From my kitchen window, I can reach out and touch the branch of a cedar tree that has probably been there for a hundred years.

When your home is this close to nature it makes you think meaningfully about how you renovate. Here are 4 things I did to design my North Vancouver home with a sustainable approach.

Induction Over Gas

One of the conscious design decisions we made included choosing an induction cooktop over a gas version.

Donate Old Kitchen Cabinets

We donated all of our old kitchen cabinets and bathroom fixtures to Habitat to Humanity instead of throwing them in the landfill.

Shop Local

We made a conscious effort to buy locally-made furniture such as our dining room table and sectional.

Buy Vintage

Most of the furniture and lighting in our house is vintage, from the sofa and coffee table in our living room to the chairs in our dining room. When I do buy new, I tend to buy quality. As a result, I have had pieces that I have lived with for over 20 years that move with me from house to house. It’s by no means perfect but it’s a start.

Get the full tour of my mid-century modern-inspired house.