaction. We work closely with you to ensure it is your vision that is achieved on the outside with our vision of wellness on the inside...the complete package!

​

6. I would like to become a WELL AP, how can I do this?

Becoming WELL AP certified is not only for architects. Anyone interested in becoming a WELL AP is encouraged to do so, as I believe so passionately in the future of architecture and design lies in the evolution of wellness in design.

​

Visit the International Well Building Institute (IWBI) website for more information, and please feel free to reach out to Pippa if you have any queries about the WELL Building Standard or the process of becoming a WELL AP.

​

7. I would like to work with a wellness architect outside of NYC, can you help me?

Please feel free to contact Pippa with your job location as she often travels for the right jobs or can help guide you to someone that may be able to help locally.

​

8. How can I work with you?

Easy! Just email us at pippa@pipandpencil.com or fill out our questionnaire and we will get back you!